dun the fat lady sang

[digger953]

im done the fat lady sang all day sat was the last time for me this season
was a good day met some new people had fun caught some fish had a blast
but its time to put the stuff away and get the boat ready and finish home projects

[capt.crappie]

Yea. Im gonna put my stuff away too. Got out twice. Im thinking we are not gonna see the ice fishing as we once knew it. The last 2 years have been a big flop. Global warming is taking its toll   Had promised land plans for next weekend. But Im too unsure of the weather & ice conditions. Ill cancell my reservations & bite the bullet on the deposit a little money lost. Aint worth sketchy ice & a couple fish.

[Burky65]

Did you reserve one of the camp ground's three cabins?  I've always wanted to spend a weekend at The Promised Lands.

[chez]

I made it out 7 trips this year.
last year 8.
the year before 27..

its over for this season for me.
im gunna start chasing the cats on the river.

you guys that try  a time or 2 more be safe.

[Spider1]

geez, I can't count the number of days I've been on the ice, I've been out almost every weekend and even burned a few vaca days as well. The last 2 years haven't been as good as previous years but some of the previous years weren't that great either. But, I do think it'll be an early spring. This weeks weather is gonna kill whats left of the ice. I might get out this afternoon to Promised land just to see how the ice is holding up. But, I got the kayak ready to go.

[Drillin-n-Chillin]

I'm done. 4 trips for me and about 18-20 hours behind the wheel for that. Kayak is ready, ice gear packed away until next year. Life revolves around family and fishing is close second.
Tight lines all!!

[panfishnut51]

yup I just stuck a fork in me.....im done for the ice season too

[Chris338378]

I hate to say it but it looks like the season is shot and will go down in the history books as the shortest season I've ever had.   

[Indiana_Lou]

What ice season? I managed one day. Boy am I glad I purchased that new insulated ice shanty! Well it will be like brand new next year. Stay safe. Don't risk going out on weak ice. There's already been enough fatalities this year.   lou

[Chris338378]

The only "good" thing about the ice going to crap is it'll be all gone on a lot of the lakes I fish so I'll be able to get out on them with my boat but I'd rather be ice fishing them.   

[Spider1]

I think once the water goes soft and I get the kayak out, I'll be fine. Yer right, if the ice is gonna go bad on us, I hope it does it fast!

[SLAPHAPPY]

i was going to try and get out this evening,, but when i went outside for the 3rd day in a row of shorts and tshirt,, no fish is worth going in the drink for.. so as much as this kills me, im gonna have to pack the hut and gear away.. and chez knows how much that will hurt. lol , guess its time to start on the boat

[Chris338378]

I think Mother Nature needs to get l*id so she gives a us a real cold winter already.   

[SLAPHAPPY]

yeah but when we get 24 inches of ice and 2 feet of snow, people will complain about that too. lol.. i am originally from north eastern minnesota,, so to be here and see how strange these winters are is crazy.. but i have learned, get out while you can around here. it can change in a day

[Chris338378]

I'd give my left, well you can guess, to have 24 inches of ice with 2 feet of snow on top of it.  Instead of using the jet sled or even a smitty sled, I'd break out the snow shoes and trapper's basket.  As they say in the Marine Corps, improvise, adapt, and over come. 

[eaglejac]

Fellow ice fisherman you still may be able to get out this week, its still not melting that bad up in the hills, Rutnut fished Upperwoods on Monday and the holes where freezing over all day , I stopped by Prompton on Sunday and its still ok. I was able to get out about 15 times this season ,should have been a few more times but got sick for a few weekends and washed out by rain on the other days.. all and all not too bad of a season for me.. I wont do no water boarding but if the shore lines hold up may still get out again.

[Spider1]

geez, 24" of ice and I would drive right out in my subaru

well, I called it last night. I stored the ice gear and took out the rest of the kayak gear. Supposed to get cold again after next weekend but it's 60's until then. Some guys will get on the ice next weekend but I won't be one of them, I might be looking for open water though.

