**The Official 2018 Ice-Out Thread** 2024
Smokinal reply :
I'm in southern Maine and although we've been warming slightly into the mid 40's here (downright balmy) we are still a ways away; I'm just hopeful!
So lets hear it folks! Who's getting close? Who's still socked in? Who's dark and slushy?
And I guess we could even hear from those who are already out....
A-Jay reply :
My northern MI inland waters still have a hard hat.
Past few days have been above freezing but the overnights are still dipping below the Mendoza line.
Par for the course and history indicates that somewhere in or around the 1st week of April -
I should be getting pretty giddy . . .
A-Jay
btw - this may very well be my favorite annual thread . . . .
J Francho reply :
The bay is opening up. Any remaining ice is unsafe. Lake only had minor shoreline freezing.
MaineBassMan reply :
Lakes still hard here, but I do believe we will have an early ice out.....I hope
12poundbass reply :
Central Michigan here. Our 12" of snow is completely gone, temps. are well above freezing (57 today), the load limits are on the roads which means the ground is thawing, and work is getting busy with excavating (overtime).
Now reality, there's still a ton of ice on the lakes, and were in the cross hairs of a snow storm the end of this week.
Conclusion: I'm in Michigan and the cruel woman mother nature is won't let us off that easily. But the glass is always half full here at my house, and we've never been closer to fishing than we are now! The itch is getting worse, I think I'll clean the reels this weekend and reintroduce myself to all of my tackle.
mattkenzer reply :
When the boys from Maine have ice out, Southern New Brunswick should be open as well.
Gundog reply :
With all the warm temps we have been having lately I'm surprised that we still have a slim layer of ice on most of the lakes.
WolfyBrandon reply :
[February 24, 2018]
This winter has been strange... There was snow in early November that melted off in like a week. Didn't see snow again until mid December which also quickly melted. Then it was like spring conditions through the first of the year, all the way up to mid February with the high's ranging from the mid 30's to mid 40's. It was looking like it was going to be a mild winter (Which made me start thinking about fishing). Then mid February it cooled back down, the snow really started to pile up, and it's been that way ever since...
DogBone_384 reply :
Boston and south is WIDE open. South of exit 5 on route 3 in Plymouth’s been mostly open all year. I’ve caught SMB at Hedges Pond in Plymouth since January. I was there last week with surface temps 43.x.
Chowderhead reply :
Nearly 60 today in Omaha but too may freezing days prior to this for the ice to be gone. Hoping for open water soon.
ratherbfishin1 reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 7:34 AM, Chowderhead said:Nearly 60 today in Omaha but too may freezing days prior to this for the ice to be gone. Hoping for open water soon.
Yeah! In lincoln it was almost 60 and windy so it is melting!
Smokinal reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 12:38 AM, MaineBassMan said:Lakes still hard here, but I do believe we will have an early ice out.....I hope
I think so too brother!!
I'm feelin it!
gimruis reply :
I was waiting for someone to start this thread. It was 43 degrees here today, second warmest day of 2018 so far I think. We just got a foot of snow last week and there's at least 2 feet of ice on all the lakes, in addition to 15 inches of currently melting snow. And even if the lakes are ice free before mid May, I can't legally target them anyways because the season isn't open until then.
Vilas15 reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 9:27 AM, gimruis said:I was waiting for someone to start this thread. It was 43 degrees here today, second warmest day of 2018 so far I think. We just got a foot of snow last week and there's at least 2 feet of ice on all the lakes, in addition to 15 inches of currently melting snow. And even if the lakes are ice free before mid May, I can't legally target them anyways because the season isn't open until then.
I'm in the same boat (or ice shanty). If we've still got ice on May 5th then there's a serious problem. Otherwise there's nothing to hope for, it's all predetermined.
Russ E reply :
Open water here in eastern Kansas. Was on a cold water lake Monday for the first time in 2018 (no power plant) surface water temp was 38 degrees. fishing was a little slow, but better than ice.
Darren. reply :
A-Jay reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 10:55 AM, Darren. said:
It's a mysterious & magical occurrence that helps smallmouth bass grow to Monstrous proportions . . . .
A-Jay
Aaron Trotter reply :
Middle Iowa banks are melting but still ice covered. We had 50s and some wind today. Should be open soon!
drscholl14 reply :
2 ft of snow and 2 ft of ice. We do have one stretch of the Mississippi that is open and kicking out smallies though. Scratched my itch there last weekend.
Bankbeater reply :
Ice has been off the water here since the beginning of February. Of course I got sick and couldn't fish.
Way north bass guy reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 11:56 AM, A-Jay said:It's a mysterious & magical occurrence that helps smallmouth bass grow to Monstrous proportions . . . .
A-Jay
And makes the people that fish for them go absolutely bananas for several months!
