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Posted

Building the road connecting Hillman's to Beacon's is done. It went better then I expected. I had been dreading widening it out even as I felt that the ice was in pretty good shape there. When I widened it out today I expected a lot of cracking but that did not happen. It couldn't have gone better and it now is roughly 150 feet wide. It follows the 9 to 10 foot depth range across the lake and gives us about 5 miles of road to move around on here on the NE side of the lake.

Posted
coolfive miles of scouting territory, sounds great. Way to go Kelly!!! See you soon!!
Posted

Good to hear!

I'll be up there in your 6 mam sleeper the weekend of the 7th/8th, sounds like I'll have plenty of room to explore!

Posted

Nice work kelly! I will be renting from you and jon this sat and sun. Cant wait! Just wondering the latest ice reports for driving on the lake and if all of your sleepers will be out this week. Maybe they already are? Thanks.

Posted

They are all on the lake and fishing right now. Granted it took alot of picking around to find good ice that is also on good spots but one auger motor and a bunch of plow gas later we got it done.

Posted

Nice work kelly! I will be renting from you and jon this sat and sun. Cant wait! Just wondering the latest ice reports for driving on the lake and if all of your sleepers will be out this week. Maybe they already are? Thanks.

Spinnerboy you should be able to shut the fishing down or is that your partners that do that!!!!

Posted

Jon,

The boys wanted to know how many augers you guys go through in a winter....Jiffy still supplying them???? You guys should be on a commercial like the old battery commercials where they took the trucks up to the artic....most of the commercials were actually films in International Falls I think! The perch hunter and his big brother can't wait for Wednesday to come....Did ya ever finish Waiting for White Horses?

Posted

Stick it MNFAN! My house is still on fire! Even after you tried to gooch it. Hope it keeps up. My brother and buddy are going tues pm.

Posted

Jonny p, I assume everyone is driving to them? See you this weekend. Thanks for the update!

Posted

Things got even better today. cool Buddy got sick of trying to work his way through the iffy ice out at the 2 1/2 mile area of his road so he he did a big end sweep. From where the road connecting Hillman's to Beacon Harbors road hit Beacon's road the ice looked pretty good to the west so Buddy came over and took a look at it. He rejected Deans plan of getting through the rough ice, he rejected my plan and then he had Jon take his snowmobile out 2 1/2 miles for a target to aim at to keep the road straight. Buddy got his lightest V-Plow and away he went! shocked He made it out and back so Foster/Club Red joined in with his V-Plow as Jon and another straight blade joined in for the tough places and presto! Tonight there is a new 2 1/2 mile road going right down the 8 to 9 foot breakline along the north shore. There was only 1 iffy crack but it held up just fine with the plows pounding over it. That gets us up to about 8 miles of road between Hillman's and Beacon Harbor. laugh

Posted

Great News, Kelly!

We'll be up there on Wednesday...how's the midweek bite been?

Posted

It’s a sweet road! As I was running back and forth with the plow knocking out high spots for the V’s I noticed several of my great waypoints going by on my GPS within throwing distance of the road; this new route is not only exciting but I am sure it is going to be a big producer. We have punched through the first layer the good gravel country on the north shore that always holds lots of eyes with a higher keeper ratio for some reason. Great thing is we are at the front door of another three miles of great rock and gravel country just waiting to be busted open. I am very eager to get some scouting in there and see the results.

As for wheelhouses we actually took the road in one mile strait lengths with a few minor kinks at one mile intervals following the break line so anglers could easily pull off the road 50 yards or less and effortlessly set down in great spots with little snow cover.

This coming together has worked out great as both Beacon Harbor and Hillmans are covering the entire north shore region with one road system. Now you can easily pull into Hillmans store and bait shop or fill your propane tanks at Beacon Harbor or maybe clean your fish at Beacons heated fish cleaning shack all while on the same road system.

Posted

This will be the first midweek we've been out there so you are the scout. grin Last night was the first night we had fishermen in the houses. Yesterday was very slow but today things were starting to pick up. One house is really struggling for fish so it's moving in the morning. The other houses are picking up enough to keep it interesting. I know a few limits came off Beacon's road today. A very slow night bite so far.

Posted

This is great news.

Good to hear there are a lot of great spots to fish off of the new road system.

I didn't pick up off of previous posts, how deep of snow do you actually have on the lake? Is it wheeler depth or snowmobile depth? Looking to bring the wheel house up for the anual new years weekend trip.

I also didn't see a true statement that trucks and wheelhoues are being allowed out yet. are they already being allowed out and if not by the weekend?

Thanks in advance.

