Jump to content

A-Jay's 3rd Annual Ice Out / Open Water Countdown Thread ~


A-Jay

Recommended Posts

  • Super User

As I inch closer and close to being able to wet a line,

the wx is making me earn it. 

Ongoing rain/snow mix is expected to continue tonight.

A transition to a mix Sunday morning before precipitation ends during the afternoon as a cold front passes through.

Normally, knowing there's open water 5 minutes away, I might be flipping out

but it is March after all.

Still looking at Monday morning as my first time on the water.

Might take a ride to Lake Menderchuck North tomorrow just to check it out.

So close, and yet, so far.

May be an image of map and text that says 'Rain/Snow Rain/ Mix Tonight into Sunday 文 Forecast Details NationalWeatherService NORTHERNMICHIGAN Updated: 3/27/20214:57PM Ongoing rain/snow is expected to continue across E. Upper and the Straits Area this evening into tonight. Forecast Snowfall 8PM Tonight- 8AM Sunday .”x Paradise Tonight Sault Engadine 1-2" Heaviest precipitation will be overnight tonight. Many areas, especially higher terrain inland, should have rain/snow mix Sunday morning before precipitation ends Sunday afternoon. Slick roads are possible across UP tonight/Sunday morning, and wherever the wintry mix falls Sunday. Onset Precipitation Timeline Gaylord Heaviest Today Ending Tonight Ûng_x oscommon Mio Manistee Sun.AM AM 0" Sunday 131'

:smiley:

A-Jay

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
1 minute ago, gimruis said:

Jeez, that is a wild swing in temps.

No Doubt ~ And the folks who live through what follows can certainly relate . . . 

 

   Dressing effectively for an full day on the water, (day break to sunset) especially early season,

can be fairly challenging.  When early & late day temps start & end in the 20's & 30's and the mid day flow is in the 50's & 60's or even higher, getting the 'layers' just right is like an 'art'.

Seems like I'm leaving & returning to the house bundled up for January

and at some point during the late morning or mid-day,

I'm stripping clothes off like I'm dancing next to a Brass Pole.

And that can be a little tricky in the Old Town Canoe. 

Only to put most all of them back on, one layer at a time, for the ride home. 

My fishing garment 'gear bag' has gotten fairly extensive, just because it needs to be.

Just part of the deal and Totally worth it.

18 May 2018  6-0 smb cropped BR.png18 May 2018  5-10 smb cropped BR.png

:smiley:

A-Jay

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
Just now, A-Jay said:

I'm stripping clothes off like I'm dancing next to a Brass Pole.

I certainly hope Lynn is the only one who sees that. :scared:

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Dressing effectively for an full day on the water, (day break to sunset) especially early season,

can be fairly challenging.  When early & late day temps start & end in the 20's & 30's and the mid day flow is in the 50's & 60's or even higher, getting the 'layers' just right is like an 'art'.

I don’t usually fish all day long but those cool frosty mornings followed by a warm up this time of year usually yield a better bite after it starts to warm up. In the heat of summer, I find it better the exact opposite - better early and worse during the heat of the day. Regardless, being successful favors the prepared angler.

 

Plus let’s be honest, after several months of winter, us northerners have the urge to scratch that itch.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
On 3/26/2021 at 12:53 PM, gimruis said:

Twin lake in Robbinsdale just a few miles north of my house is wide open as of March 24.

 

I think by Tuesday most lakes in the "metro" will be ice free.  Like you said, rain on Saturday and possibly 70 on Monday will get 'er done.

 

We've got a long time until bass season opens but panfishing in a watercraft is still better than staring at ice.

They should all be out this week. The big winds tomorrow and Tuesday oughta get it done..

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User

With open water just about every where here, I'm very happy to be wrapping this thread up.

And I'm doing it with this one . . . 

:smiley:

A-Jay

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User

Nice to know someone is going out tomorrow. Errand today - status of waters I passed.

Cooks Bay - 30% clear

Emerald Lake - 75% clear

Black Lake - 60% clear

Spring Park Bay - 25% clear

 

So we're getting there. I've got some gluing to do before taking the canoe out - rubber on the trailer walkways and the canoe deck for non-skid. It needs to be 60+F and I'd do it tomorrow...except the wife assigned me a honey-do...so it'll be Friday before I can do the gluing.

 

Maybe next Monday I can get out - check out the panfish situation and practice making maps with the Striker.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

With open water just about every where here, I'm very happy to be wrapping this thread up.