Here in central Ontario we still have 20-24” or more on most of the lakes. I was out on one yesterday and the shorelines are starting to rot pretty quick, as well as any pressure cracks are opening up. Great conditions for skating right now. I almost thought about trolling along a pressure crack with my skidoo but changed my mind ????. If the weather keeps going the way it is up here, we might be boating fairly early this year, which is just fine by me.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 8:38 PM, Way north bass guy said:And makes the people that fish for them go absolutely bananas for several months!
Here in central Ontario we still have 20-24” or more on most of the lakes. I was out on one yesterday and the shorelines are starting to rot pretty quick, as well as any pressure cracks are opening up. Great conditions for skating right now. I almost thought about trolling along a pressure crack with my skidoo but changed my mind ????. If the weather keeps going the way it is up here, we might be boating fairly early this year, which is just fine by me.
LOL ~ No Doubt
We are experiencing one of my all time favorite late winter / early spring meteorological events . . . . .
Rain.
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 8:42 PM, A-Jay said:LOL ~ No Doubt
We are experiencing one of my all time favorite late winter / early spring meteorological events . . . . .
Rain.
A-Jay
Sunny and 48 here already ????. I had a job at one of the larger lakes around me yesterday. What I saw shocked me.... 50% of the lake was open water! This itch keeps getting worse!
scaleface reply :
The water is ice free , the temps have been good but too windy . I'll be fishing before long . Got some kid bugging the heck out of me rearing to go . I gave him a rod n reel and its driving him crazy . Hes never been bass fishing other than walking around a pond .
NYWayfarer reply :
Hudson River north of the capital region is clear. Still iced up on the branches and offshoots though. My favorite launch spot for my kayak doesn't open until April 1st
Small lakes and ponds are still dark and slushy.
I fear we are having a Nor'easter through here over the next two days. Rain to turning to ice and snow overnight Thursday and Friday. Advanced forecast for next week looks like more of the same Wed-Sun. Bummer as these near 70 degree days we were having made me hopeful for some open water and decent fishing conditions.
J Francho reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 10:30 PM, NYWayfarer said:I fear we are having a Nor'easter through here over the next two days.
Already have winter storm warnings for this Buffalo and Rochester. Talking close to a foot.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 9:29 PM, 12poundbass said:Sunny and 48 here already ????. I had a job at one of the larger lakes around me yesterday. What I saw shocked me.... 50% of the lake was open water! This itch keeps getting worse!
Oh Man - I'd be fishing !
Had a most memorable day on the water during an early spring outing where 1/2 the lake still had ice.
Smallies were suicidal and I felt like a Rock Star.
(regardless of how short lived that ended up being)
A-Jay
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 9:29 PM, 12poundbass said:Sunny and 48 here already ????. I had a job at one of the larger lakes around me yesterday. What I saw shocked me.... 50% of the lake was open water! This itch keeps getting worse!
I'm currently sitting next to Houghton Lake. 45 & ice as far as I can see...
So close, yet so far away. Ugh. I need a beer.
MIbassyaker reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 9:29 PM, 12poundbass said:Sunny and 48 here already ????. I had a job at one of the larger lakes around me yesterday. What I saw shocked me.... 50% of the lake was open water! This itch keeps getting worse!
There's open water in most of the private neighborhood ponds around GR that I have seen, with a little ice here and there. The Grand is too high to get at any of the bayous or gravel pits, which are unfortunately the only public spots i would otherwise have any time to get to mid week. Today would be the day to get out there before the big temp drop and rain (and possible snow) tomorrow. But I think I'll do a scouting trip over the weekend to a few of the smaller lakes with shore access, and see what I can find. I see more rain on the way mon and Tue with another temp drop and possible snow again. Of course, my schedule happens to open up next week right when the second round of weather hits, wouldn't you know it.
12poundbass reply :
On 3/1/2018 at 12:04 AM, MIbassyaker said:There's open water in most of the private neighborhood ponds around GR that I have seen, with a little ice here and there. The Grand is too high to get at any of the bayous or gravel pits, which are unfortunately the only public spots i would otherwise have any time to get to mid week. Today would be the day to get out there before the big temp drop and rain (and possible snow) tomorrow. But I think I'll do a scouting trip over the weekend to a few of the smaller lakes with shore access, and see what I can find. I see more rain on the way mon and Tue with another temp drop and possible snow again. Of course, my schedule happens to open up next week right when the second round of weather hits, wouldn't you know it.
Lincoln lake is the one I was referring to. Not too far away from you. I drive a lot during the day and that's the only one I've seen so far. I'll keep an eye out and let you know of any others if you'd like. I mainly cover Leonard and the beltline north to the county line.
On 2/28/2018 at 11:53 PM, Fish the Mitt said:I'm currently sitting next to Houghton Lake. 45 & ice as far as I can see...
So close, yet so far away. Ugh. I need a beer.
I hear ya. First world problems are hard to deal with lol. With the warm temps. Comes overtime at work and Saturdays for the next month or so until we get the NUGs trained and on their own.
