As this report is being written, the ice is deteriorating by the hour. Above freezing temperatures and ever changing winds has been the enemy of the ice.

The question everyone asks, will the ice be out by opener? My reply Kabetogama will be out hopefully by mid-week.

The Kabetogama to Kettle Falls run which requires travel through Namakan remains unpredictable. Best guess for Namakan, be ice free on opener, maybe, or early the following week.

Expect opener, being so close to ice out, to be unpredictable at best, for certain, jig and minnow or slip bobber and minnow to be the best offerings.

Northern pike should be active and ripping up tackle, or angle for them using light northern suckers and bobber fish in shallow water