will this weather make the ice unsafe

[mrjohnny]

I am wondering if this warm wind and rain will ruin the ice fishing early..

And I suppose one should have some ice cleats on ones feet...whats the best way to
check it before ventureing out there.Or should it be still safe...

[South33]

If your unsure of the ice conditions you should drill your way out. Go about 5-10 feet out & drill a hole & see if the ice is "safe" and keep doing so until you get to your spot. Good Luck & be safe!

-South

[Rebelfisher]

mrjohnny...we should be good for quite a while...most of the lakes I fish in NEPA have anywhere from 14-18" of ice...the snow ice will get soft and melt some, but it will also aide in traction...best way to tell is go out there and check it as you go. we should be good till mid march.

[mdrobny]

started using a spud bar this year,it sure beats drilling so many holes.one of many tips I picked up from this great site!

[slipperybob]

I don't like the warm spell, makes for real ugly ice access where everyone gets on. 

[rswope2004]

i agree you really have to watch the shorlines as they melt first. it makes getting on the ice tricky and also check as you go.

[skinnytrucker]

started using a spud bar this year,it sure beats drilling so many holes.one of many tips I picked up from this great site!

A spud bar is one of the many things I wanted this season but never got around to pickin one up. I bought an arctic armor suit and that pretty much took all the extra spending money for the season. Spud bar is still on the list but will have to wait for next season. Very good advice and I'm glad you brought it up.

[GCD]

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=152333.0

[beerbellybob106]

im hoping this weather will help the ice. get rid of all the snow on top so it can drain off a little so it will be easier walking. i hate this snow. im about ready to hang my stuff up for the year

[MattR]

I was out for a few hours today around Portage and Marathon county lines. Got out to the lake around noon, lake and landing were good with barely any slush. Left the lake around 3:30pm and the lake was fine with a very thin film of water, landing was another story. A car drove out onto the ice and quite a bit of water flying up from the tires when he drove on the landing onto the lake. Not sure the thickness of the ice before this warm spell since it was the first time on the lake. However while the ice was thick enough for a Dodge 4x4 to drive out, I opted to walk out. BRING YOUR CLEATS!!! This lake had a fisheree this past weekend and they plowed a bunch of roads for vehicles on the ice. I walked down those ice roads and wished I would have brought my cleats along. Did I mention that if venturing out on the ice, to bring your cleats?? Even if you have them in your vehicle just in case the ice is slippery, you can at least use them. Mine were in the shed at home, not a good place for them when I needed them.

For those wondering, nope didn't catch anything but a bunch of bait...lmao. 3 inch perch on average. Yet I did learn a bit about the lake and will probably try it a few more times.

Matt

[littlehead]

normally the shore line will fade but with the thickness we have now should be good for a while but always be safe check as you go i remember going with my uncle when i was young he used to carry planks in his van sometimes we would have to walk 6 feet out over the water to get on the ice but for me those days are over thats just pushing your luck

[eriksat1]

All the snow has to be gone off the ice before the sun can really work on it, as long as there is still snow on it you should be fine, as long as you did have good ice under the snow.