MIbassyaker reply :
On 3/1/2018 at 12:28 AM, 12poundbass said:Lincoln lake is the one I was referring to. Not too far away from you. I drive a lot during the day and that's the only one I've seen so far. I'll keep an eye out and let you know of any others if you'd like. I mainly cover Leonard and the beltline north to the county line.
huh, interesting. I've never been on Lincoln and I think my mental map must place it farther away than it is. I'm west of 131 and I work in Ottawa Co -- been driving past wide expanses of flooded woodland every day for the past couple weeks.
12poundbass reply :
On 3/1/2018 at 12:46 AM, MIbassyaker said:huh, interesting. I've never been on Lincoln and I think my mental map must place it farther away than it is. I'm west of 131 and I work in Ottawa Co -- been driving past wide expanses of flooded woodland every day for the past couple weeks.
Yup the Grand is pretty flooded. Lincoln is about 15 minutes west of Greenville so about an hour for you.
NHBull reply :
Central NH is covered, but the rain in the forecast is promising.
We need fog and wind
Smokinal reply :
Geeeeze, we were lookin really good for a while there. Snow is disappearing, temps hitting high 40's low 50's, main river through town is wide open, lakes around me turning dark with some smaller ponds with holes in them; now.....12-18" coming in tomorrow night and into Thursday.
I know it won't last long and I still think we are in for an earlier than normal ice-out but still; dat mental part
Ksam1234 reply :
Ugh I can't wait for warmer weather , we had 60 degree days turn to 25 degrees .. starting to get the itch! Haven't had a fish since November.. soon my precious sooon...
desmobob reply :
And now, the possibility of another Nor'Easter on Wednesday. Every time I get ready to take the winter tarp off my boat, we get another big snowstorm!
This is that nasty season where we can't go ice fishing and can't put the boat in.
Think Spring,
Bob
Smokinal reply :
And another 12-16 coming Tuesday. I wish I could just see the ice at this point.
Ksam1234 reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 7:47 AM, desmobob said:And now, the possibility of another Nor'Easter on Wednesday. Every time I get ready to take the winter tarp off my boat, we get another big snowstorm!
This is that nasty season where we can't go ice fishing and can't put the boat in.
Think Spring,
Bob
Ugh seriously ! Another one ccooommmee on , its usually at least 45-55 by now and some sun. Let's pray to the sun and fish gods
NYWayfarer reply :
Last year I had 1or 2 outings by now. At this rate March looks like it’s goimg to be a no fishing month
desmobob reply :
There was enough open water at the southern end of Lake Champlain for a local guy to take his party barge out for a short ride this weekend! He posted a video on Facebook and it showed a bunch of snow inside the boat and a snow shovel sitting on one of the front seats. I guess he left it uncovered during our last snowstorm.
It won't be long...
Tight lines,
Bob
ApacheGuns515 reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 7:41 AM, Ksam1234 said:Ugh I can't wait for warmer weather , we had 60 degree days turn to 25 degrees .. starting to get the itch! Haven't had a fish since November.. soon my precious sooon...
I know the feeling. I'm in Upstate NY and I remember a couple weeks ago when it was 65 degrees here for a day. I ran out of work early to go fishing only to find it dropped from 65 to about 20 degrees by nightfall. The local "climate" was met with a few expletives that day for teasing me like that lol.
I can't wait for it to warm up and actually stay that way....I can't stand this place I don't know how folks choose to live here on purpose LOL
LadiMopar reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 8:17 AM, Ksam1234 said:Ugh seriously ! Another one ccooommmee on , its usually at least 45-55 by now and some sun. Let's pray to the sun and fish gods
Looks like you're going to miss out on this one according to the accuweather forecast. Mostly a Coastal/New England thing (NYC, Boston, Portland)
Woohoo! another 12+ inches, how #$%&@ lucky can we get? Ugh! Maybe I'll just go crawl under my trucks bed cover and hug my tackle boxes while praying to the fish gods.
Ksam1234 reply :
@ApacheGuns515 yeah I know I fished for couple hours but
no success for any bites and @LadiMopar I'm so sorry to hear that but good! Let it stay up there ha. I just want it gone
LadiMopar reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 10:20 AM, Ksam1234 said:and @LadiMopar I'm so sorry to hear that but good! Let it stay up there ha. I just want it gone
I'm all for GONE! We need another one of those 80 degree days like we had 3 weeks ago...
Raul reply :
85-92 º all week here :......... yeah, cabin fever must a PIA.
Fish the Mitt reply :
24 degrees up here in Traverse City, MI right now. Snow the next 2 days....
We feel your pain upstate NY, we feel your pain.
Ksam1234 reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 10:40 AM, Raul said:85-92 º all week here :......... yeah, cabin fever must a PIA.
