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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

I was wondering if anybody could possibly tell me the current ice thickness. I was planning a walleye run to this lake any tips and information, areas depths lures etc would be appreciated.

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Icehawk~

I drove by Minnewaska on Sunday on my way up to Bemidji. There was probably a dozen fish houses out there with there lights on and a four wheeler parked on the ice. This was on the Starbuck end out from the Waters Edge. Its an excellent spot early ice for a couple weeks. Tons of walleyes! They start before dark and slow down as the evening goes on. Get out there soon before everyone else does. Goodluck

~juddfish

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Green Light!!! I fished Waksa last weekend and the eyes were going pretty good. No monsters, but a lot of good'ns. There should be plenty of ice by this weekend for sure. 6" or more I'm guessing.

Kicker

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just sent a customer out with a bucket of shiners and fatheads on his way back down to Minnewaska...says the ice is nearly six inches....good for fourwheelers....bite has been very good....should be a great weekend!

------------------
Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

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Where is this lake located? I am heading up there this weekend and looking for a place to fish.
Thanks,
A

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Alphid

Minnewaska is a large lake about 8 miles long it runs from Starbuck to Glenwood. I usually fish early ice on the Starbuck end of the lake and always have great success. Give it a try and let us know how it went.

~juddfish

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Judd,

are you going to be out there this weekend? I'll be out there this afternoon and all weekend. Can't wait to rip some lips!!

Kicker

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Kicker~

No I wont be there this weekend. Stuck up in Bemidji smile.gif Goodluck on Waska! Shouldnt take to much luck just keep a minnow on the hook smile.gif Well I am off to the lake now.

~juddfish

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Hey guys, need the info on this one, what depths work best for walleyes and what jig/color. In spots or other secrets you would like to share?

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I can't say what is good right now but last year it was anything glowing in green or white. About 6 inches off the bottom. Jig it by bouncing it of the bottom lightly and the small movement about six inches up. About a hour before dark they will start to move in. And they quit about a one hour after dark.

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Fished sunfish the other day out there, it was very slow. I cut around 80 holes in all the traditional hot spots, the cabbage bars etc. The sunfish just dont seem to be in these areas good yet, managed to hook a couple of eating size walleyes though. The walleyes are relating to the weeds and their aggressive. If anyone hits the sunfish post a report I'm sure everyone would appreciate it.

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Hey IceHawk. I was out there the other day as well. Pretty much the same exact report as yours except that the gills are there, but just don't want to bite. I set up one of the guys with an underwater camera. As my other buddy and I were out punching holes and searching, Mike sat there and watched perch, gills, bass, and eyes come by and take a look and then swim off. In the afternoon there were gills coming through quite often, but most would not bite. A majority of the bites were so light they would go undetected if you didn't see them take it on the camera. Every now and then one kamikaze would come by and nail it. We only ended up with about fifteen gills a dozen nice perch and a few eyes. I'm a vex man all the way and hardly ever bring the camera with, but on this outing the camera proved to be a better tool. It made it a lot easier to distinguish between the weeds, perch, and gills.

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I heard very good reports on the Gill bite from last week. However, is sounds like they shut off over the weekend. The guys that really got into them during the week were finding them on the weedline. However, it was a bust for them over the weekend.

Hopefully they will turn back on with this warmer weather. Scott Steil

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I heard on the news this morning that 2 guys on ATV(s) went through the ice on Waska and barely managed to get out. The ice is really thin in spots and the warmth is not helping!! Be careful.

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Last Saturday a snowmobile went through the ice. I know it happened because I talked to the guy the next day when I was going out fishing. There was pretty good ice, in fact, I parked my truck on the ice. But, it is a big lake and I wouldn't be running to far with anything.

So, how is the fishing? Have they turned back on with the warm weather? Scott Steil

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I doubt the DNR and the Pope County Sheriff's Office would start a rumor. It was on the news this morning. They advise EVERYONE to use extreme caution because when the temps are in the 40's, pushing 50, can really mess up the ice. Almost every lake I have been on has 12" of ice and people driving trucks, while the other end of the same lake (s) has 5" or less because of the big blow on 11/29. If it weren't for that wind 2 weeks ago the ice conditions would not vary so much.

I have no idea where these guys went through. All I know is it happened yesterday. I would not venture around any lake at this point!

For example: My friend went on Otter Tail Lake and found over a foot of ice on most parts, but the middle of the lake where he had his "honey hole" there was 3" of ice. Luckily he walked over a mile and chiseled his way and learned of the conditions.

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Spoke with the local CO on Saturday...he spent the whole day down on Minnewaska...says it is quite trecherous in areas....another 4 wheeler went through...ice heaves...open cracks, thin ice...open water in the middle...

BE CAREFUL!...still lots of activity off of Water's Edge in Starbuck...

but again...use caution!

good luck , good fishing...take care!

------------------
Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • 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.        
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