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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Here is where to put hunting or fishing reports. All posts are welcome.

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  • 5 weeks later...

We were up after New Year's and got a few smaller eyes on Blackduck in 12 feet-how are they going now? Any size these days? Thanks!

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Still fishing in the 12-14' depths in either early morning or late afternoon on Blackduck for the walleyes and the fish they are reeling in are ranging from 11-14"..so eater size. Most anglers are targeting the perch on Blackduck, in the deeper 20-24' depths and that is going really well. Last weekend for walleye and this weekend is also the Jaycees annual Fishing Derby on the Duck.

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We had the rain early last week which helped to get rid of a good portion of the snow, then we had the cold temps last week and it firmed things up really good. Now the travel is going good hitting the lake off the public access and able to tool around the lake. (Even had some guests out there in a van this weekend)

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Fished Blackduck Weds evening and Thursday until about 2pm. Travel was good, not much snow left. It was really bumpy out there, but at least the huge snow drifts are gone.

The fishing Weds night for eyes was good from 5:15-6:15. They bit really hot and then shut off completely after about 6:15. Red glow frostee and a minnow head was working. They seemed to be biting short on whole minnows so I had to go with just a minnow head.

The perch fishing Thursday was tough. I was fishing alone which makes the searching a longer process. I finally found em in 20-22 FOW. If you come up looking for perch, bring lots of gas for your auger!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have been by Blackduck a few times over the years in the winter,but never have done any ice fishing there,need to get back over to that Blackduck/Bemidji area next winter.I have been spending lots of time the past few winters ice fishing over around Tower and the lake Vermilion area.

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You'll have to be sure to do some icefishing in the winter when you are here...lots of great little lakes!

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Drake,

I think I have driven right by your motel before,we lived in Fargo for a while some years back before moving back down here to Oklahoma...When me and my wife would go back to Fargo to visit we sometimes would drive over to Bemidj to snowmobile and ice fish,my wife really loved to hit the casinos in the area to play the slots or play bingo,LOL...But yes I need to get over that way this next winter hopefully.

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Little change from this area to Oklahoma..especially with the weather we've been getting. But have to have the cold to keep the ice fishing going! The snowmobile trailhead is in the park right next door to us, so maybe you sledded right by us..and Mrs. Drake likes the casino bingo too! Hopefully you'll be up to a change in climate next winter and be able to hit the ice!

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I was just woungering when they are or if there gonna change the slot limit on the lake. We have a cabin on there an I have heard so many didderent stories on it so if anyone knows let me know please. I have fished that lake for nearly 30 years an what a change, for the worst. Was fishing it a couple years ago and caught a stinkin bass out there. Who's stupid idea was it ta put them in there. I dont agree with that at all, there are plenty of other lakes with them in there. Next thing ya know there are gonna stock it with Muskies in there. Let the northrens grow up there is plenty of small perch in there. It just make me mad why they gotta ruin a good walleye lake.

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just seen the new regs for 09 and in the book the slot is still the same, so as far as i know they are not changing it but that is just what i know but u can never tell what te dnr will do hopefully that will help u

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I don't know about any new slot changes on Island but I like the current one (well maybe 19"-28" would be my choice). A few years ago it was tough fishing and now with the slot it has gotten better IMO. As long as they keep it consistant with the other larger lakes in the area then it won't get pounded hard like it did when Winnie had the slot and Island did not.

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Has anyone been out on Island lately? If so, any luck? Really hoping to get away for for a few days to spend on the ice and chase down some pannies.

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Hey Drake how is travel on Blackduck currently? We are looking to come up this weekend. How much snow is left? Truck, 4 wheeler, or snowmobile?

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The sun really melted the snow down, think the fourwheeler would be easier than the snowmobile. Trucks are able to get out and about right now, current temp is 12 with a high today of 33, tomorrow is showing a high of 46 with a 30% chance of light rain or freezing rain in the am with a low of 29; Saturday is showing sunny and around 50..I dunno, I think I may be tempted to bring the wheeler with.

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Drake,

What do you think the AVG ice depth was on Blackduck this past winter?and whatever that number is if you know, how does it relate to normal...Me being an Ag Met I have an on-going study of such things,thanks for any help.

Frank. P.S.I forgot to add that many of the lakes in southern Mn had as much as 6" more ice on Avg this winter compared with normals...Still waiting on some other areas of the state for final data.

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Frank~Blackduck and the other lakes in the area was pretty much running normal this year, around 30". Now, if we wouldn't have had all that snow at the beginning of the season I would say we would definitely be above average.