Not
cool
.. I'll be over here in feedle position
Angry John reply :
And here I was thinking this was going to be about the Chinese space station crashing into Michigan and how that was going to effect the fishing.
TOXIC reply :
If I didn't have access to the warm water discharge of a Nuke Power Plant (3,000 acres), I would go crazy in the winter. Went Saturday. Water 58-65 Air temp 25-30. Never ices up and keeps me sane.
jbmaine reply :
As of now the forecast is for up to another 19" of snow starting tonight. I'm supposed to pick up my new boat in a little under a month. I'm starting to think I'll need to push that date back a little.
Jim
Crestliner2008 reply :
Well, I'm just going flat out nuts! If I rearrange my tackle one more time, my wife will put me in a rubber suit! We're going to get clobbered again tomorrow! UGH! This is what the last storm looked like and it appears that we'll be adding another 6" on top of that:
DogBone_384 reply :
It’s not so bad.... I’ve caught smallies in open water all year in southeastern MA. I even bagged a nice 3-2 Larry yesterday at Ponkapog Pond in Canton, MA. All the waters I fished/scouted so far this year are high, which is good if we have a dry Spring or Summer.
It’ll break soon enough up here, and until then, grab your boots, shovels, and snow throwers....
BassWhole! reply :
I want to have sympathy for my brethren in and around the 43rd parallel, but I have a cabin for a week first week of June in the St. Lawrence, so I need it to stay unusually cold for a while, so dress warm, and put extra marsh mellows in the hot chocolate...
gimruis reply :
I hear ya. We've got at least 2 feet of ice and melting snow on most of the lakes here in Minnesota too. And even if it does melt early, we can't legally target a bass until May anyways. Just wait. When July rolls around and its 100 degrees in the south, we'll be loving life again up here while they roast away. 
LadiMopar reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 7:14 PM, Crestliner2008 said:Well, I'm just going flat out nuts! If I rearrange my tackle one more time, my wife will put me in a rubber suit! We're going to get clobbered again tomorrow! UGH! This is what the last storm looked like and it appears that we'll be adding another 6" on top of that:
Hey Crestliner2008 I'll happily trade you those itty bitty 6 inches (translated = flurry) for the 17 we got last storm, and the 14+ we're getting tomorrow! I won't even throw in the 45 mph winds, or the power outages...sound like a deal? 
Adam.love05 reply :
It's a tough life we live up here in the Northeast! But! We are on the downside of this torture!! Another 2-3 weeks and I think (hope) we'll at least be able to catch a few in the Rivers that have opened up.. lake Champlain however is still covered in 12-16" of garbage ice that can't be fished on and refuses to leave!
I tried fishing the lamoille river today and had no luck. But it felt good to get out and cast at least.
drscholl14 reply :
I love ice fishing but once February hits I just want to be on the boat. Thank god for the Mississippi which has some open water pockets throughout the Winter so I've been able to scratch the itch with some smallmouth shore fishing trips.
Adam.love05 reply :
On 3/13/2018 at 8:02 AM, drscholl14 said:I love ice fishing but once February hits I just want to be on the boat. Thank god for the Mississippi which has some open water pockets throughout the Winter so I've been able to scratch the itch with some smallmouth shore fishing trips.
Nice one! I've scratched the itch but haven't linked up with one yet!
NHBull reply :
The new boat is ready and 18" of the site stuff will be hee tomorrow....36 " in a week is crazy.
Ontario upside, Spring runoff should be fun
Ksam1234 reply :
On 3/13/2018 at 8:02 AM, drscholl14 said:I love ice fishing but once February hits I just want to be on the boat. Thank god for the Mississippi which has some open water pockets throughout the Winter so I've been able to scratch the itch with some smallmouth shore fishing trips.
That's a beauty, I tried fishing the rivers around here and no success. Even tried open water pockets on lakes and nothing maybe someday
N Florida Mike reply :
High 30s tonite here. Weird winter . Very cold all January .Very warm february. Now a below avg. March.
desmobob reply :
I got out and made a few casts at South Bay in Lake Champlain... no fish, but I scratched the itch. The lake looks open from the South Bay boat launch north to at least Dresden or Putnam from what I could see in my travels today. The very southern part of the lake south of the South Bay bridge (NY Rt.22) is still mostly covered with ice.
6"-11" of new snow in the forecast for me. Ugh!
Tight lines,
Bob
haggard reply :
"Patience, grasshopper."
jbmaine reply :
It's snowwwwwwwingggggggg.
2" already and in my area up to 21" total before it's over.
At this rate ice out is a ways away.
Jim
NYWayfarer reply :
5-8" predicted here today. It's snowing steady but the roads are treated so nothing appears to be sticking. Just a messy sloppy ride to work.
This time last year I was able to take two fishing trips as we had open water. I got skunked but at least I was able to get out. This year looks like I won't see any trips till mid-April if this weather pattern keeps up.
