We drilled about 80 holes today for another ice check. Between the marina and Center Reef we were finding 13.5 - 14 inches of beautiful ice. Currently we are still only allowing ½ tons trucks or smaller to use our access. We really want 14 inch minimums of general thickness before we open the access to vehicles WITH single axle houses. Hopefully with one more night of good cold tonight we will be at 14” minimums tomorrow. We will cross our fingers and check tomorrow morning. We will post that update right away.
Over by the East side of the island we checked on the bird hole that was open water for so long. The spot that was last to freeze has 10 inches of clear ice on it now. The crack/ridge that ran from that area to the beach is looking decent and can be crossed pretty easily if you look ahead and use caution.We also checked on some of the major springs and some of them remain bubbling and open even through this cold stretch.
The videos posted show the bird hole and one of the active bubbling springs east of Cemetery Reef. Regarding the spring in the video, it is NOT marked on Navionics for everyone to see publicly. It is consistently the most active, but was missed by whoever added all the springs into Navionics. The coordinates for that spring are… 44 degrees 51.586’ N and 93 degrees 46.474’ W
There is also another spring that isn’t currently active, but is typically one of the major bubblers most winters that is also NOT marked on Navionics for all to see. Those coordinates are… 44 degrees 51.673’ N and 93 degrees 46.262’ W
If anyone knows how to make those 2 springs public for all to see on Navionics, just like all the others marked on there, that would be greatly appreciated.
Before driving out on the ice, if you have not been keeping up with our reports this season, either re-read our previous posts from this winter or stop in to talk with us about areas to avoid going.
Access fees per day are $2 to walk on (per person 16 years and older) and $5 to drive on (ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Snowmobiles, Cars and Trucks). A Winter Access Season Pass is $40.
We are now currently renting fish houses! They are set up about a mile out near Center Reef and we are driving ½ ton trucks and cars to them. If you’d like to set up a reservation, give us a call at (952) 442-2096.
We’ll see you on the ice!
