I spent Saturday and Sunday out on a variety of lakes looking for decent ice and water clarity that I could spear on.

Vails (mud) - Ice was about 3.5-4 inches but could not see 2 feet down.

Eden - Same as Vails with a little less ice and some definite soft spots. Did not feel comfortable on most of the ice out there.

Horseshoe (bay) - Water clarity was about 4 to 5 feet about about 4 inches of ice in the back bay. Did not set up the house due to the existing pressure on the lake and wanted to see a little deeper then that.

Pearl - Pretty clear water (6-8 feet). The ice was ok ranging from 2.5 - 4 inches although it was definitely weak around some of the normal spearing areas.

Goodners - Ice was about 5 inches and could see the bottom in 10 feet of water clear as day. Sadly not much activity and no fish were moving in the area I tried.

Carnelian - Still had open water and very weak ice.

Grand - Very weak ice if you went out beyond the first ice shelf off of the access. Less then 2 inches and putting a chisel through it would fracture it out. I did sit for a bit inside the breakline in about 4 feet and saw some rough fish and two pike. The pike boh came through too fast to throw at.

Big - Only fished in the bay. The ice was ok in most spots being around 3.5 - 4 inches. The water clarity was about 4-5 feet. Again saw a few rough fish and a couple fast moving pike that were afraid to stick around in the hole.

Overall the fish seemed finicky and very shy about coming into the hole. We need some snow on the ice and things should get a little bit better.

If anybody knows of any other lakes in the area with good ice and water clarity please let me know.

On the plus side, the roosters are still running around so at least we have something to do in the daylight hours.

Thanks for the report TF!

TF...master spearer/ice reporter!!!!!!!!

Thanks much for the update, "holy "S""!
You have traveled the country and Kudos to you!.
Sounds like the majority of the lakes in the area are good but almost garunteed after this weeke, they will be fine. Doesn't my any means should one just start walking... keep checking...USE YOUR CHISELS ALL!!! PLEASE!!!!

Check as you go, but things should be good, and I expect to see some major activity in the area...permanants going up, along with a slu of portables for the day/weekend.
GL all, and remember, take only what you need(there is always next weekend), and be selective. My goal this year is to promote the next year...by taking the large of the heard, next year we will have good numbers of large ones. And remember, "it takes fewer big ones to feed the family than it does small ones, and they will put on an inch or two for the season to come"....

GL

thanks for the report

Thanks for the detailed report. I am working on the road this winter so i appreciate the information

3-4 inches on N Browns 1 spearhouse out there on south side and 2 on Long lake across the road, not sure on ice thickness but a hardside house was out there

Went out to Sag yesterday saw guys out from the beach playing ice soccer? must be a new sport? Walked around and found about 3-4 most places. Saw some holes out farther, but had daughter in sled so didn't venture out to anywhere i thought would be sketchy. Pleasant had 3 houses and a guy walking around. many people skating as i saw. One kid said there was a thin spot past the point, but I usually don't go down that shoreline anyways. Had about 4 inches and ice looked good. Gonna get out later for a bit... hopefully.. good luck too all and be as safe as possible out there....