Winter 2021/22

[Way2slow]

Yep, the weather caused me to cut my trip short this weekend.  Planned on staying four days, Went Friday and came home Saturday night.  They were giving a high chance of sleet and ice Saturday night and Sunday morning with rain all day Sunday.  Plus the fact I went to do some striper fishing, and those two days I was there, the only way I was going to get a striper was going to the fish market and buy one.  Bunches of them on the sonar at 15-20 feet, but even though it was cloudy and overcast they were not having any part of wanting to bite.  

That's probably my last trip for a couple of months.

[gim]

27 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

And we call it a 'dusting'...don't even dig the shovels out, just get a broom.

 

A couple of my neighbors use their leaf blower when its like powder and we just get a "dusting."

[A-Jay]

25 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

A couple of my neighbors use their leaf blower when its like powder and we just get a "dusting."

The oak leaves are The Last to drop.

Often waiting until there's plenty of late November or even December snow on the ground.

So I've had occasion to blow both the leaves & the snow,

at the same time.

#bigmess.

Good Times.

A-Jay

 

[Way north bass guy]

5 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

And we call it a 'dusting'...don't even dig the shovels out, just get a broom.

Heck, that’s just a heavy frost around here!  Just crank on the defrost for a minute and off to work you go. 

[TnRiver46]

Took a couple dogs back behind the house for some exercise

[gim]

I saw on the news tonight that an area of Ohio received 27 inches of snow?  That is a lot even for here in one snowfall!

[Koz]

At the end of last week we were supposed to receive ice and snow here in central GA and with that we had most of the reservations cancel at my hotel for the weekend. It's also been extremely cold for most of the month, and with that lake traffic and travel is light, topped off by Covid fears slowing travel.

 

And now the weather report is snow and freezing rain beginning Thursday - and you guessed it - more cancellations. I'm not going to make budget this month.

 

The one bright spot is that with it so slow at the hotel this week, I'm going to take a 3 day weekend. That's about as many days off as I've had in the past few months. But I'm betting snow and ice problem will somehow force me in to work this weekend.

 

I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can get out on my kayak and relax for a few hours.

 

[soflabasser]

So far this Winter has been colder than usual compared to the Winters we had 3 years ago. Last night the temperatures where in the low 50's and it seems the nights will be below 70 degrees for a week. The daytime temperatures are nice for Outdoor activities. With that said I find it impressive that many Northerners are thriving in sub freezing temperatures and catching nice fish while ice fishing at this time.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, soflabasser said:

I find it impressive that many Northerners are thriving in sub freezing temperatures

I wouldn't say 'thriving'...more like 'surviving.

 

It's just after 8pm, and the temp at my house is already down to -2

Prediction... -14 tonight with tomorrow's high reaching a whopping 0 ?

[gim]

18 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

With that said I find it impressive that many Northerners are thriving in sub freezing temperatures and catching nice fish while ice fishing at this time

You might not believe me if I told you, but ice fishing actually has more participants than open water fishing does. It’s a lot easier and less costly for someone here to ice fish than it is to buy a boat and use that. The ice just recently got thick enough around here for the big shacks to come out with trucks. So now people are spending the night out there.

 

Unfortunately, it’s not all great because there’s always people who ruin it with their trash they leave on the ice.

 

Technically it’s the coldest time of year so we just kind of get used to it. There are a fair amount of people who enjoy winter up here. Skiing, snowmobiling, ice hockey, and ice fishing are common activities this time of year.

 

 

[soflabasser]

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I wouldn't say 'thriving'...more like 'surviving.

 

It's just after 8pm, and the temp at my house is already down to -2

Prediction... -14 tonight with tomorrow's high reaching a whopping 0 ?

That is much colder weather than I have seen so far in my Life. In one of my Northern fishing vacations I was fishing while it was snowing in low 30 degree weather. I had to dress in layers to keep warm but it was worth it since it was the first time I fished while it was snowing. Caught some nice smallmouth bass that day. I mentioned earlier that there are Northerners thriving in sub freezing weather catching nice fish while ice fishing, to me that is impressive. You really have to love fishing to fish in these conditions and from what I see many catch very nice fish while ice fishing.

[gim]

6 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

You really have to love fishing to fish in these conditions and from what I see many catch very nice fish while ice fishing.

Most of them are in heated shacks so they’re out of the elements. The fishing is rarely as good as it is during the open water season. Fish are cold blooded so their activity and metabolism is very slow under the ice in cold water. A lot of people go ice fishing and catch nothing too. Generally, when there are more people and vehicles and houses on the ice, the fishing is worse. As winter progresses, it only continues to get worse too.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, soflabasser said:

I mentioned earlier that there are Northerners thriving in sub freezing weather catching nice fish while ice fishing, to me that is impressive. You really have to love fishing to fish in these conditions and from what I see many catch very nice fish while ice fishing.

Well, most of them are in ice-houses that have heat going.

Either a tent like this.

 

Or something a little sturdier like this.

 

Wood-fired stove, propane fired heater....they keep the temps in there in the 40s or low 50s.

[soflabasser]

Just now, gimruis said:

You might not believe me if I told you, but ice fishing actually has more participants than open water fishing does. It’s a lot easier and less costly for someone here to ice fish than it is to buy a boat and use that. The ice just recently got thick enough around here for the big shacks to come out with trucks. So now people are spending the night out there.

 

Unfortunately, it’s not all great because there’s always people who ruin it with their trash they leave on the ice.

