Now that it's finally gotten cold around here, I am chomping at the bit to do some ice fishing. I didn't think that winter was ever going to get here. I've got to get out on the lake and drill some holes. I'm going crazy sitting around in the house.
Early ice can be dangerous.
Lakes and ponds rarely freeze uniformly. Periods of widely varying weather conditions such as we've had the last several weeks don't lend themselves well to forming good solid ice. Prolonged frigid weather makes the thickest, safest ice. Four inches of solid ice is the minimum recommended level for a small group of skaters or several anglers. Use an auger to test the thickness of ice before you go out on it.