Yesterday, fishermen had a lot of action with mixed results. Small Walleye and Perch dominated the catch for most, but some slot Walleye were reported; some sent in pictures of over-the-slot Walleye, and the largest was a 26″, the largest I’ve seen.  Checking the ice, the first 3/4 mile out, where the rougher ice was, ice depths were in the 14″ range. Beyond that, it was an average of 12 “, with some spots at 13”. So, in the last couple of days, we gained some, especially in areas with slush below the ice. Much of that froze and increased the ice depth at a greater rate than farther out, where there was more clear ice.

I have been watching the weather closely for the next seven days. Temperatures will be increasing, and there is a strong possibility of rain during the coming weekend. After temps drop below freezing for highs, but not by much, some reports say a big cold blast in January, some others not, and some significant snowfalls. Either way, we need more ice farther out, for sure.  Permanents who haven’t been called that they were pulled the last couple of days should contact the office today or tomorrow. Many that are on the list were not pulled so far and they requested to go out to reefs farther out where we currently have thinner ice.  I am not too keen on that, considering the possible rain this weekend.

We are letting 1/2 tons and single axle wheelhouses out in areas where we have  14″ or more of ice.  Portable fishermen can drive out also.  We have plenty of parking for rigs with wheelers and SxSs, too.  Wheelhouses pulled by SxSs can access any of the roads we have staked.

We will be closed on Christmas Eve at noon and Christmas Day so we all can celebrate Christmas.  We will reopen the access at 7:00 am December 26th.

Eddy

Friday, those who caught fish worked for them.  Small Walleye were almost everywhere. Some decent Perch were caught in the basins, but no pictures were sent.

We started pulling smaller permanent houses yesterday within 1 mile of shore, where the thicker ice is. We will be rechecking ice depths on our entire road system today, and that will determine what we will be doing in the next few days.  I planned to get all the permanents on the ice this week, but I want to see more ice on our deeper reefs first. With the warmer weather coming in the next 5 days and possible rain towards the end of the week, it probably won’t happen.

Vehicles under 6000lb curb weight and wheelhouses can be pulled by SxSs anywhere on our road system. After checking the ice today, we will let 1/2 tons and single-axle wheelhouses out starting tomorrow in limited areas. If interested, call the office later this afternoon after the checking is done.

This next week will be a busy one for us over Christmas.  It reminds me of the old days.

Eddy

The winter storm warning fizzled yesterday, so I pulled rentals and worked on side roads. We did not have fishermen out, so there was no report there.

If you are on the list, we will start pulling smaller permanents out today.  You will be called when it is out and can drive to it if your vehicle is under 6000lb curb weight. There is very little snow for banking, so have hole liners ready. All will be blocked up off the ice.

Portable fishermen can drive to some areas in close proximity. ALL customers will need to check in at the office. Get a map, and they will show you the go-and-no-go areas. We have a couple of cracks coming off of Pope’s Point and heading to the NE that should be avoided.

Wheelhouses pulled by SxS or ATVs are good to go for the weekend. If we have a couple more cold nights, single-axle wheelhouses and 1/2 tons with a curb weight under 6000 lbs will be allowed to go, more than likely after Sunday. Keep watching the report.

We have some basic and two deluxe rentals available for this weekend, and we will be pulling out more next week. Call if interested.

Eddy