We are driving up from Texas and our permit puts us on the water May 24. Earliest I have ever gone. I got on the water June 6, 2007. It was cold but quite bearable. This year bodes different!

Since we are driving, we will have last-minute gear change in the car (mainly clothing). I may bring two sleeping bags for extra warmth...my down bag is a 20 degree bag which means I am comfortable at 40!!

This will be trip number 12 for me.

According to data I've seen, the average low temperature is 39 and record low is 29. I use a 10 degree top quilt and 20 degree underquilt. I'm not worried about the low air temperatures as much as the low water temperature.

Later ice out should make for better fishing that week, in my estimation. Carl at Rockwood told me recently to not expect ice out on Poplar before May 12.

I'm hopeful for 40 degree lows, so that I feel good about the rest of my crew being warm.

You may want to check out the recent discussions in this forum on use of insulted pads on the Spring. Decent insulted pad is highly advised regardless of sleeping bag temp rating.

TechnoScout: "We are driving up from Texas and our permit puts us on the water May 24. Earliest I have ever gone. I got on the water June 6, 2007. It was cold but quite bearable. This year bodes different!

Since we are driving, we will have last-minute gear change in the car (mainly clothing). I may bring two sleeping bags for extra warmth...my down bag is a 20 degree bag which means I am comfortable at 40!!

This will be trip number 12 for me."

Which entry point?

YetiJedi: "

TechnoScout: "We are driving up from Texas and our permit puts us on the water May 24. Earliest I have ever gone. I got on the water June 6, 2007. It was cold but quite bearable. This year bodes different!


Since we are driving, we will have last-minute gear change in the car (mainly clothing). I may bring two sleeping bags for extra warmth...my down bag is a 20 degree bag which means I am comfortable at 40!!


This will be trip number 12 for me."

Which entry point?"

Snowbank
Re the sleeping pad comment...yes...always. I use the backpacking thermarest pad...it is the thinnist thermarest which I have been using since 2007. No leaks yet!!

TechnoScout: "

YetiJedi: "

TechnoScout: "We are driving up from Texas and our permit puts us on the water May 24. Earliest I have ever gone. I got on the water June 6, 2007. It was cold but quite bearable. This year bodes different!



Since we are driving, we will have last-minute gear change in the car (mainly clothing). I may bring two sleeping bags for extra warmth...my down bag is a 20 degree bag which means I am comfortable at 40!!



This will be trip number 12 for me."

Which entry point?"

Snowbank
Re the sleeping pad comment...yes...always. I use the backpacking thermarest pad...it is the thinnist thermarest which I have been using since 2007. No leaks yet!!"

I am sure hopeful ice will be out by then! Should be. We hit the water a few days before you and my dad joins me from Idaho so contingency planning is a factor right now.

Uhm...there's still a good 2 feet of ice (or more) on some lakes. So, I don't know what else to tell you.