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Nothing is perfect for everything.

Shopped around the end of last season for a new case. Have had the Eagle claw  case for a couple seasons, and still use it quite a bit. Nice box for the $50 price range.  Like I said, shopped around....looked at the Otter 40  and 40deep series. Ended up getting the big Scheels 42 case. This thing is a beast...room for all but the longest rods, and lots of storage boxes to stuff goodies into.  My only complaint is the overall size...it's really too big when your trying to pack light....lol

I heard there was a few open spots still last weekend.  Somebody walked out from McKinley Park on Saturday and found only 2-3 inches in the bay.  Now they got heavy snow and then very cold weather so all bets are off.  I delayed my first trip up until this Thursday to give the cold weather more time to work.  Hope to report decent ice then but I wouldn't bet on it.

well we are 11-12 miles from marcell... some day mayhaps hook up at the timberwolf!!!!!!👍 good luck paying off loans!!!!!!! 

Let's get an ice thread going.   I saw on the fishing thread that someone said that Head O Lakes had open water prior to the most recent snowfall. Unless we melt off a lot of this snow, we are going to have a bad ice year. Is Big Bay completely frozen over?

On the south end...  Ice has covered Lake of the Woods and in some areas of the lake, ice fishing has begun!  Other parts of the lake need a bit more time but things are moving along nicely.  It is always a good idea to work through your favorite resort or outfitter as ice thickness and conditions vary from one area to another. When ice roads / trails open up, it is normally snowmobiles, ATV's and side by sides with collapsible fish houses initially.  As the ice thickens, each ice road operator will announce when weight limits increase. Some resorts are getting fish houses out and fishing is beginning this week.  This is happening in areas of good ice that has been checked and marked.  The initial word is fishing is very good! Spearing and tip up fishing for pike on back bays has been going well with a nice variety of eaters along with the trophies at over 40".  Extreme safety is always important, especially so with early ice conditions.  Each resort / outfitter will share info as it is available.   On the Rainy River...  The Rainy River is ice covered.  With the current of the river throughout the year, knowing where and where not to travel on the ice is a must.  Work through resorts / outfitters for safety as some areas are not safe.   Pike, walleyes and sauger are being caught in areas where ice conditions allow, back bays and areas with low current that have been checked and marked. As the ice gets thicker in December, a snowmobile trail will be staked from Baudette to Wheeler's Point offering travel on the river, Mother Nature dictating of course.  When it opens, stay on the trail for safety.  No trail is marked yet. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice is progressing nicely up at the Angle.  Some local snowmobile travel has been happening in marked areas with good ice conditions.  Like every year, there are areas with cracks, current, etc.  Stay on marked trails when things open up.  Ice fishing for some will begin next week.  Check with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics. Travel to and from the Angle via vehicle through the 40 miles of Canada is open.  Must be vaccinated and have a negative PCR COVID Test. Plan ahead with testing or rapid tests are available in Baudette and soon in Warroad.  Once at the Angle, no additional COVID testing is necessary for traveling back south from the Angle through Canada.  Want to avoid crossing the border?  Snowmobilers can take the groomed and staked trail across the lake.  Charter transport via bombardiers on the ice trail or flights over the lake landing on an ice runway are available through the LOW Passenger Service and Lake Country Air this winter.    

Smurfy, just finishing up residency. I move up Dec 21st. Not sure how much ice fishing I'll do this year, likely some. Trying to pay off the school loans before I buy a ton if toys. I should be able to provide some weather reports and some ice reports as I can walk out and always check with the hand auger. I'll be renting a cabin on little bass but my sister is up by Marcell so I'm sure I'll get up there weekly 

awesome picture!!!!!!! not really liking the 8 inches of snow, but if bowstring had 4 inches.......lakes i will be visiting should have a good 8!!!!!!!!! 👍

Picked up the eagle claw one two weeks ago at the Blaine ice show can't say enough about it has room for 6-8 rods and all my tackle, bait pucks, Plastics and line.