metro area Metro Area Minnesota Fishing Reports & Ice Conditions

[DitchDiver]

Now I haven't seen Indy this year but knowing what I know about it based on my experience out there last year, I'd think your efforts would be better on the bays on Tonka for a week(s) then head over to Indy. Well at least that is what I'm planning for. Good luck!

[M1dwestF1sh]

Just got back from checking ice on a small lake by my house and it was about 4" thick. It seemed pretty safe intel I put a few holes in it. With this cold front coming I'm probably going to try fishing it over the weekend.

[phillip]

i was just out tonight and checked it it is a solid 5" untill you ge by the south west corner there is a shap drop from 5" to about 2" the ducks keped it open late. by saterday i will have every intension of fishing the hole just becuse of the fact that there is no snow cover to stop the cold from penetrating the ice

[playinhookie]

I canoed Wayzata bay three weeks ago on Sunday... doesn't mean it isn't safe by now though. There are bays that are fish-able. Tuesday I went but only felt comfortable on spots where we had 5-10 fow. Today I hit a west metro 130 acre lake with a 30 ft depth . Got to fish a little deeper 10-18 with bare min. of 4" of ice. Stayed closer to the 5-5 1/2" closer to shore. Then mid day a few guys came out and basically started to b-line it straight across without checking, we hollered at them and they went ahead while drilling. They made it across so that that for what its worth but i know that portion of the lake was open a little over week ago. Like I said they did check but imo not worth it. If your gonna go play it safe.Have fun with what you hook, perch today and one walter.

[FishinFools]

Just came off Marion. Less ice than I had hoped for, but we settled in with the portable on 3.5" of solid black ice. It's a mixed bag to be sure, but even the white stuff took 4 solid hits with the 8lb ice spud. Perch were hungry tho! Nothing on the tip ups but we left early maybe...

[OffermanD]

hi everyone,

Im wonderin if anyone can give me a little info on some decent lakes around the metro to catch crappie/walleye? maybe a few decent perch? i've just started ice fishing more as of last year and would like to give it a good run this season. i dont expect for you to give up your hot spots just maybe point me in a general direction any help is always appreciated. thanks!

[hunt3r]

for around north east metro forest, bald eagle, and white bear are good for crappie and walleye usually but get lots of pressure

[OffermanD]

i noticed that last year. was hopin to avoid wb at all costs this year

[mrklean]

There are tons if great lakes around the metro tonka medicine the ones above the list goes on my advice get out to as many different lakes as you can you'll find the fish just gotta put some time into it

[Comin'n Hot]

Head north a bit and try Rush Lake. Pretty decent Crappie actions with occasional Walters. Snagged a 42" Northern there 2 years ago with a Crappie minnow and 6 lb test. But I wont ever bet on that happening again

Good luck and stay dry

[DaveZman14q]

Am I correct that the wind usually comes out of the North nowadays?

If that is the case, would it make sense that the weakest ice would be on the South side of most lakes since the waves are more likely to be pounding that shoreline keeping it open the longest?

Any thoughts?

[popriveter]

For city lakes, Phalen and Como are both under-appreciated. Owasso is reliable, but fished pretty hard. Peltier (up in Centerville) has been fun for me whenever I've fished it, but I haven't tried it since rumors of a winter kill 2 years ago. Investigate that one. I have the most fun trying little lakes that all the other guys overlook, but then I'm not usually trying to find walleyes.

[EBass]

Quote:

Am I correct that the wind usually comes out of the North nowadays?

Not really - but that sounds logical.

Normally when a low pressure system is approaching we'll have wind from the SE, once that passes then winds from the N or NW. (it all depends on where the center of the low pressue is moving from and to)

In the spring the ice on the N shore errodes faster as it's in the sun that's getting stronger each day. Couple that with road salt. Think Spring Park Bay on Tonka.

[pikeguy2003]

Hey Ebass, hope you are doing well. Haven't been on the site actively for quite some time. Haven't fished much in the past year. Wife had a heck of a honey do list this past summer. Painting the entire house pretty much killed the summer. Put the black lab down in August because of cancer. Spent the fall playing with the bow, rifle, and the new muzzleloader. Hopefully getting out on Tonka this coming weekend if she gives me the green light. I will put up some posts if I have any luck. Haven't fished for so long I almost feel like a newbie. Maybe we will catch up with you on Tonka this winter?

[tracker_02]

Marion was a bust thing morning. not a single flag, did notice the water level is really low. ice ranged from 3" to 6"

[EBass]

I'm going to Tonka tomorrow pikeguy. Sorry about your lab. Our family had a doberman that was put down because of cancer. She was a great dog and still miss her.

I never made it to Minnewashta this past year. I didn't fish as much as I wanted to either. One issue after another. Story of my life.

You don't have PM enabled? I tried, but that's not an option in the menu for your "handle".

[bgreen82]

Just checked a small pond in CG and by no means should this pond reflect any other body of water. Mostly I just went out because I just had a new carb kit put in my mag2000 (runs better than it ever has). 4-5 really solid inches of ice with 1-2 inches of really choppy ice at the bottom(assuming that was from the rain) but it all seems to be coming together now and soon with the forecast. Heading to Ravine lake in CG tommorrow. It's always the first place I hit the ice every year. Almost a tradition and usually can get a handful of smaller crappies and gills a short drive from home. Stay safe and happy holidays!!

[fishing tech]

Bgreen, about 4 years ago one of the kids that I was coaching at the time pulled a 22 or 23 in walleye out of there. 3 days after that him another kid pulled a 5 lb one out. I have heard of a few others but nothing in the last 2 years. They didn't keep either so you may have a chance. Suppose to be a 16ft hole in there.

[anprickette72]

Was on Spring Bay this morning - everywhere I looked there was 5-6 inches of solid clear ice. It's scary looking but safe for walking. Caught 1 respectable Northern with no other action to speak of.

[blackdog1101]

I think most all the members of HSO were out on Seton bay today.

Everyone was having fun though, between anglers, dads with their kids, broom ball players, skaters, hockey players, a paraglider, and even a motorcyclist, it was quite the crowd. Many metro sized sunnies were caught. Life was very good.

7" of ice, 3" of white ice on top of 4" of black ice.

[bgreen82]

Tech, it used to be a dnr rearing pond so you can expect a few to be left. Ive seen a couple 20"ers caught a couple years ago but not in ice. One of these nights ill bring the porty out and jig for em.

[mjk]

Hi,

Any info on Wayzata or Gray's bay? Appreciate any ice reports

[tonkapat]

Wayzata and most of the main lake was still open as of friday. A little over 4" out west.

[Orlip]

Full size truck on Spring Lake today.

[NKLCOLT1911]

Full size truck on Spring Lake today.

someone always has to be first to send a truck swimming

[crix]

my buddy live on the lake and said he has watched a couple vehicles out on the ice waiting for the splash

[NKLCOLT1911]

its only a matter of time till one goes in, if we would have had this cold from the get go we would be good to go but tiss usually not the case, also the reason my trailblazer gets ice duty not my HD

[Orlip]

Full size truck 100 yards out from access on O'dowd

[BronzeBrother]

Full size truck 100 yards out from access on O'dowd

I D I O T S!

[HossFisher]

7 inches of crystal clear ice on Tonka this morning and thankfully didn't see any cars on the ice. Set up in 18fow next to a rock pile but it was just continuous perch no walleyes. Saw two cars out on lake Riley this afternoon.