This year Mazonia opened to open water fishing on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, the earliest open water opening it ever has had in all of its known history. We are not talking opening for ice fishing here, we're talking open water fishing, boating permitted. Ice fishing not permitted! Almost all of the ice is already gone, even from the smaller ponds, with thin skim ice forming on the edges of larger lakes and covering the smallest ponds only when nightime temps get down to say 20 degrees, with it all melting quickly in the morning during these balmy temperature days. Rangers report little to no fishing activity at all. No one was ready for this! Park closes at 4 pm daily, with fines thereafter if you are not out on time. With the current weather patterns, it just might stay open water fishing through the rest of winter unless we get a sustained cold snap.
Hey this would be the time to fish there, no ticks this time of year as every time I go there I find 2 to 3 ticks on me at least. I'm guessing that they would not be active at 50 degrees or below.
Best time of year for shoreline scouting before it gets all overgrown, of course, with the recent rain then snow then melt off, its going to be muddy and messy.
Went out Saturday in North Unit. Still a little ice around the edges. I had to push the ice away from the launch to get the boat in, but after that, it was pretty clear. Saw schools of bluegills, but no bass. Found some nice holes to come back to when water temp warms a bit. Didn't make it to South Unit, but probably will this weekend. We drove down and took a look. Still alot of ice on Eagle. It was about half iced over. As far the canoeing, hope you spill it in that cold water.
Had on T&V Saturday of ticks being found/ active in a southwest cook county forest perserve this pass week what with the warm weather. Did not name which one Hmmnn. Anybody see anything about this in paper where?
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