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Posted

The 4 inches of snow predicted for Monday, and high winds Tuesday should make Burntside tracked vehicle travel only. The gusts today were already covering old tracks when I rode around Long, Dollar, Valentine, State, Honeymoon, and Brownell Islands.

Not many people on the lake, only counted 4 portables and one white Ford truck when I made the loop described above.

Only 4 unoccupied permies left in the same area.

They better get them off tomorrow (Sunday) or they'll have a lot of trouble Monday.

Posted

I went out for a couple of hours on Sat right near Van Vac and the roads were being drifted in from the snow Friday. The wind was really whipping it around. Like GO said truck travel will be difficult if it does snow 4 inches Monday and nobody plows.

Marked one fish that came off the bottom for a quick look but it wasn't interested. Heater problems kept me from staying out longer. I did manage to go home with some burnt eye brows for my efforts. grin

Posted

I wound up running north on a last minute decision. It was more to look at a truck for sale than anything but I figured if I was in the neighborhood, I may as well fish.

I didn't get on the lake until around Noon Saturday. Mike, I knew you said you were going to be out but if you weren't standing next to a grill I wouldn't know who to look for! grin I did see Jim cruising in the Pope Mobile and figured you were making your rounds since you weren't stopping anywhere.

I just rode out on my sled and left the porty in the truck. Man, there's some FANTASTIC sled riding on the lake right now! Way better than the fishing. I sat out in the wind and swirling snow till about 5 before pulling the plug. I tried 3 spots just trying to raise a fish with reaction baits but all I could get was one super fast dink charging in a couple times with no hits from him. Only a little guy could zoom like he did!

I messed around a little in the nearly knee deep powder with the sled - I couldn't resist! You can ride s-curves like you're on a jet ski. grin Some of the best riding powder ever around the shore lines. There are a few slush spots but I didn't run into anyting serious.

Steve and I talked big over a couple excellent stouts at the Boathouse and I met zymguy. Nice dude but could use a beard. wink Made plans to fish this morning but waking up to a -24 cold front was kind of a turn off. If I planned to stay later than Noon I would've gone out but knew the weather wasn't going to get better until I was about to leave and I needed to get home. The temptation to keep fishing would've kept me there too late.

The good news is, I caught a truck. smile I THINK it's good news anyway. whistle

Posted

Fished solo in the North Arm on Friday. Caught a 25", 4#-13oz Laker (pictured below) at 11:30 on a 2¼" silver Swedish pimple 36 feet down in 45 feet of water. I wasn't even watching the Vexilar when the fish hit. I didn't mark any other fish that day.

Fished around Dollar Island on Saturday with my brother-in-law (his first laker trip ever). As soon as I put down a 5" sucker minnow 24 feet in 32 feet of water, the flag went up. When I got there, the line was barely pulling out, then it stopped. This happened 3 more times, so I finally pulled up the line and found the minnow gone. This happened later on another tip-up, so I finally set the hook and caught a 22" walleye. That explains what was biting the first time. When I got back to my portable, I found that the wind had tipped it over, so I couldn't leave it the rest of the day. I only had one follow the rest of the day, then I caught a 9" laker (yes 9") on a 2¼" silver/orange Do-jigger at 4:30 35 feet down in 40 feet of water. The wind was really picking up at this time and made packing up difficult. Luckily we traveled by snowmobile.

full-28432-31153-4lb13oz.jpg

Posted

Fished solo in the North Arm on Friday.

Hey, that probably was you 40 yards away from us. You were already there when we pulled up in a tracked Polaris and two snowmobiles. smile

Whole darn North Arm empty, and we ended up planning to fish the same spot. I'd have gone to a different place seeing you were already there, but there aren't many spots that can actually handle six guys on Burntside with hopes of everyone getting on fish, so we settled for moving down the shoreline break a little bit. Hope you didn't feel too crowded.

