This Weekend . . . On Ice or Bust

[Desperado]

In this instance, maybe there's a better word than "Bust'; but that's how I learned the expression.
ANYHOW
Going to the Aitkin Fish House Parade on Friday (day after Thanksgiving)
THEN
staying with a friend from there and going in search of ICE on Saturday.

[IceManBran]

And you're in St. Paul?

Have fun on your trip to Canada at the very least!

[Desperado]

Ya, I'm in St Paul.  But We're starting out from my buddy's place (just north of Aitkin)
Will limit the search area to "within Minnesota"
Don't know if we'll get on any ice or not, but I gotta start scoutin.  I for sure won't find any if I don't go in search of it, eh?
(I've winterized the boat and put it in storage already; I'll go stir crazy if I don't at least get out and look)

[IceManBran]

Id bet you're not gunna find fishable ice anywhere in MN yet, but maybe i'm wrong.  The weather has been realllllly weird so far this year.  :[  Looks like temps are finally dropping again though.

If by chance you DO find ice, I wanna be the first to know where.  :]

[Desperado]

If by chance you DO find ice, I wanna be the first to know where. 

I'll definitely post a report
and probably some photos
BUT sorry, . . . NO GPS COORDINATES   
If I'm successful probably won't even name the lake, but will say what county.    (good enough?)

OK, that was all in jest . . . but in all seriousness,
I'm often the first on a body of water (usually on less than 3 inches)
and I don't post the name until there's at least 3 inches because I don't want to be the catalyst for less experienced ice explorers trying the same area.
Not saying anyone here is less capable of getting on a "skinny spot", but we all know there's lots of lurkers on fishing websites who aren't as equipped for questionable ice (either equipment wise or knowledge wise).

[IceManBran]

Nice, and yeah I agree, looking out for other's safety is always good.  Don't count on me heading up north even if you do find ice lol, i'm not THAT desperate to get out on the hard stuff.

[screamin]

sorry to burst your bubble but i live up orth and have alot of friends who live alot further north than me and you might want to save your gas for another trip there is nothing. but it is a good excuse to escape the wife for the day!!!

[jascpa099]

sorry to burst your bubble but i live up orth and have alot of friends who live alot further north than me and you might want to save your gas for another trip there is nothing. but it is a good excuse to escape the wife for the day!!!

If you drive far enough north...you'll find ice.  I promise!   

[screamin]

very true but you better have a passport for canada because International Falls doesn't have ice and my guess is you'll travel a ways into Canada to find safe stuff. Practice ending every sentence with "A" and you'll blend in just fine.

[corny13]

Ya might find some this weekend... its suppose to be 13F with no wind in northern ND tonight.... thats ice making weather!!! This big cold front is suppose to head down for the next week!!!!!!!

[Desperado]

Now there's a fellow fisherman with my kinda "expand your possiblities" type of thinking.

The way I see it is; If there ain't ice here, there's only three choices:
1. fish open water
2. sit and wait (and don't get any fishing in)
3. go to where the ice is

[andercee]

Iced fished in Montana last Tuesday.  I think you're going to have to make a road trip to find ice.