Blackduck area Fishing Reports

[Drake]

Gigidy, there's a good 20" of ice out on Blackduck, and some below zero nights coming up. We do have some snow on the lake, but the sunshine the last couple of days has had that dwindling down. It's not like the last couple of years where you had to go out of a plowed access. You will see at the access that it is plowed to get out and some roads going out with several wheel houses set up along the bars, so I honestly think you should have no problem getting the wheelhouse out there. Good luck to you this weekend!

[gigidy]

thank you for the quick response,i have oversize tires and chains,but like to be safe ,mostly enjoy fishing not shoveling,thanks maybe see you this weekend,white v front single axle with black silverado pkup,please stop in if you pass by still after those bull sunnies but have been lucky enough to get a 13 inch perch a couple times in the past,have a good weekend

[Drake]

Forecast is still looking good for traveling out there, only a 30% chance of light flurries for tomorrow, so you should be good to go this weekend! Those sunnies are definitely nice when you can find them! Good luck this weekend, and don't be afraid to try the more shallow water for the perch, still hanging in the 4-8' depths a couple days ago.

[Fish_Stalker]

Stayed up at your Motel last year near the end of the season. Had a fantastic time perching the shallows and fishing other lakes you put us on. Thinking about it again this year and just wondering about the action. Been a fairly bad season down south with ice conditions and overall ice fishing. But have been dreaming of Blackduck a lot lately. Good year for you all again?

Also if anyone reading this has fished in the Blackduck area and has not stayed at the Drake it is a must next time you are in the area. Centrally located to dozens of great fishing lakes and a rocks throw from Blackduck. True fisherman's Motel.

[Drake]

Thanks Fish_Stalker! We've got over 2' of ice out on the Blackduck, and up until the other day very minimal snow coverage making it easy for all vehicles to get around. With the Fishing Derby this weekend they have cleared off the public access and are getting ready. We have one group of our guests that I know are going to give it a whirl. Fishing the last week on Blackduck is still going fairly decent, extremely shallow for the perch and a morning bite being more productive of the larger perch. The shallower bite for perch isn't holding true for all lakes, lakes like Island the perch are out in the deeper water. The bite on some of the other lakes in the area for the sunnies and crappies is going well, some better morning and others are the typical afternoon bite lakes, and one of our late season lakes is starting to kick out panfish. We have a winter watch for this Sunday, saying we could potentially get up to 6" and "but exact totals and where the heaviest will fall is uncertain" which can have an effect on fishing, so hopefully we'll get bypassed..we'll see what happens this weekend (& hopefully get some new pictures to add to our board & website)

[Fish_Stalker]

Thanks for the info.If everything goes well Will be calling ya soon.

[Drake]

Panfishing in the Blackduck area has been going extremely good this past week. We are seeing good numbers of nice size crappies & sunnies coming through the fish cleaning room being brought back by our anglers that are spreading out and hitting many of the lakes in the area. Travel on the lakes is improving as the temperatures are warming up and decreasing the snow drifts that had formed on the lakes, and we haven't had anyone say that travel was too rough lately. On Blackduck, there is a paid plowed access on the southside of the lake for those who are wanting to go perch fishing, but the majority are going out of the public access. Last night the temps were in the single digits (with below zero earlier in the week), our extended is showing warmer than normal highs (normally in the upper 30's) with highs in the 40's. Currently the ice is over 2' on the lakes and the shorelines are still in great shape (the snow has helped with insulating). So still some time left for some great panfishing!

[Fish_Stalker]

Headed up this weekend for the last trip of the year. My brother booked with ya a few days ago. There is some concern about ice conditions though. I know it just started softening the last few days. How does it look for the late week/weekend? thinking 4 wheelers but might have to walk out? Can we even get out on any of the lakes by then?

[theharvester]

probably over it gets a little dangeous with these temps

[Storm]

The ice was getting really bad by landings last weekend and with the rain on monday and warm temps all week getting close to 70 this weekend I would think they would be just a very small chance the ice will hold up around the shoreline.

[Drake]

It depends on which lake you are going to hit as to the conditions; which with the weather is changing every day. On Blackduck, the other half and some of our guests are out of the public access today via 4 wheelers right now, so will know more info on the access there later today when they all get back. I did have some guests that said they are going to access via the paid access on the southshore, less direct sunlight hitting-the access has been less traveled this year, and doesn't get the runoff like near the public access, which can really do some damage to the shoreline during late ice; and as of yesterday Dunrovin was letting vehicles out of their pay access on Blackduck. Other lakes in the area are holding up still very well as of yesterday-one of the lakes I had guests that drove their trucks out (although we are recommending 4 wheelers); it is a lake that that hasn't had the traffic, hasn't been plowed so there wasn't a build up of snow at the access and doesn't have any water running off onto the shoreline. We are telling our guests heading up Friday to touch base with us on Thursday night to get the latest before heading up; if it opens up we will be calling folks to let them know.

[Fish_Stalker]

Thanks for the info guys. With luck we will be tugging fish in a couple days. see ya soon Drake.

