First skim 2024

[zcm_82]

Just out and about this morning, so I figured I'd just have a looksee for giggles and was surprised to find several ponds 100% skimmed over. They'll burn off with this snow/rain the next couple days, but it means they should lock up quick if this cold snap rolls in on Wednesday like the forecast is calling for. 

Iroquois County

[IlliniIce]

funny how quick the forecast changed  was looking like no ice this year to "frigid" next weekend.
think i will start getting out the gear after seeing predicted lows of near 0 or below for seven straight days

[zcm_82]

My stuff has been ready to go since about a week after deer season, just been waiting on the weather.

IF... the local forecast halfway holds true, I imagine I'll be out for my first trip next Sunday or Monday. A lot of it depends on what the wind does Wed-Friday.

[zcm_82]

Looking  good from Wednesday forward.

[bassin140]

Illinois ice fishing is coming back f forecast holds true. My only fear is an inch of ice on some lakes before Friday and then bam 8 inches of snow on top of that ice. I would rather see lakes stay open and then build ice after snow storm.

[zcm_82]

Hoping snow misses us altogether. We got 2-3" this weekend, but it has almost all melted off already. Basically all that's left in my yard is the snowman my kid made this morning.

[zcm_82]

Keeps looking even better for this weekend through next week. 

[fish333]

Illinois ice fishing is coming back f forecast holds true. My only fear is an inch of ice on some lakes before Friday and then bam 8 inches of snow on top of that ice. I would rather see lakes stay open and then build ice after snow storm.

My very same thought about snow on top of thin ice. Very Very  dangerous.

[zcm_82]

All the skim is gone here. We picked up maybe 2" of sloppy, sleety snow last night, but the rain has burned almost all of it off this morning.

Doesn't look like there will be enough skim anywhere around here to survive getting sunk/burned by the snow Friday, thankfully, so we should be starting from scratch Friday night.

[MysidEaters]

I was also blindsighted by the cold weather snap change in forecasts.  Looks like we might actually get some.  If the forecasts hold for over a week - any idea if the ice should improve for the following week?  Using the rough back-of napkin formula I was shared last year, seems like Ice could get past 4" by Tuesday, and maybe up to over 10" by next Friday (19th).  Anyone any idea how likely that really is for end of Friday / weekend?

[zcm_82]

I'm gonna scout around Sunday afternoon and see how things are looking.

If it gets as cold as the current forecast, I fully expect to have a line wet Monday on a couple smaller, sheltered ponds. Maybe Tuesday, depending on the wind tomorrow 🤷‍♂️

Forecast still looks pretty good locally. We got about 3" of snow early this morning, but the rain is burning it off fast now.

[MysidEaters]

Smaller ponds makes sense.  I'm specifically curious about larger bodies of water like Banner Marsh and specifically Emiquon.  I'll be checking Ice at Emiquon as I pass on rt 78 and looking for evidence of anglers out there too.

[zcm_82]

Ah, I don't really bother with big water in the winter anymore. They're too crowded when they make ice.

Going out and having a poke around this afternoon. As windy as it has been, I only expect a few sheltered ponds to be skinned over.

[zcm_82]

All the ponds I just checked out were completely capped but one. Ice was 1-1.75"  Buncha white crap ice around the edges from the wind, but the rest is clear.






I'll be fishing tomorrow afternoon 

[wsj_outdoorsman]

Good Luck ZCM, I will wait for later this week, but soon, very soon.

[zcm_82]

Thanks, I'll post a report after I fish.

It's looking like the ice won't last long here; local forecast next week is showing 40s for highs. This will likely be another really short season unless another cold blast comes through.

[IlliniIce]

with most places skimmed over, should make a lot of ice today and tomorrow. i am planning on fishing a small pond wednesday, spudding and drilling/checking my way out of course.
might check a place close to home today.
but looks like 40 and rain beginning of next week, sheesh 

[ratsotail]

Thanks for the reports Gents! Fingers crossed for an outing starting Thursday! Also looking at hitting smaller lakes like Beaver Dam, Weldon Springs and Ramsey.

Jeff

[Crappie Day11]

Edgar co had 1.5 to 3in on a few spots i checked today.

[zcm_82]

with most places skimmed over, should make a lot of ice today and tomorrow. i am planning on fishing a small pond wednesday, spudding and drilling/checking my way out of course.
might check a place close to home today.
but looks like 40 and rain beginning of next week, sheesh 

Yeah, next week's forecast looks like absolute garbage. I'll be out as much as I can this week, because the way this winter is going, a second round of ice seems very unlikely.