J Francho reply :
@Ksam1234 merged your thread into our original pit of despair thread.
Snow coming tonight. Again.
A-Jay reply :
Forget this in like a lion & out like a lamb stuff !
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 3/14/2018 at 12:52 AM, A-Jay said:Forget this in like a lion & out like a lamb stuff !
A-Jay
Uh oh looks like the cabin fever is getting the best of ya buddy! Hop on 127 and head south towards me, I have open water.
A-Jay reply :
On 3/14/2018 at 12:56 AM, 12poundbass said:Uh oh looks like the cabin fever is getting the best of ya buddy! Hop on 127 and head south towards me, I have open water.
No way - I'm good.
Just venting ~ It's healthy.
And thanks for the local/ down state update.
A-Jay
Hawkeye21 reply :
Things were looking great here in Iowa two weeks ago but then we got hit with a big snow storm last Monday. This week things are looking up again and the snow is almost all gone again. Lakes are starting to open up in the middle part of the state while the southern half of the state has open water. I think the IA/MN border is still froze over.
We're finally getting to the point where the overnight temps should stay above freezing which will be huge.
drscholl14 reply :
Supposed to be in the 50s by the end of the week around here. Not that it'll help much.
LadiMopar reply :
Ice was out..now it's back and with 3 Nor'easters in less than two weeks here it'll be June before the snow disappears again.
With today's storm we're up to about 3 feet of the nasty white stuff...ugh!
Smokinal reply :
On 3/14/2018 at 9:34 AM, LadiMopar said:Ice was out..now it's back and with 3 Nor'easters in less than two weeks here it'll be June before the snow disappears again.
With today's storm we're up to about 3 feet of the nasty white stuff...ugh!
Just got in from doing the driveway and now off to work. Yes, another 12-14" between yesterday and last night, with another 2-3 coming during the day. 3rd big blast Mother has given us in the last 2 weeks.
Well, with my glass half full, at least our lakes will be full this spring.
Hope everyone in the Northeast is well.
And everyone else for that matter.
Now, I gotta go visit the Fishing Reports section...
jbmaine reply :
Just stuck my head outside. 16-18" here and still snowing.
WolfyBrandon reply :
[March 19, 2018]
Update: It snowed about an inch yesterday morning, but quickly melted off. Today was my first day back to work at my seasonal job. When I got off work I stopped by the local tackle store, and picked up my 2018 Fishing License. I couldn't resist the urge to take a peak at the lake conditions, so I took a little road trip...
The lake is about 4 feet low, heavily stained with about 6 inches of clarity, and was 99% clear of ice. I didn't have a thermometer with me, but I would guess the water temp was in the high 30's to low 40's, as it felt very cold instead of painfully cold. The water is low enough that it would be difficult to launch a boat right now at this ramp. You can walk 15-20ft out on the dock, and its still only about a foot in depth. No fishing gear with me today as it was just a technical observation day. Once we get a few weeks of warm weather, and that water rises... It'll be game time!
WolfyBrandon
Smokinal reply :
We've settled into another cold spell with 4-6" coming wed night into thurs.
garelval2 reply :
Anybody got water temps for lakes in SW MI?
My local pond was 48f a couple days ago, it's very shallow. Not sure if I can trust that reading for lakes aswell...
MN Fisher reply :
Lakes are still socked in here with Ice-Fishing still going on.
Haven't seen a vehicle on the ice since Saturday, but with the crazies here it could still happen
Gundog reply :
The storm that was suppose to miss us decided to change its path and now we are getting anywhere from 3-8 inches of snow. I may have said this before but I HATE WINTER!!!!!!
A-Jay reply :
Seriously considering trimming the Optimax to water level, switching out the Tempest Plus for Mercury's newest (and not invented yet) 'ice auger prop' and driving in reverse . . . . .
Yea - that's the ticket
Either that or perhaps I could somehow convince the local Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment that I have a real need for a MK79 hand held grenade launcher
That should get me a little open water at least.
A-Jay
LadiMopar reply :
On 3/12/2018 at 11:01 PM, reason said:I want to have sympathy for my brethren in and around the 43rd parallel, but I have a cabin for a week first week of June in the St. Lawrence, so I need it to stay unusually cold for a while, so dress warm, and put extra marsh mellows in the hot chocolate...
Is this 4th Nor'easter that's going to whack us tomorrow your doing? Who do you know in the "man upstairs weather department"? Or do you own stock in a marshmallow factory? 
Ugh!!!!! I like winter, but enough is enough...Happy Vernal Equinox everyone!
Way north bass guy reply :
Up here in central Ontario we’ve been getting beautiful sunshine for days now and it’s supposed to continue for a while, only problem is the temps have stalled at -8 to -15c at nights and barely above freezing at day with a stiff breeze. It’s not supposed to break much until early-mid April apparently. Last year I had the boat in on April 2nd, not gonna happen this year ????.
