OT--ice in Kansas

[bluejays14]

I know this is the Nebraska board, but it is more reliable and has way more activity than the Kansas board.  I am planning an ice fishing trip at Glen Elder this weekend.  My buddy lives in Kansas, another lives in Iowa,  and it is an equal drive for all of us which is why it was chosen.  This is only my 2nd year ice fishing and I've never traveled.
Anyway, forecasts call for 39 Wednesday and mid 50s starting on Thursday and lasting through the weekend.  Do you think there will be enough safe ice to fish on Saturday and Sunday?

Can anyone recommend a good lake in southeast NE or southwest IA that is worth taking a trip to for a weekend?

Thanks for any replies.

[lunkerlooker]

I don't know about glen elder. However SE Nebraska does offer some decent fishing at Burchard lake. If it was me I'd make the extra hour into kansas. There is also a smaller lake north of Sabetha KS called Pony Creek that I have heard good reports the last year or two. I have not personally been down there this year or last though.

[12ICEFISH]

Wind will be the enemy! I can't help you much but know that that's a great fishery, and through the ice can be really great there! Crappies are phenomenal and good white bass/wiper action! I,d bet you can fish through the wkend easily but get the scoop on any weak or opening ice as the warmer days arrive! There are some coves that will be ok longer!

[Mike daSilva]

Kirwin is a bit farther West in KS, and is supposed to be great for crappie.  There was an episode of In Depth Outdoors last year that covered crappie fishing on Glen Elder.  I've never fished either place, but I keep them in the city list of my phone's weather app to monitor the temperatures weekly.  Another post I read on facebook said there were about 8" of ice at kirwin recently; I presume this was in the bays, although the temps down there have been low and it could be the whole lake.  KS is usually about 5-10 degrees warmer than it is here in southeast NE.  Their ice season is short, so you have to be flexible to make a trip as soon as you have a safe ice report.  Before I ever go if I do, I will call the local bait shops to ask if the ice is workable.  Let us know if you go!

[bluejays14]

Thanks for your replies, I'll keep all of that in mind and will be calling the bait shop tomorrow to get their take on the subject.  I also want to head west this year to hit some new lakes in Nebraska and can't wait to do that!  But it wouldn't work out this weekend with these friends.