[Drake]

Mike just got back from fishing on Blackduck Lake. He went out via 4wheeler; which we prefer to play it on the safe side. He said the ice on the lake was really good, starting to get a little wet at the public. There were several trucks out on the ice (again, there are a couple of paid accesses that are on the Duck and they are still allowing trucks out today); and he said he saw about a dozen trucks accessing the lake via the public access. There are a couple of other spots on Blackduck that can be accessed by a wheeler. The other smaller lakes in the area are still getting anglers, most are switching over to wheelers, but there were some trucks out on the other lakes today also. Today's high is 56 and the low is to be 32; forecast for tomorrow is showing a high of 58 and a low of 35. There Was a chance of rain in the forecast for the weekend, but that has now been taken out of the forecast.

[Drake]

Yesterday (Thursday 3/15) there were still vehicles out on Blackduck Lake, today everyone is playing it safer and going with atv's. The sun is hitting the public access and making it puddle up, but some of our guests said they are hitting the lake via the pay access and the shoreline there is holding up much better. Think today we are going to go take a look at some of the smaller area lakes where the shorelines are more shaded from the sun by the trees and get less traffic. Above normal temps happening, so time to get out and enjoy the ice fishing while you still can.

[Drake]

A check of Blackduck Lake and some of the other smaller lakes in the area this afternoon show that the shorelines are still holding and anglers are out fishing on their ATV's. On Blackduck Lake the public access there is a puddle of water (from the snow melt of where it was banked when plowed), with ice underneath and most folks are accessing through the public-the water runoff from the golf course is Not happening yet, and so far the ice isn't darkening, and was over 18". Several anglers are hitting Blackduck via the pay accesses where there has been less traffic and is not in the direct sunlight. The other lakes in the area have several anglers out on their atv's, and the ones that have the more shaded shorelines are in much better shape than Blackduck. Since this is getting near the end of the season we will try to continue daily checks of the lakes, but so far so good with atv traffic.

[blue_healer_guy]

I left the lake today and fiquired it would be the last of it. Walking side by side with another and the ice was moving in front of you.

[Drake]

There are quite a few folks on Blackduck today with wheelers, and some folks just said that the access on the northside was holding pretty tight, but with these warmer temps and the winds I'm not sure how much longer they'll be out there with the wheelers. Did take a look at a couple other lakes today that are a little more shaded and they are looking good and no discoloration to the ice yet; and another group left a couple hours ago to hit one of the larger lakes; but we are definitly down to a day by day basis now. How did you do fishing wise? Our folks came back with great numbers of really large perch reeling them in in the 4' depths.

[blue_healer_guy]

Fishing was good and we all get that itch to fish but even walking I felt a little uncomfortable. Thanks for all your updates Drake.

[Drake]

Another warm day in store (today's high is suppose to be 70 again) and a quick drive by the lakes today shows atv's on Blackduck Lake BUT we strongly recommend walking out only.

[Rick G]

Was up on Blackduck Sat-today. Water temp is in the low 60s, Shallow vegitation is starting to grow rapidly. Found plenty of active walleyes, perch, northerns and sheepheads on the NE and SW sides of the lake. Most of the fis we got were still relating to the shoreline breaks in 7-14ft of water. Right now fish are biting on a number of presentations, we got 'em on leeches and minnows under float' or on jig's. I tried to lindy but kept on getting fouled up by bottom scum.

This year we stayed with the good people over at Blackduck Lodge/Resort. I have been staying at resorts all over for the last 20 or so years and this was by far my best experience I have ever had The owners were more like friend's than lodge hosts. We liked this place so much we already booked the whole resort for next year at the same time

[Drake]

The fishing in the Blackduck area is going REALLY good; and even the off and on rains this week is not slowing it down. On Blackduck Lake the walleyes are keeping folks busy reeling in limits, fishing the breaks in 10-13' of water with the busiest time of day for catching being early morning and then kicking in really strong around 8-8:30. For our guests who are wanting to do some panfishing we've given some starting spots on the different lakes in the area and, as you can see by the pictures on our facebook webpage, they are doing Fantastic-reeling in limits of not only perch but also jumbo gills (9-10") and crappies (11-12") of which look near those pencil reeds in 4-5' of water and set the bobber about 2' down with a jig tipped with waxies (wax worms are out fishing leeches & minnows) as the afternoon gets later and a little deeper earlier in the day and the water temps on the area lakes are running in the mid 60's. We hope everyone has a Safe & Happy Memorial weekend!

