Ice about gone already!

[buckshot]

I can't believe it, but the ice on lakes in my area are to the point that you don't want to be out there.  Not even the first of Febuary and icefishing is over for the year.  Long range weather forecast doesn't promise any cold spells to make any ice so guess its sit here and read others good fortune. 

[jigbounce]

I hear ya Buck The ice I fish is now unsafe already too.  If this is the last of our icefishing in Nebraska it will be very depressing!

[crappie rob]

That's to bad buckshot! One of my favorite bluegill lakes just froze over, and yesterday we hammered them, hopefully the ice will stay for a month or so. NW Indiana's weather has been so unpredictable the past few years it's mindblowing. Well you'll have a head start on me when it comes to open water fishing!! Take care and have a crappie day!! Crappie Rob

[jigbounce]

Do you guys really think our ice fishing season is over for Ne?

[R.J.]

Do you guys really think our ice fishing season is over for Ne?

I sure hope not!  I usually come up a couple of times a year from No. CO and haven't been yet.  Was planning to hit Box Butte on weekend right before Presidents day.  Hope there is ice and that I see all you guys out there!

[SLAYERFISH]

Hey guys look at the positive side-you can get out and start hittin those wallys and cats!

[R.J.]

I guess since no one has posted anything in 6 days that must mean there is no ice anywhere in Nebraska with the exception of cocktails at happy hour?

RJ

[Sandbilly]

They are still having the tournament on Merritt this weekend. Should be a good one. The larger panfish have been shut down most of the season but are starting to feed now.

[hdwater specialist]

You guys have any ice reports for box butte. How much ice is there at Merritt?
tight lines

[Sandbilly]

8" on the boardman as of last night for Merritt.

[hdwater specialist]

Can you walk out on the ice or do you have to swim to it. Is there a ring of open water around Merritt. Where is a good place to catch panfish on Merritt? Thanks for any info.
tight lines

[Sandbilly]

Ice is good up to the bank. Lost an inch yesterday. The tourney is still on so far.

[druthrbfishn]

So how was the fishing at Merritt? We lived about 40 miles south of Merritt in the early 80's. Crappie fishing in Boardman Creek was great at night. Caught many fish, I am afraid to say how many. Beautiful lake to camp at, summer fishing was OK but still a very nice lake.

[Sandbilly]

druthrbfishun,

We had to be neighbors or close to it. I live NW of Mullen 30 miles.

Ice fishing for crappies is still very good at Merritt. They didn't stay in the Narrows on the Boardman very long this winter but were spread out from Beeds to the mouth. Fishing was good when you found them.

The ice held long enough for the tournament. The hours were shortened but there were still some 30 panfish limits taken. Largest fish included 16lb cat, 4lb eye, 1.4lb crappie, 3/4lb perch.

[druthrbfishn]

Sandbilly:

I worked for Jimmy Hanna on the east end of Big Creek. I fished with Glenn Andrews quite a lot. Fished Marsh Lake and caught nice perch.
Good to talk to someone from the sandhills. I guess you can leave but never get the sand out of your craw.

[Sandbilly]

20 miles as a crow flies between us and Hanna's. Where are you at now?

If you ever fenced a blowout when the wind was blowing you will always carry a piece of the hills with you.

Marsh was a very good perch fishery until they put pike in it. Didn't take long to munch a lot of perch. Still some in there but they don't get to the size they use to.

[druthrbfishn]

I am now in SD.
Yes, fencing blowouts was not fun but the sand didn't stick to your boots like this stuff. People think the sandhills is the most desolate place in the world. One thing you take for granted there is the water supply. I am about 75 miles from Lake Oahe, it is low and sounds like it will be worse this year. We rely a lot on stock dams for cattle water, they are low or dried up. It sure raises hell with the fishing. Our drinking water is piped from Oahe but the intake could be out of the water before summer is over. Enough crying already, I sound like a farmer waiting for a deficiency check.