Gundog reply :
On 3/22/2018 at 5:35 AM, Way north bass guy said:-8 to -15c
What's that in American money? Like a buck fitty?
Way north bass guy reply :
On 3/22/2018 at 11:59 AM, Gundog said:What's that in American money? Like a buck fitty?
Our money is like Monopoly money to yours, that’s why it costs a fortune to have nice fishing gear here ( not that it doesn’t stop me from buying it though ????).
Smokinal reply :
I have some reports of some open ponds close to the coast where temps are a little better and they have a little salt breeze. The web cam on my inland home lake shows iced in still but there are a few holes and puddles; getting black. I estimate full ice out in 2 weeks, possible a day or 2 earlier.
Getting excited!!
desmobob reply :
I got out in the boat for the first time yesterday. The very southern end of the lake was still iced over.
Water temp is right at 40*. The forecast for the upcoming week is nights below freezing and highs in the low 40's. I guess it's going to be a while before the fishing gets good!
Tight lines,
Bob
MIbassyaker reply :
Sigh.
I went out a month ago at the peak of a short warm spell and found some open water with temps in the high 30s/low 40s. Made a few casts from shore. Felt good, caught nothing, went home.
Promptly got busy again, and will probably be too busy to go anywhere until the end of the month.
So here I am, watching air temps hover around 40-45 the last several weeks, hoping it doesn't get too warm too fast before I'm able to get out again. And we got more snow last night. Yay?
12poundbass reply :
On 4/5/2018 at 7:19 AM, MIbassyaker said:Sigh.
I went out a month ago at the peak of a short warm spell and found some open water with temps in the high 30s/low 40s. Made a few casts from shore. Felt good, caught nothing, went home.
Promptly got busy again, and will probably be too busy to go anywhere until the end of the month.
So here I am, watching air temps hover around 40-45 the last several weeks, hoping it doesn't get too warm too fast before I'm able to get out again. And we got more snow last night. Yay?
In the words of Bing Crosby "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas".
Happy winter round 2!
A-Jay reply :
- 10 this morning.
No Good.
This latest cold snap will surely push back my open water action.
Perhaps into - dare I say - Almost May !
This is not what I was hoping for.
Serenity NOW !
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
I;'m losing it too. January 95th. Ugh.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 4/5/2018 at 7:19 AM, MIbassyaker said:open water with temps in the high 30s/low 40s. Made a few casts from shore. Felt good, caught nothing, went home.
That sums up life in the Northeast right now.
It did feel good to go out and actually cast into open water even if I got the skunk.
TnRiver46 reply :
Little bit of snow predicted even in TN tonight
A-Jay reply :
Right now - looking out the front ~
And looking out the back ~
Good Times.
A-Jay
desmobob reply :
The snowplows were out in my neck of the woods today. :-(
Tight lines,
Bob
Way north bass guy reply :
On 4/7/2018 at 1:53 AM, A-Jay said:Right now - looking out the front ~
And looking out the back ~
Good Times.
A-Jay
That is exactly what it’s looked like at my place for three days now. I don’t know if I have enough booze in the house to last this weekend. Starting to go just a little bit BONKERS ????.
LadiMopar reply :
Oh A-Jay, I am so sorry this is happening to you and the others in that part of the country. We had a teeny bit of snow today and am ashamed to say I was grumbling about it.
Will ask the sun and Fish gods to take pity on all of you.
LM
Smokinal reply :
On 4/7/2018 at 8:37 AM, LadiMopar said:Oh A-Jay, I am so sorry this is happening to you and the others in that part of the country. We had a teeny bit of snow today and am ashamed to say I was grumbling about it.
Will ask the sun and Fish gods to take pity on all of you.
LM
lol same situation here. I've been complaining about the little mess we got yesterday and some of you have it a lot worse than me.
Take care folks!!
It can't be long now!!
Smokinal reply :
Well we are close now boyos! Getting some rain this evening and through the overnight. Temps going into the 50's tomorrow. My lake's web cam shows dark, dark ice. It's going to be mealy after this pattern goes through!!
May be out Sunday!!
J Francho reply :
Overly optimistic.
ww2farmer reply :
My lake is finally ice free......but it's still going to be a week or more before I get my boat out. I'm not sure I could even get to it with 4wd right now.
I am pretty sure my first few times out this year will be on other people's boats.
A-Jay reply :
Like much of the northern part of the country, northern Michigan in particular, got hammered this month with what ended up being a record amount of snow (and cold). Swung by a local lake today to access open water potential – looks bleak. Hopefully the melt off & open water will come a lot sooner rather than later.
A-Jay
Smokinal reply :
^^^WOW! Ima quit my crying!
I checked my web cams on my home water and I'll be open tomorrow!!
Some big changes happened today. I actually saw ripples and waves on the water for the first time in months!! So excited!
Still some floating ice but it will be gone by tomorrow night. And I'll be out next Sunday, 29th, smashing em on jerkbaits!!
