What's with this warm snap?? Dying to get on the ice ....

[thrownrainbows]

It's been so warm for so long in Prince George. I m dying to get out in the ice and get some entry fish for the tourney, but the weather has me a but worried... Who's still ice fishing northern bc?? Is the ice still good or am I better off breaking out the fly rod hahahah looking for some easy access to some hard ice any hints?

[Bill Dance]

Don't worry about getting on the ice, there's lots. There might be some slush on it but there's good ice. Only time you need to worry is if it stays above freezing for 24 hours around 10 days.

[ianwuzhere]

Was on the ice today and very little slush..

[thrownrainbows]

Thanks a lot guys, good to here I'm on it hahaha can't wait yew who, happy trails woot woot, we checked out ness and was super sketchy, Barrie's our auger in water after a few turns, note to self check is before you get out to far!!!! I'm new to the ice fishing scene please excuse my dumb questions haha

[IceDrisher]

Thanks a lot guys, good to here I'm on it hahaha can't wait yew who, happy trails woot woot, we checked out ness and was super sketchy, Barrie's our auger in water after a few turns, note to self check is before you get out to far!!!! I'm new to the ice fishing scene please excuse my dumb questions haha

  Ness has like 2 feet of ice, no need to worry.

[thrownrainbows]

We went from the picnic area right out to the island man, no one else around and the auger was into water up to the handle, was scarier more then it was an eye opener for me, I figure those larger bodies of water are less frozen then the small ones? Vivian was the save for that day and the ice was a lot thicker ha. Like I said roooookie haha ... Heard there could be pockets of water on the ice under the snow too? What's the word... Need a chain saw for a quick sneak peek

[FirstCast]

Went flying out west to barton lake area and saw open water in some lakes at inlets and outlets of streams. Some dark spots on big water lakes that get sun all day. I would think that that wind we had help melt the snow. Still seen some dye-hards on some of those remote lakes of the pelican FSR. Hi Ise and Bill you guys havent been getting out much eh. All work and no play? Go team BC. If this warm weather keeps up going to put on waders and lifejacket. Tight lines

[Bill Dance]

I'll be catching some rainbows this weekend.

[thrownrainbows]

Me two, gonna test it out lookin got some Lean dinner alright

[IceDrisher]

We went from the picnic area right out to the island man, no one else around and the auger was into water up to the handle, was scarier more then it was an eye opener for me, I figure those larger bodies of water are less frozen then the small ones? Vivian was the save for that day and the ice was a lot thicker ha. Like I said roooookie haha ... Heard there could be pockets of water on the ice under the snow too? What's the word... Need a chain saw for a quick sneak peek

Yeah that's just water coming up onto the ice. When you get a lot of heavy snow like we have this year, it puts a lot of pressure on the ice and when people drill holes the water is forced up onto the ice through the holes. Like Bill said - it has to be above zero for a significant period of time for 24 hours/day for there to be concerns about the integrity of the base ice layer. I fished near the island at Ness last weekend and you are right - it is a slushfest - but if you guys could have looked through the slush down the hole, you would have seen almost 2 feet of clear, black ice underneath all of the water and slush. As long as there are no springs or creek mouths nearby there should be lots of good ice.

Thrownrainbows - not sure if you were just kidding, but PLEASE DO NOT USE A CHAINSAW TO CUT LARGE HOLES IN THE ICE!! It is ignorant to cut a hole in the ice large enough that someone else could fall through. It almost happened on Red Lake earlier this winter. Not cool.

Good luck and get out fishing!! 

[thrownrainbows]

I wouldn't cut holes just, just sink the bar to check the ice, but I mean just more to drag out, I use a manual auger so it was me trying make it easier... Yeah I wouldnt want to put anyone else in danger. Soon as we seen water like that there was no looking in the hole, we got the heck out of there haha but good to know I hear there some decent fish in ness I might just give r another go, got some eaters today nothing tourney worry tho hahaha 

[cantcatchacoldm8]

Look at getting a fin bore auger. Lot easier and faster then the swede bores and a lot safer then a chain saw

[Dunner]

Look at getting a fin bore auger. Lot easier and faster then the swede bores and a lot safer then a chain saw

I just got a new one, and tried it out yesterday. They're great, I must have drilled 8 holes last night looking for burbot, at least 18 inches of ice.

[thrownrainbows]

Has anyone tried those attachment that allow you to convert you manual auger to a cordless drill ??  The look pretty seet but I wonder how well it would work?

[ianwuzhere]

im not a big fan of battery packs in the cold weather so ive never tried the drill. Now the gas powered- well... pretty awesome!   

[gsp]

Has anyone tried those attachment that allow you to convert you manual auger to a cordless drill ??  The look pretty seet but I wonder how well it would work?

I've got a buddy that uses one that works pretty good.  I still have more success with the old fin bore auger though.