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South turtle was skimming when the sun came up. light breeze has it open though the east half is mostly frozen. West Battle and Clitherall were steaming like mad this morning. Tonight should lock up smaller and medium lakes if the breeze stays low.

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Hey Biso, Which bay are you talking about. The far east bay off of Hwy 14? Do you have any more information on that part of the lake or the rest of the lake. Thanks.

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Mav, the North end of Deaf locked up last weekend according to a resort owner. Don't know if the wind factored in yesterday.

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Thanks, McGurk. I am thinking about heading up in a day or two just to check things out. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good winter of ice fishing.

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I'm heading back to Ottertail tomorrow. Anyone know when OT locked up? Looking to do some ice fishing tomorrow night if I can get out there to the first break, otherwise will choose a shallower smaller lake around there.

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I'm heading back to Ottertail tomorrow. Anyone know when OT locked up? Looking to do some ice fishing tomorrow night if I can get out there to the first break, otherwise will choose a shallower smaller lake around there.

the middle was still open on the 19th.

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also some moron parked on the ice and broke through at the access on pelican by the narrows Friday didn't see how he got out.. but im guessing a wrecker

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Fished Pelican all weekend with great success, and didn't hear of anyone going through... We had 6-8" where we fished. Lots of houses being drug out with atv's.

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I made it out to Ottertail on Saturday. Very sketchy dangerous ice conditions. 80% of the lake has 2 inches of ice or less right now. I went out from the pelican bay access and to the first break, there was 6 inches, so that wasn't too bad, so if you wanted to be on the safe side, I think you would be ok to make it out there. The ice severely deteriorated beyond the break to less than 2 inches. I also tried the break out from the old Pier restaurant and the ice was much worse. Very variable with spots of open water and 2 inches of ice. Very scary. We were able to barely get out to the break through a series of zig zags around bad spots. Most of the lake over by zorbaz and everything only has 2 inches or less. Lots of broken ice, pressure ridges, open water spots, etc. The SE area of the lake had all the broken ice blow in and refreeze and that's why there's just enough to make it out there to about the break. If your not planning on going out from Pelican bay to the very first break,, you cant fish ottertail right now. Oh, and fishing was terrible to my suprise. Fished early morning, and evening on the breaks, drilled over 50 holes and hopped all over the place, and found 2 tullabee's and that was it. Nothing moved in at sundown like they usually do. Not even marks on the vexilar, just dead. Kind of strange.

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Was out this weekend on the west end out of Amor, 8-9 inches of ice. Saw only 2 perms out and wheelers and snowmobiles only.

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Ya I saw a few snowmobiles/ATVs and UTVs go out on OT this last weekend. I went out and plowed a ice rink for the kids. The gate to the Amor access was still locked up on Sunday.

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Ottertail has 13in out to the 1st break off of 78 access popped about 15 holes and stayed the same all the way out to break. Couple big ice castles at the break and medium size houses out there. Saw a few full size trucks out there already.

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Eagle has some good ice except for the NE part of the lake. The middle is also questionable. Its a scary lake for ice with the springs in it. Have seen it open up in the middle of winter.

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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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