Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

First Ice!


Recommended Posts

O.K. Ladies and Gentleman! First off we don't have ice yet, but how can you contain yourself? It's time to pull out your portables re-line your ice rods, sharpen your auger blades, and get ready for some hot ice action! Last year Rainy experienced absolutely awesome fishing! Something about listening to the humming of the vex, soaking up some propane fumes, and jigging those big early season eyes that gets my blood going! So the dilemna is do you chase those giant early season Pike, search for crappies, or jig for the pig walleyes! Hmnnnn! Sounds like a good problem to have! LETS HOPE FOR SOME SOLID CLEAR EARLY SEASON ICE!

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey IfallsRon,

We had about a 1/32 of an inch here on Tilson this a.m. I thought I'd stay on shore still though. Ha! Put the hurt on the walleyes on the river again though. 40 eyes between the two of us in 2 hours! Smallest walleye was 14 inches with the vast majority 16-17 inch fish. Got to love it up here! Fish were hitting bare jigs. No kidding either!

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys, I'm new to Rainy Lake and was just wondering some good starting points for fishing walleyes through the ice. Any bays, points, bars,etc. that are better producers than others. Oh yeah, I want to stay on the Minnesota side too. Thanks for any help.

GoggleEye

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Goggle,

First off welcome to the Rainy Lake Forum! If you haven't ice fished Rainy your in for a good time. BIG WATER BIG FISH SMALL CROWDS! Should be on our billboard. Don't get me wrong fishing is still fishing. An early walleye bite will often times have these fish in shallow locations chasing tastey swimming snacks during low light periods. Note to self if catching small perch in the middle of the day return to that spot late or early. SHHHHHHH!, and there are countless bay mouths adjacent to deeper haunts that you'll be able to spy on your map. Water levels are much higher than last year thus the current will be a significant player, so don't just head out mindless as we already are blessed with ample structure already if you get my drift. I'd rather not take clients out to GOGGLE EYE SHOAL. Sand bay will be producing, and could be quite hot with the increased current at the very least you won't feel alone out there! As always Ice fishing 101 will be necessary to fine tune a spot for you. Lots of fisherman often times means not much action for you unless you like to play football and eat brats on the ice. A hole 10 feet away can produce tenfold from yours, and no matter what the fish count at the end of the day you've spent a day on the hardwater in "God's Country". Maybe your buddy doesn't always get the lucky hole? Minnow heads, glow spoons, swedish pimples, glow jigs, set lines, jigging raps... Bring it all Buddy you never can tell! Good Fishing!

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey thanks Rainydaze! I wish I could get a welcoming informative response like that everytime! I appreciate all the great info. I am going to try and make it up for early ice walleyes and maybe a time or three after that.

GoggleEye

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ha!

Well sometimes we have more time to respond than others I guess! We're rooting for a cold snap up here, and it will be game on!

Good Fishing!

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HEY R.D.,

UFFDA & I JUST CHECKED OUT YOUR HONEY HOLE & ITS ALL FROZE UP. RUMOR HAS IT SOMEONE SAW 4 DEER WALKING ON THE ICE YESTERDAY., WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE COLD NIGHTS, I MAY WALK OUT & CHECK IT OUT.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Buddy!

I was just thinking about that. Be careful Buddy! Couple more cold nights! I'll likely be easing my way out in a couple days also. Let me know if you want to hover out together.

RD

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anybody see the forecast for this week?? From the NWS:

Rest Of Tonight...Mostly cloudy. Scattered flurries. Lows 10 to 15. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs 18 to 23. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows 4 below to 1 above zero. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday...Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs 8 to 13. Northwest winds around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Lows 2 below to 3 above zero. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs 10 to 15.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Lows 4 below to 9 below zero.

Thursday...Partly sunny. Occasional flurries. Highs 7 to 12.

Thursday Night Through Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 5 below to 10 below zero. Highs 8 to 13.

Sunday...Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 3 to 8.

Better get that ice gear ready!!!!! cool.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Uffda,

The Fishing Queen is going to be working the Sport show in the cities, and will be leaving Thursday. If you'd like to get out and hit it let me know. We could meet at my place and head out if you'd like. Looks like winter out there this a.m.

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Already been out slab chasing on a local lake down here boys! Can't wait to get out again tonight!! The time has come!!!!! Good luck if you get out and be safe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It appears that the North arm has experienced what may be the record for early ice-out! Many areas that were iced over have re-opened.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tundra,

It depends on how you are at swimming in these temps. I am fishing a bay that doesn't have any current at is a maximum of 10' deep down here, it only has 3" on it. Main lakes didn't have more than an inch on them down here.

Last year we fished on 8-10" of ice on the 23rd and 24th of december in that area. If you remember correctly we had colder temperatures much sooner last year. I don't advise it...not until we get more cold days, which is just what the doctor ordered apparently. It was 5 above this morning in duluth with a windchill that made it 5 below.

