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Posted

We used to hammer the crappies on North arm. One of which is hanging on the wall. For the most part the good bit happened evenings into the nighttime. Is anyone fishing out there (north arm) or any clues as to where we can get into some hot panfishing?

Good luck and good fishing
Fishgutz

Posted

Was out on maxwell on sunday and it sucked!! We were out from 2-6 in 21 fow saw nothin', marked nothin'. Was fun freezin' our arses off. Thank god a buddy came by with the atv for a ride back. Saw about 3 shacks on north arm and a couple across the road, it seemed like they might have had some luck, or they didn't want to leave cause it was cold and windy.
Good Fishin'...

Posted

Saturday I was out on Carson's Bay to try a new spot for crappies. Man was it slow! My freind managed one nice 12 incher and we got a couple of small sunnies. North Arm is my main spot for Tonka Crappie action. I have yet to find a spot on Tonka that beats it. Usually average around ten fish with a couple of nice ones ( 9"-12"). It sure is a good steady night time spot. Are there any good main lake Crappie spots that you guys like? What about Goose Island?

Posted

I fished the North Arm almost exclusively for crappies last year. I never got skunked when I went there. I never caught anything huge but always a few for the frying pan. I would say I averaged 10 fish (not all keepers) a trip. Haven't been out there this year as I am waiting to be able to drive out there (no wheeler or snowmobile). Seems like with this cold snap one should be able to drive out there soon. Anyone been adventurous enough to do that yet? How thick is the ice? Good enough for a full size pick up yet?

Posted

Hey guys, Any of ya think the ice on North Arm Bay will be tick enuff to drive on this week after the cold snap?? I want to get back out there in a bad way......

good luck and good fishin
fishgutz

Posted

Should be good to go, but who wants to be the first one out???

Posted

There has been some traffic on Spring Park bay, but I haven't been over to the North arm in a couple weeks. I'll swing by there tonight and let you know how things look.

------------------
Tonka Boy

Posted

Sounds like I'm not the only one who digs the North Arm crappie action. I too was wondering about the ice conditions out there. I was thinking about heading out Sat. afternoon, I can't wait. I fished a few other bays with some success, but I know there are always crappies on the "special spot." I'm willing to share my knowledge with anyone, especially if you have a good walter spot you would share with me!!
Anyways I would like to hear a current report if anyone has got one.

------------------
God Bless America
Please Practice Catch and Release

Posted

I was out near Goose Island last Thursday evening. A buddy and I caught 6 crappies - two 10-12" fish and the rest smaller. I talked to a guy who had a permanent there. He said they were catching bigger fish early in the season, but now only smaller ones. We were fishing in 19'. People were driving out there on Thursday of last week. I didn't but I am sure it is safe by now.

Posted

Hey goose let's chat. I've got some pretty good (sometimes good, lately a bit thin) Minnetonka walleye spots but I'd love some crappie options.

Ice-9
Dave
[email protected]

Posted

hey guys, I'll be in the afternoon into the evening. I'll be with the black jeep wrangler, stop by and have a beer if your out there.

Posted

Went out to north arm tonight and found that everyone is driving out there. Fished from about 3 until 7 and not one bite. Hopefully persistence will pay off, cuz this was always an awesome hotspot. Also, I remember in the past being out there from like, 9 until 1 or 2 in the morning... maybe i'll try later in the evening...

good luck and good fishin'
fishgutz

Guest
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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      It's kind of sad. The two lakes I loved the most in this state are Mille Lacs and Burntside.  And I think we broke them both!  😕
    • JerkinLips
      Went back to Burntside on Tuesday and I got "skunked again" (LOL).  Looked like the lake was a mess over the weekend, but it was all frozen solid by sunrise Tuesday when I arrived.  The new ice cleats I got worked very well on the glare ice.  Was a beautiful sunny day but cool and quite windy.  I had a nice view of my tip-up from my warm fishhouse but the flag never went up, and I didn't mark a fish while jigging.  May have to try North Arm next, or go back into the BWCAW if the ice conditions improve.
    • JerkinLips
      Yes, eagle swoops are awesome.  Had one happen when I was duck hunting one year in Stuntz Bay.  Stole the only duck I got that day.   Vermilion got very wet over the weekend.  Tower Cafe posted a video of a SxS driving into McKinley Park landing going through water that went over their floor board.  Burntside Lake was frozen nice and solid Tuesday morning when I was there.
    • Wanderer
      Or the other book that said: The bitterness of poor quality outlasts the sweetness of a low price…   Dang, what a mess to have to deal with.
    • leech~~
      When it said. "The foolish man, builds his house upon the sand"? 🫣   Just got back from 10days on the golf of America.  By Panama city Florida.   
    • smurfy
      Venny backstrap and the fixins!
    • SkunkedAgain
      Running on empty at dark on a sled is definitely stress-inducing. Been there, done that. Glad that you made it out.
    • SkunkedAgain
      Eagle swoops are always a hoot to watch.   The snow is mostly gone on the lake. Ice melt made things pretty wet but the ice is obviously still very thick. 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The big question:  "How is the ice up at Lake of the Woods?"  That is for each individual resort or outfitter who operates an ice road or trail to answer, but overall, ice conditions are still very good and ice fishing is going strong!  As always, stay on the marked ice  roads and trails for safety.     Being up on the Canadian border, the colder temps Lake of the Woods enjoys vs much of the region combined with three feet of ice makes a big difference.  Fish houses are allowed unattended overnight through March 31st and it sounds like a good number of resorts will be fishing through the month, but ultimately, Mother Nature will determine that.     Regarding the fishing, overall, very good reports for walleyes, saugers and perch.  There is a strong population of smaller walleyes and saugers in the lake which bodes well for the future, but in the meantime, anglers are sorting through them to catch their keepers.   The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait on the jigging line is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a live minnow a foot off the bottom on a plain red hook or medium sized ice fishing jig is catching a lot of fish.   Using electronics is super helpful.  Many nice walleyes are swimming through suspended, keep an eye out.   Anglers tip-up fishing for pike have had a great week and it should continue to get even better.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom seems to be effective this week.  Most common depths, 9 - 15 feet. On the Rainy River...  The Rain River is still frozen with no signs of open water yet.  Every year can be different, but on average, the Rainy River will start opening up around the third week of March.  The first boat ramp suitable for larger boats is Nelson Park in Birchdale.  We will keep you posted.    As of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.     Make plans now for sturgeon season.  Once the open water appears, the fish are super active.  Here are the seasons...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.  Up at the Northwest Angle...  Fishing remains very good up at the Angle and the ice is in good shape as well.  As on the south end, resorts monitor ice roads and trails daily and there are still some great ice fishing opportunities available.     Walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike are showing up in good numbers.  Those targeting crappies are reporting good numbers of fish.  Work through a NW Angle resort for ice fishing opportunities on this part of the lake. The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. 
    • Wanderer
      Looks like a shallow lake with some potential.  Keepable crappies, decent bluegills and some nice perch according to the last survey (2015). Susan Lake   With a max depth of 10 feet, I’d want to know a little more about it before I’d start drilling holes.  Could be a nice little adventure though.  
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