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

I've got a fishing trip planned with about 8 other guys the weekend of January 22nd on Rush. Are we going to be able to get out in a truck with our portables?

I've done plenty of ice fishing in Iowa and some in Minnesota but have never experienced the flooding you all talk about. Is this just a problem with permanent houses or does it make fishing all together impossible?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

today there isn't a chance to get a truck on the lake, it's even tough to find a place to stop a sled. If we get alot of cold weather in the next 3 weeks it my freeze but only time will tell.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With 2.5 weeks to go there is a pretty good chance a road will appear somewhere out there, or we could get lucky and the snow/slush will firm up. I would keep an eye on the boards or call your favorite baitshop for a report before you leave.

It all varies by lake. If Rush is unfishable there are so many other good lakes within 10 miles that you should be able to find access somewhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've done plenty of ice fishing in Iowa and some in Minnesota but have never experienced the flooding you all talk about. Is this just a problem with permanent houses or does it make fishing all together impossible?

The flooding and slush can freeze perm houses to the lake if they are not blocked up high enough. The slush also makes trying to get around on the lake miserable especially when the top inch or two is frozen sitting on a couple inches of water before getting back to the main lake ice.

I know there is a decent trail going out on the lake from the north east access. If you guys plan on sunfishing you should be able to get within 100 yards of the main area... as for walleyes, not sure how far you will be able to get into the lake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We normally go out from the north access because it's just a few houses down from the house. I do know where the northeast access is but I know it is relatively shallow back in that bay.

You don't have to worry about us taking your spots. We hardly catch anything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm on Ottertail so unless you plan on fishing there... which is a much bigger lake, I'm not too worried about you taking my spot :)-

We did drive out on Rush because we were debating setting our house on the sunfish spot in that shallow bay but we've decided to put it back on ottertail and try a new spot today (much closer to an access).

I've heard decent sunfishing reports earlier in the season but haven't heard much as of lately. For walleye reports I've heard that Ottertail is the place to be and has been producing the most fish in the area.

As for my fishing experience on Ottertail, the night/morning before the big storm I caught 6 walleyes 15-18" and threw one 26" walleye back, but that was the hottest night I had out there (storm def helped, low pressure, yadda yadda ya)... prolly averaged 2-4 keepers between 1-3 ppl the other nights we went out.

Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only time we ever catch an eye is around dusk. I'd like to get into some keeper gills and crappie, but I've always had trouble finding more than 1 crappie on Rush in a day. Does anyone catch any crappie at night? I never catch anything after dark.

I've caught some gills our in front of the river near the the main ramp off 78. We have to walk out there as we don't have a snowmobile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Anyone have any reports on the conditions on Dead Lake? Going up in two weeks and wondering if we can get the truck out there. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks -

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I was on Dead 2 weeks ago, it was snowmobile only, unless you had a plow. Even then, it was a fight to get around. It may have changed since then (I hope so) but I would say snowshoes, snowmobiles, or its "snow-deal."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was up there last weekend. Stopped by Sunset resort and the report was that there is still a lot of slush/water under the snow and getting around is nearly impossible with out a snowmobile. Things might improve some, but sometimes that slush will stick around a long time. I really don't think anyone will be driving out there the rest of the year. No one was driving off the public landing by Pochahantes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Maverick. I hope the conditions improve a little bit over the next two weeks. I haven't ice fished Dead Lake in about 20 years since my grandparents starting shutting down the cabin in the winter. Any surrounding lakes have driveable roads? I would assume Ottertail should have some, wondering about Marion or Star.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Mav, sounds like you were in the same boat we were, so to say. I got out on a sled by myself and was fine as long as you didn't stop. I don't have a lot of sled experience, but had a thought about firming up a path for a 4-wheeler. Could a guy take a sled and repeatedly run the same path back and forth a few times to expose some of the slush in an effort to freeze it up? If you did it side by side, I would think it might be able to hold up a 4 wheeler where the track exposed the slush (which it did, I saw it with my own eyes).

bw; Troje's had a path plowed out from their resort, and there was another group north of the road that may have since been plowed. If you stopped by Troje's and dropped a few bucks they may let you use their road. They have a couple of houses out for rent, too, if you are interested. Good Luck, and please update us!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't see a road at Troje's. There was one out of Sunset, but the owner said it didn't make it out to the group of houses that you can see from the road. He said the big snowfall slushed it up and he is still trying to get to the houses to get them off. The Sunset folks seemed real nice so they may be a good resource another year.

Your idea of the snowmobile is pretty good with the one possible problem of running a sled into a deep slush hole. Then you are pretty well screwed.

I tried to plow a road on our little bay with an ATV and sunk it into a slush pocket. It took us an hour to dig it out. It was a pain. It seems like the slush is in the middle of the lake, which makes sense since the snow sags the ice and like anything els the middle would sag the most.

