Ok guys talked with the charter company and got some dates available  sat. 4-22 and sat. 4-29. Sundays seem to be pretty much wide open if it would work better for the majority.  We would need to be at the dock by 730 boat leaves at 8 done at 3! If I can get 20 people to commit for sure cost will be $ 33.00 each, private boat for just IFO members and family. Please let me know asap Cuz dates are filling up fast.

  Just wanna throw the idea out because I've already been asked... I am willing to put together another trip for us if I can get enough interest to fill the boat. Hopefully we will have better results and weather!! Let me know.

 At this time due to unsafe ice conditions I am cancelling the tournament scheduled for this Sunday. I plan to reschedule  it if time and weather allow. The remaining events will continue as scheduled.  Thanks for your patience on this matter.

 It has come to my attention that gas augers are not permitted for use on the lake, so bring hand augers or battery powered only.

 Drove by the Causeway today and lake was still locked up but the ice wasn't in very good shape so I didn't venture out. Also Causeway sporting goods has closed up for a few days until conditions improve.

  I would like to take this time to wish all our members and friends a merry Christmas. This time of year brings back alot of memories of time spent with family and friends,telling stories and sharing jokes. I often reflect back over the years and think about all the people who have touched my life and defined the person that I am today. Sometimes life can be so overwhelming with all the chaos of everyday events that we can get lost in the race. It's nice to take a step back and just take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.  And with that my friends Merry Christmas to you and your families, enjoy the time spent together.

  Fished the campground Bay today 12/20/16 ice was 3-4 inches. Not advised to move past the islands, ice thickness drops to less than 2". Caught some nice perch on gold spoons tipped with minnow heads. Also good luck with orange tungsten jigs tipped with waxie. If weather holds most of the lake should be fish able in next few days. Whole lake is locked up and ice was growing all morning.  Might try again tomorrow will post reports if possible.

   I recently visited the St.Paul ice fishing show and found myself amazed as I searched aisle by aisle at all the new stuff that is available for ice fishing. We have all sat and thought about what if this did this or why doesn't someone make this etc. I have spent many hours on my bucket thinking about ideas but never being able to put them in action. Well for the dreamers that were able to it appears it will pay off well in the end. Here are some examples-

   1. Genie jar- it's basically a clear plastic tube that has a screw on lid on both ends,one end has a inner lip that keeps the bait float from falling out as you fill it with water. Fill it with your favorite minnow and Bam your off and running, it fits right in your pocket, no more carrying a big bulky bait bucket as you hole hop or travel out to check your tip ups.

  2. Venom floats- guys if you pan fish and like to dead stick these won't disappoint!  They are an adjustable foam float that you no longer have to cut to size to adjust your buoyancy. It is a 2 piece float in which the bottom twists up and down the foam float giving you it's varied buoyancy. You don't have to cut the foam so you can use it over and over. They also have some really sweet new tungsten jigs and spoons. Check them out at venomfloats.com
   I will try to add to this thread periodically until we start drilling holes, bring on the ice