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 :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • 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.