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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.  

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