Yesterday the fishing was good, but the catching was slower than most all had hoped for there first trip out. The clear ice with no snow cover and very clear water allowed alot of light down there and that usually slows things up in the shallower water. Due to ice conditions we did not want customers out past areas we had checked already so the deepest areas accessible were 18-22 feet.  Most of it shallower.   I did get a few pictures of “keepers” so there was some action.

At dusk the SE wind picked up and must have shut down the bite as most headed in and all our customers were off the ice by  7:00 pm.   However hearing reports later in the evening, some areas  on the NE side of the lake the ice shifted and opened up areas and stranded some anglers on the wrong side of it. Fortunately all were rescued safely from what I heard later in the evening.

What I had mentioned in my report on Tuesday about unstable main lake ice was proven, (unfortunately) yesterday. With a lake this big, with different ice depths where you might have 7″ of ice next to 3″, numerous ridges, temperature changes from sunlight on clear ice with no snow cover, no long term consistent cold to keep it freezing, a lot of things can happen out there.

So many want to “jump the gun” these days.  For some fishermen its the excitement of first ice, for some it is getting people up to the lake to get the season started, and for some it is all the new versions of portable fishing gear to try out.  The new float suits and safety gear allow fishermen feel more comfortable on early ice conditions, which is good.  But two things I know after 50 plus years out there, regardless of what you do to keep safe….    The water still is really cold…. and it’s not worth risking a life over a fish.   Cold weather is around the corner and things will get going after Christmas.

Keep a Tight Line!  Be Safe!

Eddy