Glad you at least got into a couple, and thanks for the report! smile

We got about 3 inches overnight last night at the house. NWS says 3-7 more today and 1-3 more tonight. And the wind, too. That's going to make truck travel pretty much impossible unless someone wants to keep the ice roads plowed. Once the snowmobile trails are groomed they'll be in great shape out on the ice, but with this deep snow and likely slush forming underneath, I wouldn't recommend a lot of sledding and hauling gear off the lake trails.

Posted

Yes, that was me fishing next to you. This was my first time in the North Arm and this was one of the 7 spots I had marked on my GPS to possibly try up there. I was a little surprised that we ended fishing in the same location, but I understand your reason. I didn't feel crowded at all. If I had known it was you Steve, I would have gone over to introduce myself, but not probably with the large group you were with. If you ever see me out on Burntside again, stop by to see how fishing is for this Burntside novice.

Posted

Yes, that was me fishing next to you. This was my first time in the North Arm and this was one of the 7 spots I had marked on my GPS to possibly try up there. I was a little surprised that we ended fishing in the same location, but I understand your reason. I didn't feel crowded at all. If I had known it was you Steve, I would have gone over to introduce myself, but not probably with the large group you were with. If you ever see me out on Burntside again, stop by to see how fishing is for this Burntside novice.

It felt kind of funny pulling up that close to the only other angler on the North Arm, but we got a late start, and a 5-mile drive in a tracked Ranger makes for a long trip and even later start, which is why I decided to set up there instead of taking another half hour to reverse course and get us on a different spot that could handle six guys. I hoped the 40 yards was enough breathing room.

I thought about walking over and chatting a bit just to make sure you weren't P.O.d and to explain my reasoning, but some guys don't like that, so I just stayed back. I'll definitely recognize you next time out and will stop to say hello and pass the time of day. smile

I don't take out groups this large when guiding specifically because there are very few spots on Bside big enough to fish that many people comfortably and hope they can all get into fish on a good day. Plus, it takes a long time to set up six bait rigs in deep snow. Plus, it's hard to teach a big bunch the ins and outs of Bside lakers. This was just a group of buddies out for a fun time.

Posted

Fished Sat and Sun out on the Burntside for the annual trip up each year. Had some quick action right away in the AM with a few chasers lost one nice fish and got another around 15in that was released. The afternoon was very slow until about 3:30 to 4 when we got two more fish a 18in and a 25in. Boy was the wind making it rough and packing up the shacks was not fun.

Sunday we got out at sunset and the temp gauge in the truck read -29. Boy was it cold and the fish did not come by. Once it warmed up and we could fish outside we found a couple chasers hole hoping but nothing would go.

TRAVEL: Unless you have a great ground clearance forget about going off road. The snow is not terribly deep but the top crust layer really hangs up the undercariage. Didnt heed the warnings and got to do some shovel work outs! Plowed roads were drifting alot as well so any more snow could make it tough for trucks period.

Good luck everyone and be safe.

Posted

If the 20-30+ mph winds they're predicting drift this 5-7 inches of snow (more coming)we got, there will be very few people fishing Burntside for the next week or so!

Snowmobiles and tracked ATV's will be the only mode of travel available.

Posted

You could always hoof it. smile

Posted

You could always hoof it. smile

That's exactly what I'll be doing. I will not be denied.

Posted

"I hoped the 40 yards was enough breathing room."

That was plenty of room since I was fishing alone and my tip-up was 50 feet to the other side of my portable.

Following is a picture of my big catch on Sunday. Cute little guy.

full-28432-31203-9incrop.png

Posted

Atleast you can say you didn't get skunked sunday cool

Posted

Looking to make another trip next weekend. Hoping for no slush, good driving conditions on the lake and good fishing weather. cool

Posted

You could always hoof it. smile

Hey, I'm liking that idea!! confused

Then I'll be driving around Burntside with my tracked Ranger, oxygen bottle, hose, and mask (kind of like the beer cart on a golf course)

At $3 a hit, I can make a small fortune on those trying to walk or snow shoe through those drifts! gringringringrin

Posted

Steve and I talked big over a couple excellent stouts at the Boathouse and I met zymguy. Nice dude but could use a beard.

