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.

Open Water vs Ice Fishing


hansyfishing02

Recommended Posts

Open water! Ice is for cocktails and playing ice hockey. I ice fish to help pass the winter months.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ice ice baby... But I just think that is because I get to get out more during Ice season due to work being busy in the summer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ice fishing just for the fact that you dont have to deal with mosquitos, flys and gnats. and also no annoying PWC's or wake boarders to put up with ;)

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, papadarv said:

Both are equal each having their own unique pleasure with new challenges to look forward to. Eliminating either would be a great loss.

Couldn't agree more.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love both, however, open water is my choice.  I spend far more time in the boat or on shore during open water.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Absolutely love both...

Give me warm weather, sunny skies, with a gently blowing wind, slightly rocking the boat! Add being able to cover so much area so easily makes the decision an easy one:

Open water hands down!!!

On a sidenote, there have been some absolute gorgeous, choice, hot summer days, where I've turned to the wife and enthusiastically proclaimed, "just think, in about 4 months we'll be out here ice fishing!"  She usually tells me there's something wrong with me. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Open water, no contest. I hate the cold and love being mobile when fishing. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Personally I like ice fishing better currently, but that's because I have all the gear for it.  However I'm hoping that changes next Fall when I purchase a fishing boat after saving up for awhile.  It'll be great not having to rely on friends with boats (and kids, which means I don't fish as much as I'd like to) to get out and fish.  

That being said I still absolutely love ice fishing.  I think it's the surprise of not really knowing what you've got until you see it coming through the hole.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ICE ICE BABY!!! ;) There's no better feeling than crunching across a frozen lake in the dead quiet of the morning, sun barely starting to wake, steaming cup of coffee at the ready and a slab crappie on a tight line.  mmmmm... can't wait!

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/26/2016 at 9:05 AM, rundrave said:

ice fishing just for the fact that you dont have to deal with mosquitos, flys and gnats. and also no annoying PWC's or wake boarders to put up with ;)

Or those obnoxious wake surf boats that throw 5 ft waves all around the lake?!?!?

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/25/2016 at 10:12 AM, hansyfishing02 said:

What do you like better, open water or ice fishing?

During the summer I prefer open water but during the winter months I prefer ice fishing. :)

Oops. Fivebucks beat me to it. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

I think I like open water more, real close though....  If I didn't ice fish probably go loco in winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Open water hands down. Some of the very best lakes to fish are rarely safe for ice fishing, Green Bay and Erie for example.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...

I almost exclusively fish Lake Superior ,,,Since the lake doesn't always have ice I would have to say Open Water is my preference,,, that and the ice fishing season can be rather short 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

When I was a kid, I used to ask my dad to take me ice fishing--he would always say "wait 'till it gets warmer"...... ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Open water for me.   Many more ways to catch fish.  Easier to find them. 

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.