Today a lot of fishermen came went out with ATV/Snowmobiles and portable fished.  Overall the bite was good for Walleyes and perch for most.  From what reports I heard most everyone had a pretty good day.   The weather was cloudy and warm so it was comfortable.

We checked ice at over 50 locations and found and average of 10-12″ where we normally start out, so we are close. But this warm weather what is coming the next couple days worries me.  Warm temps, rain, sleet and high winds from the SE and then NW Saturday evening, Sunday and Sunday night.  The rain and sleet is not the problem.  It’s the thin ice beyond the pressure ridge, (mentioned two days ago).  I’m hoping not but I think it is going to move with the wind and that will be a big setback for a lot of the lake if it does.  I really hope I’m wrong on this one….But we will not take that chance with houses or rental customers during it. We are going to sit tight and see how it looks by Tuesday morning and go from there.

The good thing from this weather is all the family is home for Christmas.  One thing thru all these years here is that Christmas has many times not been a  normal one like most consider it. You are always trying to get a jump on the ice and get ready for Christmas Week and all the fishermen.  This year will be one of the few where we can be like everyone else…and enjoy the time with family…   Merry Christmas!!

Eddy

I have decided to wait to pull rentals out until Monday after the weekend.  The warmer weather and forecast of rain/snow on Christmas Day on what ice we have is just not comfortable enough for me.  I want fishermen to be safe and enjoy their time, not worry about thin ice…We will be calling those rented for Monday and postponing them.

The bite was a little slower yesterday, especially in the morning.  Most that stayed until evening hours had good action with the late afternoon bite. Overall this year so far is some pretty good fishing up here.

We drilled and check at least 50 spots in areas we go and measured ice on and off the roads. Once you get out past the first stretch of rough ice with slush under it is is averaging 10-11 inches so it’s close. Some colder weather without snow will get us going.  Our pressure ridge I mentioned yesterday opened up overnight and closed back shut in the afternoon, but at times it was 12-24″ wide in the morning.  That means the temps are affecting the ice quite a bit.  Some cooler l weather would help it stabilize.

We will remain ATV/Snowmobile portable fishermen thru the weekend and we will see what the weather brings.

Merry Christmas!    Eddy

Fishing was pretty good today from what reports we heard.  Some “keeper” Walleye were caught and Perch were biting, but most were small.  But the temps were nice to be portable fishing.

This warm weather has got to go.  We are not making  much for ice on the main lake except for areas where it froze rough and slushy in close to shore.  It seems that in those areas the slush under the ice is aiding in freeze and those areas are gaining a little.  Out on the main lake  the ice pushed,(small pressure ridge) in a line between just west of North Twin running NE between the Banana and Spider Reef and continued to the NE toward the eastern shore. It’s not a big ridge might not be an issue if it starts to cool off.  We’ll see.

We will be checking ice depths again tomorrow (Dec 22nd) and watching the weather for the storm coming on Christmas Day.  So far it looks like maybe mostly sleet before it turns to snow. (Which would be good).  We do not need a foot of snow out there now.  I will decide what we are going to do to get set up or not in the afternoon . (Dec 22nd) and let all rental customers with reservations know that evening.

Until then it will be Snowmobile/ATV  portable traffic only.  Lots of parking available.

Keep a Tight Line!!    Eddy