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Fish lake Ice Out Date


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A couple questions for you guys from a rookie. Its my first spring in Minnesota and when you guys talk ice out...do you mean safe to drive boats(even though you cant fish)? Got company coming the end of April and just trying to figure if i can take them on an inland lake or not. Second while i got your attention. Im a pike fisherman and was wondering on may 12th will I be throwing the lures towards the cabbage weeds on island lake(if they are growing) or deep structures? Thanks everybody

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Ice out means no ice left so yes you can take a boat out after ice out.

Weeds usually don't survive the winters here. There should be some emerging by Opener though. A bobber and a smelt or sucker minnow is hard to beat when the pike aren't that active on account of cold water. Not saying you can't get them on casting lures but I know for sure they'll smack a free meal thats sitting still.

I've found pike will cruise the shorelines in the Spring. Find something with a slow taper that doesn't drop off into too deep of water. Entrances into shallow bays are another very good spot. Channels are another prime area. If you know Island lake you might know what I'm talking about.

I don't keep any pike and found that a quickstrike rig allows you to set the hooks sooner and without hurting the fish.

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just wondering what the conditions are as of recent....anyone up there got a report???

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I live on Island Lake and I dont think we are close to ice out. The snowmobiles on the ice yesterday gave me a clue. It is getting a little darker though.

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wow, i can't believe there are snowmobiels still on the ice!! Thanks for the report!

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  • 2 weeks later...

The ice is gone!! smile.gif I after only changing my date three times, I missed by a half day. ooo.gif Yesterday it lost half or more of its ice and it’s gone this morning.

Now big fish go make babies grin.gif

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Sundays paper had guys in a boat between sheets of ice. Ya it could go that quick.

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As far as I could see this morning Fish and Island are down. I will check more of Fish on my way home tonight...

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My folks live on Pike and as of yesterday there was just a sliver of ice left. Spring is here(Thank God). By the way, is it just me or are others seeing and hearing more grouse than last spring? I saw a male go on display for an approaching hen. It was a neat sight.

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Fish is all open went by the landing last night and there were a half dozen boats out fishing... Remember to use your PFD's when on the open water smile.gif

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Quote:

LOL Frank, I think you will be more so looking at the last week of April now. My money is on the 26th.


So what does that get me??? grin.gif

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Cheffery, nice guess. You win!!! "One Free Lesson Lesson"

at the Chuck Norris Driving School! Of coarse we'll use your truck again. grin.gif

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I feel like the kid in school that no one picked to play baseball. I live on island and see PLENTY of ice still!! Im on the east end. somebody break it for me so i can see some waves at least.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • 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.        
    • smurfy
      got mine done........for the cabin.....ready for summer festivities!!!!!!   there was still frost in the ground...........but good gawd are the lakes low!!!!!
    • CigarGuy
      Just 1, 50" muskie🫣
    • SkunkedAgain
      How many walleye were on the stringer on their way out??? 
    • CigarGuy
      Saw the first boat of the year yesterday, heading towards Black Bay 
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