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Best place to introduce my 5 year old boy to ice fishing?


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I live in Hugo. Does anyone have any recommendations as to nearby lakes where I should take my boy for his first ice fishing experience? Obviously, species and size are irrelevant -- to get him back out on the ice again, we'll need to find some steady action. Any help would be appreciated.

I always see people out on the ice on Sunset Lake in southern Hugo. Might that be a good spot to get into some sunnies to keep him interested?

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I take my 6 & 8 yr olds out on Centerville. You can usually find some sunnies or crappies to keep them interested. Although 30 seconds without a fish and my duaghter is ready to move!

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Even if you get him out before February 21st, you should still bring him up to South Center for the Future FMer's Get Together. We have a pretty cool time lined up for the kids and The fish are there. Scouting trips have shown good results already.

It is catered towards bringing young kids out on the ice to give them a positive ice fishing experience. Last year every single kid in attendance not only caught fish, but also walked away with some cool prizes.

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if you lived a little closer to burnsville i would suggest crystal lake...enough fish for him, and an occasional bigger crappie to keep you interested

heck i'd be willing to take you out if you are willing to make the trip. but im sure you have good lakes up where you live too

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Centerville and/or peltier...the winter progresses the action will get better on centerville. There's also the infamous bald eagle lake.

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I feel your pain Reaper. If we go a minute between bites my 6 yr old daughter is ready to pack up and go home. Must have her Dad's patience....

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I third the have to always have a fish on syndrome, My 5 year old is the exact same way. Then he quits watchin his spring bobber, and i glance over and i see it coming back to rest after a missed bite. South center is a good lake though, we go there fairly often and usually get on fish. I had good luck on big marine last year, but haven't fished it this year. U also may want to ask about forest lake, I havent fished that but from what i hear on here. It may be an option. Bring lots of snacks that always keeps em busy.

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Thanks for all of the tips, guys. I took my boy out to Centerville on Saturday, but didn't have any action. I'm pretty much a novice to ice fishing myself, without a shelter or flasher, so getting skunked was not a surpise. But getting skunked did not deter him in the least. So I took him out to Bald Eagle this afternoon because he was begging to go again, and we lucked into a few small crappies about 4:30 p.m. by the island.

I was really surprised that even though we didn't have much action,, he loved it and is begging to go again this weekend. He says he wants to go to WBL, I guess because he has caught so many sunnies there in the summertime, so maybe we'll try it this weekend. I was thinking that out from the VFW looks like a popular spot. Think that is a good idea? Maybe we could get some fatheads and see if the little pike are biting during the day before the evening crappie action?

Just a thought from a novice. Any advice is much appreciated.

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if ur willing to come to burnsville i could probably get you on a lot of sunnies and crappies

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Thanks, mrfish. Let me see what Mrs. Herky has planned for me this weekend, but I may take you up on it!

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alright that would be awsome and if this weekend doesnt work for me (possible wisc. ski trip) i will let you know and we can do it some other weekend.

btw...do you have an auger?

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Manual auger, but a pretty good one. I drilled several holes through maybe 14-18" without much problem.

Here's my 5 y/o boy enjoying his first ice fishing experience!

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sounds like your hand auger is better than mine...thats a great picture...he kinda reminds me of my little cousin

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If you want action till he is blue in the face then try RED ROCK LAKE in Eden Prairie OMG last Saturday was my first time there and as fast as you could get your line down they would have it, granted a ton of them were little guys it was a blast for the kid that was with us. It was my first time ever there and when I put the VEX down it lit up like a Christmas tree from top to bottom and man were they ever aggresive....

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If you go to white bear throw down some small/medium sucker minnows and you should get some action from the pike.

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You could go to Owasso, in Shoreview. Right in front of the boat launch, you will catch all the Small Crappies you can handle!!!

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Was going to suggest the same thing as Metro Joe, fish usually arent to big, but usually some willing to play.

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Alright...i looked at my schedule and sunday works the best fosr me if you are still interested

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Alright...i looked at my schedule and sunday works the best fosr me if you are still interested

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