Thread: No wind and lots of ice

Went to north end and found lots of frozen water We did manage to put the boat in only to find out we had very few places to fish. Broke ice everywhere we went, finely we load up and went home

I was right there with you! Put in at Wolf Creek with dad and broke ice to get out of the cove...fished a few spots at eagle and got 2 keepers then loaded up and put in at bo woods it was open till clearwater then had to brake ice from there all the way past coal shaft...turmed around and put her up. The lake is completely open from the river all the way to clearwater...but ice from clearwater to eagle????? Isnt it supposed to be the opposite?

FF - Typical east central Illinois weather. Just enough ice to screw up open water fishing and not thick enough for ice fishing. I do remember a winter, perhaps 78 or 79 when we had 19 inches of ice on Shelbyville. I remember just having the energy to dig two holes and then fished those same two all day. I haven't done any ice fishing in years but I still have all my old equipment. I was hoping to be able to give it a try again this year.

Lakes up here are all iced up. Going ice fishing tomorrow. I have yet to find the crappies through the ice. If this makes you feel better. Sounds like you guys are gonna have to go farther south.

crappiekid - Good luck ice fishing. I really enjoy watching the cork disappear down the ice hole. It has been too long since I had that experience. I always felt that the crappie were shallow after first ice, then go deeper, and then come shallow again just before the ice goes out.

Ken have you had a lot of expierence ice fishing for crappies? Does that method for crappies shallow deep shallow tend to be true? Just really curious because when I go all I can seem to catch is them gills. What size of ice jig do you use or do you use a tube?!? Any luck on shelbyville the year you went?

Merry Christmas all. I went out on the day after Christmas to find that the docks had been taken out at Whitley and Bo Woods. Drove my boat back home and decided not to go. When do they normally take the docks out? I usually go by myself and without those docks i dont know how I would put my boat in.
take care and keep warm.

CP

What part of the lake are you calling clearwater ? [new name to me] but what ain,t news to me ????

Frank- Right before coalshaft there is a big water tower up on land and it says clearwater..everybody probably calls it something else but the name sticks good with us lol. Its just weird its like the lake froze up backwards this year.

fishinman91- They took the docks out late november this year I believe, its around that time every year.
Take Care

Merry Christmas to you to Fishinman91, It has been my experience in the past that the boat docks come out of the water some time after the second gun season for deer here in Illinois. This being said and also remember I don't know your situation and the way you launch your boat. The way I have found the best is to pull your boat up on the ramp itself as easy as you can ( keel guard is a must) and use a rope to tie off to on one of the cleats that are anchored on the concrete steps that lead down to water. If the wind is blowing in to the ramp you will want to hang a rubber bumper from the side you are anchoring from. You might want to call the project office next time, they should be able to help you or I am sure some one on the Illinois board would help you. Sorry you were inconvenienced with this and maybe someone will read this post that works for The Corp of Enger. can help, but don't hold your breath (office # 217-774-3951)