Stay safe and out of the water. Wait for a few days. Even then invest in a ice spud and be hitting the ice HARD when you are checking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Watched North Arm freeze over this afternoon, as soon a the wind died down the whole lake froze over ! Never seen it like that before! Nov 28 update. Looks like another record early ice out, 2 in one year! Wow! The snow last night was to much for the new ice and it disappeared as fast as it had formed the day before. We can resume summer fishing again just need to plow snow away from the boat launch . Our license fees should help pay for that!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

we had some first ice here yesterday as well. saw a 12 car pileup on the river bridge right off the bat! Here first ice is more fun to watch as a spectator rather than a participant. Also what's the difference between an icehouse and a darkhouse?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A dark house is usually used for spearing because it allows better vision of fish moving under the ice.

An ice house, fish house, or hut, which can be portable or permanent, is used by anglers to keep warm and out of the elements and has windows to allow more light in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some day I gotta come up there and try hard water. The spearing would appear to be a real pot luck kind of thing. Is it really very productive? Certainly not for the impatient i presume.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HI O.K.,

THATS WHY WE LOVE LIVING HERE. WINTER TIME SEES LOTS OF SNOWMOBILING TO OUR FAVORITE LAKE TROUT LAKE, AND ONCE YOU CROSS THE BORDER, THERE A 100,000 LAKES, MINNESOTA HAS 10,000...ONTARIO HAS ONE MORE ZERO...A 100,000.

YOU CAN ONLY SPEAR NORTHERNS...NOT WALLEYES. I PREFER FISHING(ANGLING) CRAPPIES, WALLEYES, AND LAKE TROUT IN THE WINTER.

ICE FISHING UP HERE IS A BLAST.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HEY R.D.,

DID YOU HEAD BACK OUT THERE, I'M GUESSING AFTER TONIGHT EVEN WITH THE SNOW, THERE SHOULD BE 4". I HAVE THE BATTERIES CHARGED NOW & LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS. THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, I KINDA GET THE SHAKES.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey FM,

Probably heading out to give it another shot tomorrow. I'll probably try sneak out a bit further. It's darn cold that's for sure. I'll likely be pulling out the one man fish trap to get serious! Plus keep my fingers from falling off! Ha! Maybe I'll see you out there? I'll likely be heading out around 2:30 to test it out.

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey FM,

No more ice than when we were out. I managed to hover about 15 feet further out, but thats all I could get myself to try. Combo of snow and current is slowing the process a bit. Did manage a few fish and and some melted goretex! Ahh! The smell of ice fishing! Saw a Timberwolf out the front window yesterday! Had a bum front left leg! Watched him for about 10 minutes head up the creek. Maybe he was looking to snack on one of my other dogs!

RD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any reports on the ice in Black Bay?? I guess I'm coming home this weekend so I'm wondering if there's enough to get out and set some tip-ups and maybe get the spear house out if possible.

Uffda, FM you guys been out at all?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HI G.K.,

A BUNCH OF US ARE GOING TO EITHER L.O.W. OR BL. STG ON SUNDAY, THERE IS UP TO 9" ON LOW. RAINY, BE CAREFUL AS SOMEPLACES HAS ABOUT 3" OF ICE, HOWEVER THERE IS ALOT OF SNOW ON THE TOP OF THAT 3" OF ICE., PLUS THERE IS CURRENT, AND THAT ADDS TO THE EXCITEMENT. YOU ARE WELCOME TO GO WITH US., SO IS YOUR DAD.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FM,

Thanks for the info and the invite. I think my dad might be working all weekend doing inventory, and I want to help Mr. Bauer get the spear house out if we can. If not, I will get ahold of you and maybe tag along on Sunday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished the North Arm today. Walked out from the Causeway about 100 yards. 17 feet of water, 6 inches of ice. I'm thinking ATV time! Walked another 50 feet out still 17 feet of water but only 2 inches of ice. Only stayed a couple hours - no fish. Needless to say I did not walk out any farther. crazy.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HEY CAP. J.,

REMEMBER WE HAVE ALOT OF CURRENT GOING, LOTS OF SNOW, SO WE MAY SEE ALOT OF VARIANCES IN ICE., THERE ARE LAKES AROUND WITH ENOUGH ICE, BUT RAINY, I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL. OH, DID I SAY I'M SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE. WE GOT 4 MONTHS HERE OF ICE FISHING, LETS NOT START IT WITH A CASUALTY.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I only carried a spud on my first trip out. Chopping all the way. Didn't really note any current where I was so not sure why it froze funny that close to shore.

How went LOW trip?

I might try walking out again tomorrow. Anybody want to go along? With all that cold weather, should have least a couple more inches where I tried last time.

Hopefully going over to LOW with uffdapete on Tuesday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.