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Went yesterday at noon just mostly for a look-see. I found 5" plus of ice............but certainly not everywhere.
The plan was to hike to the hump and fish on the shaded side where ice might be thicker. I was right, the sunny side had open water patches near shore and sketchy-looking ice which I chose not to venture out on.
The shaded side had quite thick ice, nearly a beer can length thick. BUT again, only on the best looking ice. There were swampy-looking places, thin-looking spots, water on top of ice, holes, ruts and gaps all over. I never ventured more than 30 yards from shore, only dried two holes, and didn't get a bite. It sure felt like ice fishing temperatures.
But, as cold as it is, and as low as the sun's angle is, I can't see it not being ok by the weekend. Good luck. I'm stuck doing 7days/12 hours at the hospital before I get another day off.
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Thanks for the report and I agree won't be long now and most places will safe fishable ice with these temps...
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Thanks for the report, think I may try it on the way home from work tomorrow... Hope it will be strong enough to hold this portly fellow... Got to quit eating so much, this time of year kills my trying to keep the weight off for back packing plans... Anyway that's good to know you found great ice in places... I think there are springs over by the knoll and that's why you have open water over there... Best to stay clear of that thin ice... I've never found the fishing to be any better around them anyway... I'm excited to try, wish someone would find a good day up there... So far most reports are slow going... Guess that's fishing... later J
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I ran over there also, for a quick trip. West side was 3 - 3 1/2" but lots of sketchy ice and pressure rifts in areas.
The fishing was slow.
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Hey Derek,
Why is everyone fishing the west side off the boat ramp and not towards the east further? Is the ice too thin up that way? Last night on the way home from work it looked like a mini city off the boat ramp and no one else on the pond anywhere that I could see. Hope to try it this afternoon, but don't want to take a dip... 3.5" should be fairly safe where it's good ice right? Just keep distance between you and the other guys so you don't get too much weight too close together.. Do I dare take my electronics out first trip, or do I do a check run to make sure it's safe before I sink my gear? Guess I know those answers, but just looking for more confidence before I venture out... Later J
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]Jeff,
We were out there yesterday and walked about 400 yards northwest from the steps on the south dike/road. There is a good, solid, clear 4" of ice out there as of yesterday. If it will support my mass, it will darn sure hold you up. [  ]
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Bob Hicks, from Utah
I'm 83 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."
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Thanks Bob, good to hear there's 4" out there. Did you do any good? Kind of hate going late in the day, but I guess you go when you can. Thanks for the info. Jeff
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Jeff -- there were 4 of us out there where DuBob said, spread out about 30 ft from each other, good , solid ice, with the crackies of course -- sounded like music at times....we each caught 2 or 3 rainbows, DuBob and I got there a little later and got lots of little perch and a couple keepers, the other guys got little perch, nicer perch, and some nice 'gills along with their trout....Not great fishing, but great to be out on the ice...we saw 1 guy East of us, closer to the knoll area....fishing action about died by noon.....Guluk....
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Nice job!! I got on the ice tonight as well, it was a lot of fun but I couldn't hookem. Then I found my new VMC ice fly hook had bent out. Not sure what's up with them I bent it twice and I wasn't jerking that hard. I did get 3 gill, 3 perch and a couple bows so it was a fun afternoon. One gill was 8.5" and the perch were 9"ers. The trout I measured was just over 12" but I think the other one was bigger. Anyway nothing to exciting but fun to get on the ice. I found the 4" of ice and it was really singing and moving under me. I about jumped and ran a couple times but it held ok. The springs are still open out there so avoid anything that looks wet. Anyway fun to be on ice. Thanks for your info. J
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I know you asked the other guy, Jeff, but the answer is that the west side of Mantua freezes first. It's the shallowest, has fewer springs and methane bubble-ups, and the major and two minor inlets I know of are all on the SE and East end. The bank of the hump or knoll also absorbs more sun light at the lower sun angle. So the least sketchy ice forms aroundd the boat ramp first.
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Hey thanks for that great break down. I'd forgotten how tall those trees are by the ramp. That does really shade that area. I went out in the center south east and found good ice but it's still popping a lot. Cool to have clear ice. Think I'll take my shovel next time so I can clear the frost to see the fish as I'm pulling them in. Thanks again. J
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Hey Derek I forgot your phone died so look through my post above for what I found. It wasn't exceptional today but interesting. Up until sundown every fish that showed on the finder ended up hitting. Then after sundown a lot more fish showed but not nearly as many wanted to hit it. Got really cold real fast tonight. I was wishing I had more clothes on. Fun night, you and John have fun. Later J
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