Good luck everyone!
LadiMopar reply :
Hey A-Jay it was nice to "see" you, but you certainly have my sympathies. Guess my sun/fish god requests for you and everyone out there aren't getting to the right department.. HR must be holding up the paperwork or something.
Our winter blast this month wasn't nearly as bad, and am almost ashamed to say I was out in my yak today. If it's any consolation to you though there wasn't a bass to be seen...but did manage to hook a feisty chain nose pickerel, which was exciting until I had to take the crazy thing off the hook. Thank goodness for fish grips!
Hang in there...open water has to be just around the corner.
LM
TnRiver46 reply :
Sooooo, does that Water just go from 32-52 in like a week???? Hydrology is weird in the north country
A-Jay reply :
On 4/22/2018 at 9:55 AM, TnRiver46 said:Sooooo, does that Water just go from 32-52 in like a week???? Hydrology is weird in the north country
Not quite that fast - but sort of close.
Shallower lakes will warm quickly and no surprise, the big deep clear lakes can stay fairly cool - for a-while.
But that's usually a good thing.
And once they all open up the hardest part is deciding where to fish . . . .
A-Jay
TnRiver46 reply :
On 4/22/2018 at 10:23 AM, A-Jay said:Not quite that fast - but sort of close.
Shallower lakes will warm quickly and no surprise, the big deep clear lakes can stay fairly cool - for a-while.
But that's usually a good thing.
And once they all open up the hardest part is deciding where to fish . . . .
A-Jay
Water water everywhere. Since we don’t have true “lakes” our water doesn’t warm up quite so fast. Some smaller rivers without dams can warm up quickly but nothing like what seems to happen in natural lake country. From the perspective of someone who has only fished the top half of the USA a handful of times, I have noticed one thing. That long period of cold water makes those fish feed with reckless abandon when it’s warm. Our southern fish gorge all winter on shad so they can ignore a fishing lure whenever they want. I’ve even had tough days in perfect conditions with big live shad. I still wouldn’t trade it for that icy cold weather though
12poundbass reply :
On 4/22/2018 at 2:11 AM, A-Jay said:Like much of the northern part of the country, northern Michigan in particular, got hammered this month with what ended up being a record amount of snow (and cold). Swung by a local lake today to access open water potential – looks bleak. Hopefully the melt off & open water will come a lot sooner rather than later.
A-Jay
Are those 4-5' tall snow mountains right in front of the ramp? If they are why in the world would somebody do that? The water could potentially be open and you couldn't launch because of the snow mound blocking your way.
J Francho reply :
Could hit 70° today. Got out yesterday, froze my butt off for two brown trout.
Yeajray231 reply :
Better than no brown trout lol
A-Jay reply :
With tomorrow being April 30th, there is a distinct possibility that we'll be iced over going right into May.
Well, that hasn't happened since I've lived here (2007) . . . . until it did.
So my pre-spawn time is looking like it may be fairly 'condensed'. (insert super short)
Most all access roads & ramps are wide open - just waiting on soft water.
Over night temps Still, in the 20's & low 30's - in not speeding this up any.
#impatiencemeterpegged
A-Jay
Smokinal reply :
Well not to rub it in but I finally made it out today for the first day. We opened last Sunday on my home lake. I let it get some sun for the week and took a couple kids out today. We had a good time, catching between 10-20 bass each, and somewhere around 40 big crappie. One of them caught 6 different species; lmb, yellow perch, crappie, pickerel, 1 brookie and 1 brown! All while targeting LMB on jerkbaits! They had a good time!
Good luck A-Jay!
Keep us posted!!
A-Jay reply :
On 4/30/2018 at 1:59 AM, Smokinal said:Well not to rub it in but I finally made it out today for the first day. We opened last Sunday on my home lake. I let it get some sun for the week and took a couple kids out today. We had a good time, catching between 10-20 bass each, and somewhere around 40 big crappie. One of them caught 6 different species; lmb, yellow perch, crappie, pickerel, 1 brookie and 1 brown! All while targeting LMB on jerkbaits! They had a good time!
Good luck A-Jay!
Keep us posted!!
Hey it's not rubbing it in - It is what it is.
Catch some for me.
A-Jay
gimruis reply :
A few small lakes and lakes with rivers feeding them have opened up here but most lakes still have ice in MN too. Our official "opener" is in 13 days and I think most lakes in the southern portion of the state will be open, but not in northern MN. 75 degrees here tomorrow with potential t-storms on Tuesday would go a long ways.
A-Jay reply :
April 29, 2018 ~ Bummin'.
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 4/30/2018 at 4:57 AM, A-Jay said:April 29, 2018 ~ Bummin'.
A-Jay
If your forecast for this week is looking anything like mine your ice should be gone by the end of the week?
I'm way behind the 8 ball because of work. First launch is scheduled for Friday evening. Fingers crossed.
