Just when ice fishing was getting good, here comes the warm weather, wind and rain.
The week prior to this warming trend produced decent ice well mostly canals and ponds of 3 to 5 inches. Some of the main lake areas had less than that, especially those susceptible to wind.
How badly the warming trend and rain damages the ice remains to be seen, but anglers who do venture out should be extra cautious.
Its been a weird winter. On some lakes, like Eagle near Edwardsburg, Mich., guys have been moving around pretty freely on the main body. The same was the case on the backwaters of Webster Lake in North Webster, Ind.
However, the main body of Webster opened up from Wednesday sunshine as have other large lakes. Those waters with good ice are going to see a major setback this weekend.
Fish were being caught. Kevin Claire of Lunkers reported Thursday that some really nice bluegills and crappie were being taken in six feet or less on Eagle, while similar catches were reported in deeper water on other lakes.
The main thing is youve got to have some kind of depthfinder to find the fish because a lot of them are suspended, he said. You cant catch em if youre fishing below them.
All of this might be moot if the rain washes away the good ice. However, the 10-day weather report calls for colder weather next week which should improve fishing at least safe fishing opportunities.