Every thing is freezing, do you ice fish

[kaleigh]

I hate this time of year.I can't fish and driving a truck sucks in this weather :cursing:

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

kaleigh - I agree driving in the winter can suck but what can you do. I'm heading out today to check on the ice thickness at a local lake. I'm getting my ice fishing gear out and ready to hit the hardwater.

[kaleigh]

I never went out on the ice,what do you catch? :D

[kaleigh]

Not doing too bad fishing for Muskies,since it got cold.Biggest 1 so far 42" from the Lehigh River. Its never too cold as long as you dress for the weather ;)

[kaleigh]

caught 2 small kitty cats in the Lehigh Canal today.Nothing worth talking about. It was great just to get outside in the fresh air.:) It did not matter if I caught anything at all!!!!!

[T-Bone]

:thumbsup: I got to hand it to y'all up north. Not to rub it in but, we've only had two days of freezing weather here. I try to dress warm but still get chilled, man if I was up there, I'd be a wuss!

[jigerjim]

:thumbsup: I got to hand it to y'all up north. Not to rub it in but, we've only had two days of freezing weather here. I try to dress warm but still get chilled, man if I was up there, I'd be a wuss!
We hardly get a day above freezing up here at this time of the year. So we make the best of it by ice fishing. For some reason we havent had much winter YET there's still a long way to go.

[T-Bone]

I'm just woundering, how do ya know where to drill the hole to fish from ? I bet, i'd have holes everywhere and then I would just catch myself by fallin' in one of them:crying: .........

Thanks for postin' the pic, I always enjoy lookin' at fishin' pics.

[jigerjim]

We do drill a lot of hole's in a day, the law say's the hole cant any bigger tham 10". Most guy only go about 8" I myself only drill a 5" I'm only lookin for panfish. Even with a 10" hole it would be hard to fall through except in the spring when it start's to melt the hole's start to spread out then you have to watch where your walkin. As to where it's just pot luck, you keep moveing to you find them

[kaleigh]

Anyways,I can still get out to fish.No ice in the rivers,and for the first time I wore gloves last weekend!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

[Larry]

Hey T-Bone,
Drillen holes is kinda like playing the lottery. If you have a GPS and you scout in the summer for structure you can do pretty good.

Kalie
Watch out and Be careful on river Ice, It can be pretty unpredicable.
Ice fishin is pretty good up in MN. We have been getten crappie, perch and small walleye.

[janzaldo]

Man you guys are tough; I don't want to rub it in either, It is about 75 degrees and the sun sure feels good.
I never tried ice fishing but it totaly kicks a***. I really enjoy watching ice fishing programs. I recentaly tried crappie fillets really good stuff.

Jaime

[jigerjim]

Guy's I look forward to ice fishing every year, that's about the only time I take fish home to eat. In the sommer I might take a Walleye, but that dont happen to ofen. I release almost everthing I catch. I have a saying, if I take home today I have fewer to catch tomorrow, and I'll be here tomorrow.
I was on the ice today for about 3 hour's, the wind started to blow to hard so I called it quit's. The temp. only went up to 20*. Plus the fishing wasent to good, I was hopeing for some Golden Shinner's for Catfish bait (NONE)

[Deltalover]

Man you guys are tough; I don't want to rub it in either, It is about 75 degrees and the sun sure feels good.
I never tried ice fishing but it totaly kicks a***. I really enjoy watching ice fishing programs. I recentaly tried crappie fillets really good stuff.

Jaime

:) I want to rub it in! its 76 degrees and beautiful out! I will have to sit my cooler in the shade so the ice dont melt!:)

[kspor]

Ice fishing can be a real thrill. We used to live in the mountains and fished the ice all the time. If the wind is calm and the sun is bright you will be amazed hot warm you get. Bring lots of sunscreen and wear good eyeprotection. My grandad sunburned his eyes. He was miserable for a week. Kept fish soon freeze on the ice and the bites or often furious. I can remember catching my limit in under 20 minutes and all around me caught nothing. I am amazed that holes 3' away can be that different. Some even use chain saws to cut larger holes and then use gigs for muskies. A shed would be nice when the wind blows.

