any one been out on the ice?

[chrisvmo]

just wondering if anyone has been out and the ice conditions?

[Bender]

Not me, I checked a couple weeks ago before the rain and it was still pretty thin, 2" average. From what I have been reading some lakes are O.K. and some are still thin. I'm waiting until I see other people out there, then I will go out and spud holes to see for myself. I have not seen anybody out on the lake by my house.

[cr]

They're riding motorcycles on Beull and several small ponds in Clio . Five inches I'm told , but I haven't been out there .

[thedude]

was out on a private lake by howard city a week ago. 4". most of the smaller public lakes north of kent county are good to go. I'm out for the count.. had foot surgery on both feet last monday... hopefully in a week or so.

[chrisvmo]

im out for the count because I cant get out of my drive way. I have never seen this much snow.
Hope you heel up fast so you can get out dude man!

[djkimmel]

I finally (after several good 'workout' seasons) got a working snow thrower so I got my driveway open. Those awesome folks from the Ingham road commission plowed my driveway in as I was backing down to go to work!! (I swear they are picking on me... )

I got a plowed ice and snow eating machine so it doesn't take me an hour to get out now. Maybe, I can even make it out back ice fishing this winter...?? Not now. But maybe in a few weeks... when I know the ice is really thick! (that water is cold!!)

[McCarter]

I am starting to see people on the lakes but not like you would expect.  Living in oakland county you cant drive anywhere without passing a lake and usually once the ice is 2"-3" thick the shantys are out there.  so far this year, the lakes are pretty empty.  maybe everyone is waiting for santa to bring them some new gear before they head out.

If the economy doesnt start improving I will be out ice fishing instead of grocery shopping.  nothing like fresh panfish through the ice.

McCarter himself

[Bloomer]

was out there this weekend, north Oakland county. Getting anywhere from 5"-6" of ice, but very sloppy. That 12" of snow on Friday didn't help much. Most spots I've tried have been 5" of ice, then 2-3" of slush then a foot of snow. But this is on one N. Oakland county lake, have not tried any others. But I have not seen any one else on the ice yet, makes me extremely nervous.

[chrisvmo]

I am worried about all the snow on top where I live. We got close to 28 inches of snow on the ground in the last 4 days and where suppose to get 10 more inches tommarrow. I need some snow shoes for christmas!

[thedude]

yeah... living in the snow belt makes me glad i have 2 winter hobbies -> ice fishing AND rod building. i can drink the same amount of beer doing both and when the snow is 2' deep its an easy decision.

[McCarter]

sounds like you have 3 hobbies.  Beer  drinking is worthy  of its own categoqy.

[skeeterman190]

 If you dont drink beer when your ice fishing you might as well chalk it up a blown trip! Were talking about a trip down here in NW Indiana this coming weekend. there hasnt been a temp here for 3 days!!(below 0)..... Im with you though id rather drink some beers in the warmth pouring jigs and makin rods, than sitting on a cold piece of ice! bring out the smallmouth bass ales and im sure you'd be fine. missed ya @ leelanau this year.-skeeterman-

[thedude]

beer drinking a hobby?! bite your collective tongues SIRS!
Beer drinking is a way of life!


phil - where you fishin? i'm going down to Lowell to see family wednesday through saturday. I bet willow slough is ready to go, fishing was great there a few years ago after they reopened the place... fish were small yet but should be crawlin with big gills now.

[bassdisaster]

Tamarac lake over 8" of ice, Cowden lake 6" of ice, any of the shallow lakes are MORE than safe, even the larger lakes are safe now up here in the montcalm county area, Ive been feasting on perch and gill's for 2 weeks now, hope that dont make your feet hurt to bad Dude, but I had to rub it in!

BD

[skeeterman190]

 Dont know?? this nice rain sleet snow mix has prolly a damper on that idea?? haha beer drinking a way of life... lately id have to say yeah!-skeeterman-

[chrisvmo]

looks like the ice might go away for a while now!

[Waterfoul]

looks like the ice might go away for a while now!

Fished Indian Lake today.  Caught a 15" bass!!!  And 3 perch... biggest was around 8" or so... and I lost one that had to go 10-11" right at the hole!!   

[chrisvmo]

how much ice was there?

[Waterfoul]

how much ice was there?

~8" or so.  Can't speak for any other lakes though.  BUT, it was cold last night and all day today so....

[Bloomer]

sitting on 6-10" out here, just got the first bass of 2009, caught unintentionally of course and was immeadiately released. Not bad size though, probably just under 3 lbs.