All bets in!! All bets in!!!

[itsbob]

Check that...a fishing boat just headed out fishing just now...

[itsbob]

Open water fishing has started.Yeah!!!!

[West Basin]

Anyone going out now is taking a big risk.

The Lake has a lot of ice on it. The water temperature is around 34-36 degrees. There is hardly anyone paying much attention to the Lake. If someone goes out in a boat and has a problem, even something as simple as an engine not starting, they could very well be out there for hours before anyone could get to them.

This is the kind of ice that is floating around out there - photo below. Even if you think an area is ice free, you never know when you might encounter pieces like this. I saw these last Wednesday. They are at least 8 inches thick. Many are a lot thicker. The other photo is from the Perry Monument webcam this morning. Ice is still locked in NW of South Bass Island. Modis satellite photos show a lot of ice on the Lake. Again, wind and currents move this ice around. An area that is "ice free" can have ice in just a few hours.

I understand a few people will take the risk. Fine. If they have a problem, don't expect anyone else to risk their life to come rescue you, except the Coast Guard and local emergency responders. And you would be putting their lives in danger.

Well the photo insert is not working, so no photos. Photo had ice chucks as big as half a basketball court to the size of a kitchen table. Some are not visible until you get right up on them.

[shouldabeen]

Wife and I drove thru Huron ramp yesterday afternoon as a boat had just put in to go out. Crazy in my opinion.

[island troller]

West Basin I respect your post and you have good advise there. I been going ice out fishing for 40 years now. Back in the days when we had no internet to tell us that its not a good idea, andI would be the only boat at times. Yes it's not for newcomers and safety is a must. It's my favorite past time and that's my choice. Again with all respect good advise for rookies.

[Ole fisherman]

Your choice for sure and I respect that, but if a serious issue comes up, please do not call the coast card and expect those folks to risk their lives to save you. In my younger days, I did some foolish things myself, but also suffered consequences of my choices as I did not risk others lives by calling for help. Good luck !

[Steak91]

Why would you say something like this. Rescuing people in distress is in the job description. You are aware that they practice cold weather rescue all the time, right. They are staffed and ready 24 hours a day.

[Gobucks8100!]

[/QUOTE]


Great viewpoints guys. With this big blow coming at the end of the week…what remaining ice we do have will get blown into Canada!!!

[Gobucks8100!]

Athough….the entire western basin will be chocolate milk…..

Gas prices in southeast Ohio are around $2.39 yesterday…I hope those prices make it to the marina pumps this summer!!!

[itsbob]

Read first fishing post from Porkchop Charters on their Facebook page. Boated 29 walleye and a monster 50" muskey.Not sure how they were able to land that trophy. Was Captain Sam being a responsible charter captain fishing yesterday? Hell Yeah!!!!! Boaters have as much right getting rescued from the coast guard as the stranded ice fishermen.