How Cold Is Too Cold?

Fly Carpin

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In honor of the cold snap we'll be enjoying this weekend, wondering what's your weather threshold for ice fishing? I'm talking moving around, using portables, finding fish type fishing. Not sitting in the permanent like a sane person should be when it's 40 below. If the wind is down I'll fish in damn near any temps. But add a little breeze to -15 and I'm starting to talk myself out of it.
 


3Roosters

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Depends if the fish are in the biting mood. Makes a guy forget about the cold if they are biting. If they are not biting after trying a few different spots, it might be time to head to a local watering hole and have a few Busch lights and tell lies of past ice fishing excursions.;)
 

nxtgeneration

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This weekend apparently is my threshold. Had planned on fishing in tomorrow morning but decided against it as it will be -20 in the morning. Good way to break things. If I was just driving out to the permanent the threshold would probably be when the pickup wont start.
 

wildeyes

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My experience with a high pressure cold snap is fishing sucks. do something else. But hey what do I know. The only problem I have with this is I have two leads first hand on some good fishing.
 
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This weekend will test mine. Good chance I'm just going to sit in the cabin drinking old fashioneds, getting completely lit and make my in-laws uncomfortable.
 


deleted_account

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This weekend will test mine. Good chance I'm just going to sit in the cabin drinking old fashioneds, getting completely lit and make my in-laws uncomfortable.

thats what Don Draper would do
 

ndbwhunter

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If I'm moving around using the truck, I'll go out in anything. If I'm on the ATV then I'm a little more careful. On my way up to Sak a few years ago to check out a spot that was quite a ways out. Planned on using the ATV, but realized that I forgot my goggles. It was -18 actual temp with a steady 20mph wind. A two mile ride on the ATV was about all I could take before setting up the house to thaw out. Ended up stopping on a nice hump (think it was a rock pile) that was surrounded by a flat with access to deep water. Had 5 eyes in a half hour and went home :D. For some reason, I haven't caught a fish in that spot since....
 

Up Y'oars

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I prefer to go with the portable if the temps are above zero-degrees, minus any winds. If it's +5 degrees and a 15mph wind, it still has a windchill of -20, and that's no fun for tip-ups and keeping them open.

What REALLY sucks is turning off the lamp and heater at 6pm and packing up. That 15 minutes SUCKS ROYALLY!
 
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Jigaman

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couple years ago up on winnipeg, it was -34 and -35 in the mornings with highs around -20. Getiing the snowmobiles started was a challenge. getting the augers started was a challenge. We rode about 5 miles out and moved at least 4 times each day. thankfully the winds were light and the hogs where biting. My buddy got some nasty frostbite around his wrist where his mitt wasnt pulled up far enough. great trip though. Just remember, if you catch a big fish and plan on releasing it do not take it out of the shack for a picture in those temps. It only takes a few seconds for the eyes and gills to freeze. They may swim away just fine but they will probably end up dying.
 




dean nelson

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If you can drive out and set up next to the truck minus ten or so but walking out and adding in wind this weekend will be a no go for me. Especially with the following weekend looking vary good this will a nice weekend to stay in and get the gear lined up.

It's kinda a weird feeling down on Oahe with the fact we more or less are going from first ice to late ice with no real middle ground. Hell pike moving to the back of the bays isn't all that far away!
 

Auggie

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Running in the cold on snowmobile isn't too bad with portables. Tracked ATV's are a different story. I think the coldest I've ever been was -30 on Winnipeg and running around on my tracked ATV. Tracks just kick up snow and wind. Glad I have the tracked Suzuki. It's almost cheating when you fire it up in the casino parking lot with the heat cranked and it's warm by the time you unload in Prudence Creek. Kind of funny watching my friends on ATV or snowmobile hurrying to setup their icehouses while I have to put my jacket on.
 

LiebelsGuide

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I'm going to be out and actively jigging as much as possible tomorrow with the portable set up as a warming station. Catch for a Cure Tournament fishing will do that to a guy! Fish harder and smarter!
 

johnr

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I am thinking I will try calling in some yotes this weekend. Way to cold to fish.
Bundle up extra warm, lay in a draw and start calling, leave the diesel running half a mile away keeping everything toasty. Should be a real treat.

I have fished in -30* a few times, its just a bitch, even with a heated house.

might just stay home too and play some uncle steve vids
 

ND_ice_angler

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I would have no problem going out in a portable, but I think hopping around trying to find fish would be out of the question! It would be a one setup and done. But I will be enjoying fishing from the couch of my ice castle this weekend :)
 


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