You don't know the half of it! always fun to put anotherbeard /face with a name

Posted

G.O. - Is truck travel off Van Vac landing done? You don't think

the road will be plowed anymore?

Posted

Someone dropped a plow on the ice road yesterday, traveling west. I don't know how far it went. You will be able to get down to, and on the lake, but how far you can go is iffy?????

I'll take a ride this afternoon to see what the conditions are,and report back.

But I'm guessing that truck travel is done, and the rest of the season will be with snowmobile or tracked ATV with the winds and snow we had.

Posted

As of 11 a.m., the roads had been plowed to some degree. The plowed route turns hard left off the Van Vac landing and goes through the narrows. Past the narrows, it takes a right and goes up the side of Waters Island about half way. That was all that was plowed.

The road's wide enough so a person can pull over tightly to one side to park and stlll leave room for vehicles to pass.

Once through the narrows, the route heading toward Dollar/Long islands had not been plowed, but someone in a full sized 4x4 made it through on the old road, which had drifted in but not to the tops of the plow banks. Same deal with the old road continuing up the side of Waters. Someone had driven up that a good distance after the plowed section ended. So if we don't get more snow and strong winds, those tracks will stay open and folks should be able to get through by driving slowly and keeping on the tracks. Of course, who knows what you'll find at the end of the tracks? grin

While no one had plowed staight out from Van Vac to where the permie village sat most of the winter, a person should still be able to bounce around and get out that far on the old road with full sized 4x4. It's not that far, and there is a very low berm in one spot where the fresh plowing has been done that would make an easy exit.

Plenty of good trout water all along off either side of the roads. Nobody in a pickup is going anywhere very far off the plowed roads. It's drifted way too deep in most places up against the plowed berms.

There was no plow truck on the lake when I was there this morning. It's possible there will be more plowing, but who knows? I was surprised and thankful that someone was thoughtful enough to do this much. smile

Bottom line, plowed roads or not: Bring a shovel and a tow strap.

Posted

I just got back from a snowmobile ride on Burntside. No issues at all with a snowmobile. I don't think you would have an issue pulling a sled either. There are so many old tracks out there to use to get from spot to spot. I only found a tiny bit of slush in a couple spots when i kicked down to the ice. Never saw slush in my tracks. There is definitely some deep soft snow in the sheltered areas of the lake but nothing too bad. The big open areas have some harder drifts so its a little bumpy but not as bad as it was earlier in the year. The sled stays on top of the harder drifts as well. Like Foss said there is a road plowed on the west side of waters. The section I saw seemed pretty narrow tho. I checked out where the road was west of Dollar and didnt see any tracks up there towards the end. There is some deep snow in some areas of the old roads.

Snowmobiles and tracked vehicles are by far the best bet.

Posted

I just got back from a ride on Burntside too. As Mike said, snowmobiles should be OK in most parts, but I ran into some long areas where the tracked Ranger was sinking down at least a foot. A snowmobile towing a sled would not have made it through these areas. I did not stop to check if there was any slush beneath the snow but it sure felt like it!

As for the unplowed roads. Found one young guy fishing past $ Island, at it looked as though he labored while driving his 4x4 truck through the drifts on the old, unplowed road. If two vehicles met on that stretch of road, or on the other plowed road to the west of Water's Island, one is going to get stuck.

With this said, I would not go out on Burntside with anything other than a snowmobile, tracked ATV, or large 4x4 truck WITH A V BLADE!!! (a straight blade plow will pound the heck out of your vehicle!!!!)

Posted

I don't think you would have an issue pulling a sled either.

So from what G.O. said and thinking about some of the spots I went through I'm rethinking what I said about pulling a sled. smile It is doable in a lot of spots but it only takes one bad spot to ruin you day. I usually just pull a small otter sled with gear so it's usually pretty light but if your pulling an Otter lodge with the sled full of gear you might find it tough in some areas. If you can get by without pulling a sled you will be better off. I am going to head out fishing tomorrow with no sled in tow.

Posted

So, let me recap.

