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Post by steiny on Jan 9, 2021 10:03:03 GMT -5
Curious if any of you fishermen have heard about any safe ice for fishing in northern part of the state?
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Post by deadeer on Jan 9, 2021 14:09:22 GMT -5
Not yet
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Post by deadeer on Jan 9, 2021 22:51:38 GMT -5
A buddy in Niles, MI said some of the channels and back bays have 2-3" of ice in his area. Some guys are out fishing, but that's suicide in my book.
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Post by beermaker on Jan 10, 2021 8:00:53 GMT -5
A buddy in Niles, MI said some of the channels and back bays have 2-3" of ice in his area. Some guys are out fishing, but that's suicide in my book. What is a "safe" thickness? Whatever it is, I hope we don't get there very often where I live. There was a weekend 4-5 years ago that was supposedly safe and a few guys I know went. I had the opportunity, but no equipment. I'd much rather be in my boat earlier in the season than fool around on the ice.
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Post by deadeer on Jan 10, 2021 11:50:53 GMT -5
A buddy in Niles, MI said some of the channels and back bays have 2-3" of ice in his area. Some guys are out fishing, but that's suicide in my book. What is a "safe" thickness? Whatever it is, I hope we don't get there very often where I live. There was a weekend 4-5 years ago that was supposedly safe and a few guys I know went. I had the opportunity, but no equipment. I'd much rather be in my boat earlier in the season than fool around on the ice. Not a big ice fisherman here either. But 4-5" suits me fine.
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Post by duff on Jan 11, 2021 4:41:26 GMT -5
I have some gear but have not used it in like 20 years. No interest any more. 3 inches of clear ice is minimum thickness.
I was on Summit lake fishing a cove with 4 to 5 inches of ice. I knew a spot that I wanted to try. Pulled all my gear, punched a hole and lucky to have had 2 inches. The ice was solid but not safe. I did not fall through but promptly retreated to safe ice. I took up waterfowl hunting the next year and never missed ice fishing.
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jan 11, 2021 6:06:44 GMT -5
I always pulled my John boat with me. Even fished outta it. Looks stupid but saved me a couple times from breaking through. My area very seldom freezes to ice fish anymore.
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Post by esshup on Jan 11, 2021 9:56:34 GMT -5
I have pushed myself out on the ice using a spud bar while inside the Jon Boat on bad ice. Even then, the water came up on top of the ice and surrounded the boat.
It was a PITA to turn the boat around when I was done fishing, but I caught a lot of fish and didn't have to worry about going through the ice.
After going swimming a few times while trapping I took more precautions when ice fishing.
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Post by stevein on Jan 11, 2021 13:32:28 GMT -5
Big Turkey had ice last week. 3 guys went through and COs rescued them.
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Post by steiny on Jan 11, 2021 14:38:46 GMT -5
Checked three lakes in Cass & Fulton county this morning, still not safe. A couple good whacks with the spud bar and it went through, maybe 1.5" to 2" ice at best.
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Post by marshallco on Jan 11, 2021 14:55:15 GMT -5
There were about 5 guys out on Lake LaTonka in Marshall county this Saturday. Word was that there was about 3" of ice. I saw still open water about 200 yards away from them. No thanks.
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Post by Ahawkeye on Jan 11, 2021 16:41:17 GMT -5
I don't think I'd ever be comfortable in Indiana at least down here on the southern tip. But I'd love to try it up north in 5" of ice and an ice shanty. That sounds like fun to me. Sit,eat, drink and catch fish all while not worrying about bugs and such. Bundle up step outside and stretch the legs, sounds good to me.
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Post by iceman10 on Jan 11, 2021 19:58:18 GMT -5
2” to 2 1/2” and guys are fishing on it , I am not one of them !
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Post by bowonlykindofguy1 on Jan 11, 2021 22:10:08 GMT -5
No less than 4 inches of clear ice before I venture out!
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Post by esshup on Jan 12, 2021 13:32:15 GMT -5
No need to ice fish here! LOL A de icing system we installed for a customer on a public lake. Picture taken today, 1-12-2021 I can't remember the length/width of the pier, but the width of the ice free zone at the shore is roughly 120 feet wide, maybe wider, I will go back today and measure.
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Post by featherduster on Jan 12, 2021 14:31:49 GMT -5
I don't see any goose decoys.
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Post by deadeer on Jan 12, 2021 15:27:11 GMT -5
I don't see any goose decoys. Or babes in bikinis. 😇
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Post by esshup on Jan 12, 2021 20:12:19 GMT -5
I don't see any goose decoys. I'll go back tomorrow. On the lake to the left around the corner there were probably 1,000 sitting on the edge of the open water in the middle of the lake. I'll zoom in and take a picture tomorrow. I have to go back with a measuring device to measure how much open water there is, inquiring minds want to know. I have a deal worked out with the owner, we are doing a test to see if it can keep the ice away from the pier and keep a large enough area open so he can keep the 2 boat hoists in the lake all winter. He's tired of paying someone to take them out every year and this year they had a heck of a time getting the boat hoists out because of the low water. If it works, he buys the equipment. If it doesn't I take it back. He foots the electric bill.
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Post by marshallco on Jan 16, 2021 9:37:46 GMT -5
About 6 or 7 guys back out on Lake LaTonka in Marshall county this morning. Think I will still wait a while.
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Post by marshallco on Jan 16, 2021 9:39:58 GMT -5
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