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.

Recommended Posts

River is open from the dam to at least the Hwy 5 bridge, probably all the way down. 20 foot wide ice shelf at the bottom of the hidden falls ramp. Should melt this week would be my guess.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Heard the river is wide open now from 494 to the upper river. Anyone get down to lilydale or hidden falls to work on the ramps over the weekend?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ramp is down to concrete on the lower half. Ice shelf is mostly gone. Bring a spud bar to finish off the ice shelf and some sand for the slippery section of the ramp and you should be good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"wide open" might be a bit of an overstatement. Still looks like a bunch of shelf ice along the shore to me from my view off the 94 bridge, ford pkwy, and hwy 5.

I've got no doubt you can navigate it, but watch out for 'bergs. Big flat shelf chunks are pretty much invisible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was planning on opening it up this afternoon but some dip hit didnt open the gate today. Lilydale was looking better. Someone plowed the ramp but there is still plenty of ice on it. Pile of snow sitting on the shore ice at the end of the ramp. 3 or 4 guys would have it open in less than a hour. To much for me to tackle alone and with a boat in tow. Back to 494 it was. Few eyes today with other fish mixed in. Pretty dang nice out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anybody check out the Hidden Falls ramp this weekend? I was tempted to head down there but ended up putting in at 494.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bassfishin24,

Did you fish any or just boat ride? I am headed down this weekend and just wondering.

Thanks,

Shack

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did some fishing. Didn't venture too far. Got some white bass. Was only out there 2 hours

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got it. Mine is spring boat test trip too. Bring a few rods just to say I did it........

And they beauty of Pool 2...you never know what you might catch!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As of Wednesday no unless you want to slide the boat down the ramp and across the ice. Guys had been using it but it was nothing but slick ice that day. If you get down that way bring some salt to through on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking at heading out from Hidden Falls. Are you able to beach your boat while pulling the trailer out? It looks like the area to the north of the ramp is sand? Is that standard procedure? Any tips on getting in and out? Never been on the river. Thanks for any info!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beach it and throw an anchor on shore if alone.

Sand, gravel and rock mix upstream of the access.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Anyone know what the water levels and current is looking like at Hidden falls? Would like to get out this weekend but not sure I want to put in down there if the current is too strong and water levels are up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Anyone been around the ford plant lately how is the shore looking, some unforeseen boat issues might put me on shore for opener.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I stopped in there Sunday to see if the landing was open but it was closed.Pretty flooded,but there were alot of people there shorefishin,didnt ask anyone or stick around long enough to see anything caught since I wanted to get the boat in the water and fish.Fishin has been slow for me on 2 the last couple times out,a couple walleyes,carp,and a few cats.Maybe I should be shore fishing since I seemed to do better last year from shore when the water was high.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shore fishing when the river is high can be very good sometimes if you don't mind a little extra walk you can get into areas boats can't. You'll a home run in those areas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • 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!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
×
×
  • 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.