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Burntside Lake Ice/Snow Conditions and Fishing Reports


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Went and checked out the ice today off the Van Vac landing. I found 10-12in of good ice. I checked a straight line 100 yards out from the landing.

From what I could see from the landing there is snow pretty much everywhere on the lake. The most I found was a 4-5in drift. There are small patches of exposed ice but I would say looking out from Van Vac the lake was 98% snow covered.

Great Outdoors did report that there was open water a couple weeks ago around Brownell Island. So I do not expect the entire lake to have the same amount of ice. There could be areas with a lot less ice.

We will need much cooler temps to make enough ice for ME to be driving out by opener. Unless things change I would think wheelers and sleds would be fine for opener.

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  • Mike Stark

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Thanks for the update Mike. I just emailed someone for their thoughts on the lake. Please let us know if you or anyone else gets time to check it again before the opener. Thanks again for your time and report. wink

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Any new reports on ice thickness? Is there any snow cover at all? If I make it up for the opener this weekend I don't want to melt the hyfax off my sled like I did on Mill Lacs last weekend. Had it actually stick once it cooled down and had to use a screw driver to break it loose at each hole! cry Thanks.

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Burntside had about 12-13 inches of ice yesterday afternoon in most places we checked, not much snow, but did have slush along the shoreline.

I do not think this will hold true by the Brownell/Lost Girl Island area as it froze up about 2 weeks ago, would expect abut 6-8 inches there.

The ice is nice and clear, but not the typical January ice. It's a bit softer than it should be, but not as soft as spring ice.

ATV or snowmobile will be the smartest way to go for the first two weeks, then see if we add any more thickness before using a full size vehicle.

I'm sure some will ignore this warning! crazy

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Thanks GO. I just checked my hyfax that I put on new last year and they are down to about a 1/4 on the ends just from last weekend on Mill lacs. Either I look at some kind of lube system or ice scratchers or I may just have to give it a few weeks for some snow! cry

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No ice picks, Mike!

PS-Just at the Van Vac landing, and saw a full size white truck with a topper and plow, on the ice between Camp Van Vac and Burntside Lodge.

Pretty gutsy!!!!!! confused

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Oh,I get it!

If the ice can hold the Dodge diesel with a plow, it'll hold your weight!!

Nice try! gringringrin

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Hey Mike or GO,

Would ya mind posting snow conditions after saturday if possible?

Running up early sunday AM for the day since I have to coach b-ball saturday, and only have a sled. Hope you got a little of this stuff today too keep the slides cool on the ice. Thanks!!

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Should be enough snow to lube slides after today's 1" to 2" snowfall.

Cliff

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Should be enough snow to lube slides after today's 1" to 2" snowfall.

Cliff

Dern-it Cliff! I have been on again off again all week trying to decide to go or not because of no snow and only having a sled! So uuum huum? confused Thanks for the report! smile
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Hey Mike or GO,

Would ya mind posting snow conditions after saturday if possible?

Running up early sunday AM for the day since I have to coach b-ball saturday, and only have a sled. Hope you got a little of this stuff today too keep the slides cool on the ice. Thanks!!

Sorry no report from me. I am heading up to Lake Winnipeg in the morning. Looking for those monster Greenbacks.

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Definitely enough snow for slides on Burntside and other lakes.

However, not much snow on the portages or trails.

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Good luck on those Greenbacks Mike! Your dad going with you again (i thinkn i recall he was with on your trip last year?)

Hope you put a few Master Anglers on the ice.

Thanks GO....temps look good so it wont take much but glad to hear the lakes have some snow on them now.

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How 'bout status updates on that road you're going to plow? grin

Casey,

I plowed a road especially for you, but it may have a bit of snow cover on it.

Go through the north arm narrows as close as you can to the mainland on the east sides of the group of small islands. gringringrin

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Ice thickness reports from Saturday would be great as well...thinking about running up there sunday, but only if I can drive out in a half-ton.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Well I really wanted to hit B/S for some lakers this weekend but plans have changed and I will be up on Red instead. Good luck Guys! I'll be up there in a few weeks when the Ice, Snow and fishing will be just right! wink

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Ice thickness reports from Saturday would be great as well...thinking about running up there sunday, but only if I can drive out in a half-ton.

The ice thickness isn't going to change in a few days. There are a few fools driving out in trucks the last few days, but I'd give it another two weeks! smirk

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... Go through the north arm narrows as close as you can to the mainland on the east sides of the group of small islands. gringringrin

If I build up a full head of steam I should be able to skip right over it laughgrin

It should be making some solid ice out there tonight. It looks like you will get to below zero.

You said the main basin off Van Vac had 12" right?

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12 inches in most places, but the Brownell/Lost Girl Island area will most likely have less since that froze up a little over three weeks ago.

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Thanks GO. All I need is enough snow to keep the slides cool on Sunday. Will be outta Van Vac at dawn for the day. 2 up AC with an Otter in tow. Any problems heading to the Dead or the Arm on sled?

PS: On a year like this, who would risk dropping their truck in 60' of water for a trout?? confused

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Careful if heading for the Dear River area from the Van Vac Landing, as there is a pressure ridge with some open water running from Camp Can Vac to Lost Girl Island!!

North Arm from Van Vac should not be any problem as far as I could see the other day.

Just stay to the left side when going through the narrows by the group of islands in the entrance. (the first island has a cabin on it, facing south, no buildings on the other ones)

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Thanks GO. All I need is enough snow to keep the slides cool on Sunday. Will be outta Van Vac at dawn for the day. 2 up AC with an Otter in tow. Any problems heading to the Dead or the Arm on sled?

PS: On a year like this, who would risk dropping their truck in 60' of water for a trout?? confused

Not me, that's why I'm asking for reports. Three days/nights like we're having right now with wind and below zero temps will lock stuff up and make more ice in a hurry. Will it be enough to allow me to drive a 1/2 ton everywhere on Burntside on Sunday? Probably not...but a guy can hope! One of these days I'm gonna get smart and just pull the trigger on a sled and trailer.

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3 or 4 nights of cold weather this time of the winter will make very little difference in ice thickness in areas that are not frozen over yet!

Those areas have to have current in them and will be dangerous all winter!

A little snow cover will make them "look" safe though if there is enough ice on them to hold the snow up!

Be careful out there guys! This winter sure has not been a normal one as far as ice formation goes.

Cliff

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Im trying to run up there for opener. Any updates for the locals? We normally fish Grindstone but the ice is basically non existent frown

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We're heading over there in the morning for a couple days. It can't be any worse than our last two days in ON. More broken gear than fish. Yesterday was slow and today was just flat out terrible with only one fish iced. We've been on 8 inches of ice everywhere we've fished here. There might be reports of 12 but I wouldn't drive a truck out. I have to get home somehow. wink

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K guys,

any opening day ice reports?

Wanderer, I will be up there all day too, sorry to hear about the ice coneditions in ONT. Hope everyone out today had a limit and then some!

Time to pay the laker gods!! On the road in 7.5!!

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Went out Sunday from Van Vac at a little after noon. 16 inches of ice right out in front of the access. A few plowed roads and people driving trucks and cars. I drove my truck out to the left of the crowd in front of the access but didn't go real far. Fished for 3.5 hours and caught a 20" and 17". GO saw you drive by but by the time I got out of the house you were gone.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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