Trucks will take you anywhere the roads are plowed. Sleds without heavy loads will take you most anywhere. Tracked vehicles will take you most anywhere. Foot travel will take you most anywhere.

Where's the problem? You wanna bring an armchair out into lake trout country? Not! Let's go fish! grin

Posted

Straight talk.

Burntside has:

1. Not much for plowed roads off the Van Vac landing.

2. Single lane only on most areas of plowed roads, two vehicles cannot get by each other in most places without one of them getting buried in snow drifts. Any amount of truck 4x4 use on a weekend will have a major traffic jam if everyone wants to drive anywhere other than near the VV landing.

3. Sleds will take you many places, as long as you stay on former trails or windswept areas. I wouldn't try to drag an Otter sled without breaking trail first, then going back for it.

4. Going within 100 feet of any shoreline in low traveled areas can have you digging your snowmobile out.

5. Tracked ATV's will still take you anywhere I traveled today, but as previously posted, went through some areas that are VERY BAD.

6. Some giving advice about lake conditions only traveled a short distance, then turned around where a one lane plowed road went north by Water's Island.

Be very careful on the lake as conditions are not very good at this time.

This report is based on my 11 mile ride this afternoon.

Posted

Average snow depth on lake is?

Posted

Average snow depth on lake is?

It's hard to say. It varies so much around the lake. Lots of drifts out there. I will try to get a better idea today.

Posted

O.K., a fourth take on lake conditions based on 1 week old on the ice information actually fishing.

There is a variety of consistency in the snow cover - you'll hit both powder and hard pack. I don't know how deep the hard pack is but the powder in a virtually non travelled part of the lake was between shin and knee deep. Some slush was visible in some snowmobile tracks near shore but not bad.

I travelled via snowmobile with 136 inch track and 1 3/8" paddles. I could stop and start anywhere at will without doing a loop. I did not tow my overloaded Fish Trap Voyager and thought to myself a couple times that I might have a work out to do so but could probably get it done.

IF I find myself on the lake this weekend, I will be happy to go out on the just the sled due to not having to worry about dragging the fish house and it should be an absolute beautiful weekend. I'm also anticipating the fish shifting out of their negative mood.

Some stars will have to align for me to be there but it could happen and I will enjoy every minute of it should it happen. smile

Truck travel is what it is on formerly plowed, snow drifted lake. If you don't know what you're doing with it, you'll learn, or just don't do it. If you want to fish, you'll be able to but may experience some adventure.

What's life without adventure?

Posted

Tracy,

It has changed a lot in one week, and I was in one area yesterday where I would not take a snowmobile. The tracked Ranger was sinking down well over 12 inches, and not many snowmobiles could have made it through that area, even at top speed.

The Ranger has far better flotation and traction than any snow sled made.

There are other places where the wind has hit, and travel will be just fine.

It's the places you least expect that can turn a pleasant fishing weekend into a nightmare!

Posted

It's the places you least expect that can turn a pleasant fishing weekend into a nightmare!

Oh, I've been there... whistle

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Straight talk.

Burntside has:

1. Not much for plowed roads off the Van Vac landing.

2. Single lane only on most areas of plowed roads, two vehicles cannot get by each other in most places without one of them getting buried in snow drifts. Any amount of truck 4x4 use on a weekend will have a major traffic jam if everyone wants to drive anywhere other than near the VV landing.

3. Sleds will take you many places, as long as you stay on former trails or windswept areas. I wouldn't try to drag an Otter sled without breaking trail first, then going back for it.

4. Going within 100 feet of any shoreline in low traveled areas can have you digging your snowmobile out.

5. Tracked ATV's will still take you anywhere I traveled today, but as previously posted, went through some areas that are VERY BAD.

6. Some giving advice about lake conditions only traveled a short distance, then turned around where a one lane plowed road went north by Water's Island.

Be very careful on the lake as conditions are not very good at this time.

This report is based on my 11 mile ride this afternoon.

Oh, but you forgot. "Get the best bait in Ely at the "GREAT OUTDOORS" Bait shop"! grin

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