Finally, I can post! A week ago Sunday ice was around Catawba and area but with that warm weather and heavy rain it was all broke up and moving. We had no real cold weather until this last blast so no one I have heard has been scouting. Western basin looks ice covered and 35 mph winds didn't blow it out, I imagine guys will start poking around. I would not even think of blindly trying to make trip from Catawba to islands yet. Let those more experienced and with the time check things out, and then wait until you get several good, consistent reports. Good fishing won't start until late Jan....to early Feb...anyway, as a rule. Be safe