HuntingNE Ice Get-together #2

[crappie&eyes]

Ok, here is the deal. Was planning on having our little Ice outing @ Sherman this coming Saturday but I think we are going to scratch Sherman out as a destination. We come to this conclusion yesterday as Rippin-Lips, Slausta, & I headed up to get a feel on the bite. What we found out was that there is NO BITE!!!!!!!!! We tried some of my spots that Ithought would have some fish and there was a few but they were not hungry I guess. The fish would follow our baits but wouldn't hit anything or they would just leave as soon as you put your bait in front of them.

We were kinda thinking about ditching the Sherman idea and maybe heading to the refuge instead. I don't really want people traveling to far for no fish. There are no other lakes around Sherman that have been worth a hoot that have safe ice. What lakes that have safe ice are just putting out small fish. Anybody that was planning on coming, would you be up for going to the refuge instead?

Let me know what you guys think.

[crappie&eyes]

Well, I am seeing on the other sites that the ice up north is getting bad! Sandbilly is reporting that a trip to refuge this week will be a bad idea!!! Refuge lakes are starting to open up. Kinda looking like we may not get an OFFICIAL get-together this season unless we get a major cold snap and soon. Maybe it is time to break out the long rods and hit the checks for sauger and walleye!

[greencaspa]

where is this refuge place at?

[crappie&eyes]

By Valentine!

[Slatusa]

Crappie&eyes and Rippen-Lips thanks for having me up with you yeasterday. Ya it was to bad that the fish at SHerman did not want to play but at least we found a new fishing spot in about 35' of water. To bad the size wasn't there at our other stop or that would be a nice little place to go hit.

Matt

[Sorny]

It's allright with me. No sense in chasing fish that aren't there or don't want to bite. Probably work some more overtime this weekend. It's going to be bowfishing season soon and will need as much gas money as possible!! Looks like things are going to get cold again toward the weekend. Maybe we can hit up somewhere before ice out and get on some fish.

Sorny

[crappie&eyes]

Maybe I'll get lucky and that new spot in 35' of water will show up RED on my boat electronics! Maybe the reason the fish were nowhere to be found was that they found this new spot and was checking things out and accidently hit the power window switch and now they can't get out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BPbowhunter]

I think the refuge will still be safe ice wise. Yesterday there was still 12" of ice on one of the lakes(can't say which). Although Watts did have some open spots, but the rest of the lake had around 10" on it. It's supposed to get real cold up there again towards the end of this week, so if the ice can make it untill thursday or friday then you'll be good.

[rippin-lips]

Sounds like I am still going to head up this weekend anyway. There is several lakes to check out if one is no good we will head to the next one. The good thing about the refuge lakes is that we can catch fish right next to the shore. Not like a guy has to go walking all the way across the lake to find a spot to fish. Heck a lot of our tip-ups get set within a few feet of the shore and usually a few out further. There is always open springs to watch out for it just gets worse after some nice weather. Also the water is usually shallow enough if you did go through by the shore it is only waist deep. I do not like to go out on any less than 5" of ice I can't imagine it can go from 12" to less than 5" in just a few days. I will call the refuge later in the week to make sure. If there is anyone else that is interested in heading up let me know.

[BPbowhunter]

rippinlips is right, if you do happen to fall through it's not likely to be over about chest deep. And if your in a group there isn't much to worry about. And around the shore your almost never gonna go over waist deep.

[crappie&eyes]

Good luck up north and be SAFE! I am going to get the boat ready this weekend and I am heading south next week for open water stripers and walleyes!

[rippin-lips]

Sounds like we may be throwing in the chest waders. But the fish should be on the move.

[rippin-lips]

Still good ice on the refuge. As always there are springs that never freeze. We fished on 10" of good solid ice. Got a late start today and still managed 8pike. The ice should stick around for a while if there is any interest in another trip.

[BPbowhunter]

Next weekend anyone? Say saturday the 31st?

I'm planning on being up there on the 31st any way.

[greencaspa]

i would go but is a 3 hour drive for me