[T-Bone]

Thanks for the replys. Ice fishing intrigues me. I'm not so sure I'd be doing it. Heck I get cold to the bone @ 50 degrees. I wear layers and still get cold. Y'all must not feel the cold until it's around 30 degrees and then that's not too bad. LOL
Tell us some more about fish fishing.
1. How do you know the lake is icy enough to go out on ?
2. What month is the best to ice fish ?
3. What lures or bait do ya use ?
4. Are those sheds / shacks used for fishing or just beer drinking and getting away from the ol'lady for awhile ? LOL
5. What's the most common kind of fish ya catch ? How big ?
Thanks for the input, we barely get any ice at all so your fishing is kinda cool (no pun intended) to me.

[Rockjumper]

:thumbsup: I got to hand it to y'all up north. Not to rub it in but, we've only had two days of freezing weather here. I try to dress warm but still get chilled, man if I was up there, I'd be a wuss!


Two days below freezing!!!! Wow must be nice, but on the other hand, us pennsylvanans have had it pretty nice this winter. Just watched the local forcast, calling for a "northeasterner" we could see up to 6 inches of snow in the next to days. The great lakes snow making machine is going to start back up. Winter is back thanks to the groundhog!!!LOL.

[jtrew]

"ice fishing": When you put ice in your "Tennessee Tea" to sip on while you're waiting on a bite.

[Rockjumper]

"ice fishing": When you put ice in your "Tennessee Tea" to sip on while you're waiting on a bite.


"Tennessee Tea" around here we call that "Anti-Freeze"!!!!!!!!! The more you "sip" the "less you feel!"

[Larry]

Thanks for the replys. Ice fishing intrigues me. I'm not so sure I'd be doing it. Heck I get cold to the bone @ 50 degrees. I wear layers and still get cold. Y'all must not feel the cold until it's around 30 degrees and then that's not too bad. LOL
Tell us some more about fish fishing.
1. How do you know the lake is icy enough to go out on ?
2. What month is the best to ice fish ?
3. What lures or bait do ya use ?
4. Are those sheds / shacks used for fishing or just beer drinking and getting away from the ol'lady for awhile ? LOL
5. What's the most common kind of fish ya catch ? How big ?
Thanks for the input, we barely get any ice at all so your fishing is kinda cool (no pun intended) to me.

Hey T-Bone
some answeres to your question.
1. Ice thickness. You have to keep an eye on the weather. Up in MN if its below 32 F for any period of time 2 weeks or more your good to go.
you need at least 4 inches if ice for a person to walk on.
you need at least 6-8 if your gonna have ATV or snowmobiles.
you need at least 12 if your gonna be drivin your truck on the ice.
DNR can give you an idea on ice thickness. but it never fails we had a group not to far from my house drive there trucks on the lake and parked them to close to each other. When they came back they were in the water.
2.as far as month. They are all good. Season ends at the end of FEB here in MN but as soon as its safe to get out on the ice its Fishing time.
3.Lures and bait. your pretty limited. Most people bobber fish with Minnows. Many also jig with Minnows (Its pretty much minnows)
4. Fish caught up here in MN. Northern Pike, Walley, Crappie, Perch, sometimes catfish. (Never been able to get any cats Icefishing.) again Most your targeting are prededtors so live minnows. the bigger the bait the bigger the fish to a certain point.
5.Fish shacks allow for extend periods of time on the lake. Many have heaters and bunks so people can spend a weekend out there. SomePeople have mini cabins with generators and propane they go all out.
YOu dont need them. They have portables that will shelter you from the wind. and People will fish in all temps. down to -20 F.

[T-Bone]

Thanks Larry, the info ya gave is very good. Now I know what to do if I ever get to come up there and fish with ya'll:0a31:

Hey rockjumper, I guess this is what I get for posting on the Northern Brothers part of the board. It's windy and temp is gonna drop to the low of 23 degrees by morning. Just Yesterday it was 72 degrees.
Stay warm and catch'em when ya can !