[RuttNutt]

Well, call me stubborn.............. ...................... .............but I ain't givin up just yet! I got some really good 8' aluminum planks if needed. Just checked the forecast and looks like 3/5 to 3/15 we are going to go back in the deep freeze. I think there is a chance at least Belmont might still be fishable then. But I ain't gonna be stupid. Just not quite ready to call it a season! 

[Spider1]

might be cold in March but the sun is gonna be high. It's not the temps that kills the ice so fast, it's the sun. That's why we can get 2 ft of snow in March and it's gone the next day. One thing I know, I can find more open water now than safe ice.

[eaglejac]

might be cold in March but the sun is gonna be high. It's not the temps that kills the ice so fast, it's the sun. That's why we can get 2 ft of snow in March and it's gone the next day. One thing I know, I can find more open water now than safe ice.

I am keeping both options open for now, I am sending a scout out this weekend to see what lakes are open that I can drop the boat in, hoping Winola is open , I would like to give it a try for some perch maybe try drop shoting / Jigging off the boat.

[Basspunker182]

I am 50/50 on heading out this weekend coming up, but I would bet Belmont and Duck Harbor would still have good ice for at least another weekend or 2.

[Chris338378]

I'm with RuttNutt in hoping and praying that the ice gods smile upon us and give us a second chance.  I'm praying that the temps drop like a lead balloon in March with highs only in the teens so we can get out some more but I'm not too optimistic about it happening.  My plan for now is if there's no ice I'm going to break out the boat to fish at least one day this weekend. 

[Drillin-n-Chillin]

Surviving the gap between ice fishing and open water.
I posted a checklist last year on how to survive the down time. So here goes. Please add on so we can keep ourselves from going crazy over the next few weeks.

1. Clean up the open water gear, rods reels lines etc
2. Tie some new flies and jigs (salt and freshwater)
3. Prepare kayak, boat
4. Buy plenty of new gear
5. Plan ahead, and do something nice for your wife to build up wife credits (probably should be first)
6. Make sure you have enough beer or your drink of choice (all of the above are better with beer)
7. Make sure to take the worms out of your ice fishing sled or box so they don't turn into whatever they turn into later.
8. Buy more beer as needed.

[Kov619]

Trip to Erie today mid February.temp 63...water temp 34....great perch bite  limits of 30 each 2 limits  60 jumbos....2 steel head   And a safe trip on the water [/[URL=http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/kov619/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/CD9EE854-264E-46DD-9B35-1D74BB066EA1_zpshl10dkcr.png.html]

[eaglejac]

Thats some nice Perch ,,,,Was you on open water ?

[Kov619]

Yes open water

[pagoda]

Have to agree with all of you that the season is over. Went to Shahola on Friday and the ice was good but the shorelines were going. Got out only 2 times and hoping for a better and colder year next season.

[BUFFORT T JUSTICE]

Was a short season.
I got out 4 times.
my gear is getting put in the Shed.
Enjoyed Myself every trip.
Got to Fish with spider..was a good time.
Talked to a bunch of good guys on this site.
Helped me with a bunch.Very Good Site.
I got a Pm today from Ice Wagon.
He wanted an Apology.
For What     I have no Clue.
But i did give him one Sorry for what ever Ice Wagon.
Maybe you should lighten up a bit??,
Any ways im done.
Got some things to do around my house.
Got Spring Gobbler season on my mind.
Ill be around for this weekend to see how you guys do.
Please be safe.

[Newberry Kid 218]

The Fat Lady HAS SUNGETH ! My stuff is away and its off to the river for walleyes !

[capt.crappie]

Was a short season.
I got out 4 times.
my gear is getting put in the Shed.
Enjoyed Myself every trip.
Got to Fish with spider..was a good time.
Talked to a bunch of good guys on this site.
Helped me with a bunch.Very Good Site.
I got a Pm today from Ice Wagon.
He wanted an Apology.
For What     I have no Clue.
But i did give him one Sorry for what ever Ice Wagon.
Maybe you should lighten up a bit??,
Any ways im done.
Got some things to do around my house.
Got Spring Gobbler season on my mind.
Ill be around for this weekend to see how you guys do.
Please be safe.

Buffort & I got off on the wrong foot too. But I dont hold a grudge against anyone. We are all adults & entitled to our own opinions.