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Ice condition on Big Stone Lake Please.

lispeej
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bk_MN_iceman Enthusiast

bk_MN_iceman

Posted
Posted

The ice was 22 inches I believe when we measured.

We went out of a resort landing out of ortonville. It looked like a number of people went out of public landings but there were folks everywhere so it was hard to tell where they came from.

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bk_MN_iceman Enthusiast

bk_MN_iceman

Posted
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Basically anything you toss down worked. Seriously if you were on the fish they were hot and heavy no matter what.

We all 3 had different baits and lures on with similar luck.

I fished a gold on one side, green/yellow on the other treble hook lure with minnow head and did well.

The other two used single hook presentations (forage minnow and gem-n-eye) with full minnows.

I also messed around with plastics on small jig heads as well. White seemed to be the best color for plastics.

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Tullies Contributor

Tullies

Posted
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Did anyone made it out there this past weekend? How was the ice, snow and fishing report? I'm thinking of heading out there this coming weekend. Anything would be appreciate.

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R. Miller Rising Star

R. Miller

Posted
Posted

Fishing was good for us on Saturday. Over 20" of ice, not a lot of snow.

We caught a bunch of perch from 10:30am to 3:00pm but we definitely had to move around. When you'd get on top of them the action was fast and furious. They'd chase the Lindy Rattln Flyers all the way up to the bottom of the ice.

We wouldn't have caught half the fish we did if we sat in one spot. We started by drilling about 20 holes in an area and hole hoping. Definitely a fun day.

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R. Miller Rising Star

R. Miller

Posted
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No eyes, we were on the southern end. Heard they were getting a few eyes mixed in up further. We used a 4 wheeler but there were trucks all over the ice.

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ortonville Community Regular

ortonville

Posted
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There was no fishing done on Sunday it was storming.we got 17 inches of snow the accesses where all blowen in today when I went for a drive.it is going to be tough going now unless someone plows a trail and I don't know if that will happen.if anyone is thinking about making the trip out here give Artie a call at the old buds bait he just took ownership and will give you an up to date report.or ask and I will try to help

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poutpro Experienced

poutpro

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Have you been out since the snow this past weekend? Was thinking of making the trip there this coming weekend, so I'm wondering if truck travel is possible, or if we need to bring the sled.

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poutpro Experienced

poutpro

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That's what I was afraid of. We had grand intentions of bringing our 16' permanent house for a weekend of fishing and using the snowmobile for getting around the lake during the day. I'm assuming that getting the house onto the lake is out of the question now?

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First Ice-Mike Community Regular

First Ice-Mike

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I heard some guys left their houses on the lake through the storm with the holes open - now they have a major mess. 17-20 inches of snow will do that.

FI

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ortonville Community Regular

ortonville

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i did make it out last nite after work.someone plowed the landing at the public acces (localaly know as the Ben hien landing)they went north toward the islands assume to get a fish house off.i wnet south of the landing and it is possiable to get around with a pickup and 4 wheel drive just have to keep your foot on the floor and dont stop until you are back on the track.where the fish houses had sat there are some deep drifts that you cant see had to shovel that sucked.it would think by the weekend the snow should settle and there should be some trails blazed

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canman Enthusiast

canman

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Snow is starting to setting on the lake. Still drags from time to time on the bottom of the truck, but no issues going from spot to spot. Found enough perch to make the day interesting. Had to move 1 time to refind the school. Will be a great meal very soon tonight.

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  • 2 weeks later...
axman Rookie

axman

Posted
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i will be in the area the first work week of march for business and am wondering if i should pack my ice fishing gear.

how the lake and ice conditions lately. is the perch still biting? is the bite better on one end of the lake then the other? what landing is the easiest to get on to the lake?

thanks for any update

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ortonville Community Regular

ortonville

Posted
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bite is still going was real good this last weekend.not bad getting around.the bait shop has been sold and has a new owner Artie Arndt.he has made a lot of changes really got it looking nice.he does have a facebook page arties bait and tackle.look him up and he has new reports and is trying to up date it every couple of days.stop in buy some bait and tell him Bill sent you and he will give you a up to date report

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axman Rookie

axman

Posted
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thanks for the up date. It sounds like i'll load up the auger and a couple poles and give it a try. i have seen Arties bait and tackles facebook page and plan on stopping to look around to see what he has. i love stopping at the local shop, they usually have more knowledge about the products their selling. and i will throw you name out and thank for the privilege of doing so. see next week!!!

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waterfowl74 Apprentice

waterfowl74

Posted
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Just a heads up, starting March 1st the perch limit on Big Stone will be reduced from 25 down to 15 with a possession limit of 30 for anglers with a Minnesota license. Happy to see this happen.

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  • 3 weeks later...
waterfowl74 Apprentice

waterfowl74

Posted
Posted

Fished Big Stone last Wednesday thru last Sunday, still loads of snow out here. If anyone plans on adventuring out on the ice I would suggest not getting off of the beaten path very far unless you have a tracked vehicle. Everyday I got stuck at least once with the truck and it took a lot of shoveling to dig out. The top of the snow was a hard crust but underneath in spots was a few inches of slush and if you broke through you were not getting anywhere. The most traveled area with a few paths is the Ben Heins access off of cty rd 34/68.

Is it possible that we will be ice fishing on opener on Big Stone? Opener is April 20th. I didn't measure the ice thickness but there is hardly much room to give with the auger out there. Looking at the 10 day forecast for Ortonville there is only one day above freezing at 36!

The earliest recorded ice out date for Big Stone was last year on March 18th and the latest recorded ice out date was April 28, 1950. The median date is April 10th with the period of record starting in 1950.

Any Guesses on the ice out date for this year?

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basssmasher* Mentor

basssmasher*

Posted
Posted

Was on Bigstone on Fri.. having never fished the lake before i was kind of on my own with the help of Artie's bait, ( Bud's Bait) in Ortonville. He gave me a few tips on where to set up. I went out from a public access and found a breal that went from 3 ft of water to 12 ft of water in a 30 yd span so I set up there. I did ok, although there were more guys fishing 2 miles or so north of me on the lake, I wasnt walking that far. Plenty of ice yet, hand auger didnt punch thru smile I was happy with the 13 I kept, and threw back a bunch more including a bonus eye on 2 lb line, which was fun!!, I wanna go again maybe wed, I'll play hooky from work smile

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      water levels

      By jparrucci · Posted

      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      water levels

      By mbeyer · Posted

      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      Ice-Out 2024

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      Ice-Out 2024

      By mbeyer · Posted

      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Sturgeon Fishing is Hot

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
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