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.

Ice Thickness Report


Rick

Recommended Posts

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Please tell us your ice thickness, which lake and which area please because we would like to get a general idea of how it varies throughout the state.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got back from the west side of Winni and at the access that pops out by the river there was a sign that says "No Trucks" on it, but I did see tire tracks going out there, not sure if it was smaller SUV's or what. There was a half dozen trucks/trailers parked on shore that pulled there gear out with sleds and ATV's. I talked to a guy coming in, probably a resort worker since he didn't have any gear on him, he said that there was 12" all over out there consistently. Of course with any ice report, get more than one opinion lol. 

 

I checked the landings at a couple smaller lakes around the area and found folks walking out or taking there sleds/atv's. 

 

I did see some meathead that drove out on Pike Bay, he is parked out there now. I haven't heard any ice thickness reports from the bay but there was about a dozen shacks out there people pulled out there with their sleds. 

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6"-11" on various lakes I fished in Stevens & Pope Counties on Friday and Saturday.  Slush was an issue in spots as well. 

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Thanks Carpshooter...

Come on guys...please be badass and share your reports....

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Around Princeton there is any where from 4 to 10 inches but please check often! I found 6 to 8 most places then found 5 and next step the ice cracked. That made the monstermoose back up to the 6 +inch area

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Green lake is starting to turn on from what I am hearing. Little elk is still a safe bet for crappies but they are small but you may pick up a few eyes. Ann lake by Zimmerman is giving your tip ups a work out. Baxter slowed down but it might take a while for fish want bite they all have sore lips. Long lake is still a crappie lake but you might need to look for envy the weeds. Lori lake is slow but should pick up for crappies and gills. 

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found  around 5" on blue lake by zimmerman,but the ice varied quite a bit and you should be careful in some areas where the rain was pooling. Baxter has 10",and little elk has to be around there too now. Lots of little crappies on elk

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 to 12 inches in Lincoln County depending on the lake but still varying a little due to the rain and strong winds when it froze

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only been on one small lake just west of Cushing and found 7-9 inches of ice.  No snow on the after the rain this past weekend.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok down hear at the bottom of the state went out in fairmount and found 6 inches of good ice and depending on the spot had 1-2 inches of white ice, but thank god we got that rain no more slush to speak of and snow is gone, now just get a little bit cooler and we will be in business!!!

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A reliable source told me that there is anywhere from 8-10" on the lakes around Naytahwaush, my old stomping grounds. 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Essentially 12" of ice on LOW. Some areas have 10" some have 15", depending on how much snow is there. 

 

5.5-7" on East/West Hunter. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Friday (23rd) I fished south of Willmar on a smaller lake, it had 10 inches of solid good ice with about two inches of snow and slush on top of the ice

Saturday (24th) I fished east of Willamar near Atwater and had 8 inches of ice with about an inch of frozen slush on top...

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out on a lake in Chanhassen area right now. By the boat launch I measured a good seven to nine inches of clear ice to another 3 inches of Cloudy ice then it quickly went down to 4 to 5 inches of clear ice. Needless to say I was punching holes on my way out and now sitting on 3 to 4 inches of good ice. Be careful out there the ice is nowhere near what I thought it was going to be .

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw at least 12 pickups out on Vermilion this morning!

I measured 14 inches of ice in newly drilled holes.

Cliff

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

anyone have info on Brainerd area lakes.  North Long?  Tried the Brainerd Forum but no reply.  Where I am, Todd County, 9 miles from Staples, small lakes here have 6-10 and growing.  Watch out for lakes with Springs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, papadarv said:

Just got off Coon Lake, Anoka 8" to 11" ice in 3 areas 200 yards off shore 18 to 21 FOW. Got some nice 10" to 12" Crappie.

20161228_081527.jpg

Way to go you have that lake dialed in it seems I have never tried for crappies there Usually just tip up fish.

Nice looking shack! I have the same one

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Ice thickness reports and fish pics are awesome coming from you badasses!!! :D 

 

More please :) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

seems to be 6 to 10 inches on the lakes I have been on around st cloud area and north a bit. seeing quite a few wheelers out and about. the rain zapped a lot of the snow so nice walking but boot traction need for this guy. :) 

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any ice reports out there or places to look for ice reports would be appreciated? Thinking about getting out this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Be careful going out of Trappers if you use their "bridge" that gaps the pressure ridge. It broke a few times over the weekend and left people sitting on the wrong side for a few hours each time. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did not see that Fishie, must have happened Sunday.  Saturday night the bridge was good to go.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was a line of about 40 trucks and houses waiting to get off the ice on Sunday near huddles reef, but they finally got er fixed. It also broke on Saturday early afternoon and it was out of commission for a while.  I'm guessing it'll be okay from here on out. There was a ton of traffic on it over the weekend. I've never seen so many houses in Whipholt bay..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was there also and experienced the rush of traffic.  Not saying anything bad about what happened, but a couple pieces of plywood for a bridge is gonna break over time.  I will use them again, maybe they were just not expecting that much traffic and have a better solution.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

West of Brainerd, Lake Alexander was pushing 14 inches on the west end of the lake.  Most folks were still walking or using ATVs but a few were driving.

 

We walked out but trucked back.

 

This was on 1/2/17

  • Thumbs Up 2
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 :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.