Chippewa Flowage

What's the latest on the ice?

Was wondering if everyone thinks the bluegill will be spawning early this year or not? I am going in july this year. We launch off the dam road launch southeast of the flowage

Any muskies seen in they shallows yet?

Just another "unofficial " flowage level from my dock before we left the cabin. I measured 2 foot  10 inches below full pool at 10 am. So that is an 8 inch rise in the last 24 hours. 

It rained all night/morning  with a little sleet. Weatherman is predicting several inches of snow through Monday morning. 

Tight lines

According to my dock (unofficial) the flowage is 3 foot 6 inches below full pool as of 10am this morning. The water level has raised 6 inches in the last 12 hours. On the West Fork it is total ice free to Johnson's Resort and opening quickly past that point. This big warm up has melted a lot of ice. Looking at my notes we are now 1 week ahead of last year and 1 week behind 2 years ago. It would "normally" take 2 1/2 to 3 weeks to lose the amount of ice that was melted this last week. This all being said, I don't know the condition of the main body where there is no current. 

We have our resident Loon back in our bay and there are loads of duck, geese, otter and other wildlife. A great weekend to be at the cabin. 

Tight lines

If I don't open up today probably tomorrow.

We ice fished the flowage east side a couple weeks ago. While there was a suprising amount of ice NONE of it was good. The lakes I've been watching around home (chippewa county) have lost ice faster then I ever recall seeing and I'm guessing the Flowage will follow that pattern. The flowage had (guessing) two feet of ice but it was punky top to bottom. Have a great summer season to all

Well its been pretty nice/warm up here since Saturday and we get into the seventies Tuesday and Wednesday. Further, for the first time this year, our night time temps are staying above freezing.

I am on a 250 acre lake about forty minutes from the flowage. Obviously this lake will clear quicker than something the size of the flowage but I still think things will start thawing pretty quick. I walked out on ours yesterday and it was creepy, I won't be out there again.

My gut feeling is we are ice free sometime in the low April 20's range. I think we would have to have a major cold reversion for most lakes not to be open by the first weekend in May. That's my opinion anyways.

What are everyone's opinions on the flowage being ice free by opening of fishing? I have no idea the ice depth right now.