If you have a sled, I think the best bet is to stay on old tracks. I will be up there on Superbowl weekend and plan to call Sunset and see what the slush conditions are. We will have sleds, but will want to be careful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe they opened it up just to yank their houses; as they had 2 out on their own, away from the other group. It could have covered up. Is the Sunset you mention the one just south of Woodland? We always call it sunset bay, and we say a guy on a 4 wheeler (2 weeks ago) trying to get somewhere with a plow, but quit after about 200 yards. The owner of the place we stayed said it was the new owner of the big house betwenn Sunset Bay and Woodland, though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's right, it's Sunset Bay. It is next to Woodland. He has a tractor with a big blower and was still having trouble rescuing those houses. One of these years we will have conditions that will allow more exploration of the lake.

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.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      Hogs! Hogs!!!
    • MarkB
      My 2 cousins and myself just finished up a windy 4 day trip to our favorite lake. It was the last of the year and was eventful to say the least. When we arrived, water temperatures were 61 degrees and when we left yesterday morning the water temps had dropped to 54 degrees. The fishing was fantastic, once again, and we caught walleyes, bass, and northerns on minnows and crawlers(northerns only on minnows). We found the fish adjacent to shallow rock piles(14') in 20'-28' of water. Our best fishing hours of the day were ~5:30 -twilight in the evenings and until ~ 10:30 in the mornings. Although those two time periods were prime time, fish bit all day. For us, the bite was very light and we probably missed or lost as many fish as we caught. Some people think I'm nuts when I say bead color can make a difference and it certainly did this trip. My cousin's "go to" green/white bead combo did zilch on this trip. It was one translucent red bead and a plain size #2 gamakatsu hook with a 3' leader that produced the fish. We ended up with 137 walleyes and 19 bass for the 4 day outing. We caught far more 17"-19.999" walleyes on this trip than on our previous trips and our numerous slot fish measured from 21"-25". My younger cousin caught 4 slot fish in ~20 minutes one evening. We fish exclusively for walleyes and additional species are incidental. With that said, we caught some beautiful smallmouth bass on this trip and they were right down there with the walleyes, usually in the rocks. As usual, everything is catch and release except for the fish we eat while there and the 12 walleyes(3 individual limits) we take home to the wives. While cleaning some eaters we kept for supper, we always check the stomach contents. One of the walleyes had the jig that is pictured below loose in its stomach!  No attached line, no embedded hook, just the jig! It baffled us as to how in the world it could have gotten there . As you can see, the jig is in good shape so the fish must have swallowed it recently .   The boat traffic was minimal this trip and we had a couple days where it looked as if we had the lake to ourselves. Sunday was a brutal day with wind gusts to 50MPH!. We stayed in and ventured out finally at ~5:00. It turned out to be the best 2 hours of the entire trip. This time, the baby loons were around, the eagles were abundant, the changing leaves made the entire lake area look like a painting. If I could make only one short trip a year to the lake, now would be the time. What capped off the trip was the magnificent display of the Northern Lights. We can't wait for next spring to return, God willing, and, in the meantime, good fishing.  MarkB🙂 The jig found in the stomach of a walleye we ate.   My young cousin with his best of the trip.   a chunky 17" smallmouth   19.5" smallmouth
    • leech~~
      Well, since they both say Propane on them.  Not propane QT++ their probably both the same gender!  🤭
    • Wanderer
    • Brianf.
      What an amazing extended weekend. The fish were happy and cooperated nicely.   We also had the unique experience of fishing under Northern Lights each of the last three nights in pristine weather conditions.  I wish everyone could have that experience, even if just once.  The pics below don't do it justice, though you get the idea.  The walleyes are putting on the feedbag and some are getting rather plump.  We caught mostly slot fish with several 'overs' in our bag.  Our two biggest weighed 8lbs 5oz and 8lb 3oz.     The crappies were active at dusk and beyond.  Almost all of the ones we caught were 14" or bigger.  The biggest we caught was a bit over 15".  We lost two muskies at the boat and caught a 38" pike after dark - quite surprising.   Every fish we caught was immediately released btw.  Water temp 54/55 when we left.  All-in-all, another great fishing experience on Lake Vermilion - for which I'm so incredibly appreciative.        
    • JerkinLips
    • leech~~
      The price and the label.  It's that same exact gas.  
    • Finns
      I don't use gas anymore, what's the difference between them?
    • Fish Head
      Great to hear from you again Mark! I've always liked your posts over the years. 
    • leech~~
      Yep, it's just you know and I know every dad who takes his kids or family camping for the first time.  Is buying the camping gas no matter the cost, cuz it says "Camping" on it! 🤭🤭
×
×
  • 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.