First try Friday

[Evinrude58]

A couple of us are going to try and get out Friday morning at OSP. All are welcome to join us.

[Hammerman]

where will you be going? how thick do you expect the ice to be?

[snowcone]

from experience of the past  yeh osp  usually freezes first, and I see plenty of guys out there when theres new ice ,  but since I have had a few cold water dunkings I'm goin to wait for 4"...you guys go get em  BUT... please people  make sure you have safety equip.  its a new year with new ice and new people starting ice careers...  hand spikes, cleats, spud bar, safety rope, floatable stuff...hell I have been known too wear my life jacket when its iffy......I cant tell ya how many people come out to my shed walking around with there kids and no idea how thick or safe the ice is and NO safety gear....wow.....just because ya see people out there doesn't mean its ok....but hope you guys can get out. good luck

[slabslayer]

Wish I could join.  I have work in Toledo friday, but am going to check Thursday and try Saturday if I can’t Thursday.  I just hope we don’t get the 2-4” of snow between tomorrow afternoon and Thursday morning.  That could throw a monkey wrench into things. 

[Ntoiceman36]

Let's all be careful swimming this time of year doesn't sound enticing.  I'm hoping it will be ready for you guys to fish but I have my doubts with all this wind

[Evinrude58]

Yesterday there was about 1.5 inches where it was checked so hoping 3-4 by Friday morning at 8am. All safety gear has been checked twice. Am thinking I will wear lifejacket under my float suit.

[holehopper]

Same plan as last year for me,I'll go out when i see someone fatter than me standing on the ice............. :saw some rain forecast for next week,bummer..........

[icebucketjohn]

That'd be me Gary... Just follow my footsteps

[slabslayer]

OSP is pretty sheltered from the wind.  But I’m more nervous if we get 4 inches of snow Wednesday and Wednesday night.   

[snowcone]

its snowin real good now at my house in the falls 

[icebucketjohn]

If I dont get any field reports today from fellow icers, I'll drive to OSP and spud check it after work today.

[papaperch]

On early and late ice not a bad idea to wear life vest. I have done it and will do it. Haven't went thru fishing yet. Rabbit hunting one time I was about 15 years old. Hunting near Mosquito Creek where the big bend in creek made for a rather big swamp.

Our old beagle jumped a rabbit and first thing he did was skedaddle across the creek. We waited for a good hour but rabbit wouldn't recross creek. Told cousin one of us has to cross creek. From the look on his face I knew it was gonna be me.

Skittered over no problem . Shot and cleaned rabbit and headed back to other side. About 6 foot from shore I went in up to my waist.My shotgun caught on edge of hole and I kinda barrel rolled out before I went deeper. If it was deeper. I handed everything to my cuz and said see ya back at house. Had about 2 mile trip and instinctively knew I had to keep moving . When I arrived at house headed for tub and drew a luke warm bath.

As feeling gradually came back that is when everything started to hurt. Made my mind up then to try and ever avoid that crap

[holehopper]

Great story thanks.................

[Evinrude58]

Tried OSP at 9am spud went through 2 inches of ice about 1.5 foot from shore in one half hearted hit. I was alone so didn't try any more.  There was a guy ice fishing on the little dock at the ramp he said his auger went through in 2 turns. That being said there are pics on another site of a guy on the ice at OSP. Says he is on 2.5 inches and it is sketchy. He posted pics at about 10:50. Hoping for other reports to figure out what to do. Nimmy had a couple spots that were open but appeared to be mostly iced over.

[Evinrude58]

IBJ informed me that guys were on Nimmy at C5. So will go there in the morning.