Lake Minnewaska Fishing Reports - Ice Conditions

[EyeChsr]

was out on the south side checking ice in front of our cabin, even on the choppy wind blown dump no way there was more than 3". If you do go be careful, lots of open water pockets further out there still!

[LandDr]

Obviously ice conditions are variable and dependent on where you are at on the lake. Had several independent people report there was 4 inches where they were at. I am sure there were areas with 1 or 2 inches as well.

Currently the lake has opened back up farther out with the warmer weather. Temps are forecasted to drop into freezing mid week. Hopefully we will have some calmer weather along with it to have some descent ice. There were still some portables out last night.

Fish On!

[LandDr]

Minnewaska has really opened up today with the wind and temps. I checked the DNR landing and Beach landing...can't quite get a boat on but could do some open water fishing if you could get a boat on the water. :-)

Fish On!

[basssmasher*]

That's not good for ice fishing fanastics like me Kyle!! BTW I think I have relatives comin up in Jan from Oklahoma who have never ice fished.. Could u put us on fish in 1 of your houses for a reasonable price ..They will only wanna fish for a few hrs I'm sure just to say they have been icefishing, but if a fish or 2 is caught that makes it all the better

[fishadb]

Lake looks pretty awful with all this snow, gonna be quite awhile before wheeler traffic. Would be nice to get a few days below zero.

[goose89]

fishabd, how much snow? I know south of you a bit there's quite a bit...thanks in advance.

[JAfish]

Were Waska and/or Reno froze? Heard they were open as of Friday.

[waskawood]

It isn't a pretty picture. Looks like you are going to have to eat beef this winter JA.

[Chad Peterson]

I would say we have at least 5" of new snow. It can quite anytime and we do need a few nights of below temps to get out on the ice.

[JAfish]

Guess my cover is pretty much screwed. did it re-freeze friday-saturday? may need to trade beef for access to the lake. Beef is rather expensive these days so I also would need advice on how to catch a Walleye, for I am not much of a fisherman. I usually just rely on luck and early ice.

[basssmasher*]

Just 5 Chad?? As of 6 pm tonight? I'm guestimating we are in the 12- 14 inch catagory in Benson, hard to tell now because the winds blowing 30 mph though.

[rjenniges21]

Any one been out fishing just wondering how the ice is and if the snow had any affect on the ice any info would be helpful

[LandDr]

Not a lot of reports in but most are 3-5 inches of ice as of yesterday. Wind blew a lot of snow off but there are still areas of accumulation that is insulating the ice so ice thickness will vary. There were a few out fishing yesterday...I would expect more by this weekend. I have not seen ATVs out as of yet. That's all for now.

Fish On!

[LandDr]

More consistent reports of 4.5 to 5 inches of ice. No reports as of yet on ice further out as most are not to far out fishing walleyes. More people starting to head out now. There was an ATV on the ice this morning but I would recommend walking out until the condition of the ice is more consistent.

Plenty of parking by the beach, Lakeside Ballroom and DNR Landing.

I heard there was more snow on the Starbuck end and around 2 inches of ice. That side of the lake was more protected from the winds and probably has more snow because of it.

Fish On!

[JAfish]

looks like you were right, worst early ice fishing for myself- ever. Looks like fall bite was just too good.

[Hammertime0802]

So the bite seems to be pretty slow I take it, with gills at least. Is any one having any luck with pike, eyes, or crappies?

[LandDr]

I have had some people in that are catching limits of gills and crappies along with a walleye or two...and I also have people in the aren't catching much at all.

The water level is down and I would expect it will require some scouting and investigating to see where everything is...something called fishing. :-)

Most reports are 6 to 7 inches of ice with the occasional 8 inches. 6 or 7 is probably more accurate but early ice is always variable.

Fish On!

[Hansen Outdoors]

any reports on depth for the blue gills?

[PerchJrkr]

Between 8-20 f.o.w.

[fishyfingers]

Thanks Landdr

We are heading up Friday! What do you recommend for bait? Limits of gills or crappies are fine with me and fun for the kids.

[LandDr]

Not enough people out fishing yet to have a lot of reports...ice just got good and it's the middle of the week. Should be a lot more reports this weekend.

Years prior, we usually found the crappies and gills in 12 to 16 fow. Last year however, we found both of them in 7 fow. We have lower water levels so weed lines will be different as well as depths...it will take some investigation to see where everything is at. I would highly recommend just drilling some holes and putting the camera down for a half hour to an hour just to research everything. You might get lucky and find them right away, but if you don't and you don't spend some time looking first, you might find yourself fishing in a bad spot for most of the day.

Sounds like the spear guys are doing pretty well with a lot of pike action. I forgot to ask about water clarity...but they didn't complain about it so it must be pretty good.

Temps look really good for making more ice. Weekend looks good for weather and temps but have to check it as we get closer.

Fish On!

[TheBigHam]

Does anyone have a report on the condition of the beach access? DNR access?

[LandDr]

I asked the City this morning and they said they have been maintaining the Beach and Lakeside landings.

Beach - A little soft but relatively smooth. Needs some traffic on it to pack it down.

Lakeside - Looks really good...relatively smooth and packed down. This landing has had some traffic on it already.

I didn't get down to the DNR so I don't have a report on it at this time.

I am hearing more in the 8 to 9 inches of ice now and more perms going out.

I think the crappies are biting. :-)

Fish On!

[fishadb]

Cut a spearing hole by the ballroom in 7' and the water was pretty cloudy. Also checked out the DNr landing and it was pretty awful in the parking lot very very rough.

[JAfish]

11 inches- 2 small pickups way out in "The Flats". Fishing was good- Nice to see a young lad catch and release a 28" out there.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

11 inches- 2 small pickups way out in "The Flats". Fishing was good- Nice to see a young lad catch and release a 28" out there.

I found 4-5 spots, across a 200 yard span that only had 4" today between priests and the school bar. No freakin way would I drive a vehicle out there yet.

[clayton08]

there was 9 1/2 inches were I fished today out in front of dnr access. Was a pretty slow night couple crappies and a walter. DNR access parking lot is like driving thru a plowed field its pretty bad.

[JAfish]

That's why it's good to be checking ice as you go out the first time, take the same course as you leave the lake for the day and continue using the same path. Have seen a few ATV's and some pulling houses across those points going down and across the lake. I am one of those guys who walk earlier than some and drive my ATV all winter. Can count on one hand the times I have driven my truck the last 20 years.

[fishadb]

Speared a northern this a.m. That made it into the top ten, 34.5". Almost as fun as shooting a deer! Biggest one ever out of waska on rod/ reel or spearing!

[goose89]

Way to go, fishabd. Congrats. Rare fish these days.Seems to be a healthy population of "eater" pike as well. good luck...

landrr, do have have any incentives this year, as in years past, for bringing big pike into the shop?