Ice conditions improving, caution still advised

While ice is still in its early stages of forming on area lakes, it’s getting to the point where people, in general, can ride snowmobiles and fish with less stress of falling through. However, anytime a person ventures onto hardwater, caution should be taken.

Kurt Justice, long-time fishing guide and owner of a local bait and tackle shop, said earlier this week he was hearing, on average, 8 inches, but at most 10 inches and as little as 4 inches. 

With heavy wind late last week, he said, that actually helps ice freeze because it removes snow that works as a layer of insulation.

Justice said, though, in some cases, snow is pushed up near shorelines to create unsafe areas. 

“Watch for snowcover,” he said. “Any place where you see looks like a pile of snow, I’d go around it or else walk up and chisel it, because those are the places where you won’t see as much ice.”

Spud bars are heavy, metal chisels used to check for unsafe ice conditions by chiseling the ice in front of a person before they proceed. 

Justice said ideal ice is clear and black. 

“And the other thing I’m hearing, too … we’re back to looking at creepers again,” he said. “It’s pretty slick out there.”

Creepers, or boot spikes, can be wrapped around a person’s boot to provide grip as they walk on uncovered ice to prevent any falls or injuries. 

“You wouldn’t think with all the snow we’ve been getting, but it really did get blown off with those big heavy winds and then that meltdown we had last week took a lot of that snow cover off and then froze,” Justice said. “So it’s very important to carry creepers with you. Take a chisel and check the ice. Take a friend, as I always say, and take some rope. And also, it’s not a bad idea if you haven’t already, invest in some kind of flotation either suit, bibs, jacket or vest, just in the odd case that something did happen.”

He said he has seen people riding ATVs and snowmobiles “in a lot of places.”

“Because if you got 8 or 10 inches, you’re pretty good with snowmobiles and ATVs,” Justice said. 

Fishing outlook

Justice said he heard there was a good success before a cold front moved in late last Saturday, Dec. 20, on walleyes, pike and panfish. 

He said he thinks this weekend could be good. 

“We’re going to see temperatures get milder, in the 20s, and we should see a spike in activity now,” Justice said. 

If the area encounters more snow this weekend, he said he thinks that could help with the bite too. 

“Just as long as it’s a low pressure system coming through,” Justice said. “Then yeah, it should be good for all species. Even largemouth bass seem to be active anytime it’s over 20 degrees. I don’t know how they know the difference. I just do know that when the barometers drop, the fishing picks up and when we have this high pressure system we had for a few days, then things kind of slowed down … but it should be a good week.”

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].