CO guy coming you're way

[Btandrews]

I'll be coming to Monticello around the end of March. My wife grew up there and her father still runs the family farm.  I'd appreciate any advice as to whether or not I should pack the short poles, may be something for my father in law to bond over

[Kevin23]

End of march? Heck no.

[Bates]

Take him to your shaded spot that doesn't get any sun and has ice into May.

[Btandrews]

Long rods it is. Figured that'd be too late but had to ask. Thanks

[Kevin23]

Long rods it is. Figured that'd be too late but had to ask. Thanks

3 years ago, you would have been okay. We fished into the 2nd week of april. But not this year, seems we can only get 3 cold days then there are 3 warm days to ruin it all. We will be extremely lucky to get through feb and still be on ice this year. A couple hours north will make all the difference. You might be able to look into a weekend trip to MN somewhere? Last I heard clear lake had around 20", they will make it through Feb I'm sure. But mid/late march would be pushing it I'm sure. We don't have the deep ground frost around here like in years past, a couple warm days and the edges are gone.

[AltOutdoors]

Seems like a lot of the ice south of Des Moines is starting to go already.  With th warm weather starting tomorrow and lasting through at least the next two weeks, we will be open water all around by next weekend.

[Btandrews]

It's been a similar winter around Denver. Mountains have plenty of ice and there are some places on the eastern plains I'd still try today but it's been very warm and windy so everything local is open.

Is there a body of water around Monticello that anyone wouldn't mind recommending?

Thank you all for the replies

[Oldbear]

I hate to say it but I started putting my gear away today.  I did get a trip last week to northern Iowa but I'm done now unfortunately.