Jig Master
02-04-2003, 05:06 PM
Does anyone know why the ice is going bad on Big Spirit? There was plenty of ice last year, and it was a much warmer winter.
reddog
02-04-2003, 10:52 PM
The ice conditions are bad all throughout the midwest. East Lake still has open spots, West Lake still has open spots, Lake Thompson has claimed upwards of 15 vehicles so far, as of last weekend. We all know about the Minnetonka incident that claimed two lives a few weeks ago. Round Lake claimed a lifelong resident on Christmas eve. Minnesota has had 10 deaths this year so far, compared to an average of 3 in the years past.
I fished this past weekend at Chamberlain, and found the ice conditions very unsafe, except for the far reaches back in the stilling basin.
There have been several theories floating around, including the earthquake in Nebraska this fall shaking loose new springs. There is also an over abundance of canada geese(25000) left in the area, and they tend to keep a section of each lake open most of the winter. This, combined with the wind and semi moderate temps, and a lack of consistant below freezing weather have contributed to these conditions. Other than these, it just a guess.