If you plan on fishing BE or WB. I drove by both this AM checking for ducks and BE has an open patch about 40 feet wide out in the middle. From HWY 61 by the VFW there was ice as far as I could see. Just thought I'd save any of you a trip who may have been venturing out this weekend.
If you do go out good luck and be safe.

Torch, check.
Chisel, check.
Swimsuit, check!

I went and checked out Minnetonka at lunch just now, couple muskie boats out throwing, definitely still open and accessible.

NICE, thanks for the report........i heard mille lacs is probably a big NO for getting on......i guess they are ice fishing in Cove Bay.. peace

Flake, lake 3 n 2 r open. Only west side of lake 1 r open with no possible access through the lake 1 n 2 channel. Saw a boat out on lake 3.

Matty - did you check any other lakes in that neck of the woods?

Please keep in mind that conditions can change once you launch in the AM pending temps and wind, and a once open bay/access can be full of ice. Plus, once you launch, you'll inevitibally leave water on the ramp, sub 32 degrees and it'll freeze, leaving an icy ramp that's a bear to try and load up on.

Point being, bring kitty litter/sand and above all, be smart and be safe.

In case you were wondering.......yes, this is experience talking!

I just looked at both launches on WBL. If the wind keeps up like this, the public launch should be open tomorrow, it's only iced up about 30 yards out, fairly thin too. The island launch is iced 75-100 yards but also not too thick. Depends on how ambitious you are!

Good advice by cjac. Do yourself (and other anglers) a favor if you go out this time of year. When you pull your trailer out of the water...only pull out until your trailer is at the water's edge. Don't pull out until the water has drained back into the lake. Then it's safe to pull out without leaving much water to drain on the ramp at all. Keeps the ramp nice and dry and ice free. I always try to do that when the temps are even close to freezing, but rarely see anyone else doing this. It makes a huge difference.

Aaron