That's a snippet of a photo from ice fishing last season, but similar scenes around the usual first channels on the Chain O'Lakes and lakes to our north might go by tomorrow morning.

At least tomorrow morning looks like the first some of the more risk-taking ice fishermen will be out.

There were people testing the ice strength on some of the channels of the Chain today. By tomorrow morning, there will be at least a few ice fishing on the usual early channels, said Greg Dickson at Triangle Sports, who tends to be on the conservative side on this.

This is not for the average guy. Those who go on this first ice will not need an auger, just a chipping bar, but will need to use caution and to have a buddy.

Later in the weekend, there should be more general ice fishing on the Chain and Fox River backwaters. I don't think the snow will have a hampering effect. I think the heavier weekend snow is forecast to track mostly south.

It will begin.

More to come.