Hard Water

[brennan.chapman]

Miserably cold mornings on the ice are just around the corner for us guys in the Midwest. I'm hoping to get another two or three long rod trips in before I dust off the short sticks. I get really excited this time of year to hit the ice, and it quickly wears off around February when even the fish get tired of the cold and it is noticeable in their cooperation.

For those reading this from the south, I envy you!

[ctom]

Beautiful picture but since I no longer venture out on the ice it's also one of wasted space.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Nice pic but I’m with TOM don’t go much on the ice any more even with have the clothing to handle the cold it really doesn’t interest me anymore.

[Kasilofchrisn]

I too am getting excited about the upcoming ice season.
Still need to get my stuff ready and make some more tackle.
I did just get in a new CNC mold for a jigging minnow for the ice this year.
But it is one of my favorite things to do!
Beats sitting at home indoors wishing I was fishing.

[basscatlildave]

I would do it  if I ever got the chance but I have a hard time putting ice and fishing in the same sentence.

[Mike J]

I'm getting another month of river fishing walleyes before we do any ice fishing Brennan!

[efishnc]

I'm getting another month of river fishing walleyes before we do any ice fishing Brennan!

Hear Here!... how about some perch fishing as well?

[brennan.chapman]

I'm getting another month of river fishing walleyes before we do any ice fishing Brennan!

I'm headed to the big river for the last time this weekend to hopefully pick up a few Walleye before the bite really slows down. We will have to get out on the ice together again this season. I've got a couple trips planned that have your name on it!

[efishnc]

I'm headed to the big river for the last time this weekend to hopefully pick up a few Walleye before the bite really slows down.

IMO, the bite picks up as the season progresses... I've pushed my boat across the ice to get to open water many times (instead of playing the hard water game), and I've never regretted it... but first I got to get through hunting season.

[ctom]

Before the nuke plant was built in Red Wing we used to toss a boat over the levee onto ice and shove it to the open water, then motor up to the dam. Peaceful fishing with maybe three or four other boats having done the same. And the fishing was way better than what is seen today. At Alma we'd just do as E does and slide the boat over the ice from where it came off the trailer at the end of the ramp. Same thing fishing-wise.

[Lamar]

  Here in Ohio we get very little time to ice fish. We get to much up and down weather and it just messes everything up. Today I have off and it looks like the last day to fish. Sunny and 51 means I'm going to crank the ends of the trees again and see if there is any giant bass hanging around. Tomorrow is rain and then in the low 40's for ten days.

[ctom]

40 degrees? Why don't you go out and do a wind-shift dance to the west so I can get the next ten days at 40 degrees. We can be in single digits by next week during my deer season, which will begin WHITE and on Saturday with HIGHs in the 20's..

[Lamar]

40 degrees? Why don't you go out and do a wind-shift dance to the west so I can get the next ten days at 40 degrees. We can be in single digits by next week during my deer season, which will begin WHITE and on Saturday with HIGHs in the 20's..

  I'd rather our weather got cold and stayed cold instead of up and down all winter. Heck I'm still mulching leaves in between rains.

[ctom]

I drove down to the deer hunting area this afternoon late and saw plenty of ice on ponds and even on a river. It was 1 above here this morning and lots more of the same coming up next week. Not quite a full 4" of snow yesterday. Apparently its going to be here a while.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Won’t be long now it’s 16 right now and going to 7 tonight