Both Pritts and Ortman, who continue their enjoyment of this sport, recommend caution. They said make sure that the ice is thick enough. And, he's predicting a good ice fishing season. Pritts said that dependent on conditions, the ice could hold up, at least, through January. Good ice, Pritts said, is black ice.
Gray ice indicates that there is thawing and refreezing.
Ortman likes to see others in the area, and always tests the ice it first. Wright walks the shoreline and drills a test hole before venturing farther. Pritts, who checks anglers and their catch, says that in the northern area the ice fishermen can expect to catch large mouth bass, crappies and sunfish. He said that fishermen at Speedwill Forge Lake are finding six inches of clear ice. According to Wright, Muddy Run lake measures about five inches.