Don't think I can recall a February without ice. I still think we'll be on the ice but only on inland lakes in protected bays.  If not, I may start believing in Global Warming.

Looking to upgrade my padded 5 gallon bucket lid for ice fishing to a more comfortable, foldable seat with a low back.

Anyone have any experience with the WISE BRAND PLASTIC PADDED BOAT SEAT, ATWOOD METAL FRAME SEAT, SKIPPER OR OTHER BRANDS?

Managed to get on PLX/OSP ice after work.  Fished from 5pm-6:30pm.  There were a few guys on the ice when I arrived, but when the sunset came and rains started, all of them exited.  I was ok in my Clam Nanook Shanty and getting hits on minnows in 10ft of water for a while., then the rains started coming down heavier.

I wasn't at ease nor comfortable staying out there solo and I decided to book it. 

I caught 6 Crappies and kept 4., all on minnows.  The bite was still "ON" when I left, but my conscience got the better part of me.

Looks like that'll be the end for a couple of weeks.

It'll give me time to adjust, add & improve the tackle & gear.

.....Was on North Reservoir Saturday morning, 12/31 from 8am till Noon. Shoreline was busted up pretty darn good., but managed to get on sliver of good ice. 3" ...Fished with Nixmkt Tom. High winds didn't help our ice situation and was a challenge seeing the ice lines, Both of us caught about 40 gills each and took home a dozen. No monsters or bull bluegills. No perch or crappie. Steady action all morning. Ice was getting soft and shoreline rapidly deteriorating by the time we exited. It was wonderful to end the year on a positive note drilling holes & catching fish.

As one of Clams pro staff members I have been asked by Clam to come in here and set the record straight as to what is going on with the gear box recall. the issue at hand is not the Clam auger plate it self but the gear boxes that just came out this year. they have identified about 200 gear boxes that had bad gears in them and there has been a issue with the gears breaking as they are a powdered metal gear and not a cut gear. Clam has issued a recall to all retailers to get the gear boxes back and once they are all back Clam will be releasing a replacement gear box that will have cut gears instead of the powder metal gears.

here is the official statement from Clam :

The facts are as follows:
 
We’ve identified an issue with a defective gear in some of the gear boxes that attach to the Clam auger conversion plate.  There is NO issue with any of the conversion drill plates themselves, and this is NOT a safety concern.  The issue is specific only to gear boxes shipped over the past 60 days.  To be sure all gear boxes sold are in perfect working condition, Clam has asked retailers to return to Clam the gear boxes as well as the conversion kit that includes an 8” auger and a gear box.  Clam will be replacing the gear boxes and getting the units back out to stores over the next two weeks.  Anyone who has a gear box in their possession that fails (we believe there are approximately 200 in consumers hands that may be defective) should call Clam.  You will be shipped a replacement gear box within the next couple of weeks along with a return slip so you can return your defective unit.  Any questions please call 1-800-ice-fish or email us at

Gonna venture out and hit the ice for the 1st time this season tomorrow morning., Friday 12/23/16. Don't want to 'lpush the envelope', but won't be alone. Anyone else interested is welcomed to join us. I'm gonna be at the S.Main St Boat Launch around 8am... Brown Toyota Pick Up.

Night-time temps are dropping. Vegetable Gardens have run their course. Autumn is nearing full swing.

It won't be long!!