what's the average report on ice in the area?? how much?
i know the ice is going to be good but how much is there around here?
anyone catching? if so, on a 1-10 how's the bite?

Haven't been out since Wednesday but Elk and the Rock both had over 5". Bite was a 4. Surprisingly they seemed a little finicky for early ice. I'm fishing pretty shallow though so all the commotion from others walking by and drilling holes might spook 'em a bit. Without any snow they can see movement above the ice as well.
Good luck

Newb here. Was out in the Avon area Fri. & Sat. morning, as well as Sat. night. 3-4.5". Bite was pretty slow.

3 1/2 TO 4 inches on the chain in the area's I'm fishing. Walleye bite 7 but alot of small ones with a few nice 16-18 inchers mixed in. Crappies are going in the mud basins rank 8 some nice size 10-12 inchers.

Welcome to FM, enjoy the info and add what you can. Join up on an FM get together when you get a chance.

How's the ice looking on Pearl, little rock, Elk, and birch? With the cold approaching us, it shouldn't be long for all the lakes to provide safe walking ice. I'm sure their were many of you out this past weekend, did you find some soft spots/thin ice? Were you forced to stay close to shore, or was their enough ice to venture out to the middle? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

I cannot answer to the other lakes you mentioned but Pearl was 2.5 - 4 inches depending on where you were. As to venturing out, that is just going to be based on how comfortable you are on early ice. 4 inches seems ok, down around 2 and I get pretty hesitant to go out too far. I cannot answer to the bite as I am a spearer and was looking for Northern and clear water.

Rumors have it that Rice has good ice and the water is quite clear. Guys have been on Horseshoe and I drove past Pleasant yesterday afternoon and saw 1 perm house and 3 ports on the ice. People were ice skating all over the place. The perm was set up on the point to the right of the access. Will be on the ice this weekend and will report.

Icehawk, what depth were you in?

apparently there isnt enough ice to be "skating" on the sipp, someone spent an hour swimming yesterday. glad the guy is alright but kind of makes ya wonder? just in case someone else was thinking about doing a few triples, might want to wait a bit.

Minners- I was fishing a hump 11 ft.

I have a tough time fishing rivers in the winter. Something about current that I just can't put my finger on...

Thanks IceHawk

Minners,

Did you hear anything else about Rice or where the ice is decent? I am just wondering if the whole lake is ok or just the bay. I was on about 10 lakes over the weekend and did not even think to check on Rice considering how cloudy it was last winter and how terrible the clarity was over the summer months. I feel stupid if it is clear this year and good ice since I wasted a lot of time looking!

Rice is sometimes sketchy but the report said that he was in Schaumans Bay. I don't know how far out he went. I'll try to find out tomorrow.

that is a photoshop superimpossed picture that minners had...I actually caught that walleye that minners is holding...LOL!

I remember ME putting YOU on fish, Daddyducker...lol