Ice condition on Big Stone Lake Please.

[bk_MN_iceman]

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.

[lispeej]

What are you guys using for bait? What seems to be working for you guys?

[bk_MN_iceman]

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.

[lispeej]

thanks

[stretch]

Hows the fishing been on big stone? I was thinking of heading out there on saturday.

[Tullies]

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.

[R. Miller]

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.

[waterfowl101]

any eyes?

[poutpro]

What were you using for travel? I'm assuming snowmobile?

[R. Miller]

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.

[R. Miller]

I fished Saturday...before the big snow, not sure what travel was like out there Sunday.

[ortonville]

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

[poutpro]

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.

[ortonville]

I have not been out since the snow.I would bring the snowmobile

[poutpro]

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?

[First Ice-Mike]

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

[ortonville]

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

[trappingaddiction]

Any updates on how the perch bite has been on Big Stone?

[ortonville]

Still going good.not to bad getting around on the lake

[canman]

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.

[axman]

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

[ortonville]

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

[axman]

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!!!

[waterfowl74]

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.

[vexi]

I have no idea why it was 25 in the first place. Glad to hear it is getting reduced.

[lispeej]

All this talk about perch, and I haven't. Seen any pics.

[waterfowl74]

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?

[JeremyCampbell]

Good question

[live-2-fish]

April 23rd

[basssmasher*]

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 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