I’m starting to get excited about the possibility of hitting the ice next weekend. One more warm day on Monday with rain and 40 degrees… but after that it looks like we will have a good week of below freezing temps. I think things will be good and solid by  next weekend for most places around Northern Illinois but please proceed with extreme caution near creek mouths, channels, or other areas of current. Where moving water is present…extra time will be needed to allow for safe ice conditions to form.

Maybe it’s a good time to go over some ice safety tips since most of us haven’t been out on the hard water for 10 months now.

This link provided from the Minnesota Department of  Natural Resources is an excellent refresher before adventuring out on the ice this winter.

Ice Safety Tips & Guidelines

Have fun & good luck while remembering it is always safety first when going ice fishing.

Thanks for visiting with us at Cappy’s Pond & Fishing Headquarters.

Over the last week or so my Facebook page has been full of comments from impatient ice fishermen waiting for that first safe ice of the season. I’d like to say that the long range forecast will bring ice to these parts soon, but the 10 day forecast doesn’t look too promising for most of us. This weekends temps are to be near 40 with plenty of sun, and that’s not going to make any ice that forms overnight stick around for very long.

Until then, you might still try to hit some of the local forest preserves for Crappies. Reports have been coming in from Busse Woods and some of the other lakes of good sized crappies being taken from shore with slip floats and small fatheads. Patience has been the key here, targeting the warmest parts of the day for best results.  Move frequently and change depths often until results dictate the appropriate methods.

Good luck if you head out, and if you decide to stay in, now is a good time to sharpen all the ice fishing hooks and check out all your gear for best results this winter. It’s much easier to check your equipment in the comfort of your living room, than a frozen lake. Besides, if last weeks Bears vs. Chiefs game was any indication of what the “No Jay & No Forte” Bears are going to be like, you might not want to turn on this weeks game at all. Have a great rest of the week  and remember, you can’t catch any fish if your line isn’t in the water.