encouraging

[Michigan Slim]

Saw whitecaps on Barbie yesterday on my way home. The wind was pushing water onto the ice on Syracuse. All the channels in the area are locked up good.

[zcm_82]

Found a hair over 3" on one of the small pond this morning. Bigger ponds are still about 50-75% open around here after the wind smash up yesterday.

[Lee1977]

I just went out and drilled my pond, it has a solid 2” on it. I walked around it and it doesn’t crack at all. I’ll wait till tomorrow when hopefully there’s 3” of ice. It should build all day today and tonight. Going to go check another pond that typically builds ice quicker than mine.

[fishinator]

I'm going scouting in a few hours.  Good luck everyone.  Stay safe.

[zcm_82]

I just went out and drilled my pond, it has a solid 2” on it. I walked around it and it doesn’t crack at all. I’ll wait till tomorrow when hopefully there’s 3” of ice. It should build all day today and tonight. Going to go check another pond that typically builds ice quicker than mine.

Ice is still really spotty here. I found 3 to fish, but the spot I wanted to fish about 20 yards away is less than 2". Not in a great spot, so I doubt I will catch much today. Tomorrow should be better if I can set up where I want.

Hope everyone can find some ice. The weather isn't bad at all 

[Lee1977]

Makes a big difference when the wind is blowing 25+ when your out there. We’re getting light snow flurries which is ok with me, it’ll help cover this clear ice some. Hopefully everyone has a smaller body of water they can fish until the bigger stuff freezes up.

[fishinator]

I found 2.5 to 3 at lunch today. Good hard ice. Should easily add another inch overnight. Will be at it in the morning.  Sure I won't be alone.

[zcm_82]

I ended up getting the skunk, but I'll be back out tomorrow, and the ice will be thick enough to fish where I actually want to, not just where I had enough ice to sit.

[fishinator]

Getting my gear loaded now. Fricken cold! Should really be building now.

[Lee1977]

I just came in from checking the pond again, it’s getting real close to the 3” mark. I’ll be out in the morning for sure. Hopefully the fish cooperate tomorrow. I’ll let ya know if they do.

[zcm_82]

Getting my gear loaded now. Fricken cold! Should really be building now.

It was 7° when I went out this morning, and I forgot my good gloves... won't be making that mistake tomorrow. Took my hands about 20 minutes to warm up after I got the hole drilled and the fish house set up with the heat going.

Forecast is a bit colder tomorrow.

[fishinator]

It was 7° when I went out this morning, and I forgot my good gloves... won't be making that mistake tomorrow. Took my hands about 20 minutes to warm up after I got the hole drilled and the fish house set up with the heat going.

Forecast is a bit colder tomorrow.

I have made that mistake a couple times. Get back to the truck and hands won't work enough to unlock the door.

[river_scum]

mite have ice but this cold snap has got to have the fish in a funk?

[zcm_82]

I'd guess it was more to do with that extreme pressure swing yesterday that brought the wind in. Hoping they've settled down tomorrow.

[High Tide]

mite have ice but this cold snap has got to have the fish in a funk?

Exactly… this weather pattern is going to tame the “first ice bite”, so no reason to push the envelope.

[Jigmup]

Every year I seem to push the envelope. Will this be the first year I don't? I guess it depends if that wild hair shows up tonight.

[bigr]

Take a cold dip thru the ice and that might slow the urge. Problem with me is that was over 12 months ago. My memory isn't all that good. I'll find something hard to stand on saturday morning.

[zcm_82]

Same pond picked up over 1.5" more ice since yesterday. Almost 5" where I was at yesterday. Right at 4" where I am now.

[Jigmup]

Take a cold dip thru the ice and that might slow the urge. Problem with me is that was over 12 months ago. My memory isn't all that good. I'll find something hard to stand on saturday morning.

Unfortunately, I've been through 3 times. Each time the ice gets a little thicker before I venture out! Sometimes, due to bad judgement, it gets a little thinner coming off!

[Lee1977]

I just came in from fishing. Had 3” in most places and found one spot that had only 2. I fished most of the morning and did well, lost a handmade jig about the 3rd fish that was a big crappie. It was fun to just finally get on some ice. Tomorrow we should have even more ice the way the forecast looks. Going to check another spot this afternoon. Fish on!

[zcm_82]

Got the skunk again today... saw some gills, but they just weren't interested in feeding on anything I put in front of them. Sat from 8 to about 1145am.

I did have a little largemouth hammer a small jigging rap but lost him at the edge of the hole; only bite I had the entire time I was out this morning. Gonna give it another go tomorrow and hope the gills don't have lockjaw 3 days in a row.

[taxi1]

mite have ice but this cold snap has got to have the fish in a funk?

Excuses excuses! 

[Lee1977]

Fished the neighbors pond this afternoon. Caught several small gills and some nice bass. Seen several bass and I think they were keeping the gills away. It was fun landing bass on this light rod. It was 16.5”.

[Hexagenia51]

Sounds like fun! Nice bass on that little pole. Hex