Cold weather could jump-start ice fishing

  • Updated: November 27, 2007 - 8:31 PM

The cold front that blew into the state this week should jump-start the ice fishing season.

Lake Minnetonka

A fisherman drilled a hole on Lake Minnetonka in this file photo. The ice was 6 to 8 inches deep at the time. Four inches of new ice is regarded as the minimum thickness for travel by foot.

Photo: Tom Sweeney, Star Tribune

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The cold front that blew into the state this week should jump-start the ice fishing season.

While ice is mostly too thin everywhere to support anglers, subzero temperatures in northern Minnesota could change things in a hurry.

Remember, officials say 4 inches of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot, 5 inches is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs and a solid 8 to 12 inches is needed to support cars or small trucks.

Over the past 10 years, 52 people have died falling through the ice in Minnesota; 21 percent involved children under 9, according to DNR records. Just Sunday, an angler fell through about 2 inches of ice on Coon Lake, north of the Twin Cities, but was rescued.

Officials urge anglers to check with a local baitshop or resort or check ice thickness themselves before venturing onto ice.

Big ice fishing show

It's definitely not too early to start planning for the ice fishing season. One place to do that is at the 15th Annual St. Paul Ice Fishing Show -- billed as the largest in the U.S.-- which runs Friday through Sunday at St. Paul RiverCentre.

The show includes a myriad of ice fishing gear and equipment, fishing destinations and seminars. Among those giving presentations are ice fishing gurus Dave Genz and "Tackle Terry" Tuma.

Hours are from 1-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 for those 13 and older; $4 for children 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under. For more information, see www.stpaulicefishingshow.com.

DOUG SMITH

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