Typical Ice Up?

[ndfinfan]

So this will be my second full ice fishing season...just wondering what we need temperature wise to get the smaller lakes "safe" (4-5 inches) for fishing? We've already seen temps in the teens at night...30's during the day. I remember last year our first time out on the ice at Audubon was the second weekend in December...had 4 solid inches in the bays. Thanks gents...

 

[FishSticks]

Most years on really small bodies of water I am usually out in early December, safe ice on bigger bodies around christmas. I think we will be getting a later than normal freeze this winter

 

[Kickemup]

Normally I'm on the ice thanksgiving weekend. With temps we are supposed to have it should be about a week to 10 days before anything will be good enough to walk on. Pending we don't get a bunch of wind.

 

[Brian Renville]

On saturday I saw more ice than I thought I would, by more I mean any. Looking at the forecast I don't see even one night in the teens anytime soon so I'm planning on sitting our for another couple weeks at least.

 

[gone_fishing]

Forecast still looks pretty mild for the next week. Seeing 40's towards the end of the week for western ND. Will probably slow ice build up some.

 

[ndfinfan]

Forecast still looks pretty mild for the next week. Seeing 40's towards the end of the week for western ND. Will probably slow ice build up some.

Yea...was thinking we would need 2 solid weeks of lows in the teens...highs no more than mid 30's. Guess light wind and cloudy days would help too! Hoping maybe the weekend of Dec 2-4 might be able to get on smaller lakes?

 

[KDM]

If we can get a good 8 inches of ice before the first good snowfall we're golden. If we get snow on top of an inch of ice, suck sandwiches all around.

 

[ndfinfan]

If we can get a good 8 inches of ice before the first good snowfall we're golden. If we get snow on top of an inch of ice, suck sandwiches all around.

So no snow for the next couple weeks KDM...need to make sure Mother Nature gets the memo!!!

 

[guywhofishes]

If we get snow on top of an inch of ice, suck sandwiches all around.

and all winter

 

[FishSticks]

Lots of cold everywhere and hopefully lots of snow south of mandan.

So no snow for the next couple weeks KDM...need to make sure Mother Nature gets the memo!!!

 

[Captain Ahab]

I vote for little to no snow all winter. We are going to need a cold snap for about 10 plus days to get things going. The next ten days look pretty mild. I ice fished on Black Friday the last two years. Looks like I won't make it this year.

 

[Bfishn]

It looks like starting Dec 1st, the temps are supposed to be highs around freezing, lows in the teens for Bismarck area. Might be on the ice the weekend of the 10th, if not 17th for sure. Last year i was on 5" on the 5th, the year before i was driving on thanksgiving weekend!

 

[KDM]

So no snow for the next couple weeks KDM...need to make sure Mother Nature gets the memo!!!

Sent the message, but I think I'm out of favor with Mom Nature. I've been asking for a good typhoon in honor of the oil protests and so far.....nada.

 

[johnr]

we will have record snow fall this season with all the damn dancing, drum banging, and whatnot happing around cannon ball.

 

[Duckslayer100]

All the little ponds and sloughs and even most of the medium sized ones were buttoned up when I was pheasant hunting Sunday.

 

[Lapper]

Skim of ice on small bodies of water on the way to Minot this morning and the big lake was steaming like crazy. Let's get cold!

 

[ndfinfan]

Skim of ice on small bodies of water on the way to Minot this morning and the big lake was steaming like crazy. Let's get cold!

Yes...the quicker the better! I am discovering I don't like this down time between open water and ice up. Last spring the lakes opened up so quick it seemed like it was only a couple weeks between when the ice was no longer safe and when I could get the boat in the water!

 

[Duckslayer100]

Yes...the quicker the better! I am discovering I don't like this down time between open water and ice up. Last spring the lakes opened up so quick it seemed like it was only a couple weeks between when the ice was no longer safe and when I could get the boat in the water!

There's only "down time" if you don't hunt.

 

[guywhofishes]

There's only "down time" if you don't hunt.

and you sir - you need to take a trip to shutty town :;:smokin

 

[camoman]

and you sir - you need to take a trip to shutty town :;:smokin

Salty much.