metro area Metro Area Minnesota Fishing Reports & Ice Conditions

[TrophyEyes]

Anyone been on Parkers lake recently? I was thinking of bringing my 5 year old out.

[mrklean]

8" of ice lots of ppl running around on ice skates all over the lake water is dirty

[JBMasterAngler]

Drove by parkers today. Don't know how thick the ice is, but there were alot of people out there fishing...mostly right out infront of the pier.

[fishnowworknever]

Got out on Tonka a couple times. About 8" on a West end bay and 6-8 on East side.

[TrophyEyes]

Mrklean, what do you mean by the lake water is dirty?

[molson35]

Any luck on Ravine? I was going to check it out but heard it was fished out over the last 2 years.

[mrklean]

Mrklean, what do you mean by the lake water is dirty?

the water is very stained not clear

[TrophyEyes]

Gotcha. That is what I thought, just wanted to double check. Just trying to get some action for my 5 year old and don't care much which species we get.

[Matt S.]

Fished Lake Riley, Eden Prairie today looked like 9" nice clear ice. Lots of sled and ATV traffic.

Some fool even drove a sedan out to the point.

Few perms out there today and quite a few portables walking out from the beach.

Had my first hole casualty today too

Lost one of my Yaktrax down the hole. Tried using a treble hook on the bottom, but no luck. Wish I had bought that camera.

[mrklean]

i was out there Friday the car was parked about 50 feet from me couldnt believe they drove out

[cavalierowner]

Out on Carson's Bay yesterday and there was about 8" of ice. So far there's only foot traffic and wheelers. BUT I drove by Grays Bay on the way to get bait today and some guy was out in the middle with a big SUV! Everyone else was walking.

[hunter322]

was out on bone lake in scandia saw 8-10". full size trucks driving out to the middle on forest lake. what whackos! just looked at the 7 day forecast and wholy effin cold! single diget lows all week and a low of -10 tomorrow night. oh yeah baby makin ice!

[playinhookie]

So question, with the weather being the way it is the next week or so and us seeing some sunshine, lots of cold air, and not really any signs of precipitation what does that mean for the ice besides it getting thicker. Mainly the sunshine factor. Is it safer to be on the north facing side of lakes? Does it affect the strength of the ice or is it obsolete at this stage in the game? Hopefully it just means I might stay a bit warmer.

[Red Miller]

Well the truth of the matter is, that the sun isnt going to do much except warm your face on Jan. 01. The cold weather is makin' ice! If this was March, it would be a different story. Go fishing but be careful anywhere you go. I wouldnt be driving any vehicles other than a 4 wheeler or a sled on the ice around the cities just yet.

[playinhookie]

10-4;I don't know if I'll ever drive on the city lakes, just not worth it to me. As far as later in the season what are some tell tell warning signs of rotten ice?

[Nick Kuhn]

Was out today on a metro lake and found 11 inches of ice. Had a good day too despite the cold, 12 pike on 13 flags, the miss being a bass at the edge of the hole. Used shiners near the bottom. Had to be the spot on the spot too, as the 3 of us were using 6 tip-ups and caught all but one fish out of 2 of the 6 holes. We left the hot hole for a guy who brought his kids out, and they got a flag not 30 seconds after he set up his tip-up. Nice to see the smile on the kids' faces.

[fishnowworknever]

Saw multiple 1/2 tons out on tonka last night. We had two come about 15 yards from our portables going about 15-20 mph. I couldn't believe it.

[Mr Special]

was out on tonka and fullsizes driving all over the place a few even pullin wheel houses behind them. i found 12" in most places but personally imma wait a tad before driving out. i'd like the ice tobe 13-14" a lil extra insurance thats all.

[cavalierowner]

I'm going out on Carson's this afternoon. There was about 8"-9" in the middle on Monday, but I'm still going to walk out today. Where I drive out is at the landing next to the bridge and I get a little nervous about water moving there and making the ice thinner. No taking chances for me.

[fishnowworknever]

Where we were, 10 - MAYBE 11.

No way would I drive my truck out on that for a few fish on tonka, let alone crusing along at 15+mph right next to some portables.

I guess you can't really expect much from people on tonka, winter or summer.

[TrophyEyes]

Has anyone been on Harriet yet? How much ice is on the south end if you would mind sharing? Oh and how is the fishing?

[Lusid]

Clear Lake by forest lake had 13" of solid ice, people were driving on it no problem.

[hart0670]

Fished black lake on tonka yesterday afternoon. Fished in about 11 FOW. Caught endless sunnies, with a few nicer ones (around 8", maybe even one or two closer to 9"). Switched to crappie minnows around 45 min before dark, only caught one crappie though. Lots of people out fishing, and quite a few people parking on the bay there. DNR was around checking people though and didn't say anything about it being unsafe, so I don't think they thought it was problem.

[OnAFly]

Anyone fished the Prior Lake area lately? I'll be down there this weekend and want to know how much ice there is. I'm a little hesitant to drive out after that rain.

[RickyTicky]

I was out on Harriet last Friday. I would say at least 8" of ice on the southwest side. I marked quite a few fish, only pulled up one walleye.

[hawkridgecatcher]

anyone have any success catching crappies on Spring Lake this yr? i ve tried fishing in 15-35 ft and haven't even had a bit! crazy yr thus far out there

[hawkridgecatcher]

plenty of ice on Prior right now, 11-12 inches minimum. Lower prior i know they are catching a good amount of sunnies

[Love2Cabin]

Not sure where all the crappies went on Spring. Been out there 3 times, fished all four corners and everything in-between. Can't seem to find any. Did find a few perch. Maybe after the towns get built out there it will stir them up some.

[BassFisherman]

They get harder and harder every year to find on Spring. Since theres been a couple hundred houses out there for the past couple years, it mightttt have a play in it. Spring isnt that big of a lake either which doesnt help.

[DarrylDeaner]

Was out on Lower Prior Lake today from 130-7pm. Fished in 30 FOW at the bottom of a steep drop off. Caught 10 crappies all over 8" the biggest being 11", caught an 11" walleye as well. Other than that, a couple big sunnies and some small perch. Saw some walleyes on my marcum camera though just couldnt get more walleyes to bite. Not a bad day but nothing special. Hope everyone has been staying warm during this cold snap