Where’s the ice?

By Ross Hagemeister, meisterguideservice.com

There’s not a lot of fishing to report this week from Otter Tail Lakes Country. I haven’t seen a boat at a public access for a couple of weeks now—and my boat has been put away for the winter as well. I’m currently filling the fishing void with some late season pheasant hunting, some water fowling, and preparations for the up coming ice fishing season. 

Normally, there are lakes in Otter Tail County that are supporting some early ice fishermen by Thanksgiving, but that’s not the case this year. Many small and mid-sized lakes have already been completely iced over, but have since de-iced due to the crazy swings in temperatures. Is this normal? There are very few weather circumstances that Minnesota’s haven’t experienced; the only normal thing about Minnesota weather is that it’s complex, and consistently inconsistent. Will the ice return? Yes. My prediction is the ice will come on late, but it will come on strong—which is why I always want it come on as late in the year as possible. As December approaches, and after the current warm stretch ends, it should be punctuated by an incoming cold front, some snow or snow storm and then hi-pressure and an ice making arctic air mass (hopefully!). 

All said and done, I predict that there will be ice for fishing in Otter Tail County by December 10th on most lakes.  Until then, sharpen your auger blades, check the air pressure of your fish house tires, change the oil in your ATV, and keep on hunting.  For folks who love the outdoors, there’s always something to do in Lakes Country!  Happy Thanksgiving.