Posted

we are coming up from the 6th through the 10th. we have 2 diesel 3/4 tons and 16ft and 18ft wheelhouses. how is the ice looking as far as restrictions for us? How thick is the ice now? thanks

Posted

I do not know what is happening on other parts of the lake so this is what I've seen on the NE part of URL. Trucks and wheel houses are good to go but take care heading off cross country. Most areas along this side of the lake have 4 to 6 inches of snow. Where there is 8+ inches of snow the ice is thinner. Where there is piled ice there is as much as 2 feet of snow and poor ice. Under the ice in those places there is a lot of slush (up to 3 feet of slush) under the ice so avoid those places. A snowmobile would work better then a wheeler.

Posted

we are coming up from the 6th through the 10th. we have 2 diesel 3/4 tons and 16ft and 18ft wheelhouses. how is the ice looking as far as restrictions for us? How thick is the ice now? thanks

Each road could be different so the best is to contact the people that run the road you plan on going out of.

Posted

Heading up late Tuesday night getting up to URL around 1 or 2am. Any issues finding a safe spot off the road in the middle of the night? Would it be best to wait onshore until first light?

Jon set us up on the gravel about a mile or so out a few years back. Caught some good fish despite the -43 cold. I don't think we will have that problem this trip.

Posted

ok thank you. will give hillmans a call

Posted

Thanks Kelly,

May run in to you on Saturday...

Posted

Thats so cool to see two resots sharing a road. maybe some day they will all interwind.You could go to any access and come off another what a adventue that would be.

Posted

Thats so cool to see two resots sharing a road. maybe some day they will all interwind.You could go to any access and come off another what a adventue that would be.

This arrangement works out well as everybody is on the same page fully understanding how to share the work load and all how to plan together not to mention a large amount of respect is traded back and forth. Unfortunately we have found in the past it doesn't work with everybody and I doubt all resorts will ever tie together as they used to years ago.

Posted

I know in the past I have gone out one road and come back in on a different one and not on purpose!

Posted

You could go to any access and come off another what a adventue that would be.

It might be an adventure but it opens up a safety issue. Say a person goes out on one road system and then crosses over to different road system and has trouble or an emergency. If they call the resort they went out of for help that resort will be looking for them on their road system. If they call 911 the Sheriff's Dept. will call the resort of the road system they went out of and send the First Responders, Deputies, etc, etc. to that road system. But,,,,the people needing the help will be on a different road system.

Posted

It might be an adventure but it opens up a safety issue.

