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Is it just me or have the #'s of permanent shacks on area lakes exploded over the last 2 -3 years? Seems like this winter more so than others. Maybe its cause we have consistant ice this year. Other thoughts?

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Not only the last 3 yrs, but if you go back 5-10, the houses have multiplied many times over. It just makes me look to other options, small lakes, or hidden points and other hidden structure on other lakes. You can fish the crowds and catch a few fish everytime out, or you can find your own hot spot, you will get skunked more times then fishing the crowds, but every once in a while you will hit the hot spot, and thats what makes it all pay off.

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Yeah I was just discussing that with a buddy last night. It's funny this year all the sleeper lakes I was going to the past several years appear to be getting more popular as well?

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Consistent ice, minimal snow cover, partner purchasing, higher gas prices, good fishing and the list goes on...

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Yep, ever since they started mass producing wheel houses, the lakes have seen quite a bit more pressure than they used to. It used to be only the guys that built their own houses that were out and about. Now even if they don't know how or have time to build one, anyone can go and buy one and it gets crowded in a hurry on lots of lakes.

One other factor this year. Mille Lacs is slower than heck. Most years alot of people from this area are up there with their houses, this year noone is wasting their time up there.

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Yes indeed there are alot of factors involved as mentioned above,the one thing I do notice though is that most of these perms only get used on the weekends, and the majority seemed to be parked on crappie holes, I was thinking the same thing the other day, but I was also looking back and realized that the quality of fish and the quantity of fish has certainly increased for myself, maybe it's due in part that If there's a group by me, I get off on the far edge and away from the noise as much as I can, or while everyone is bunched up on one end of the lake, that can make for some great oppurtunities to hit the other end. Or my success could be related to FM

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ppl like to rent houses.i for 1 did that alot till i built my own sleeper.some resorts charge $ 100 to $130 per person for a 2 night stay.we had 4 ppl al lthe time with us when we rented.but now dont have to pay that just pay for the gas in the truck.so far this yr the money i put into my house was well worth the money.its way cheaper to build 1 then it is to keep renting.thats another reason why you see so many sleepers out there.

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 Originally Posted By: Willy

One other factor this year. Mille Lacs is slower than heck. Most years alot of people from this area are up there with their houses, this year noone is wasting their time up there.

Excellent point.

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Another factor is the ice in the NW corner is not good this year. When I was on Gull earlier this month, there was just a few houses. With the ice so bad, I think alot of people kept their houses down south on the better ice. What the heck, last year was just the opposite and down here you couldn't put a big house out until the end of Jan.

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ice up north earlier was horrible so i think alot of people came south, seems like alot of people are making the perms out of campers and sleeper cabs off semi's, they are cheap and work great, but usually are pretty ugly

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
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