5 inches of ice on smaller lakes up here by Grand Marais. Went out yesterday; couple small pike, but it felt great to be out there. Less than an inch of slush covered by a quarter inch of snow, easy walking.

Must be nice. It's been cold in IA for most of the fall but was up to 60 today. Earliest I've ice fished was last week of Nov. a few years back. Usually it's dec sometime

groups are hitting red lake , even with an ATV , catching there limits of 15"-17' through out the day. bite is slow but there. no info on crappies.

Water is still pretty soft down here :)

Soft water in Iowa is why I'm heading south! Hopefully it will be hard not long after I get back.

I'm considering a trip up north over the weekend, just to get out and drill some holes and hope for a line to appear on the Vex.

For what it's worth, guys are walking out on the south side of Mille Lacs already. That's way too crazy for me, but as far as I know, they lived to tell the tale.

quote carmike: "I'm considering a trip up north over the weekend, just to get out and drill some holes and hope for a line to appear on the Vex.


For what it's worth, guys are walking out on the south side of Mille Lacs already. That's way too crazy for me, but as far as I know, they lived to tell the tale. "

Yes and many lakes in the Brainerd area reopened yesterday. There pushing it. Yes people always rush it a little in Isle bay and Cove bay on Mille lacs. Also yes I remember different years of early drownings on Mille lacs.