Ice report

[Illinoisgiller]

I just couldn't stand it any longer. I went up local IL. RT#84 to check on ice conditions. The little pocket on the river side where the Meridosia bottoms empties in to the Miss. had 2 fishermen on it . The ice was plainly clear as glass from what I could see from the road . Stopped at Micholson's Landing by the fish market and the first thing I saw at the road end was spots of open water. I could see shacks up the way so I took the little cabin access sand road up where I could see what was going on . There were 7 shacks and 6 guys out in the windy open. That is when I found out that I had forgotten my ice cleats:mad: Now I have watched enough acrobatics from guys slipping all over the place to know better than to even try it. :rolleyes: So I done the old guy thing and just watched from the Jeep. One of the fellas had a shelter like I've never seen. It appeared to be a manufactured clear plastic flip over. I sure wouldn't want one though. I watched him catch a few fish in a short time. :D I've seen places that would draw a crowd in a hurry. lol
On the way home I slipped over to the IA. side and stopped by Rock Creek. Someone had done the icebreaker thing down the center with a boat when the ice was 3/4" . It had frozen again and there were 2 guys fishing on the other side. I asked how thick the ice was and they said it was a little over 2". Not where I would want to be !!! From there I headed straight home.
WOW, that was a long winded one. Wore out both typing fingers .Mike

[gofish]

2 " is nuff if its perfectly clear an your tied to shore an crazy....lol just checked out a spot that freezes fore anywhere else. got 2 1/2 there but itll be gone over the weekend with temps in mid 40s and windy

[Illinoisgiller]

Checked a strip pit out 50 miles from here today. The ice was perfectly clear. It was running 2 1/2" to 3" I don't really THINK I would have gone through, but warming up today and one just can't tell for sure. My first indication that I was trying to get in trouble was when I was reaching waaay out far as I could possibly stretch to drill another test hole.:rolleyes: Anyway, I tucked my tail and got out of there. The fish won today, but I'll be back. I'll try to post a picture of the lake . Mike

[crappiegirl]

We had a little warm weather today and it was raining about 25 miles south of us so hopefully it doesnt come this way. The NAIFC is taking place in alexandria so we need the ice to stay!! Me and Kev have company from wisconsin here to fish at this championship so we'll be praying for cold weather to keep the ice we have.

[calamity]

We've had such a warm spell here, and lots of rain to go with it, so I am not really sure how much ice is around here or how good it is. I hear so many different tales from different ones on the thickness of the ice, and how the fish are biting. Last report was, 4" and if ya had a day to waste, you might catch your limit of panfish and maybe a flag on a tip up once in awhile. In other words, no record breakers around here, at least yet.

[Schoe]

Atta girl Calamity, that was pretty easy and a good report. Only 13 to go. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Always much better to hear honest reports from "the source" Twice daily reports for the morning conditions and again in the evening would be great!! lol Have you been by " The sort of secret hole" to see if there is ice there? :rolleyes: Thanks again, Mike

[calamity]

No, I haven't been there yet, Mike. But then again I do get some reports here and there from "certain" areas. So far, still the same, but the ice in places isn't too good around the edges. Still no one bragging about all they caught,except for one guy at work. There were five in their group and they all limited out on crappies on a lake fairly close by here...one we haven't fished yet. Will try and keep ya's posted.

[capt.kirk]

Giller,you said you would like an HONEST report on the ice,well here it is
We dont have any,and dont want any,But do hope you folks get what
you need to do your Ice Fishing. Stay Safe an Good Luck Kirk

[Pegleg]

Kirk, I went out yesterday to check on the ice too. Orange and Lockloosa were ice free so I went over to check Rodman. There wasn't any ice on the lake so I stopped in a biker bar I found over in Hog Valley. They had plenty of ice so I had them float some in my Cutty Sark and soda. :D

[Bob C]

The ice is forming here on the Fox Chain. There are some out today and I will be out tommorrow. Looking for a good bluegill dinner.
I am waiting for the ice to get thick enough to go after some catfish.
I was up in Mn last weekend and spent sometime with capt. kev and crappiegirl we all had a good time and did manage a few perch

[Schoe]

Glad you had a good trip to Minn. Bob .We are planning a possible trip up that way perhaps in Dec. of 87 or early April of 08 Ice permitting. Schoe

[gofish]

everythings froze over here now,be at least another week fore its safe though probably.

[Bob C]

gofish
We are fishing the back channels here now. I will be out in the morning.
If I get lucky and get some noce fish maybe I can show them and get Soupy interested. I am waithing for the ice in the catfish hole to get safe then I know many would come and fish

[patjandonlan]

I am one hour south west of peoria il. I would like to try to go out to see how thick the ice is!!

I have only ice fished a couple times. The last time we ice fished 4 of us fished for about 3 hours and caught about 98 GOOD sized crappie!!!:rolleyes:

[gofish]

finally got SOME safe ice here. 3 1/2 " good clear ice with nuther 1/2" of white on top. got open water too though where the snow we had was too heavy an opened the formin ice up.winds been keepin it open an gittin bigger everyday.anyone goin round here be carefull ! not goin this weekend cause of my hip an knees are killin me,maybe next. thanx for the report bob c....giller hows things look your way?

[calamity]

Just heard an ice report on one of our local lakes.....Potato Lake supposedly has 18" of ice now and they are finally driving all over the lakes. Ice was a long time coming here this year again and what ice we did get wasn't real good. Finally, after some below zero temps, we got what we needed.......now if I could only get to go........ho hum.