with the warm up, is the ice safe?

[Vapor]

Im in the metro and wanted to fish Bush Lake tomorrow.  But its been nearly 40 degrees today and tonight there was water on top of the ice.

I assume its probably safe to walk on and drill?

[Skipper]

I assume its probably safe to walk on and drill?

It didn't get that warm for that long, and there wasn't that much rain... watch runoff areas and always check your own ice, but you should be good. They were driving on many of the metro lakes earlier this week. It takes allot to wreck that much ice.

It may be SOFT though, I would stay off with the car!

Always check your own ice though...

[Vapor]

This is my first year back on the ice in many years so I need to relearn many things

[Skipper]

That's why we are here...

You gotta get your own gauge of what you are comfortable with too.... Some guys are out on 3'' of junk with now worries, others are nervous on 6'' of good clear stuff. It isn't fun to fish ice that you are uncomfortable on.

You will absolutely for sure need some ice cleats or creepers. It's gonna be slick out there! Ice like this is good for an emergency room trip!  

[Hard Ice]

I agree with skipper .. use your own judgement.. if it don't look safe to you then it probley isn't .. on Tuesday i was on 16" but a little farther out it was only 12"  ice really verys this year.

[Whopper Stopper]

Was out yesterday in the North Metro. Lots of water on the ice. Be a lot nicer after this cold snap refreezes everything.

                WS

[Skipper]

Milaca is 10 degrees right now... I bet it's all frozen up already. At most the Twin Cities are 15-18 degrees.

[Vapor]

Oh its plenty cold now!  I thought the forecast called for more warmth.

I really need to find a cheap clamshell to get out of this wind though!!!  Brrrr!

[Skipper]

Yeah... it's no fun to fish when you're cold too!

Keep an eye out.. Stores will start clearance on shacks soon. 

[Vapor]

Yeah... it's no fun to fish when you're cold too!

Keep an eye out.. Stores will start clearance on shacks soon.

My buddy gave me an HT pop up style shanty but in the wind its like trying to deploy a parachute and keep it on the ground!!

The clamshells are so much more "grab and go" which fits my style so much more.  I kayak fish in the summer for the same reason.

[Skipper]

I use a Clam Voyager pulled behind a snowmobile. I like that style best. The Voyager is too big and heavy to pull by hand though... I need to buy something smaller for early and late ice trips.

[Vapor]

looking at this

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/shappell-windbreak-ice-fishing-shelter/0000000071214

[Hard Ice]

If you are going to spend the money do it rite and go with a 1 man flip over portable you will be much happyer !

[Vapor]

If you are going to spend the money do it rite and go with a 1 man flip over portable you will be much happyer !

Isnt that what I posted?

[minnowdrowner]

Isnt that what I posted?

The windbreak stays straight up as pictured, a flipover goes all the way down...

[Skipper]

Windbreaks are a huge waste of money.... IMO.

Fleet has this flipover for only $50 more on sale.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/clam-corporation-kenai-portable-ice-shelter/0000000007382

They have Shappell flip overs too, but they ain't showing them on the website. I'm not trying to push Clam, that one is just on sale. Fleet in St. Cloud has A TON of shacks out on display, I hope the store in your area does too.

[Vapor]

Windbreaks are a huge waste of money.... IMO.

Fleet has this flipover for only $50 more on sale.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/clam-corporation-kenai-portable-ice-shelter/0000000007382

They have Shappell flip overs too, but they ain't showing them on the website. I'm not trying to push Clam, that one is just on sale. Fleet in St. Cloud has A TON of shacks out on display, I hope the store in your area does too.

I didnt realize it stayed open.  I like the FX100.  They are made in the US, which I like.  Im not far from the FF in Lakeville.  I just fished Marion today down there.

Trying to find one online and see if I can make it work money-wise.  I love, love, love ice fishing, but I cant keep doing it outside or in the POS I have been using, lol.

[Skipper]

All the manufactures make a good flip over. When you buy an economy model, look at the tub. If the tub (sled) is light and flimsy, go check the competitions offering in the same price range. Cheap sleds don't last!

Figure on getting a set of runners for the underside if you plan on pulling behind a snowmobile or ATV also.

You are right about Shappell... really good stuff for the price. Just because they don't spend a bunch of money on marketing does not mean their stuff is bad.

[Vapor]

If I can find that Shappell, Im getting it

[rdhammah]

Milaca is 10 degrees right now... I bet it's all frozen up already. At most the Twin Cities are 15-18 degrees.

send some this way. looks like we'll be losing what little ice we had last week. no ice making per the long term forecast