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Posted

Heading out this weekend, anybody having any luck out there? Not looking for your spots, just direction on depths and stuff. Talked to a buddy of mine and he said it has been pretty slow. Hoping to get my girls on some walleyes. Thanks!

Posted

Got one report from a friend of mine that things were pretty slow, but they were getting a few Walleyes in about 22-23 FOW on some shore breaks. Anybody having more luck either on shallow weed lines or deeper holes/humps? Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Posted

He moved out to a deeper break yesterday evening and it was more of the same. Got 1 last night and 3 this morning, so pretty slow. He's in 29 FOW now. Heard the day bit was better, so he is giving that a try today. I'll be headed to Ida this afternoon, hopefully we'll figure it out. Any other reports out there?

Posted

How's the ice and snow depth on Ida? Any slush?

Posted

Ice is a bit all over the place. I'm sitting on 18 inches right now, but there are areas of 9 inches out here too. Snow isn't too bad, about 6-8 inches, but lots of paths to follow. We ran into slush a couple places, but not too much.

Posted

Good to hear...planning on taking the wheeler out next weekend. Good luck!

Posted

Good luck! It was really slow this weekend for us and also for several others. We stopped by a few other houses and most had just 1-2 fish. Great to be out there, but tough fishing.

The ice is pretty good, but there are still cracks opening up under the snow. We had one spot on a plowed road that was great on the way out, and on our way back in a crack opened up and there was about 2-4 inches of water steaming on the ice. Still good ice under it, just spooky. Let us know how you do next weekend.

Posted

Things picked up a bit yesterday evening. Of course that is after I left, so frustrating, but the fish were moving a bit more. Still didn't light it on fire, but had a 19 plus a couple other decent fish and a couple smaller ones too in about 25 FOW. Anyone else having any luck or having any reports out there?

Good luck, tight lines and Happy New Year!

Posted

Were you guys driving vehicles or wheeler/sled?

What's working better for ya, fatheads, shiners, both?

I'll have a report after this upcoming weekend.

Posted

I'm heading up to Ida tonight for the first time this year. It looks like most people are catching in 25-30 FOW, is that still the case?

I'll be on the south side of the lake. I know most people fish the north by the main point, any one have any luck or ever fish on the south side?

How's the pan fish bite? I'll report back on Sunday night.

Posted

Hey Finn, how did it go. I don't have any reports over the last few days, but we fish the west side and 25-26 feet has been best for us. Nothing fast but a few each night. Some decent release fish, a few small ones and a few for the bucket too.

Hopefully heading there this weekend, but not sure if it will work or not. Any other reports?

Posted

I went up and came back...didn't even get to fish. maybe this weekend.

Posted

Josher,

We were up the 3rd and 4th of the month and it sounds like we had the same success as you. We only fished Saturday; Sunday was brutally cold especially fishing in a portable.

I also fish the west side of the lake. Are you on the south side or the north side?

We had good success at 28FOW then moved shallower as the night progressed. I'll be headed up the 24th of January and then the 7th of February.

Any new updates would be fantastic.

Benny the Finn

Posted

What is everyone reading for ice thickness on the lake?

Posted

Heading there tonight, I'll let you know.

Posted

Hi All,

How's the bite been on Ida? I'm heading up this weekend and am excited to get out on the ice! I was up at the beginning of the month and they were in 25-30 FOW, is that still the case?

Any updates and reports are always helpful and as always I never ask where they are biting...there's fish all over! Move away from the cluster and you'll do just fine!

Ben

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Hey guys, I wanted to head out to Ida in search of some nice crappies. Anybody know how they been doing?

Posted

I do quite well with crappies in the summer but find it tough in the winter. I mostly target eyes in the winter. Where are you looking to fish?

Posted

Thinking about heading up this weekend for the tournament and to get out on Ida...any luck out there lately? Depth range?

Thanks in advance!

Posted

I'll be up this weekend as well but I am not fishing in the tournament. We'll be fishing Friday morning to Monday morning. Last time I was up the fish were biting in 25-30FOW.

Posted

I'll be up this weekend as well but I am not fishing in the tournament. We'll be fishing Friday morning to Monday morning. Last time I was up the fish were biting in 25-30FOW.

Thanks for the info.