[misterwhiskers]

HERE IT COMES

Forecast
3-8 inches of the whiyte stuff for the entire tri-state area

We all gonna be snow fishin the nect couple days.....LOL

[Rockjumper]

Here in Clarion county the sun is shining and its a pretty nice 30* Was 17* this morning at 7am. You guys down in the southern part of the state are getting pretty good snow according to the radar. Sorry about your luck!!!!

[misterwhiskers]

Well,it was bout 30 or so today and snow was comin down.River looked kinda pretty to me!Caught my 1st crappie in years and 4 walleyes,not too bad for a snow day!
All were caught on a minnow tipped jig.
Thjink its a full moon tonight or pretty close to one,barometer was falling and the tide was starting to go out.Is probly great time to be out there right now but it was getting dark,and i was getting cold,but man would i have liked to stay a little bit more.
Dependin on how much snow we get i might head out tommorrow mornin,think low tide is about 10 am

[kspor]

Snow covered ice can conceal danger. Ice under snow is insulated and often thinner than windblown ice. If fishing a river really watch it. Those sheds make windy days tolerable.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Hey all - I took a ride around today and checked on the ice conditions on the local ponds. All were iced over but looked unsafe as far as ice thickness goes. I didn't walk out and check but past experience tells me we need about another week of the cold stuff to get the ice to 4" for safe ice fishing.

[kaleigh]

Fishing in the cold up north is a whole different ballgame from the cold down south!!!!!!!!!!! I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE COLD TEMPS LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE! :cursing:

[T-Bone]

Mike,

We just go through with one day of ice and that was really just a half day. Well, Sat. night into Sunday about 11:00am. A few people even died due to the weather. Over 800 wrecks just in Dallas city limits. Folks down here just go stupid on wet / icy roads. No were near the weather y'all get.
I guess ya really have a need or want to go fishing up there.
I hate to have to wait the winter out down here.

By the way, that's a fine looking dog ya have there. What kind is he / she ? What class do ya show him / her in ?

[kaleigh]

Have to babysit with my GF's 4 yo grandson on Sat....this is GI Joe Day for the 2 of us,we dress in camo and play all day.Sunday is my day to fish,weather should be cold.Calling for a high in the 20 degrees range,with a wind chill down to the single digits.But I will be going out for a few hrs anyway.You guys down south have it made,your winter is like our Spring or Fall. :cursing:

[kaleigh]

Gittin colder for Sunday.But GI JOE day was Saturday,nice and sunny and temps in mid 40 range.But 4 yo grandson is my boss and he says it is a day for boys to play! :) The only girl allowed is his Grandmother,and she is the cooker for us.:0a36: Oh well,we had a a great day,lots of fun,and he did not want to go home.:know-big:

[kaleigh]

T-BONE come up here fishing and see what cold weather really is like! You will never complain about your cool weather again! :0a36:

[T-Bone]

Hey Mike, I don't have the nads to tough it out up there. I guess this is why the good Lord made me a Texan.:grin-big:

It was 49* last weekend and we even got some much needed rain.Yesterday we hit 95* broke a record. Today it hit 91* low in the 50's. Gonna got fishin' Friday night, it's gonna get down to 49* and then back into the mid 60's Sat. after noon.

I guess y'all can handle the cold, but me ....... I'm cold at 58* :o

[Rockjumper]

Hey Mike, I don't have the nads to tough it out up there. I guess this is why the good Lord made me a Texan.:grin-big:

It was 49* last weekend and we even got some much needed rain.Yesterday we hit 95* broke a record. Today it hit 91* low in the 50's. Gonna got fishin' Friday night, it's gonna get down to 49* and then back into the mid 60's Sat. after noon.

