Washington County Ice Fishing

[urbaniceteam]

Its never too early to start talking about ice fishing! I just moved to Oakdale recently and am unfamiliar with the area lakes. What are some of the best lakes in the area for ice fishing?

[iceAngler651]

If I'm short on time, or just want to stay close to home I'd usually hit Bald Eagle Lake. It has a great crappie population and the local bait shop always has quality bait and good information on the ice quality. I haven't fished the Bellaire-town that grows on White Bear Lake for a few years, but I guess there is still lunkers in it. Time to tune up the auger!

[JBMasterAngler]

Bald Eagle is great for numbers, but you'll be hard pressed to find any keepers. The St. Croix can be hit and miss, but you never know what you'll run into. There are some dandy crappies if you can find them, but you can also run into schools of white bass, might find a walleye, smallie, catfish, sturgeon.

[LegattoAD]

JB mentioned Bald Eagle, which can be fun, but like he said, quality isn't really that great. I like Chisago, I usually do pretty well when I'm out there. I've tried Lake Jane a couple years ago and I see the potential but was out with folks that would not move around so never really got to see what the lake had to show.

If you haven't already, check out the DNR's recreational compass, it'll help you find some lakes that you don't want to tell anyone about.

[drscholl14]

Welcome to the area. White Bear can posts quality fish every year. Last year was VERY slow like it was most places. Two years ago I pulled a 15 in crappie out of it. The walleye bite is tough in my opinion but some guys catch a good number of them. Last year a guy pulled a 52 in. (I think) Muskie through the ice. Like everyone else has said, Bald Eagle, and also Big Marine just east of Hugo is a great crappie lake. Tough to get out on that lake after big snowfalls though unless you have a snowmobile.

[urbaniceteam]

Thank you all for your information. I can't wait to hit some of the area lakes. Has anyone tried Battle Creek Lake? I've seen someone out there the past two nights and am itching to go out. I've heard that since its a relatively small snd shallow lake it ices out early.

[Gill_King]

I just recently moved to the area as well and might try battle creek too. Its really close to my place and it would be nice to find some decent panfish in there. Are there any crappies in there? Has anyone had luck there?

[JBMasterAngler]

Battle Creek Lake is a popular first ice lake. I've never fished it, but from what I understand, people are targeting pike. But it's pretty much just hammer handles and potato chip sunnies.

[StCroixMMAHouse]

Fished Battlecreek on Saturday afternoon. Marked a few fish but couldn't get any to commit! It was great to get out though....

Tight Lines!