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Posted

MN River Drowning

Let me first say that this is a reality check for me and this could happen to any one of us who ice fish on the river ice and I will be the first one to admit that I have fished the river alone and without any safety precautions (life vest, ice picks, etc) many times.

With that said, I'm curious ...was this someone who often fished the river in the winter or was it a case where he did not know what he was getting himself into. I'd like to hear more details about what happened to possibly help others avoid this kind of tragedy in the future.

37 years old...what a shame.

Posted

I didn’t know him, but based on the pictures I seen and talking to a few people, it was a sketchy ice area. In other words as soon as I seen the spot my first reaction was “wow, I’m surprised someone was on the ice there”.   A sad deal for sure.  I read that he sold some of his things from other hobbys to buy ice fishing gear and was going to spend more time ice fishing.

 

  There are only a handful of spots that I have ice fished the river and never felt completely safe.  The way the sandbars move every year and the current shifts, you really really need to know the river well, and even then you still have to be diligent with safety.  I know guys that won’t go out on the river ice without life vests, spud bar and a rope tied to a tree

Posted

I love ice fishing, but have never ice fished the river because I don't feel that I know it well enough. I also frequently fish alone. Very sad.

Posted

I used to ice fish rivers when i was in high school, but I just wont do it anymore.

heard about what happens when you go through and get sucked under the ice.

Posted

I have a fair amount of experience on the river and ice fishing, but I'm not confident enough to mix them.

Sounds like the guy might have a been a newbie if he was selling stuff to buy ice gear. Bad deal...

Posted

I have a fair amount of experience on the river and ice fishing, but I'm not confident enough to mix them. .

Ditto.

And at least for me- funny how trying to be the first and last on the ice ended right along with motorcycles in the garage when my little ones came about. Lol

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      When it said. "The foolish man, builds his house upon the sand"? 🫣   Just got back from 10days on the golf of America.  By Panama city Florida.   
    • 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
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    • 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!!!!!! 👍
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