Too Early?

[SchlitzBeer]

Just seeing where people usually get on the ice the soonest and what date that is....I usually get on the ice just before Christmas.

[Sierra57]

I'm north of Waterloo about 40 minutes and last year we got on ice for the first time Nov. 21, I wouldn't recommend doing that to anybody but we just couldn't seem to wait. I believe we gave it another week or two after that for the obvious reasons

[IceAddict87]

I usually don’t make it on the ice until the first of January, even then I usually go up to IGL’s and fish for a day or so. December is usually a busy month for me. Deer season takes up the first couple weeks then it’s all the family Christmases, end of the year at work is also crazy. After that it’s ice fishing until the thaw!

[clm]

Last year it was December 8th in southwest Iowa, but that's the earliest I've ever gotten on in this area.   Hopefully it will be around the same time or sooner this year!

[Dave R]

I'm hoping for mid December. This year once it begins I am hoping for steady cold temperatures. It seems the past couple of years we got on early and thenit got unseasonably warm the first part of January which resulted in rotten ice.

[SchlitzBeer]

I really hope we avoid that unseasonably warm spell in January!

[Lyontyl]

I really hope we avoid that unseasonably warm spell in January!

No joke.  Has happened two years in a row.  West Lake Ice Out tourney always seems to plan it right on that warm spell too!

[matzilla]

last year dec 14th I fished 3-4" of ice on my 1.25ac pond....this year it might be nov 14th lol It is mostly shaded, in a deep ravine and cool spring fed so it freezes fast. Hoping to get into my 2 year old walleye and yellow perch but I have to avoid the gills and bass haha

[SchlitzBeer]

Matzilla, you get some snow last night?

[jrjach75]

I'm a little North of the Quad City area here, usually there are a few early spots you can get onto around Thanksgiving or the first week of December. Most other places by the middle of December, sometimes later depending on a warm up or a bunch of rain.

[matzilla]

Matzilla, you get some snow last night?

Yes sir, bout 3" or so - It'll be gone this weekend haha

[Bryfish84]

I’m sure it will be the first of the year for me.

[hotrod]

The 10-Day forecast is looking great...no doubt people will be popping holes in the next couple weeks around Iowa!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Usually around thanksgiving. Did have ponds locked up but it warmed up for a bit.

[Bryfish84]

Forecast doesn’t look good for ice making in central Iowa.

[hotrod]

A few lakes in Northern (Central and Western) Iowa had some solid ice this past weekend, but I don't expect it to continue.  Thaw and a re-freeze coming.