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Ice is forming on the small high elevation ponds. I'm going to try to start my ice fishing season next Wednesday, Nov. 23. I expect to find 5-6 inches of ice. I want to get out ahead of the snow that's in the forecast for Friday and Saturday.
There are 2 ponds near me that freeze exceptionally early every year. Both are next to the road and the parts I'll be fishing are only 3 feet deep. If I do break through I won't drown and I'll only be about 2 minutes from the truck. I bring the bare minimum for gear when I fish through thin ice, just a hand auger and a cheap jig pole so there's no risk of losing expensive toys.
Both of those ponds are artificial laws only until the first of December so I'll be jigging. I've never caught anything with artificial lures on tip-ups.
Saw the first ice chunks on Pushaw lake today. It will be a while until ice forms, but this is the first day I have seen ice so it's coming.