[theharvester]

wow cold front sure slowed down the bite. drove a long ways for a few small pannies .hope it picks up

[Drake]

The last two days have continued to provide a very active walleye bite, and our folks checking this morning were very happy anglers, taking home limits of walleye (some folks from fishing at Upper Red; the rest from Blackduck Lake). Upper Red is providing a very good bite in the afternoon; while the best at Blackduck remains in the evening-and as an added bonus while walleye fishing one angler reeled in a 11 1/4" sunnie that weighted 1 lb 12 oz. The walleye bite on both of these lakes has vastly improved in the past week, so between the walleye and the jumbo gills and crappies we've been reeling in at the area lakes this should be a great long weekend if we can keep the rain at bay! Again, safe travels and have a great Memorial Weekend-and to you Vets and Enlisted THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[Drake]

What a great Memorial Day weekend and start to the summer! We lucked out, with the major storms that were suppose to hit bypassing us, although we did get some rain up here, but nothing like predicted; and Sunday afternoon/evening were perfect; and the fish cleaning room was busy all weekend! Blackduck Lake has continued to provide out guests with plenty of really nice walleye but also a couple of guests got into some slab crappies (12-13"). The smaller lakes in the area have continued to provide some really great panfish action (posted more pictures) that included numerous 9-10" sunfish; a few crappies, good size pike and bass that were 2.5 to 4 pounds to start bass opener. For the pannies this weekend a little bit of everything was working, jig tipped with waxies, leeches or worms and the water temps on the smaller lakes that had been reading 65-68 degrees dropped down to 60. Cool temps in the forecast for tomorrow (high 48) and then a warming trend back towards the 70's by the end of the week-sounds like good fishing weather!

[Drake]

Warm temps the last few days (in the mid to upper 80's); now rain that started around 6pm, and then the dip in temps next week to the 60's for a couple of days then up in the 70's. Fishing has been pretty decent, and we and our guests, have been hitting different lakes in the area. For walleye fishing Blackduck Lake is going good with the best action working the humps in the 10-13' depths with jigs tipped with nightcrawlers, leeches and some are having good luck with plastics. We've had numerous folks limiting out, and one of the best pictures I just added to our fbook site was a young 7 year old angler who was pretty proud of his 20" walleye that he reeled in all by himself (you HAVE to love it when kids get excited over fishing!). The northern pike have also been providing action. Upper Red Lake is another place where we hit for some great walleye action and some limits of eyes. The panfish and bass are still coming through the fish cleaning room in good numbers, with the crappies being more active active in the evening (although some are catching them in the daytime, evening is more consistant) and the sunfish throughout the day. Good action along the pencil reeds and the lily pads that are popping up, but don't be afraid to try out in deeper 10' water. While we have caught most of ours bobber fishing, we've also caught several just by dropping the line off the side and bouncing off the bottom. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

[Drake]

After the storms last week, the walleye bite had slowed down on Blackduck Lake over the weekend with just a few being caught by us and our anglers, and the northern keeping everyone busy. Now that the weather has calmed down the walleye fishing has resumed and the last couple of days the walleye bite has kicked back in. Lindy's with a leech and shadraps have been the ticket while slow trolling over the bars in the 8 to 14' depths. The panfish bite has been productive as well at several of the different lakes nearby, with limits of some dandy sunnies being caught, as well as crappies, while fishing along the pencil reeds; and a walleyes have been reeled in while panfishing. Have another pic to download on the fbook site. Hope everyone has a safe & happy 4th of July-happy fishing!

[DunrovinResort]

Hello Blackduck Lake Fans!

As we get going, the most current reports will be lower down or use the highest number to the right of this post and click on it.

Blackduck has a good solid 9" of ice now. And only 2" of snow at most. People started driving 4 wheelers out last weekend.

Today is a good day, because we got our first drop down ice house out onto the lake for the season! We've been able to find some Jumbo perch in about 10' of water.

Over the weekend people were seeing the fish, but just had a hard time getting them to bite, because of the strong cold front that pushed through.

We are hoping to start getting on them today! We will keep you posted!

If you have questions or need a new fishing report just post it here and we will get you an answer.

[Rikkus]

My Buddies and I are looking for a change in our ice fishing trips, something different. Ironically. I just came across Durnovin Resort on the internet. Our Group would be very interested in the Sleepers, Protables and a cabin. I sent them an email with some questions. Some of which I'll post here for additional feedback. Any good Guides that could put us on crappies and/or Walleyes, maybe a 1 or 2 day outing,...? Who would be some of the other resorts or maybe lakes to check out for a unique crappie experience? Thx All

[DunrovinResort]

Hi Rikkus! We could hook you up with all of thee above! I would recommend Fishing Adventures Guide Service with Carl Adams, Jr. His # is 218.556.7365. www.fishinadventures.net He does do ice guiding. Blackduck Lake is a great lake, and some of our guests did get on the crappies this weekend! I'm hoping to get some pics posted soon from the weekend! Please feel free to give us a call anytime! 218.835.7759

[DunrovinResort]

Weekend Update! The ice stayed about the same over the weekend. But with cooler temps forecasted for this week, we should be driving on by next weekend! Friday was a good day bite, and Saturday the perch were biting all day long with the front moving in. We've seen just about every species of fish caught this weekend, including an eelpout! Guys have been fishing in 10' of water, just on the edge of the weedline, with fat heads & crappie minnows. A couple crappies were caught in the deeper water.