From what little I could check, the damage to small waters around Cedar Rapids was not as bad as I thought it might be this week, but probably still enough to put an end to most ice fishing this far south.
The small ponds I looked at today in CR by my office--privately owned, so I can't fish them or actually check the ice, but I can walk right next to them--still had decent-looking ice close to shore in spots. If I had a spud bar, cleats, picks, and permission to be on them I would have tried to get out in spots.
The ice has begun to pull away from shore, especially on the north sides. Going out there would not have worked without waders or a plank. Forget about going anywhere near where water ran off in to those ponds this week.
As it is, I am not going to try any ponds around here this weekend, even though I bet some are still safe to fish if you are careful. One trip well north for sure tomorrow, and maybe one more long drive by next weekend, and that will be it for me.