And I'm doing it with this one . . . 

:smiley:

A-Jay

Good for you sir...I too am I going out tomorrow. I worked 75 hours this past week thru an extensive plant shutdown...I need a good old recharge day!

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tonka is getting close, if the wind keeps up it might even be today.

 

Current status: Grays Bay, Echo Bay, Gideons Bay, Excelsior Bay, St Albans Bay are 100% open

Carson's is still ice packed which is a bummer as it is the closest launch.

Most importantly for calling ice out Lower Lake is really opening up today.  Rode my bike by here two days ago and there was only 3' of exposed water on the shore line.  In a couple hours it receded 100'.  Time is coming soon!  Was going to take the kids fishing on the river this Thursday, may just do it on the home water.

Oi9eGnP.jpg

How is the West side?

70F and super windy is moving ice out fast!!

 

Jealous of yours being gone A-Jay!

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
29 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

How is the West side?

70F and super windy is moving ice out fast!!

As of about 2 hours ago

Emerald and Seton are open

Black Lake is 70%

Spring Park Bay is still under 50%

Cooks Bay is also under 50%

 

The Surfside and Mist ramps are still unusable - ice blown up against the shore. Didn't get a chance to check Phelps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User

Ya - Tonka should be open by the weekend. Quick dip down, then back up to start April off with a bang.

image.png.c34cba49c4d2fea8ce7f3948225e3caa.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User

76 degrees on Easter?!  Whoa.

 

The DNR is reporting that ice is out on Medicine Lake in Plymouth as of March 28.  Medicine is a decent sized lake just east of Minnetonka.  I predicted April 3 on Tonka last fall and I'm sticking to it!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User

We are still on this crazy weather rollercoaster here in NW Iowa.Yesterday it was 77 today 44 and cloudy. By Easter they are saying 82- then next week it lines out in the 60s. Did manage to get out yesterday...caught 3 largies lost 1...biggest was right at 3lbs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

76 degrees on Easter?!  Whoa.

 

The DNR is reporting that ice is out on Medicine Lake in Plymouth as of March 28.  Medicine is a decent sized lake just east of Minnetonka.  I predicted April 3 on Tonka last fall and I'm sticking to it!

Drove by Tonka today and saw no ice anywhere.  I know it stacked up with the wind yesterday, but I wouldn't be surprised if they call yesterday or today ice out.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
18 hours ago, gimruis said:

Its balmy (and windy) out there today!

Here too ~

Gusting over 40 Kts ! 

Last year I was stubborn and tried to fish in that mess.

STuuuuuuu- Pid !

Not this season, I'll just watch.

 

Either way ~ 

May be an image of text that says 'I'm ready for the rest of this week! I have my umbrella, my flip flops, my mittens, my suntan lotion, my winter coat, my sunglasses, my thermals, my iced tea and my hot chocolate!'

:smiley:

A-Jay

  • Like 2
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Super User
1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Last year I was stubborn and tried to fish in that mess.

STuuuuuuu- Pid !

Not this season, I'll just watch.

 

You probably fish bigger water than I do plus you also have a bigger boat.  I know what the limits are in my tin mod V and if its too windy, I simply fish a smaller lake where wind isn't such an issue.  Not only is boat control problematic, but its borderline unsafe.

 

Or like you stated, waiting for better conditions is smart too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Global Moderator
1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

You probably fish bigger water than I do plus you also have a bigger boat.  I know what the limits are in my tin mod V and if its too windy, I simply fish a smaller lake where wind isn't such an issue.  Not only is boat control problematic, but its borderline unsafe.

 

Or like you stated, waiting for better conditions is smart too.

We don’t have small lakes haha. Technically we don’t have any lakes. 
 

I think it’s colder in East TN than Michigan Minnesota and Iowa according to this thread haha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Global Moderator
6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Gusting over 40 Kts ! 

This wind if frickin’ BRUTAL! Looking at my weather app it’s not supposed to die down too much for a week! 

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Gusting over 40 Kts ! 

This wind if frickin’ BRUTAL! Looking at my weather app it’s not supposed to die down too much for a week! 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back on topic.  3 days after ice out, boat is christened.

08u7sfM.jpg

Wish I could say the fishing was great, but 41F water and a 9 & 11 year old along for the ride short changed that from being a reality.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.




  • Outboard Engine

    fishing tackle

    fishing

    fishing

    fishing

    bass fish

    fish for bass



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.