Danger: Thin Ice

[ziggaman]

Although the majority of the lake where I would make my first ice fishing trip of the year seemed to enjoy a generous 6" sheath, the lake was holding a little surprise for me this weekend.

I plunged a hole over what I had hoped would be a great spot where there also seemed to be plenty of ice. Hole edges showed a healthy, clear, 6" of solid ice. Feeling more confident I ventured about 50 yards from my hole to setup my pick rod with a bobber rig (usually works - and it's perfectly legal to use 2 rods while ice fishing here).

I use a hefty ice chisel as my "test instrument". I am now officially in the market for a new test instrument.

That thing busted through a weak spot in the ice like a rocket and raced down to the bottom of the lake and, most likely, saved my life. I did my best stop drop and roll back to the safe zone, grabbed me gear and my dog and army crawled my way outta there.

Please remember to proceed out on the ice with caution.

*Also* - big mistake....Never tell your wife a story like this if you ever want to go ice fishing again.

So, do I get a littering fine for losing my ice chisel?

[Baron Von Crappie]

I have lost a spud (ice chislel)the same way! they are good tools to have for testing the ice in front of you! I have a rope on mine now so if I lose my grip it wont submarine!

[rancherlee]

That nice 12+ inches of snow we got lastweek BEFORE the deep freeze really messed up lakes on the Iron Range. I drilled a bunch of test holes on my favorite lake and had anywhere from 7" to 2". I'm going out again today to check as I want to get the House out since I have two days off work now.

[crappiekeith]

5 sleds have gone in on BSL.
Ya never know with this snow.
I'm calling it russian roulette ice.

[rancherlee]

Lakes improved GREATLY in the past week. I put my house out yesterday on ~9" of ice. No crappies but I managed to pull a 3# walleye and 3# Largemouth out last night. :D

[KCBALLER]

5 sleds have gone in on BSL.
Ya never know with this snow.
I'm calling it russian roulette ice.

WOW I DONT KNOW IF I COULD ENJOY ICE FISHING , BUT WOULD LOVE TO TRY IT SOME DAY

[ziggaman]

There is plenty of ice on Upper Red Lake. We ventured up that way last Sunday. We could have drove the truck out on the ice, but played it safe and took the wheeler. What a pain.

Pretty much 12" or more everywhere that day. No craps. LOTS of walleyes.

Love that URL action.