Finally got out about a month later than normal years. Five inches of ice, but also an inch of water came up out of the holes. Fortunately,
the floor in the fishing house was just above the water line, and we had waterproof boots on. Fishing slow, got a 2 lb bass for the first fish of the year and a nice 12" crappie later. Rest of the fish were smaller bass and crappie. It is kind of spooky fishing with water over the ice, and "the stick" does not function well under spooky conditions! We are under a polar icecap now, so next time out thicker ice and no water on top to deal with.
