A-Jay's 4th Annual Ice Out / Open Water Countdown Thread ~

[gim]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

so ice-out is probably going to be close to last year's date of April 13.

Ice out on Tonka last year was March 30.

 

Average ice out is April 13. I think you were thinking the average when you typed this.

[casts_by_fly]

We’re iced out here and I’ve gotten out, but lows in the low 20’s for four days next week, highs barely 40, and grey all do not make me happy. I had 52 degree water last Saturday in spots and I will be a lot colder next weekend. 
 

at least it’s wet. 

[MN Fisher]

29 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Ice out on Tonka last year was March 30.

 

Average ice out is April 13. I think you were thinking the average when you typed this.

Probably - I've only been up since 4am...no reason...just couldn't sleep

 

[A-Jay]

We were looking good there for a few days but it was

30 degrees with snow yesterday and it's 30 degrees with snow today.

Sadder part is single digit cold is coming for the weekend and into early next week

before it warms up again near the end of the week. 

Expect very little if any sunshine that whole time. 

Count down to open water is at 1 week and 6 days.

That's really seems in danger now.

 

But it's Fish Catch Friday ~ 

This clip highlights a couple of Ned Rig Fatties I poked on a sunny May Morning

A-Jay

 

 

[A-Jay]

Some Day ~ Just not today.

Got a nice big fat Winter Weather Advisory starting tomorrow  . . .

But it's 1 Week and 2 days ~

A-Jay

[Smokinal]

My home lake main lake opened up yesterday. Coves are still a little iced in but that should be gone by Friday. We have rain coming Thursday and Friday so looks like I'm out Saturday and Sunday!!

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, Smokinal said:

My home lake main lake opened up yesterday. Coves are still a little iced in but that should be gone by Friday. We have rain coming Thursday and Friday so looks like I'm out Saturday and Sunday!!

That's Killer ~

Hope you get some good ones !

A-Jay

[Smokinal]

32 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

That's Killer ~

Hope you get some good ones !

A-Jay

Thank you; I hope you're all out soon and safe!

[A-Jay]

A year ago yesterday, I was on the water for my first trip.

I got out onto local Lake Menderchuck and while dodging some icebergs, I didn't see a fish.

Still felt good getting that first shake down cruise under my belt.

This years a different story.

Complete mess next several days as winter and hard water fights mightily

to hold on to it's rather firm grip.

And after this blows through and unless we get a week of Africa Hot stuff,

07 April is NOT looking good at this point.

But it is what it is . . . .

Hope any & all Bassheads who are wetting a line this week,

can hammer a few for me . . . .

A-Jay

 

[gim]

Its raw here this morning.  A wintry mix of rain, ice, and snow.  Sure am glad I just washed my truck...?

[A-Jay]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Its raw here this morning.  A wintry mix of rain, ice, and snow.  Sure am glad I just washed my truck...?

Here too - Freezing Rain mostly.

 And I know THAT feeling !

A-Jay

 

[casts_by_fly]

19 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

A year ago yesterday, I was on the water for my first trip.

I got out onto local Lake Menderchuck and while dodging some icebergs, I didn't see a fish.

Still felt good getting that first shake down cruise under my belt.

This years a different story.

Complete mess next several days as winter and hard water fights mightily

to hold on to it's rather firm grip.

And after this blows through and unless we get a week of Africa Hot stuff,

07 April is NOT looking good at this point.

But it is what it is . . . .

Hope any & all Bassheads who are wetting a line this week,

can hammer a few for me . . . .

A-Jay

 

 

This cold snap the past 4 days has been sub freezing for most of the 24 hours in a day so I'm sure our lakes have dropped a few degrees, but it happened last year too so no biggie.  Let's call March a bonus.

 

It might have gotten chilly here, but our water is open.  Feel free to make a drive down!  The next week is 40/60 low/high for a solid week with some warm rain coming in.  Things should warm right up.

 

thanks,

Rick

[hokiehunter373]

24 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Its raw here this morning.  A wintry mix of rain, ice, and snow.  Sure am glad I just washed my truck...?

EVERY. TIME.

[A-Jay]

Well with just 6 days left I suppose that puts us on the stretch run. 

Past few days weathers been cold, wet & just nasty.

I haven't been checking the lakes as often as I normally do, as just being on the road has been fairly treacherous with all the freezing rain. 

 This coming week looks promising but might just be a tease as the open water ALWAYS seem to take longer than it should.  

 

btw, having the local NWS repeatedly provide the Maple Syrup Outlook might be a good indication that I live in the north woods.

Still - it's a waiting game.

 

Finally, it's Fish Catch Friday

I've been saving this one but now seems as good a time as any.

Catching a 7 + lb Brown Bass was quite a thrill

and I am so glad I was able to capture the excitement on video . . . .

https://youtu.be/IsGq2UNY_K8

 

I could be on the water soon

Very exciting.

A-Jay

 

[Smokinal]

^^^What a freak of a fish right there man!! Congrats

[TnRiver46]

Very exciting 

[roadwarrior]

Outrageous!

 

                                             

[Smokinal]

We're out!! 

Went out this morning. Chilly start and still some ice over a cove we fish in the spring that produces very well, as you can see in my buddy's background. Jerkbaits fished as close to that ice as you can got me 8 this morning.

Hope everyone is well and get's out soon!

 

[A-Jay]

Despite nothing that would lead me to believe otherwise,

 I tooled around a couple of the smaller local Lake Menderchucks yesterday afternoon in the GMC checking for open water. 

Hard water everywhere with little relief in sight. 

With a mere 3 days left on this years countdown to open water

and snow STILL in the daily forecast, I've had to come to the realization

that early April Bassing just isn't going to happen.

Hope it opens up soon.

A-Jay

 

[gim]

19 hours ago, Smokinal said:

Jerkbaits fished as close to that ice as you can got me 8 this morning.

Catching largies with ice in the background?  That's a new one!

[Smokinal]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

Catching largies with ice in the background?  That's a new one!

They’re a strange breed up here!

As well as those who fish for them this early! ?

[slonezp]

13 hours ago, gimruis said:

Catching largies with ice in the background?  That's a new one!

There's a video somewhere of a guy is dragging a lure across crystal clear ice and a fish is slamming its head into the ice trying to eat the lure.  

[A-Jay]

With a miniscule one day & a wake up left on the open water calendar, 

we're looking at upwards of an inch of rain.

Definitely can't hurt. 

A-Jay

 

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

With a miniscule one day & a wake up left on the open water calendar, 

we're looking at upwards of an inch of rain.

Definitely can't hurt. 

We got rain going on too...mixed with the occasional snowflake...but rain is good

 

Errand today - we've gained back what we lost along some of the shorelines...probably about a 6'-8' gap between the land and the ice in some spots.

Channels are opening up - Black Lake channel and Narrows channel were both open.

Ice all over is getting dark...that's a good sign too

 

Maybe some crappie fishing in Narrows when it's not raining would be a good idea...at least wet a line for the first time since October.

[gim]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

we're looking at upwards of an inch of rain.

Its raining hard here as I type this.  Keep it coming!