Rains came through last night, and the access at Blackduck is pretty wet because of the water run off from the golf course, which is typical for this time of year, I had folks that hit it last night and they said that they went off the access to the left and once they were out about 10' it was good going. We just took a drive by and there was a truck out on the ice this afternoon. We have an inch of snow in the forecast for tonight, and tomorrow through Monday the forecast highs are around 32 and the lows are in the mid teens, so hopefully that will firm it back up. The other lakes in the area that our anglers have hit yesterday and today are saying no problems at the access, but the roads are a bit muddy getting to the lake, again, with the cold temps that should help firm them up too. So we'll see what ma nature brings us. As for fishing, our guests yesterday hit a couple of the smaller lakes in the area and brought back some pretty decent crappies.

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Hello-

Heading up to Blackduck this afternoon for some panfishing in the area. With the recent cold weather, how is travel on area lakes around Blackduck? Can a person get on with a 4-wheeler on lakes such as Pimushe, Rabideau and Big Lake? Have these lakes been producing any panfish in the last week or so?

Thanks for any reports in advance!!

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We used a 4-wheeler last weekend. Pimushe was slow. When we drove by Rabideau it looked like a total circus out there. Talked to someone later on the duck that was out on Rabideau and said only a few fish being caught. Actually did well on perch on Blackduck, with a bonus crappie and a few bonus gills as well.

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Drake,

Thanks for the info,that seems to be the case through the region,the lakes that had less snow on them early on had thicker ice depth then normal...I know they had early ice and thicker ice conditions for areas around northern Iowa also...I remember early ice reports form Clear lake,Ia were really something...I know on the way back down here this past Jan, I fished a lake in Waseca,Mn and can tell you that lake had a good 25"-30" of ice, in some spots maybe a bit more,I know trying to cut through that ice with my hand auger was really tough going.

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It has been a little unusual this winter, tons of snow and more days below the normal temp than at normal. This weekend was pretty decent weather wise, actually saw some sunshine. Travel on the lakes in the area is best with wheelers now, even if you do see some brave soul out there in his vehicle, don't follow suit. Fishing over the weekend was pretty good, a lot of different lakes got hit so a variety of fish coming through the cleaning shack. Those that hit Blackduck Lake and drilled a bunch of holes were rewarded for their work because they did a lot better than those only drilling a couple of holes and waiting for the fish to come to them, typically getting about 5 jumbos before going on to the next hole.

As Augie said, Rabideau last weekend was a circus, we had a couple of people who drove by there and said the same thing and said the people they talked to said they weren't doing too good on the catching, even though they saw it in the paper that Rabideau was hot; sure hate to see certain lakes being written up like that. But there are a Lot of lakes in the area that have done well this winter and have continued through the weekend, and we had people going all over the area this last week and saw some nice panfish. Pimusche has been off and on the past month, one day you can go out there and not get but maybe one or two and then the next day you can reel in a limit of crappies. One lake that was slow this weekend was Round Lake, had some folks trying their favorite hot spot but no luck.

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Island Lake was pounded really hard a few years ago and hasn't recovered yet. The story from the locals is that there are plenty of walleyes over the slot - not many smaller, keeper sized fish yet - give it some time..

Since you have a cabin on the lake, you could join the lake association and get involved in the management of the lake if you want. Not sure who the current president is, but I know Joe Bender from Northome has been a past president.

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Good points Swamptigger! I fished it last summer and yes it was hard to get some under the slot fish, but it was nice to see the size and quality of the eyes in their again. I would say in 5 years it will be bact to what it was in the early 90's I hope! When I was out there I counted 3 other boats on the lake and my father who fished it at least once a week last summer only counted a few each time he was out also. This will also help the production. I can remember when I was growing up you could walk on the boats around us cuz we were catching fish and everybody wanted on the spot. Now it is nice to have the lake to yourself and still catch fish without all the crowds.

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what is the slot on Island? At the end of march i caught a nice eye chasing down some panfish. Guessing it was 19-21.

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ISLAND LAkE near Northome (Itasca County) northern pike: All

from 24-36" must be immediately released. One over 36" allowed in

possession. walleye: All from 17-26" must be immediately released.

One over 26" allowed in possession.

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Hey, I was woundering if anyone knows if they are going to rebuild Dockside supper club on Island lake.I see it burnt down. I hope they do.

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I have not heard yet if John is going to rebuild or not, if I remember I will ask my dad next time I talk to him.

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The property was sold to a fellow from Littlefork and he was talking about getting the place going again last fall, but I haven't heard anything lately..

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We use to stay on island lake some time ago for deer hunting. The place was evergreen I don't Think it open any more ,never fished the lake.

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