Ice fishing guides soak up cold weather on Minnesota lakes
LAKE MINNETONKA, Minn. — As the sun rose over Lake Minnetonka Saturday, temperatures above the ice hovered close to zero – with wind chill, it was even colder.
It was everything Jeff Henrichs was hoping for and then some.
"It's very good," said the owner of Ice Fishing Warriors, a guide service in its 14th year on the lake.
Henrichs gave the ice a quick measure – 11 ½ inches – a half inch thicker than the day before.
"We're going to make ice for the next seven days non-stop. Especially once it gets down to negative – you can make an inch a night," he said.
In a typical season, he's able to host ice fishing enthusiasts for over two months – ideally longer. Each extra day is a chance for extra profit.
Last year, the season was cut short after just ten days.
"It was horrible," he said.
This year, he says, is a relief – and so is knowing there's more cold weather ahead.