Ice Out Contest: Update #1

April 2, 2025

If April showers bring May flowers, what does an April snow event bring? Wet slushy roads and poor visibility……a good day to update the blog!

It’s been 2 years since the snowmachines came out of storage (side effects of being in Mexico!) Vintage Bear Cat circa year 2000, with even more vintage operator. Somehow ’00 doesn’t seem that long ago, till you do the math.

We’ve ventured forth to refresh ourselves on the ins and outs of ice fishing, with a varying degree of success. One thing I can report on is ice thickness……basically if the ice auger was a phallic symbol it was “balls deep”. Translation: you reach your goal when you are almost out of auger. Your results may vary depending on auger size.

Some evening walleye action…

Sorry, can’t keep this one!

Yesterday…..on the hunt for giant lake trout. This one needs to grow.

Not a giant, but tonight’s dinner.

Getting bigger.

Baby burbot.

So while it’s technically spring, as you can see winter seems to be hanging on. Here’s some pics from today as we are getting pelted with snow…

With last fall’s low water levels I’m not about to complain about the amount of snow we have. Hopefully the snow plus some normal spring rains translates into some higher lake levels. It isn’t all winter here though. Take for example this shot from yesterday…

Streams are starting to open up.

The eagles are already back nesting and one lonely gull was sighted yesterday.

Still haven’t made your ice out guess yet? Operators are standing by @ vbay@drytel.net. Good luck, stay calm and watch for the signs……