Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Metro Area Minnesota Fishing Reports & Ice Conditions


Recommended Posts

They did that last year with a smaller lake I fish! Usually 10-20 trucks out and the week after the article there were over 100! Lake is junk now!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lol! Akoonjb I think you missed our point its not we feel entitled to only fish a lake and keep others away. It's the fact that smaller lakes can't afford the pressure they get from a mass of people that fish it hard after being a featured lake in outdoor news, I'd say the same thing whether I fish the lake or not.. But thanks for the sarcastic knee jerk reaction!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

full-45008-43245-image.jpg

Out around the south end of the cities today and caught 8 bass all upwards of 2 lbs. They all bit strictly on wax worms. My buddies were using minnows and didn't catch one. Today will be one of those unforgettable ones.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since it's my first year seriously ice fishing a lot...what goes on with the lakes once the warm weather comes out like this week? Does the snow melt into slush pools making it undriveable? or does it thaw out sooner by shore making it impossible to get onto the lake with a car at all? Does the ice shrink and crack to a dangerous point?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Expect WET conditions when ice fishing in March. You are right that the access points on/off the lake will get sketchy, but we should have several good March warm days to hammer on the crappies/sunfish. Standing water will start to show as we get warmer days...and how much standing water you care to fish on/in is a personal preference. Just be aware, listen to your gut, and use common sense and you are gonna love March fishing! (the bite can be AMAZING)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Usually the faster the melt the more difficult it will be, the water has to find somewhere to go.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldn't mind the slush as long as I can get wherever I want in a truck. That's why they make waterproof boots right? Would driving in 4WD be enough to get anywhere on a metro lake this weekend? I can just see my truck going through the wet snow down to ice and lose traction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to a local west metro lake and drove out on the road that was perfect last week. Being it is the only spot for water to go it is like driving thru a river. I have a full size truck and I was up to my running boards. Then I got to a point where the lake gets shallow and it is more of a slough in between basins. I smelled something extremely nasty as I was downwind. I looked 20 yards in front of me and there was brown slough water churning up thru the clear standing water. Now I was just out last week on this lake and had almost 3 ft of ice so I know the ice is probably good but this was concerning. Maybe carp rolling or just a bad spot in the ice from the water on top and shallow Muck bottom. None the less cross this lake off for me the rest of the year. Checked out a couple more that looked fine. Just like tip said....listen to your gut

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since it's obviously dangerous, wouldn't it be ok to name the lake for everyones' safety?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Makes me long for those years we had without any snow. This year is looking to be extremely wet (just like last year) & I get tired of watching water swirl down my hole while I'm trying to fish. smile I do love me some crappies, though!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whale Tale Lake in St. Boni. Im sure the ice is fine but this gurgling I witnessed made me have to go home and change my shorts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone driving out on any metro lakes? I only have an hour or so to fish on weekdays and would rather not spend half of that free time walking to spots. I'm guessing the lakes all have a snow/ice crust with water underneath but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Any info would be nice.

Thanks!

Also, if you haven't tried it, Pool 4 is dishing out walleyes and saugers left and right on jig and minnows off the bottom.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone driving out on any metro lakes? I only have an hour or so to fish on weekdays and would rather not spend half of that free time walking to spots. I'm guessing the lakes all have a snow/ice crust with water underneath but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Any info would be nice.

Thanks!

Also, if you haven't tried it, Pool 4 is dishing out walleyes and saugers left and right on jig and minnows off the bottom.

Assuming that you're capable of making it on/off the lake at the access points, there's really no reason you can't drive right now. There's still 2.5-3 feet of ice in most locations I've checked on south metro lakes and most of the snow had previously melted leaving only good ice underneath. The problem, as I said, is the access points. I stopped driving out a couple weeks ago because all I have is a 2 wheel drive vehicle without much ground clearance and I'd surely get stuck getting on/off the lake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

excuse my ignorance, but what's stopping you from getting on/off the lake at the access points? high levels of water/slush? or deep ruts that make it tough for a 2wd to go through?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

excuse my ignorance, but what's stopping you from getting on/off the lake at the access points? high levels of water/slush? or deep ruts that make it tough for a 2wd to go through?

As of last night, most of the slush is now frozen. But yeah, the access points are still pretty beat up and rutted in. And after the latest snowfall we had, even though it was only a couple inches, those ruts are now filled in. Even a couple inches of snow in deep ruts is enough to gobble up most 2wd cars.

The bottom line for me is that it's just not worth trying. There are very few people out on the ice right now, and getting my car stuck trying to get on the lake with no one around to help if things went south isn't my idea of fun. I'd rather just man up, get a little exercise, and walk out and enjoy fishing without the worry:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Anybody else having luck out there in the West Metro? (Tonka/Christmas etc) Been out 3 times in the past week and I've yet to catch a fish...fishing the same areas that were fine for me last winter/spring and were working until the snow started melting. Starting to feel like a bit of a buffoon since I'm usually like the only guy out there...maybe i'm the dumb one? lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son and I caught some bluegills on Tonka Saturday. The fish had moved over the weeds, we didn't see any suspended deep. They were very finicky but we caught a few.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anybody else having luck out there in the West Metro? (Tonka/Christmas etc) Been out 3 times in the past week and I've yet to catch a fish...fishing the same areas that were fine for me last winter/spring and were working until the snow started melting. Starting to feel like a bit of a buffoon since I'm usually like the only guy out there...maybe i'm the dumb one? lol

Haven't been out in a while, but typical late ice tactic is shallow water. (I'm assuming the places you were trying were deeper, prior to the snow melt). The fish move shallower as they stage pre-spawn. I'd even start looking around in the weeds if there are any left on the lake you're on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was on Tonka Sunday. Fishing was GREAT! -- Find smaller bays and fish weed lines...maybe someplace with some 'flowing' water from runoff. We generally stayed under 12fow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I am planning on fishing the creek just below the dam at Peltier in Centerville and was wondering if the crappies are in yet? Has anyone been out there yet?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been out there a few times checking it out while biking. Not much going on. Really, I'm not sure why people are so hot on that spot. It's 90% bullheads with the occasional non-rough fish mixed in. But, don't let that stop you from going.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Caught some crappies tonight from shore on a west metro lake and look at this one. full-45008-46013-image.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
  • The title was changed to Metro Area Minnesota Fishing Reports & Ice Conditions

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • 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.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.