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Getting prepared!!!


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Although I am by no means done ice fishing.... Who is getting ready for open water season now? I don't waste too much time because we usually have already been to the river in the boat by now, but with a slow start to our preperation, I don't know that I will make it there this year.

I am going to the sportsmans show in SF tomorrow to get some more stuff. Look at some new toys and build a wish list for my birthday to give the wife and kids. Lucky me my birthday falls the night before opener!!!!!

I need some more jig heads, and I always make a point when I spot my favorite cranks, to pick up one or two. That way by only spending a ten spot here or there doesn't hurt so much.

I am really excited this year as I am going to build a few new rods for open water.

What are your plans for open water, are you getting ready? Or is it still too cold for you to think about???????

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Dude, I love drilling holes in the water and I'm not ready to give it up quite yet.

However, I'll admit that eventually, Minnesota warms up and the water gets softer. I'm so far from ready for that I could puke. My boat needs soooooooooooooo much work I don't know where to start. Last fall, when I put it away I had the greatest of intentions of working on it. Like all my other winter projects, it's sat behind my garage until I realize I need it. I'll get it going, no doubt, but it's March, and the perch are biting.

I was going to hit the sports show with the wife, but other stuff came up. I hate to miss it, but I think I have to. Bummer.

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Although the late ice bite is a blast and i will be the one using planks or a step ladder to get on the ice, i cant wait for open water! I usually start fishing Silver Lake right after ice out. Then the honey hole for big blugills and crappies on Okaboji. Hope to get a new butt seat for my boat, probably another drift sock and maybe a new graph\gps combo and i'll be ready to roll.

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I'll be at the Sports show today looking at the new Gadets myself.

Just need the snow drift to melt so I can put the boat in the garage. Put some new line on the reels and I will be ready. Stocked this winter on lures. Looks like mid April before open water around here?

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Well I got some more goodies yesterday at the Sportsmans Show in Sioux Falls. Ran into quite a few FM'ers there, good to see you Marv, Brian, John. Picked up a few new plugs, bought some close out ice fishing lures and jigs. Just about pulled the trigger on a catfish pole...(something I am going to do some more of this summer). I did get sucked in on some of the gimmick stuff too. While I found out last year in my week in Canada on Lac Seul, tieing and retieing all day long for 7 days you fingers start to bleed and really becomes tough, especially if it is raining and windy. So I bought one of those knot tieing jobbies.... looks simple enough and if it makes my fingers hurt less, BONUS.

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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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