A-Jay reply :
On 4/30/2018 at 5:15 AM, 12poundbass said:If your forecast for this week is looking anything like mine your ice should be gone by the end of the week?
I'm way behind the 8 ball because of work. First launch is scheduled for Friday evening. Fingers crossed.
Yup - Crazy - high 70's.
I'm sleeping at the ramp . .
A-Jay
MN Fisher reply :
Smaller bays/lakes in the Minnetonka group are opening. Emerald, Seton and Black are open, however Cooks, Phelps and Spring Park bays still have honeycomb ice covering a majority of the surface.
Since the launch points are still ice-bound, canoe or yak is the way to go to get into the smaller bodies.
A-Jay reply :
Close ~ but not yet.
A-Jay
sully420 reply :
Mpls st paul metro area lake should be open thus weekend. Lake Harriet is 70% open
drscholl14 reply :
Two boats were fishing the north bay of White Bear Lake today. The ice is only about 100 yards from shore but they must've really wanted to get on those panfish. I can't say I blame them.....Bald Eagle is 90% open.
12poundbass reply :
On 5/2/2018 at 7:02 AM, A-Jay said:Close ~ but not yet.
A-Jay
If the rain heads your way tonight/tomorrow that should finish it off for ya.
J Francho reply :
80s today. Was snowing last Monday. As I predicted, no spring.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/2/2018 at 9:44 PM, J Francho said:80s today. Was snowing last Monday. As I predicted, no spring.
As of yesterday my water's were still iced over - but last night I had to run the A/C in my house !
W T H
But at 6 pm local time . . .
OPEN.
WATER.
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 5/3/2018 at 9:06 AM, A-Jay said:As of yesterday my water's were still iced over - but last night I had to run the A/C in my house !
W T H
But at 6 pm local time . . .
OPEN.
WATER.
A-Jay
Yup turned on the A/C last night too. Made it to 83. When's the Lund getting launched?
0700? ????
A-Jay reply :
While there's no wind in tomorrow's forecast - there's no sun either and some lingering rain.
I Hate a wet boat but after waiting this long I may bite the bullet . .
I've got a work out to do (early) Then I'll probably play it by ear -
Either way - I'll be ready to go and will continue to go every time the opportunity presents it self.
A-Jay
TnRiver46 reply :
On 5/2/2018 at 9:44 PM, J Francho said:80s today. Was snowing last Monday. As I predicted, no spring.
You might get spring in June
Smokinal reply :
On 5/3/2018 at 10:08 AM, A-Jay said:While there's no wind in tomorrow's forecast - there's no sun either and some lingering rain.
I Hate a wet boat but after waiting this long I may bite the bullet . .
I've got a work out to do (early) Then I'll probably play it by ear -
Either way - I'll be ready to go and will continue to go every time the opportunity presents it self.
A-Jay
Are you fully open now?
A-Jay reply :
On 5/3/2018 at 6:04 PM, Smokinal said:Are you fully open now?
Just checked, there is a sheet of free ice (or slush hard to tell) that's covering about 40% of the lake I want to get on.
Moves around with the wind - yesterday it was up on the north end (a no factor).
Right now it's parked in front of the ramp and over a couple of 'the spots'. (The right kind of point)
I'm gonna knock out a back workout right now and check it again once I'm done.
Tomorrow is cold, wind & rain - Saturday looks like a good day though.
A-Jay
Smokinal reply :
^^^Man you gotta be close!!
A-Jay reply :
On 5/3/2018 at 9:04 PM, Smokinal said:^^^Man you gotta be close!!
That's what I thought 4 weeks ago . .
It's just funny at this point.
A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
It's Official ~
A-Jay
brgbassmaster reply :
On 5/3/2018 at 7:34 PM, A-Jay said:Just checked, there is a sheet of free ice (or slush hard to tell) that's covering about 40% of the lake I want to get on.
Moves around with the wind - yesterday it was up on the north end (a no factor).
Right now it's parked in front of the ramp and over a couple of 'the spots'. (The right kind of point)
I'm gonna knock out a back workout right now and check it again once I'm done.
Tomorrow is cold, wind & rain - Saturday looks like a good day though.
A-Jay
My buddy is up at least another hour north of you and has open water and the smallies are biting!
A-Jay reply :
On 5/6/2018 at 11:03 AM, brgbassmaster said:My buddy is up at least another hour north of you and has open water and the smallies are biting!
Conditions have improved here too ~
A-Jay
Smokinal reply :
On 5/6/2018 at 10:24 AM, A-Jay said:It's Official ~
A-Jay
Good for you A-Jay!!!
Glad to see it!!
Anyone else not open yet?
Can we close this dreaded thing down now??
brgbassmaster reply :
On 5/6/2018 at 11:08 AM, A-Jay said:Conditions have improved here too ~
A-Jay
Haha I see that! Nice!
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