Current Chester Woods Ice Conditions

  • Dan
    Participant
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3448
    February 17, 2017 at 11:01 am #1674841

    Anyone been to Chester in the last week (or any other Rochester waters for that matter)? I’m looking to go tomorrow. My conventional thinking tells me that it should be safe enough to walk out but I’m not sure. I won’t have many other opportunities this year (especially after this heat wave) so I’d really like to get out there.

    Any info at all would be greatly appreciated.

    Tom Sawvell
    Inactive
    Posts: 9559
    February 17, 2017 at 4:04 pm #1674904

    You should have ice for a walk tomorrow, just be sure to take your spud bar. I’d park in the high lot and walk down the hill to the beach area to access the ice and cut the time on the ice from the boat launch down.

    Dan
    Participant
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3448
    February 17, 2017 at 6:22 pm #1674929

    Much appreciated, thanks Tom!

    Jack Patschull
    Participant
    Rochester mn
    Posts: 58
    February 17, 2017 at 8:52 pm #1674955

    I’m heading out to Chester as well tomorrow with the kid. I take the far parking lot. If you see an otter, that may be us.

    Dan
    Participant
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3448
    February 18, 2017 at 8:34 pm #1675115

    I was out there from about noon-4:30, saw one shack but didn’t think it was your Otter Jack. I was very happy with the ice conditions. Unbeknownst to me there apparently was a kids’ ice tourney scheduled today but they cancelled it due to “deteriorating ice conditions” which meant a lot more room for the few people that were there. I’d say a good 14-16 inches of ice, at least where I was at. No real honeycombing, nothing pulling away from shore…the ice looked real good.

    chirp
    Participant
    Rochester
    Posts: 1471
    February 19, 2017 at 11:12 am #1675181

    Dan,
    How did you do? Was out there a week ago and really did well. Some nice 9 inchers out of about 25 feet of water. No crappies. 3 of us had over 60 fish. All let go. Was a blast. Was out on Fosters yesterday had about 8 inches of good ice and 2 inches of slush. Lots of little stuff. A few trout. Hope it cools down or the ice will be hurting.

    Dan
    Participant
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3448
    February 19, 2017 at 12:36 pm #1675190

    I did really well also, caught about 40 bluegill total between my brother and I and actually found quite a few with real good size. They were all off the bottom in about 22 feet of water. I’ve only fished there twice this winter and only 2 total crappies. Then again, I’ve always fished away from the community holes I’ve seen, so I would guess that those community spots are where the crappies are.

    Jack Patschull
    Participant
    Rochester mn
    Posts: 58
    February 21, 2017 at 5:53 pm #1675882

    I really enjoy Chester woods, but I’m only catching bluegills. Some decent ones 9 1/2+. Same depth about 24 feet. Can’t catch a crappie to save my life. I tried minnows and no luck.

    Jack Patschull
    Participant
    Rochester mn
    Posts: 58
    February 21, 2017 at 5:58 pm #1675886

    Here is the video of my father in law catching his pb on Chester woods. 10 1/4 bluegill

    chirp
    Participant
    Rochester
    Posts: 1471
    February 24, 2017 at 9:11 pm #1676725

    Jeff how was the ice?

    Tom Sawvell
    Inactive
    Posts: 9559
    February 24, 2017 at 11:02 pm #1676744
    chirp wrote:

    Jeff how was the ice?

    More problematic…..How will the walk be?

    Jack Patschull
    Participant
    Rochester mn
    Posts: 58
    February 25, 2017 at 10:00 am #1676793

    I was out for a walk at Chester yesterday. All slush. Wonder if there is any ice up north?

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