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mcgregor area lakes - WINTER


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I just purchased a cabin on Big Sandy Lake. Since all my money went to the cabin, I probably will not be able to purchase an ATV or snowmobile yet this winter. My question is whether I will be able to get around BSL or any of the other area lakes in the winter for ice fishing? Do any resorts plow roads? Do people enter lakes via public accesses? Is the ice OK to drive on at BSL (I know it is never safe) or should I say are there specific areas know to locals where there might be springs, etc.? Thanks for any information you can provide.

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The narrows by Hillcrest is a good spot to walk out to or n.end of Bill Horn can be walked easily from the access.

You could go the other way from the Horn out on Wabun bay too.

Once we get well into Dec or early Jan.the vehicles will drive out from the accesses and if there is snow they are sometimes plowed.

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In a normal winter when does BSL usually get walkable ice? Walkable ice for me by the way is 6 inches. Better safe than sorry.

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Last year which was late we had 4" on the 2nd of Dec.

so I'd say by the 10th of Dec.maybe the 15th although if we get a few below 0 nights ice can be made almost an inch per hour.

It's hard to say whats average.

You have to remember there is curent in BS so where it is thick in one area another can be thinner.

That time of year ice can be fickle.

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  • 1 month later...

Minnewawa should not be overlooked.There are several places

to walk out from early like out in front of Sheshebee point or in the narrows.

There's nice crappies and gills out there if you find them.

there's also places like Aitkin,Cranberry and Sherriff lakes that can be good.

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CK.. you seem to be pretty knowledgeable on the trials of Big Sandy.. where would you recommend early ice crappies and sunnies?

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CK probably has other places also, but I would try north Billhorn or north end for crappies. That's where I have had the best luck in early season. Looks like the temps will be falling off come Friday. Good luck!

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Quote:

CK probably has other places also, but I would try north Billhorn or north end for crappies. That's where I have had the best luck in early season. Looks like the temps will be falling off come Friday. Good luck!


That's where I'll be a good part of the year.

Both sides of the point is good.I'll be checkin ice by next weekend.

The gills seem to be on the end of the bar for some reason.

If you need help to learn the area .....call me.

218-845-8801

I can explain it or meet you out there to show you what I know about the area.

The main lake also has some great spots as well as the narrows by Flows island can be very good too.

If a guy likes jumbo perch the narrows has some dandies there.I've seen 14 inchers come out of the narrows.

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CK, I will be looking for you this early season. I would like to check out those jigs you make. A few years back at hillcrest you gave me one to try but I eventually lost it on a fish. Do you still have the same portable?

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A green Eskimo Travler.Chances are there will be 2 out there as my buddy Rick has the same one.

I'll try to have a few.The way it is now,I'm behind 400.

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Rick R.,I tried to get Rick B. into it last year. He came out once.It was a tough day .He did catch the 1st 1.

Here he is..

HPIM1057.jpg

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      is 3 weeks away............who's going and where???? i skip the first week and i'll head up to the cabin the 2nd week.  ussually fish smaller lakes. 
    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
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