Can I get around in an SUV with all the slush?

[JimBuck]

So I'm heading up to Woody's tomorrow morning to fish Rainy Lake for the first time and with all the recent weather reports it got me wondering. Is getting around with a GMC Yukon going to be an issue with all the reports of slush the lake is experiencing? Ideally we'd like to drive out to spots and not stray far from the road incase we do hit some slushy spots. Any advice for a "Rookie on Rainy" would be appreciated.

[fishmeister_86]

HI JIM,

THERE IS A PLOWED ROAD FROM RAINY LAKE MARINE TO SAND BAY...I WOULDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT LEAVING THE ROAD., WHERE ITS NOT PLOWED, THE SLUSH WOULD ONLY BE SOME OF YOUR PROBLEM, SNOW DEPTH IS THE OTHER PART OF THE PROBLEM, WE HAVE HAD 5 FEET OF SNOW., HOWEVER YOU CAN STILL GET TO SOME EXCELLENT FISHING, JUST PARK ALONG SIDE THE ROAD AND WALK OVER THE BANK. FISHING HAS BEEN AWESOME IN SAND BAY. WOODY ALSO HAS SLEDS & PORTABLES, IF HE IS GUIDING YOU. GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN & BE SAFE.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

[Navigator]

Hey Dave,

Can you email me? My PC crashed and I lost all email addresses.

Thanks,

Jon

[cheets]

FM-Do you think a guy would be mobile enough on foot to access enough spots in sand bay to keep busy for a couple of days? Is it difficult to find a decent motel in I Falls?

thanks

cheets

[fishmeister_86]

HI CHEETS,

NO PROBLEM ON THE MOTEL, JUST GO TO FALLS MOTEL ON HIGHWAY 53 COMING INTO TO TOWN. KELLY THE OWNER IS A GREAT GUY, LOVES RAINY & A GREAT P0STER ON THIS FORUM., AS FAR AS WALKING AROUND BY FOOT, YOU CAN DO IT, BUT YOU MAY HIT SOME SLUSH. MY ADVICE IS STAY AWAY FROM THE CROWDS, TRY TO GET ON A BREAKLINE THAT GOES FROM 22 TO 30 FEET. I HOPE YOU HAVE A PORTABLE, WITHOUT THAT, FISHING WILL BE TOUGH.

GOOD LUCK, SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

[bassbuster1]

Thanks FM , we are fishermen trying to cater to fishermen.There is a road plowed out of Tilsons, that is plowed almost all the way to American Narrows.There was slush spots once you get off the road ,did not have any trouble with sleds.Once again the conditions are tough but the fishing is getting better by the day. With a little work you can get away from the crowds, thats the key.(YOU CANT CATCH ANYTHING BUT A COLD SITTING AT HOME)

Bassbuster 1

[uffdapete]

If you're walking from the ice road I'd highly suggest snowshoes if you have or can borrow some. Also pack light and/or bring a sled that's easy to pull.

I walked from the ice road today and it was very hard work without snowshoes and too heavy a sled!

[fishmeister_86]

HEY BRO,

AND HOW WAS THE FISHING???

SINCERELY,

MUCH YOUNGER BRO !!!

[uffdapete]

Good. About a dozen walleyes and a decent perch from 11-2. Don't think I've ever worked that hard for fish. Walked in slush about half the way and there was probably slush the whole way but couldn't sink far enough some places because of the snow depth.

I don't see the ice getting very thick or the slush getting better this year with the snow depth.

[CaptJohnWI]

Looks like I picked a good year to head south fer the winter! I did get some gills and bass on Pelican afore I left but never made it out on Rainy.

[uffdapete]

Looks like I picked a good year to head south fer the winter! I did get some gills and bass on Pelican afore I left but never made it out on Rainy.

Never thought the day would come when going south would be a consideration but that may be starting to change. Not enough to do anything about it yet but winter is starting to look better when it's about 2 months long instead of 6. With that said fishing has been very good - just getting more excersize than usual doing it.

[bassbuster1]

I couldnt agree more uffda, this has been one of the best ice bite i have ever seen, Those hog eye's are snapping up everything you throw at them. The effort is well worth it.

BB