I guess y'all can handle the cold, but me ....... I'm cold at 58* :o

T-Bone, it is 17* 7:51am as I write this now, Ice and snow hanging on everything!!!:crying:

[Rockjumper]

T-bone, Think of me when your basking in that 60* sunshine! Took these this morning. Didn't really show the ice very well. Rained yesterday and then snowed. Ice coated everything. My poor boat is saying "is it spring yet"?:p Well it is 9:06 and the temp is up to 19*!!!!:)

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - I blame our rodent buddy over there in Punxsutawney for this cold weather. He doomed us with 6 more weeks of winter back in the beginning of Feb., LOL.

[Rockjumper]

Scott,

We have to blame somebody!!!LOL Maybe that is why I love to groundhog hunt so much, get my revenge!!!LOL:thumbsup:

[Rockjumper]

Here are some more pictures. Everyone on my road has 4wd. Look at my road, the township boys must still be in there warm shed! I got cabin fever, couple more weeks it should be in the 40's! T-shirt weather!

11:25am a balmy 21*!!!!!:p

[T-Bone]

BURRR..................
Ya'll are crazy to live up there. Everything is budding out and the grass is coming in:shy-big: down here.
Thanks for the Pictures, I will be thinkin' bout ya while I'm fishin' tonight.
It's hard for me to even think what it must be like living up there. I've been in Texas all my 40 yrs.
Went to Minnisota once in Dec. it was 18* the entire week and cold cold cold. Everyone thought I was a sissy. Guess I am, cause I couldn't wait to get back home.
Stay warm up there guys.

[kaleigh]

T-Bone

Went out fishing last weekend,temps in the low 20 range with wind chill into ths single digits.And I fell into the Delaware River upto my waist.Talk about being cold :0a20: But I will be out this weekend again.50 would feel like summer now.

[kaleigh]

ROCKJUMPER

The weather was the same way here.And I drive a tractor trailer in this stuff.I can't wait for summer temps of 40 degrees. :know-big:

[MNwiskers21]

Hello,

Well what can I say, I live in Minnesota and when winter comes every year you can find me on the ice. This year was a horible ice fishing year because of all the warm weather we have had. I didn't do much ice fishing this year because the lakes were all covered with slush for most of the winter and that just doesn't make fishing fun. The last day of this icefishing season for walleye and pike, sadly to say was the best luck I had caught 9 walleyes but only kept 3, and sadly didn't catch any pike through the ice this year.

Take Care Everyone!

Sincerely, Kevin

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Just got a roll of film developed. There were some ice fishing shots from late Dec.. Thought I would share them.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Here's a few more!

[T-Bone]

Dang that looks cold !!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your pictures, I enjoy talking to y'all up there, and seeing the places ya fish....
Shoot down here, we are driving on the bottom of the lake to get to the water. Most of our lakes here in Texas are 6 to 9' low:crying: .

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

And 3 more photo's!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

T-Bone Hope you get some rain down there in Texas soon. Sounds like a bad drought with the lakes being that low. It's raining right now here in Pa.

[Rockjumper]

Well, I would be safe to say that you could put your ice equipment away. Poor fellow fell through the ice and drowned at lake authur. Was you ice fishing Glade run in the above photos?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - Those photos were from Cloe Lake, Jefferson County.

[kaleigh]

Hi temps in the mid 60 range today,it feels like summer now.I will be out Sat and Sun in our freezing temps of 60 to 70 degrees:evil-big:

[kaleigh]

T-Bone can I come down there and bask in some of the heat that you have? I would not care if I did not even catch a fish.....JUST SOME NICE HEAT AND SUN?????????????:hmm-big: :hmm-big:

[T-Bone]

Mike come on down man, bring some of that rain with ya when ya come. We had a huge rain that missed me by a few miles. I got 0.00 ins. out of it. We got up to 86* today:what-big: I guess we will have no spring this year just stright into 100* days and +90* at night.

[wishiwasfishin]

man i love to fish but I'm not getting my big butt of the couch if i got to bust ice to fish:)

[kaleigh]

Was out today,temps in the mid 50 range and rain all day.Weather sucked,can I REALLY COME DOWN TO FISH???????/ It would feel sooooo warm!!!!!!!!!!11

[kaleigh]

It hit 67 the other day,it was like a damn heat wave for us.:grin-big: