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Ice fishin' the Red and its tribs


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Anyone else planning on doing some ice fishing on the Red and its tribs this winter? It's taken a number of years, but I've finally built a bit of a milkrun of spots to generally find some fish (thanks Backwater Eddy).

Just curious to hear if I'll be bumping into any of ya on the ice this winter???

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  • Scoot

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I am in the same boat as MJ, waiting for a call wink.gif

I just don't feel comfortable venturing out on the river myself in the winter. I have no problem doing it in the boat, just seems a bit riskier on the ice.

If anyone is looking to get out and needs someone to help explore, let me know. It would be nice to save some gas money this winter grin.gif

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MJ, you are a rat's behind! tongue.gif You can't say I haven't called. However, I'll admit I'm not good about planning far enough in advance to give a guy a chance...

I hear ya, Loren. It's a scary deal learning about the river. I took three drinks through the learning process. Fortunately, I was with a buddy, had ice picks, and rope along. Once I even had a rope around my waiste before I fell through- thank goodness.

That being said, I'm pretty dang protective about my winter spots. I'm not trying to be rude or stand offish by not calling people, but I've had spots hammered by the guy I took out to a spot (and a dozen of his buddies) in the past- once bit, twice shy. It's easy to fish out a small winter hole, which most of my spots are. Not saying you'd do this, but I learned the hard way on that one.

I learned through tons of tips from Backwater Eddy on this site and tons of trial and error. I still have more strike outs than hits around here, but the hits sure feel rewarding when I get 'em. My suggestion is to take lots of safety precautions, go with a buddy, and read all the tips that have been dropped in this forum from myself, Backwater Eddy, and Catmando. For local fishing the info Backwater Eddy put out in the past is worth its weight in gold.

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Hey,I resemble that remark. I'm going to be making the transition from softwater gear to hardwater this weekend, putting my boat away and bringing the fish house to the front row and getting it all ready. I'm ready, just bring on the arctic temperatures now and pray for no or little wind.

Happy Thanksgiving!

MJ

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Regardless of where you plan to explore this winter, always remember to use extreme caution, particularly during the early part of the season.

Just a quick update on what's happening on this portion of the Red. Due to the cold weather these past few days, the Red is beginning to make ice. The overnight forecast for is calling for low's of minus 19!!!!! That should be enough to do the trick! A couple of days & nights of those temps and we'll be poking a few holes with the spud bar!

Stay tuned! wink.gif

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Scoot, you ever come across some good roughfish spots when searching for eyes? redhorse, suckers, carp, etc.?

if you have, we might have to do some negotiating for those spots wink.gif

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JP, I don't think I've ever caught a redhorse, sucker, or carp through the ice on the Red or its tribs. However, if you enjoy catching goldeyes, I'm your huckleberry! The spots seem to change from year to year, but I know of several places that generally have a lot of goldeyes in them.

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thanks for the info. If I ever get enough balls to walk on river ice, I'll give you a call so I can find those spots

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You don't need balls, just a complete lack of common sense!

Actually, in some of the spots I fish you'll need an extension by the time the ice fishing season is done.

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Quote:

Actually, in some of the spots I fish you'll need an extension by the time the ice fishing season is done.


I'm not worried about those spots. Its the spot right next to that spot that is only 2" thick crazy.gif

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Oh, I almost forgot- besides a complete lack of common sense you also need a low IQ. This river fishin' is right in my wheelhouse!!!

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There have been some guys out each evening on buckets down here. I had a friend go thru last Sat. but that was b4 this artic blast. Is there anybody fishin in Fargo? I would go this weekend but I have not put down the muzzleloader yet!

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I haven't seen anyone yet. Still too early for me for sure. I'll let the arctic blast continue to do its thing before I think about it. Actually, I'll let the archery season wrap up before I get too serious about it.

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F58-

Have you been out on the river around Wahp/Breck? If you don't mind company I wouldn't mind meeting up. Would like to learn a few things about the river before I go venturing out on my own.

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In the Grand Forks area I myself wouldn't trust the ice. It had just frozen over when we got all this snow. I'm sure there are many spots that are not safe even for walking on. Just remember the ice on the river can change daily and never assume that since its safe one day it will be the next. Be safe and fish in pairs, buddy system.

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ibwhnt, I'm with ya- shakey ice conditions right now for sure. I'll wait for a while before I risk my neck on the ice. Besides, I've got two deer tags to fill still! I just can't seem to get a decent buck inside of 40 yards so I can send an arrow at it. Patience...

Oh, and like Kent said, buddy system, rope, ice picks, etc.

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There has not been a single person out this week, rumor had it they were letting som water go furthur south, I still havent put down the smokepole so it will be another weekend for me...The wife will prolly freak the first time I go fishin!! I think she has forgot about that (other)habit I seem to have!!

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I did see a house on the river just south of the toll bridge today. It still seems a little early to be on the river. Has anyone checked the conditions elsewhere? A couple more days of this weather we are haveing now and a guy just might have to give it a try.

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Craziness at its finest, Ford Tempo parked on the river today. I do not know what to think. That is all.

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Most ice is in the 5-6" range....not all...caution is well advised.

Walleye fishing has been..SWEET..I have 3 over 9# and one over 10# since the ice became "Safer". Pluss a mix of nice 17-19" eaters. For me, all have came on the Salmo/ GM exclusive #5 Luminescent Blue Dace, been working it hard and swapping out with other colors but it has been the winner so far.

Ice conditions often vary wildly in a smale area due to many factors, so...do not take anything for granted, fish safe.

Happy Holidays, and Good Fish'n to all!!

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Ed, If you don't mind me asking. do you use and live bait through the ice? I know last year you had some posts on here and you mentioned the salmo baits. Just curious if that is all you use. thanks

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When Ed's arms get tired from setting the hook on walleyes he will switch to something other than the Gander Exclusive #5 so they can rest.

Ed truly believes in the Chubby Darters and Zippers and he catches more Walleyes than I do... But I am pretty sure that he has some other secret baits in his box.

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I seldom use a float on the ice, mostly I jig, and often it's a Chubby Darter or a Nills Master Jigging Shad.

Other pic's of mine....

Castmasters.

Ivens Slammers

A new lighted jig called the Illuminator (Very Kewl)

Another river jig.. the Swarming Hornet (Stu has also used this one with some interesting results)

Panfish may find me using more live baits than I do for walleye. Too many jig options there to list, most any Genz product will do me very well. Little Atoms scented plastics are killer on jigs for a wide range of panfish action...and walleye too.

And Chubbys....lots of Chubbys...many colors..all sizes..day and night... you are likely to find me on the ice and I'll pull'n on my Chubby..Eh. wink.gif

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I've fished with Ed enough to know that John's right on both accounts- Ed's got more in his box than just a bunch of Darters. However, I also know more times than not he's got a Chubby on the end of his rod. ... and he's usually catching fish with it too.

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Ed,

Tell me more about the illuminator? Looks interesting and I mean't to take a few to upper red but I forgot. How long do they last? Do they work on the clear and the dirty area's on the red?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Has anyone been out lately on the red? Gave it a try last sunday with some success. One quick question if your catching walleyes and the golden eyes start biting is it time to move or do you wait them out? If thats possable \:\)

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Some spots I fish have both goldeyes and walleyes. If I catch goldeyes in known walleye spots, I don't sweat it. However, some spots that produce walleyes some years seem to only have goldeyes in them. I fished a spot two winters ago that I've caught walleyes at before, but all I caught was about 4982 goldeyes! I moved on...

With the weather they're talking about I won't get on the river for the next week or so. Too dang cold!

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I will have to say that it is fun to catch goldeneyes but it gets a little tiring when they destroy your bait. Them things got some sharp little teeth. As for the cold I don't think I can let that stop me I've got ICE FISHING FEVER! grin.gif

john.jpg

one from sunday

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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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