2020 Forest Lake-Hinckley-Lindstrom-Pine City-Rush City Fishing Reports

[JBMasterAngler]

Lake one of forest is probably about half open now. Lots of other open spots throughout lake also. Looked like every swan in the area was hanging out on the north end of peltier lake. 

[gimruis]

I drove pat Big Lake on Monday afternoon and virtually the entire lake was ice-free.  There was about 800 geese and a couple hundred mallards sitting out there.

[AlwaysFishing23]

We’re still looking ok here in central MN. Lakes are still locked up. Only thing that opened back up is the Mississippi earlier this week. The ice on most lakes is honey combed on top but about half way down it firms up and is fine. Still 4-6” most places. Can tell the ice is definitely not as strong as it was last weekend with the warm Temps this past week. Jump up and down on the ice and the water is moving in the hole some, didn’t do that last weekend. Gonna skip this weekend but can hopefully get back out next weekend. Sounding like most south of here are either very little ice if any and if there is some it’s not close to safe. 

[JBMasterAngler]

Forest Lake finally froze over. Nice smooth sheet. Swans and geese still had a spot or two they’re keeping open.

[iiccee63]

I will be checking ice thickness today on Linwood and Forest Lake 1.

[iiccee63]

Forest lake #1 has this perfect clear ice. I didn't realize that the lake had actually opened up 80% at some point a week ago or so. It refroze perfect. 3 inches of ice. Didn't walk way out but, a guy that lives there told me it locked up in one day so I figured it must he even. Not fishing on 3". Next weekend we will be good!

 

Linwood lake was 4". However clear ice with no.snow on it way out there I'm guessing is maybe 3. Not even trying. Going to fish today on ice with snow on it. That's about it....can't wait for next weekend. Should be good everywhere.

[JBMasterAngler]

Few people fishing on forest this morning, off of #2 access. They weren’t out very far, leaving me to believe the ice wasn’t very thick.

[iiccee63]

I will again be going out and checking ice this Friday 4pm on Linwood and Forest Lake #1. Will report when I get back.

[gimruis]

The Anoka County Sheriff was on the news last night advising people to stay off the ice.  They were out there with a hovercraft testing the thickness and said its still not safe to even walk on yet.  Not sure about you guys, but when law enforcement gives advice, I listen.

[expl]

Right because law enforcement knows whats best for everyone,just like the govt.

[iiccee63]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

The Anoka County Sheriff was on the news last night advising people to stay off the ice.  They were out there with a hovercraft testing the thickness and said its still not safe to even walk on yet.  Not sure about you guys, but when law enforcement gives advice, I listen.

 

 

Are you serious??? Lakes are like people....they are all different. The DNR making a blanket statement like that is what they have to do. The lakes I give ice reports I know like the back of my hand. Meaning, I watch how they freeze up every single year. Like the St. Croix...I know how it freezes, where the trouble spots are typically ect. because I have fished it on and off since 86'. DNR has no clue what's going on the lakes I fish.

 

 

[roony]

Must comply with Nanny State.

[eyeguy 54]

all ice fishermen are not as brilliant as you guys. I like it when they make announcements.  nothing wrong with giving out advice when it's the advice givers that end up saving lives when c.r.a.p happens. 

Edited December 11, 2019 by eyeguy 54

[roony]

I know what you mean eyeguy but if you cry wolf too often people don't pay much attention any more. Any time you are on the ice, in a boat, or in the woods you have to use good judgement, it's just that simple. 

[smurfy]

3 hours ago, roony said:

I know what you mean eyeguy but if you cry wolf too often people don't pay much attention any more. Any time you are on the ice, in a boat, or in the woods you have to use good judgement, it's just that simple. 

Kind like the weather terrorists.

[gimruis]

16 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

all ice fishermen are not as brilliant as you guys. I like it when they make announcements.  nothing wrong with giving out advice when it's the advice givers that end up saving lives when c.r.a.p happens. 

 

Well played

[DonkeyHodey]

15 hours ago, roony said:

I know what you mean eyeguy but if you cry wolf too often people don't pay much attention any more.

People make the same complaints about severe weather warnings.  When the siren blows, I go in my basement and don't throw a fit when I emerge to find no damage...

 

FWIW, I suspect vast majority of injury/fatality involving ice was a person that was quite convinced they "knew" the lake/safety/conditions...

The DNR/sheriff's department are "advising"--They aren't barricading access.  There's no harm in advice--it's basically take it or leave it.

 

(Although, From my personal perspective, Sheriff/DNR advice does present a formidable barrier:  Normally, I don't listen to advice and know everything; When I'm ready to go out on the ice but my WIFE hears the warnings, then that provides the uncrossable barrier keeping me off the lake...  Statistically married men live longer and this is part of the reason why...)

[DP]

Currently on Forest Lake (lake one) by the downtown access, measured 9" of ice up to about the weedline, then it tapered down to 5" out in 14' of water. 

[JBMasterAngler]

Finally got out on the ice today! Went to Kroon Lake. Ice was between 5 and 6 inches. Didn’t find anything, just a couple dink perch.

[Rick]

4 hours ago, JBMasterAngler said:

Finally got out on the ice today! Went to Kroon Lake. Ice was between 5 and 6 inches. Didn’t find anything, just a couple dink perch.

 

Saweet.

[JBMasterAngler]

Didn’t let a little rain stop us from getting out today. Fished a small local lake. Ice was about 7 to 8 inches, but about 2/3 of it was white ice. We headed straight for the deep hole in middle of lake. Crappies were every where! They weren’t active, but they weren’t tight lipped either. Only wanted minnows, wouldn’t even look at eurolarvaes. Taught my daughter how to read the vexilar, and how to detect bites, and she went on to catch twice as many crappies as me! She was all giggles on the drive home.

Edited December 28, 2019 by JBMasterAngler

[monstermoose78]

Way to go JB!!

[JBMasterAngler]

Another day where the conditions were less than desirable. Picked a very shallow lake so I could play around with some of the features on my new vexilar. Ice was about 7 inches, top couple not the good stuff. A car was out on the ice...would be interesting to see how he’ll get back to shore, as snow/slush conditions were noticeably degrading as day progressed. Was fishing in about 4 ft of water. Caught 2 little walleyes and a perch.

 

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Way to embrace and not let the elements dictate your desire. I'm guessing FLX 28, low power, weed mode??? Just bought my girlfriend a FLX2O, to try to keep her a step behind . She loves it , ho ho ho. 

[JBMasterAngler]

Yeah, the LP mode is pretty cool. It’s going to be really nice when I’m fishing for rainbow trout in shallow water.

[JBMasterAngler]

Seen a couple trucks out on forest lake this morning. 

[RonZ]

11" today on pokie. No slush and hardly any snow. 1 suv drivin around.

 

[mnsportsmanjr]

Anyone have ice depth updates newer than the 10th?

[monstermoose78]

Lakes range from 11-14 inches and vary from spot to spot. Use caution if you think you will drive out

[JBMasterAngler]

Fished Chisago Lake today. Drove truck out. Ice was about 18 inches, and travel conditions were good. Caught a walleye, sunfish, crappie, and perch all in succession to start. I fished right in the middle of the lake in the deep hole. Marked lots of fish, all within 2 feet of the bottom. They weren’t active, but they weren’t tight lipped either. Caught 16 total. Aside from 2 nice crappies and a jumbo perch, everything was pretty small.