 

Technically it’s the coldest time of year so we just kind of get used to it. There are a fair amount of people who enjoy winter up here. Skiers, snowmobiles, ice hockey, and ice fishing are common activities this time of year.

 

 

I believe you since I see lots of ice fishing videos. Some people go all out and have big ice shacks that look like small houses with TV's and other accessories. Ice fishing is something I have wanted to do for a long time and would like to try it in a future vacation. How thick is the ice now where you live? I recently saw a video of a man ice fishing and he said the ice was 24 inches thick. You will need a strong ice auger to drill a hole in ice that thick that is for sure!

[MN Fisher]

Just now, soflabasser said:

Some people go all out and have big ice shacks that look like small houses with TV's and other accessories.

Oh ya - there's one on Cooks Bay, Minnetonka that's probably around 12' x 25'. he's got a generator, a satellite dish hooked up to a TV, chem toilet, propane heat and cook stove and even a bed...he could live in that thing for weeks and never come out except to refill the tank on the generator.

[soflabasser]

7 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Most of them are in heated shacks so they’re out of the elements. The fishing is rarely as good as it is during the open water season. Fish are cold blooded so their activity and metabolism is very slow under the ice in cold water. A lot of people go ice fishing and catch nothing too.

The heated shacks definitely make ice fishing more enjoyable from what I see in videos. The ice fishing experience alone would be worth it to me regardless what I catch.

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Well, most of them are in ice-houses that have heat going.

Either a tent like this.

 

Or something a little sturdier like this.

 

Wood-fired stove, propane fired heater....they keep the temps in there in the 40s or low 50s.

I would be happy fishing either ice shack but would probably prefer the one in the bottom that is heated.

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Oh ya - there's one on Cooks Bay, Minnetonka that's probably around 12' x 25'. he's got a generator, a satellite dish hooked up to a TV, chem toilet, propane heat and cook stove and even a bed...he could live in that thing for weeks and never come out except to refill the tank on the generator.

That is a big ice fishing shack. He must have a good time ice fishing in it.

[gim]

8 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

How thick is the ice now where you live?

It’s about 12-14 inches on the lakes near me. A lot of lakes have slush though which makes for a big mess. In northern MN the ice is 20-24 inches thick now.

 

You wouldn’t believe how extravagant and nice some of these permanent wheelhouse shacks are. They are basically small RVs with sleeping quarters, satellite TV, and a fireplace. They can cost up to $50 grand for a new one. Most people use them as a camper in the off-season now so they have year round use.

 

The problem with these massive houses is that you need very thick ice. And they’re a ***** to move. So they park in one spot for weeks at a time over dead water. The fishing can be awful for days or weeks. At that point, they really aren’t fishing anymore. Plus there is also a deadline to remove them which is usually early March here.

 

The guys with the portable tent style houses catch more fish because they can move a lot easier and stay on fish. The big permanent ones stay put lol.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, gimruis said:

Plus there is also a deadline to remove them which is usually early March here.

South part of the state - Lake Minnetonka included - March 7...one week after bass/walleye/pike season ends.

[gim]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

South part of the state - Lake Minnetonka included - March 7...one week after bass/walleye/pike season ends.

There is a stiff penalty for leaving it out there past the deadline too. They can actually haul it away without even warning you. I know some one who went out to their shack a few days past the deadline and the house was literally gone. The DNR impounded it. He paid 400 bucks to get it back.

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

There is a stiff penalty for leaving it out there past the deadline too. They can actually haul it away without even warning you. I know some one who went out to their shack a few days past the deadline and the house was literally gone. The DNR impounded it. He paid 400 bucks to get it back.

40+ years ago - guys would slap together something from pallets and scrap wood, haul it onto the ice beginning of the season, melts and refreezes would lock it in...end of the season they'd just set it on fire...and build a new one the following year.

[Jigfishn10]

On 1/17/2022 at 12:55 PM, MN Fisher said:

And we call it a 'dusting'...don't even dig the shovels out, just get a broom.

I've been using an 18V cordless leaf blower for that kind of a dusting. My family thinks it's crazy but, then again, I used to get kites in with a cordless drill. ?...Got a few "strange" looks from beach goers. ?

I'm slowly converting people.

[Deephaven]

On 1/17/2022 at 12:22 PM, gimruis said:

 

A couple of my neighbors use their leaf blower when its like powder and we just get a "dusting."

I use my leafblower even when it isn't powder.  It has zero problems until it is over 6-8" depending on the snow.  I keep my whole patio, deck and sidewalks cleaned with it.  The driveway we have a service, but I am particular so I clean up his nonsense with the plow on the 4 wheeler.

 

....I do have the highest hp 2 stroke leaf blower available and gave it a port/polish job and slight compression bump.  Makes it fun  

[Tennessee Boy]

We got about 1/4 inch of snow here last night.  Schools are closed.  There is a car in a ditch not far from my house that was hit later by another car.  Winter can be brutal around these parts.

[gim]

8 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

We got about 1/4 inch of snow here last night.  Schools are closed. 

Man, that has to be just a grizzly scene.  LOL

 

Reminds me of one time I was in Las Vegas and it rained.  They received 1/3 of an inch of rain over the course of about 6 hours and everyone thought all hell broke loose.  There was flash flood warnings and standing water everywhere.  What a joke that was.  I swear people would have put PFDs on if they were available.

[A-Jay]

Getting our money's worth with the bitterness this winter.

Lake effect snow and cold temperatures will continue tonight.

Expect wind chill readings by morning to be several degrees below zero across most of northern Michigan ~ Again.

A-Jay