Safe Ice

How long until we see some fishable ice in the metro? I’m hoping for no longer than 10 days

I found some “fishable” ice lastnight in the south metro. Small, wind protected ponds should have anywhere from 1.5-3″. I imagine by Sunday pending the snow, most all small ponds and lakes will have decent “fishable” ice.

Fishable ice to one is not the same for another.

I hope to get out a couple hours yet this weekend depending on what I find when I check today or tomorrow.

Wife’s kicking me out of house tonight for holiday party, anyone got some for sure ice in North metro? Crystal and twin froze over last night, maybe a little soon for those

nhamm wrote:

Wife’s kicking me out of house tonight for holiday party, anyone got some for sure ice in North metro? Crystal and twin froze over last night, maybe a little soon for those

Your north metro is surprisingly south.

I’m up by Coon lake. I can send you a pm on that today or tomorrow.

I’m hopin by next wkend we should have 4-6″ in most smaller bodies of water.

3 inches on south center then we found barely 1 on the point by the public access in 20 feet

I’m going today, lakes round east-central MN have 4-5″ of ice! Can’t wait for the mornin’!

Any had a chance to check Waconia or other SW Metro lakes?

Went out and scouted a few small south metro lakes today, most ice I found was about 2.5 inches. Hopefully this snow holds up and we get some real ice to form soon!

Drum Guy wrote:

Went out and scouted a few small south metro lakes today, most ice I found was about 2.5 inches. Hopefully this snow holds up and we get some real ice to form soon!

Only 2.5? I’m in the SE metro and every small lake I found on Friday had 2.5-4″. Try smaller lakes and ponds…heck, even a couple shallow lakes an hour south had 3-6″ on Sunday.

Saw In-Towne Marina went out and checked Waconia again, and there was about 3.5″ in front of the Marina. With this weekends snowstorm, and the springs in Waconia I’ll be waiting until after New Years to head out there.

I’ve had a couple of reports today of smaller McLeod county lakes having ~5″.

About 3 inches on Crystal today. Drilled a few holes and managed to catch a couple perch. Nothing big but it felt good to get out there!

White Bear had 5 inches of good ice everywhere I fished tonight off of Bel Aire. Dont go east of the point though, that part of the lake just froze over a couple days ago.

BigWerm wrote:

Saw In-Towne Marina went out and checked Waconia again, and there was about 3.5″ in front of the Marina. With this weekends snowstorm, and the springs in Waconia I’ll be waiting until after New Years to head out there.

does Waconia have a lot of underground springs/unstable areas for ice? I have never fished Waconia but since moving to the area im looking forward to giving it a try.

crappie55369 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BigWerm wrote:</div>
Saw In-Towne Marina went out and checked Waconia again, and there was about 3.5″ in front of the Marina. With this weekends snowstorm, and the springs in Waconia I’ll be waiting until after New Years to head out there.

does Waconia have a lot of underground springs/unstable areas for ice? I have never fished Waconia but since moving to the area im looking forward to giving it a try.

So I’ve been told. I’ve noticed a big variance in ice out there, not sure if it’s from springs or snow. It’s a pretty good crappie lake, let me know if you want to head out there after the new year.

Will do BigWerm. ill be heading out in the metro Saturday for crappies. solid 3-5 inches where im headed. I have room in the pop up if you interested.

crappie55369 wrote:

Will do BigWerm. ill be heading out in the metro Saturday for crappies. solid 3-5 inches where im headed. I have room in the pop up if you interested.

Tomorrow…?

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Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>crappie55369 wrote:</div>
Will do BigWerm. ill be heading out in the metro Saturday for crappies. solid 3-5 inches where im headed. I have room in the pop up if you interested.

Tomorrow…?

yes sir! a big part of how I derive enjoyment out of ice fishing is by facing off against the elements. I enjoy going into harsh conditions and wetting a line. im looking forward to it

crappie55369 wrote:

Will do BigWerm. ill be heading out in the metro Saturday for crappies. solid 3-5 inches where im headed. I have room in the pop up if you interested.

Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be waiting awhile before going out in the metro. I have a full liquor cabinet and a honey do list long enough to keep me busy until Monday. Let me know how it goes, and the ice situation!

7-11 inches of snow broadcasted for this weekend … will this drastically affect ice conditions that much or is the safe ice basically here for the season?

FYI I just saw In-Towne Marina posted an update on FB today, and the rain/wind took care of all the snow on Lake Waconia and refroze. There is now 7-8 inches where they checked.

Wheelers are starting to go out on Tonka. I was out with my 125 tonight and found as much as 9 inches and nothing less than 6 where I was at in a smaller Bay. Keep in mind not all bays freeze alike on tonka so stay safe.