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Wisconsin => Ice Fishing Wisconsin => Topic started by: eriksat1 on Dec 08, 2016, 09:54 AM

Title: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 08, 2016, 09:54 AM
Who has Ice? The question of the year, lets hear it. I drove past a 27 acre lake this morning that was totally frozen over, then a 85 acre lake that had just a little bit of open water out in the middle, and a 920 acre lake that had about 100 feet frozen out off of the north shore. All small ponds are iced over, the wind finally let up a little last night. Calling for a low of 4°f tomorrow night. We very well could have fish-able ice by Sunday.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: wifisherman4 on Dec 08, 2016, 03:37 PM
I'm heading out on Wisconsin river backwaters Saturday, should interesting. Should be able to get on a lot of places by next weekend.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Ice Surveyor on Dec 08, 2016, 03:53 PM
I walked on Lazy Lake in Fall River today.  About an inch and a half of ice.  By tomorrow morning, should be 2 1/2 inches, and I will be setting tip ups.  Shallow water, 2 to 3 ft deep.  I just can't wait to see that first flag pop! 
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: sckoolman on Dec 08, 2016, 06:04 PM
We have a place on Sand Lake in Sawyer county.  No ice on Tuesday, 30 ft out on Wednesday and maybe 100 yds today.  Hoping it'll be good to go in a couple weeks - next week should help a lot.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: maxmartens on Dec 08, 2016, 06:37 PM
Had about an inch last night going out tomorrow think we should have walkable ice by then!
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eyeman3 on Dec 08, 2016, 08:41 PM
went and check smith lake out today in washington county had about 1 1/2 inch - 2inch from what i walked on gonna check again tomorrow and hopefully be out saturday  :tipup: :tipup: :tipup:
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Old Goat on Dec 08, 2016, 10:31 PM
Cherokee is froze over will venture out in a couple days
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Michaelo on Dec 09, 2016, 06:54 AM
Going to take the spud out tonight and check some small waters here in Chippewa County. Got down to 10 degrees with a real light wind last night. Low of 8 tonight should be on a backwater fishing tomorrow.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 09, 2016, 08:35 AM
Well that 920 acre lake that was mostly open yesterday was frozen up this morning as far as I could see no open water. With the good cold coming it should be game on at all the lakes in about by the end of next week. There will be fishable ice by this Sunday on small lakes and bays.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Thorney on Dec 09, 2016, 10:23 AM
Webcam at Gilligan's on Lake Pokegama (Chetek Chain) shows total ice coverage. Yesterday afternoon there was a boat floating around out there fishing. Winds must have died down a lot overnight to make ice that quickly. Looking forward to getting out, but I'm giving it 'til next weekend. Supposed to get real cold next week.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: jrodm13 on Dec 09, 2016, 10:55 AM
The 3-5 inches of snow that we're expecting on Sunday could really kill the ice production.  Lets hope for some minimal snowfall.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: addicted to ice fishing on Dec 09, 2016, 12:13 PM
Been working  in Menomonie the last 3 days.  Lake Menomin was wide open yesterday,  today it is locked up.  I was also in Cornell this morning,  and the lake is locked up there also. 
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: maxmartens on Dec 09, 2016, 12:47 PM
Just got done checking lakes in clear lake clayton and turtle lake one guy out on some ice i wouldn't be caught dead on. The rest still needs a week or so to be safe.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 09, 2016, 02:06 PM
The 3-5 inches of snow that we're expecting on Sunday could really kill the ice production.  Lets hope for some minimal snowfall.

At least with the cold it shouldn't be wet snow, so if it is light fluffy dry snow it should blow off the lakes quickly is what I am hoping.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Old Goat on Dec 09, 2016, 02:12 PM
Go Time Here NO MORE WAITING
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Team_Reload on Dec 10, 2016, 06:28 AM
Go Time Here NO MORE WAITING
Where are you getting out in the Madison area?
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Ice Surveyor on Dec 10, 2016, 09:07 AM
I would bet it's Cherokee Marsh on the north side of Madison.

I fished Lazy Lake yesterday, around 2.75 to 3 inches.  I bet this morning has close to 4.  Flags were flying, caught some nice bass, up to 19 inches. 
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: matt12 on Dec 10, 2016, 10:26 AM
going to check some lakes in the ashland/price co. area today. should be about 2+ inches im hoping. FINALLY!
 ;D
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 10, 2016, 03:01 PM
I checked a local 200 acre lake about 2 hours ago had 1-1/2 inch. I'm waiting, shouldn't be long.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Iceshanty on Dec 10, 2016, 04:47 PM
Took a ride around this morning. Looks like next weeks weather will seal the deal

Shawano Lake. Mostly capped... with some small open areas yet.
(http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/icefone/IMG_0162.jpg)

Archibald
(http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/icefone/IMG_0176.jpg)

(http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/icefone/IMG_0177.jpg)

Boot
(http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq281/icefone/IMG_0165.jpg)


Be safe!

