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.

Recommended Posts

Tried to get out on a Mankato area lake and no go, with the truck. Wet heavy snow and ran into slush, backed out and got off the ice. I could only drive down a path that was plowed last weekend and drifted over, had to shovel myself out twice after trying to go off road. Looks like it’s time to put the wheel house away and wait for late ice. 

2560D504-C5CA-4F74-A704-C3A52E3D27E2.gif

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

 Sorry Mike89 but I try to keep pretty tight lipped close to home as far as specific lakes, usually fish lakes within about a 20 mile radius of Mankato (mostly northeast). Seems to me as though what goes for one lake if true for most in the area, as far as ice and snow conditions.  Certainly will post areas of particularly bad ice if I find any. I believe slush was just from all the snow. 

 Last Saturday morning I drove to Madison, Duck and German lakes and all three had a path but looked impossible to get off. Madison looked the most promising but could not drive past the first group of houses next to the church bar to get to east bay from the city access, slush layer under the first layer of ice where someone had previously been stuck. Area north of the narrows is still posted thin ice on Madison. 

  

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

 Drove over to the west end of Francis this afternoon just to check the ice condition, lakes in the area appeared to be snow free but walking out a ways proved there are several inches of slush. Within the first several feet very soft, water over my ankles,  but farther out I could walk on top. Will post up if I can get out tomorrow. 

 

Edited by pikeandchester
  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
3 hours ago, pikeandchester said:

Few small sunnies and a couple of crappies. Looking at the 10 day forecast it could be short late season. Good luck to anyone that heads out. Would not advise vehicle traffic without chains, truck on Francis tried and didn’t make far. Crusty layer of ice and slush.

E495E269-F9FB-4E50-931E-A923234A7004.jpeg

Nice ... some youngster looks very happy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got out for a couple hours yesterday. West end of Francis again, several small sunnies but no crappies this time. Access is pretty beat up, need waterproof boots but the ice is holding up so far. Couple guys had an Argo out.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
  • 2 months later...

Took a drive today. Madison ,Francis and Elysian are each about half open today?.  Elysian and Francis had about 3 inches and where locked up last weekend. Next weeks cold snap looks to be turning into a mild snap. Getting a bit frustrated but what do you do? 

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw one guy out on a pail on the north end of Elysian on Friday afternoon, and I didn't stop to check the thickness of the ice either. Hope he had good luck..

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I saw a boat out on Sakatah. West end, east of the bridge on 13 by Waterville. ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Fished "Kneecap Gap" the Channel Albert Lea lake Saturday. Lots of little perch 4" to 5"   About 10 inches of ice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.