First trip to URL!!

[tipup]

Myself and 4 other friends will be heading up on Tuesday!!! I am very excited to say the least, after 4 trips in the last 4 years to Mille Lacs(which werent good) I am ready for a change. I know the forcast is for cold, but I would like any advice on pike if I could? we will hit the eyes as hard as they will let us, but I would like a chance at few nice pike also. Any suggestions would be great, we will be mobile during the day as we will have snowmobiles and portables!!!

[kelly-p]

we will be mobile during the day as we will have snowmobiles and portables!!!

That is the way to do it now. Between thin ice and a lot of snow there is a very big part of this lake that the plows can not get to.

[Powder]

What about 4 wheelers? How do you think they would do? Are chains a necessity?

[kelly-p]

Wheelers might be able to pick their way around the bigger drifts but it would be tough going. This snow is pretty soft yet.

[Powder]

Ok. I'm looking at coming up Friday afternoon for a couple hours and wasn't sure how far I'd get.

Thanks for the help!

[pike doctor]

Myself and 4 other friends will be heading up on Tuesday!!! I am very excited to say the least, after 4 trips in the last 4 years to Mille Lacs(which werent good) I am ready for a change. I know the forcast is for cold, but I would like any advice on pike if I could? we will hit the eyes as hard as they will let us, but I would like a chance at few nice pike also. Any suggestions would be great, we will be mobile during the day as we will have snowmobiles and portables!!!

I would head out a couple miles from anyone and be careful. Set your tip up with big suckers and some big blades to add some flash. Set the sucker halfway between the bottom and the ice. Their eyes are on top of their head. They usually feed up, and they will find it. If you arent catching anything take your snowmobile and start driving in a big circle in the area that you are fishing. keep going smaller and smaller. It is a fish drive. Or get a 5 year old girl and a snoopy pole to hook one up for you. Works great from what I am told.

[terrible_fisherman]

Bigger the bait the better. I caught a 20 inch pike on a 6 inch sucker minnow a couple weeks ago. I also caught a 35 inch pike on the same sucker. Even the eyes were hitting six inch plus bait. Get a big sucker minnow and let it swim.

[hunter76]

What is URL like as far as fishing goes in mid February? I am making my first trip up there the 17th - 20th. We are going out of JR's Landing. A buddy of mine set it up the trip.

[Stcloudangler]

Generally slower, with soaking minnows being your best bet to catch fish. One line jigging is all we allow per house.

[tipup]

I guess my post got kind of lost in translation. I was just wondering where are good areas to hit with tipups as this will be my first trip to URL for a chance at pike. I have been tipup fishing for awhile so I know all of the ins and outs, just kind of looking for some suggestions!! Thanks again!!

[pike doctor]

I guess my post got kind of lost in translation. I was just wondering where are good areas to hit with tipups as this will be my first trip to URL for a chance at pike. I have been tipup fishing for awhile so I know all of the ins and outs, just kind of looking for some suggestions!! Thanks again!!

Straight out from shore, halfway between the bottom of the ice and the bottom of the lake. Are there some spots better than others? Maybe. Red Lake fish are nomads and they are always on the move. There is very little that will set one spot apart from another. A 45 inch pike will eat a 16 inch walleye like nothing. If you are catching perch and walleyes you are in the right spot. I think the biggest thing is just to get away from everyone else. There are pike all over the lake, and if I had the choice I would fish were there hasnt been anyone else.

[tipup]

Thanks!!! I should be able to handle that!!!