Scott

Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: PerchRapala on Dec 10, 2016, 04:50 PM
Little Wissota is killing me  :-\
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: matt12 on Dec 10, 2016, 09:44 PM
first walleye of the 16-17 season! had a fairly solid 2 inches. few pressure cracks were sketchy... im a light dude so it wasnt so bad. "under 200" if we dont get this snow they are talking about we should be ok by tomorrow/monday. going to go try and fish the turtle tomorrow.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Thorney on Dec 11, 2016, 01:36 PM
Drilled holes on Pokegama (Chetek chain). 4" by shore, 2 ½ inches at 100 yards from shore. That's as far as i was willing to go. I will give it another week. Be safe!
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: RapidsJigger24 on Dec 11, 2016, 03:46 PM
Fished on ice that varied from 3 to 4 inches in Fall River on Lazy Lake yesterday.  Now with all this light fluffy snow we got, I'm going to stay off for a while.  I'm hopeful that the 10+ inches they are calling for around the state on Friday this week stays away or there is enough wind to at least blow it off the lakes!
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: bigstorm on Dec 11, 2016, 04:39 PM
Got on Lake WI in a shallow bay searching for gills this morning, 2.5" of ice, snow was not helping. No fish or bites but nice to drill a hole and stare at the end of the rod again. And to think, I was in the boat 8 days ago on lake WI.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: dbuchmann on Dec 11, 2016, 06:36 PM
Checked a few lakes both yesterday and today. Nothing I felt safe on. Kept going  through with one hit with the spud bar. Found 1.5" about 50' from shores. Should be good by next weekend
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 12, 2016, 05:55 AM
Checked a bunch of lakes yesterday also the most ice I found was 3" but not really worth fishing there. Most lakes bays were 1-1/2" to 2" I weight 240 Lbs I will wait a few more days. Going below zero here tonight.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Michaelo on Dec 12, 2016, 07:05 AM
With this cold weather this week should be plenty of ice this weekend. Probably will go and check out the chetek chain.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: blitzfish on Dec 12, 2016, 08:27 AM
Beaver dam has about 3 inches on it, just be careful for springs out there. Some are obvious. I tried it Sunday (12/11) with only a few small bass to show from it though this lake can really be hit and miss, you just need to find a school of crappie/perch.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 12, 2016, 10:36 AM
Looks like we have about 4 very cold days to thicken up the ice then Friday 5" to 8" inches of snow coming, then Saturdays low almost minus  -20°F. Right now we got almost 4 inches of fresh snow on top of 2" inches of ice :(
Where is all that high wind now when we need it to blow the snow off the lakes?
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Madgill on Dec 12, 2016, 07:39 PM
I was on Cherokee In Madison today, a good 3" of ice, slushy snow from yesterday melted and re-froze in some areas. It makes for a lot of noise pulling the shanty across that, the fish know you are coming! I see the Monona Bay zoo is beginning, 6 guys out there this morning when I drove by, around 20 this afternoon. Getting darn cold the next couple of days, things should start freezing nicely!
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: FilletShow on Dec 12, 2016, 08:00 PM
Nice work Gill.  Too bad it's getting so cold.  I have a little bit of time the next couple days.  Might have to just spend the time getting gear ready, as I think my line is 2 years old (wasn't worth it to switch last season with as short as it was).  Maybe I'll brave the elements and see you on the marsh.  Saw a bunch of shacks at the Stoughton ditches this morning.  Almost empty at 3, so bite must not be that good.

Stay safe.

FS
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: addicted to ice fishing on Dec 14, 2016, 08:02 PM
Work took me up to Sand Lake, Rusk / Chippewa  co.  Parts of Sand are still open. 
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: eriksat1 on Dec 15, 2016, 09:06 AM
I drilled a bunch of holes in 4" of ice yesterday on a desent size lake to test my new 8" K-Drill and M-18 Fuel. There was plenty of ice but I did not fish because of 15 mph wind and 2°F out not counting wind chill.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Team_Reload on Dec 16, 2016, 12:12 PM
I drilled a bunch of holes in 4" of ice yesterday on a desent size lake to test my new 8" K-Drill and M-18 Fuel. There was plenty of ice but I did not fish because of 15 mph wind and 2°F out not counting wind chill.

How did the new auger set up work for ya? I always drill 6". Didn't k ow of a drill would handle a 8"
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: 52isntbigenough on Dec 16, 2016, 02:57 PM
Reports I'm hearing from multiple people is that Fox Lake has 6" in most spots.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Team_Reload on Dec 19, 2016, 07:24 AM
Made a little time yesterday morning and got out for the first time. Lake Kegonsa has a good 5.5 - 6" of ice everywhere i went. I never fish that lake so i had no idea where to try. Didnt catch anything but it was nice to be on the hardwater again.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Melbs7 on Dec 19, 2016, 08:03 AM
Has anyone been out in the La Crosse area? Just wondering how thick you're finding the ice.
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: Old Goat on Dec 30, 2016, 10:39 PM
on Cherokee today 7 inches and solid with bites being steady the whole time I was there
Title: Re: First Ice! Lets hear it!
Post by: addicted to ice fishing on Dec 31, 2016, 04:14 AM
Made it out on the Chetek chain.  Didn't measure the ice, but would estimate 7-8 inches.  Numerous wheelers, side by sides, and a couple of sleds out.  Fishing was slow, kept enough for a meal.  The fish were very finicky. B