2016 Ice Predictions

[drscholl14]

When does everyone think we will have ice this year?  Other than the awful wait we had last year I was out by Thanksgiving the 3 prior years.  I think I'll be out again Thanksgiving here in the north metro.

[servocam]

I'm hoping for first weekend in December this year. Last year first day was Dec 31 and only 4" at best on the pond.

[TheCrappieFisherman]

I snuck out Dec. 28 last year on a shallow back bay of a lake in Burnsville, 4 inches of clear ice, one other guy out testing the ice but both of us only stayed long enough to catch one or two dinky perch and left..  What was interesting was as we were fishing a lake resident walks out and took there dog for a walk across the bay towards the main lake, no hesitation or anything about ice thickness or safety.    I was happy staying close to shore with the bad weather we had.

Hoping we got out earlier this year, safe ice on Thanksgiving would be awesome.

[Gills-only]

4" clear ice is more than enough for me!!

[TheCrappieFisherman]

4" clear ice is more than enough for me!!

With all the warming and cooling we had going on I didn't expect to find 4" and only planned for checking ice quick and had other stuff going on so couldn't stay long.  4" of ice and a spud bar is fine with me, I personally would be very hesitant without one especially with the warming and cooling we had and not knowing if the ice is constant.  But maybe the resident had already check the ice and felt comfortable.

[Gills-only]

With all the warming and cooling we had going on I didn't expect to find 4" and only planned for checking ice quick and had other stuff going on so couldn't stay long.  4" of ice and a spud bar is fine with me, I personally would be very hesitant without one especially with the warming and cooling we had and not knowing if the ice is constant.  But maybe the resident had already check the ice and felt comfortable.

.            Or seen u out there and just figured was safe!!

[servocam]

Our job to spread the word abut ice safety. While I was on 4", 100  feet away it was 2" and water on the surface.

[jd2321]

Coming from new york for a trip ....any suggestions? Lake of the woods....zipple bay? Any direction will be be appreciated...Thank you

[holehopper]

We'll need some more info JD.  Coming from NY, will you have ATV/Snowmachines/Portables or are you looking for more of a set up where you drive right up to a pre-heated fish shack with the holes drilled and pizza delivery available?  There are a million options here, just need to know what you are looking for. 

[drscholl14]

Based on Farmers Almanac it looked like it was going to be good ice making weather this year.  I checked the long term forecast and it didn't give me much confidence.  Sure hope the farmers are right.  God knows the weathermen never are. 

[Icetothebone]

After getting a sun tan out deer hunting last weekend up North, it may be awhile boys!!  Has the Canadian bird migration even started?

[drscholl14]

Starting to look like the second or third week of December will probably be it.  Sooner up north obviously.

[drscholl14]

Skim ice on the edges of White Bear this morning. Hopefully these colder temps stick around the rest of the week.

[redneckdan]

My early season pond is skimmed over 1/2". Optimistically hopeing to get out thanksgiving weekend again this year.

[drscholl14]

You guys up there might get lucky. Here in the metro I'm hoping it'll be early December. More realistically the second week.

[Mncrappie]

Walkable ice by Christmas. SAFE walkable ice by New Years and who knows if we'll get driveable ice

[thorson]

Right now I have more ice on my deck then on my lake here in West central MN ! 

[drscholl14]

Same here in the cities. Ponds were starting to lock up over the weekend. Glad we are getting this snow without ice in the lakes though. We really need some colder night temps. The high/low differential isn't helping us much right now.