This should be the official slogan of Ice Fishing. wink

Thanks to those making Red Lake more accessible.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Wanderer
      That’s one worth adding to the resort archives!   Yeah, I’ve seen several places closing their accesses in the past week.  We got out last Saturday night in our old house - my friend I sold it to let us use it - but I think we’re done?
    • SkunkedAgain
      Those are some nice lakers. Admittedly, I just hit BWCA lakes in the spring when they come up shallow - so I cheat!   I fished LOW two weeks ago and caught a good sized pike on an airplane jig. It swam around and collected one of my buddy's lines and then slipped the hook on the hole's edge as well. The fish that get away are always the ones to remember.
    • smurfy
      Highbanks just posted thos on book of faces.  Said there access is closed for the season. 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong on Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters continuing to offer both day houses and sleeper fish houses. The bite has been good in most areas, and ice conditions are among the best in recent years.    Some ice roads now extend more than 20 miles out, with resorts and outfitters working hard keeping anglers on schools of walleyes and saugers. With nearly 40 inches of ice in many areas, auger extensions are necessary for those fishing on their own. The March forecast predicts daytime temperatures above freezing and overnight lows below freezing, helping to maintain solid ice conditions through the month.  Resort guides and outfitters are on the ice daily monitoring conditions where they travel and fish. Anglers are sorting through smaller fish but are consistently catching limits of walleyes and saugers, along with jumbo perch, eelpout, pike, tullibees, and even a few crappies. The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles, lipless crankbaits, and jigging rap-style lures are producing well, while deadsticks with a live minnow a foot off the bottom are catching less aggressive fish. March is prime time for trophy northern pike, with tip-up fishing proving to be highly productive. It was a great week for big pike and should only get better through March and into April. On the Rainy River...  As it has been most of the winter, walleye fishing has been best in the mornings and evenings using jigs and minnows. Sturgeon fishing has been solid, with some large fish being caught. Anglers should check with resorts before heading out, as ice conditions on the river can change quickly due to current and runoff during the day. Up at the Northwest Angle...  Fishing remains very good. Resorts continue to move fish houses to keep guests on active schools of walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike. Big crappies are still being caught just over the border in Canada, and those interested should check with resorts for the latest conditions and guide services. Lake of the Woods being border water with Canada has an extended ice fishing season, with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st.  In addition, the walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. 
    • JerkinLips
      Van Vac can be a tough hill to travel on.  I parked in the upper parking lot in 2014 and went out fishing in a snow storm.  I think we got about 10 inches of snow that day and they didn't plow at all.  There was no way my front wheel drive caravan was going to make it up the upper hill so I spent the night in my van.  I had prepared for that possibility so I was quite comfortable in the 0ºF night (just started the van up once during the night to heat it up.  I went out fishing again the next day and when I came back they still hadn't plowed the road to the parking lot (late March).  So I towed my snowmobile trailer to the top of the hill with my snowmobile.  Then I made a circular path in the parking lot so I could build up my van speed to go up the hill.  I think it was about 15 attempts to go up the hill before I finally made it to the top.  What an experience.
    • JerkinLips
      Burntside Lake is a beautiful lake and very convenient to get to.  I started fishing it in 2010 when it got to difficult for me to travel into the BWCA while I lived in the twin cities.  I averaged 1 laker/day up to 2018 when my success started to decline.  That was also when I quit going out on snowmobile and just walked to fishing spots.  That probably also contributed to my decline.  My average the last 3 years has been 0.4 lakers/day.  Now that I live in northern Minnesota I think I will travel into the BWCA more for lakers.   My longest Burntside laker was the skinny 33 incher shown in the 1st picture (2020).  This fish weighed only 7#-15oz, and I think it was at the end of its life.  My biggest BWCA laker was 34 inches and weighed 13#-3oz (2nd picture from 2008).  I also caught an 11 pounder in the BWCA in 1999 (3rd picture).   My goal is to someday catch a 20 pounder.  I had one up to the bottom of the hole once that I think was over 20 pounds.  I was jigging a large airplane jig near the bottom when I thought I snagged the rocks.  When I was able to finally move the fish I knew I had a huge one.  I saw its head at the bottom of my 7-inch hole and had a hard time getting it started into the hole.  I reached for the gaff hook but the jig caught on the bottom of the hole and the fish was gone.  Ever since then, I chisel the bottom of my holes to guide the laker's head into the hole.  
    • Wanderer
      Quite a bit a matter of convenience but it was pretty good in the late 2000’s; early 2010’s for me.   It’s fully outside of the B-dub, and expansive, so plenty of places to try.  But never go out there with expectations beyond spending time on one of the most beautiful lakes the state has to offer.   You should count yourself blessed to get 1 trout iced but 5 trout days can happen.  Biggest I’ve gotten out of there is 32 inches.  Average had been 24-27.
    • mbeyer
      Is Burntside "the Laker" spot to fish in the area? Is that a matter of convenience or is Lake Trout populations far better there than any other lake??
    • Wanderer
      It’s been all of 7 years since I’ve fished Burntside.  The last time I also brought my wheelhouse up and headed out of Van Vac.  That was a scary ride down the hill at 11pm when I showed up.  The switchback access road was iced up and the weight got me sliding like I was on a luge.  I intentionally put my rig into the snowbank before I got to the 2nd turn.  It was enough to slow me down that I could make that corner.  I left the lake out of Camp Van Vac and that wasn’t easy either with the double layer of ice.   The lake ice conditions you described are too familiar to me for this time of year.  I’ve  had a wheelhouse out there twice in my years of fishing it, otherwise it’s been sled or wheeler travel only - which is a way better idea!   Reports have been so quiet from there, I’ve wondered if the fishing got tougher or if it’s just the shift in social media that’s the reason.   March trips for me have always had that great expectation but honestly, most March trips for lakers have been a bust.  I’ve been in Canada the past 3 years at this time and only 1/3 were good laker trips.  No trip this year and I’m OK with that.   All this to say, I still miss ice fishing that lake!  I was looking over some of my old spots on my mapping app and thought how nice it would’ve been to have that back in the glory days!     Good luck and thanks for posting!   *6 years, 11 mos, based on a phone pic. * 😉 
    • JerkinLips
      This may end up be a quiet topic, but I thought I would share my results (and lack there of) because of my love for late winter lake trout fishing.  Went to Burntside Lake on Thursday, February 27th for my first time there this winter, and like my last 3 trips there last year I was skunked.   It was a very windy day so I fished in a spot next to a cliff to avoid the wind.  I found 4" of hard pack snow on top of 3" of water over 20+" of ice.  I was able to avoid the water (most of the time) by sitting in my sled portable and walking around very carefully.  I had no bites in 10+ hours fishing and only 3 "follows" of my pike suckers and jig.  Was still a very enjoyable day on the ice.  I saw a few other people out fishing, and was surprised to see that somebody had plowed a huge road out from Van Vac landing and plowed spots for wheelhouses.  Currently there were 8 of them on the ice.   My success on Burntside has definitely diminished in the last few years.  Guess I need to get to "10,000 jigs" to catch another.  Or maybe I will take the tough trip into the BWCA to enjoy the wilderness.
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