What side of the lake are you on? We're on the NW side...I usually move all over the place but don't usually get South of pilgrim's in the winter.

Any shiners up there? We're out down here in the cities at most places.

Posted

I'm on the SW Side of Ida just south of the bay and north of the old camp omaha if you know where that is. I mainly stay on the south side.....We have decent luck. Not sure if there are shiners up there...i'm hoping.

Posted

How's the snow / drifts out on Ida? Any troubles getting around in a truck or wheeler?

Posted

has anyone been out here lately looking to bring the kids out in the wheel house over the weekend. how is the travel? Thanks

Posted

Was out last weekend, if you say away from the drifts you can get around...but there are a lot of drifts.

Not sure about plowed roads from the public accesses, but I did see quite a few vehicles with wheelhouses coming and going from that direction.

Posted

Howdy.

I'm heading up to Ida to stay at a buddy's cabin the last weekend in February. Seeing as walleye and pike will be closed, I'm thinking of targeting perch or crappie.

And reports of such lately?

Thanks in advance.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      Venny backstrap and the fixins!
    • SkunkedAgain
      Running on empty at dark on a sled is definitely stress-inducing. Been there, done that. Glad that you made it out.
    • SkunkedAgain
      Eagle swoops are always a hoot to watch.   The snow is mostly gone on the lake. Ice melt made things pretty wet but the ice is obviously still very thick. 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The big question:  "How is the ice up at Lake of the Woods?"  That is for each individual resort or outfitter who operates an ice road or trail to answer, but overall, ice conditions are still very good and ice fishing is going strong!  As always, stay on the marked ice  roads and trails for safety.     Being up on the Canadian border, the colder temps Lake of the Woods enjoys vs much of the region combined with three feet of ice makes a big difference.  Fish houses are allowed unattended overnight through March 31st and it sounds like a good number of resorts will be fishing through the month, but ultimately, Mother Nature will determine that.     Regarding the fishing, overall, very good reports for walleyes, saugers and perch.  There is a strong population of smaller walleyes and saugers in the lake which bodes well for the future, but in the meantime, anglers are sorting through them to catch their keepers.   The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait on the jigging line is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a live minnow a foot off the bottom on a plain red hook or medium sized ice fishing jig is catching a lot of fish.   Using electronics is super helpful.  Many nice walleyes are swimming through suspended, keep an eye out.   Anglers tip-up fishing for pike have had a great week and it should continue to get even better.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom seems to be effective this week.  Most common depths, 9 - 15 feet. On the Rainy River...  The Rain River is still frozen with no signs of open water yet.  Every year can be different, but on average, the Rainy River will start opening up around the third week of March.  The first boat ramp suitable for larger boats is Nelson Park in Birchdale.  We will keep you posted.    As of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.     Make plans now for sturgeon season.  Once the open water appears, the fish are super active.  Here are the seasons...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.  Up at the Northwest Angle...  Fishing remains very good up at the Angle and the ice is in good shape as well.  As on the south end, resorts monitor ice roads and trails daily and there are still some great ice fishing opportunities available.     Walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike are showing up in good numbers.  Those targeting crappies are reporting good numbers of fish.  Work through a NW Angle resort for ice fishing opportunities on this part of the lake. The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. 
    • Wanderer
      Looks like a shallow lake with some potential.  Keepable crappies, decent bluegills and some nice perch according to the last survey (2015). Susan Lake   With a max depth of 10 feet, I’d want to know a little more about it before I’d start drilling holes.  Could be a nice little adventure though.  
    • Brianf.
      Jeff and I fished Saturday and half day Sunday, targeting whitefish, ciscos, crappies, and perch.  The bite was tough for us.  We ecked out a few, but nothing special.  Highlight of the weekend was the sled ride into Wolf Lake and having an eagle swoop in and eat a rock bass we had on the ice.  All in all, not a bad way to waste time.    
    • monstermoose78
    • smurfy
      Smoked polish sausage with some beans!
    • smurfy
      just below the ice???? i was pulling crappies from 30 ft over 43 ft and 23 inches of ice this past weekend.   nice going!!!!!! 👍
    • monstermoose78
      Went fishing with my dad and we spanked them panfish again. Same set up as yesterday. Fish fry coming this Friday for the family!! 
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