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Posted

Don are you over in that little bay where crazy Rick always hammers everything from pig 'eyes to buckets of slab craps to 32 inch slob channel cats?

No I am in the bay between the winter access and the meth hole.

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Top Posters In This Topic

  • Horseshoe_Don

    18

  • pushbutton

    11

  • aanderud

    9

  • Stick in Mud

    7

Posted

Do you guys ever fish the big long hump straight out from the Winter access? or the smaller hump about 200 yards north and 50 yards west of it?

Posted

Horseshoe frozen. Picture looking at meth hole in the distance around point(above bench).

Don

I caught my biggest walleye from the Chain right in front of your house a few years back. It was a 31" 9.75 lbs fish. Caught it in mid July of all times. In fact, I've fished your bank quiet a bit over the years. My parent's have a place on the other side of the point from you.

Posted

Went for a drive today and Grand lake is wide open, and Pearl lake is froze over and their like 2 miles apart.

Posted

I caught my biggest walleye from the Chain right in front of your house a few years back. It was a 31" 9.75 lbs fish. Caught it in mid July of all times. In fact, I've fished your bank quiet a bit over the years. My parent's have a place on the other side of the point from you.

Thats cool. I catch a lot of fish off my dock.

Posted

I drove by pleasant today ant it was covered. Walked on shoe tonight and it is 1"+(I was only by shore).

Posted

Went for a drive today and Grand lake is wide open, and Pearl lake is froze over and their like 2 miles apart.

I'd guess it's because Grand--while a bit smaller-- is considerably deeper than Pearl.

Posted

just measured the ice on shoe this morning. 2" on shore and just over 1" in about 4 ft of water. Hoping to get out monday but thats up to mother nature.

Posted

This is basically perfect timing. With the weather forecast I'm sure there will be folks out early to mid-week, and almost guaranteed to be plenty of ice a week from Sunday when I'm available. Heck, by then there could even be enough to drag the snowmobile out if we can gain like 3/4 inch to an inch per day the next week or so. Several nights of 0 or below in there, seems possible. Time will tell. Walk-able ice is almost a shoe-in (pun intended).

Posted

I drove over to Pleasant Lake today to look at the ice conditions. I only went a few feet from shore. The ice was 1.25- 1.50 inches thick. No where near safe. Prob gonna need a another few weeks at least.

Posted

I drove over to Pleasant Lake today to look at the ice conditions. I only went a few feet from shore. The ice was 1.25- 1.50 inches thick. No where near safe. Prob gonna need a another few weeks at least.

New ice sheets can easily put on between 1/2 inch and 1 inch of ice PER NIGHT when nighttime temps dip to (or below) 0. The cold doesn't have to penetrate though much ice to add more ice, so it adds ice fast. As it thickens, it will require longer stints at colder temps to add ice (which is what happens through Jan).

I'll bet that any lake that's covered by 1+ inch of ice at this point will be fishable by Sunday. Lakes that haven't yet capped will take longer of course.

Posted

As aanderud mentioned, if a lake has already capped it will be "safe" rather quickly given the forecast. I personally won't venture out till about 5- 6 inches, but even that will pretty common come next weekend, if not midweek. Here are some approximate numbers concerning the subject. Please read the disclaimer in red.

full-27018-51217-ice_th1.jpg

Posted

Good chart pushbutton

Wind and snow are the two other factors that slow good ice development.

High winds today and tomorrow and predicted temps near 40 by next Saturday, could change things rather quickly. Considering our normal temps this time of year are low 40's, we've had a great start. Hope it continues, but it's common to see skim, or thicker shore ice piled up on shorelines from strong winds this time of year, or just enough snow to flood, not sink the ice layer, then insulate ice from refreezing until below zero temps.

We will see what happens..........

Posted

2" as of this morning on Shoe. Drove the wheelers on the shoreline to test my new ramp to the lake. with the bigger wheeler I did hear a few cracks. May try one of my safer area's as soon as tomorrow night but Tomorrows ise measurement will be the key.

Posted

On the way home from seeing the parents this weekend, I decided to drive by Becker(Horseshoe Chain). I noticed a guy on the south side of the lake fishing....but I couldn't believe he had his quad with him too. I can't imagine there much more then 3-4" of ice on Becker.

Posted

Becker looked to be locked up on Wed morning(from driving by on Hwy 23) so its had 4+ days of below freezing temps to make ice. Let's hope it's safe and we don't hear any reports of someone going thru.

Posted

That "dude" is always out in the shallows on Becker, a shallow lake, crazy early. Suspect he/she /they live on the lake and get to see where, how, and for how long the ice has formed. Yes, too early for me, but probably not all that crazy.

Posted

Maybe it's Arms. With the muscles he earns rowing up and down the river, he could flop back onto the ice no problem.

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

I know the guy yes he does live on the lake and yes he usally is the first guy out there. As stated the lake was froze over for a few days so there could be fishable ice in spots but to park your ranger atv on the ice crazy Me ill wait another week or so for more comfortable ice conditions, it's a long winter and the fish aren't going anywhere!

Posted

2" as of this morning on Shoe. Drove the wheelers on the shoreline to test my new ramp to the lake. with the bigger wheeler I did hear a few cracks. May try one of my safer area's as soon as tomorrow night but Tomorrows ise measurement will be the key.

I bet you're out there smokin em right now. I'm only a little jealous.

Posted

Checked ice conditions on cedar island and Browns. They were around 4 inches by shore and were only 2-3 inches 20 ft off shore. Also checked rice and there is a solid 5 inches 20-30ft out. There is 3-4 inches 100 ft out. We noticed someone had a portable out 400 yds out from shore fishing on the deep ledge.

Should be good by this weekend

Posted

(Today's Update on ice thickness)

- St Johns lakes are coming along a little bit Walked out to the deepest part of one lake @ 3.25" thickness.

- Pleasant lake 2"-2.5"

- Beaver lake 2"

(Towards the end of last wk,("Not updated")

-Little rock was starting to skim on the south side.West side was wide open.

-Kramer - wide open as far as I could see from the rod/gun access.

-Sag in St johns.Had two inches or so.Couldnt get out much more than 5' out.

-Watab long, let's just say it's got a ways to go.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Your alive Jeremy

Posted

I am going to try shoe tonight for the first time this year. Have not measured this morning yet but I expect about 4".

Don

Posted

Shoe has 4" out 150 yards this morning

Posted

Thanks for the updates Don!

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

Just a heads up cedar island has a fair amount of open water out through the bay out of the 71 access something to consider when ice gets walkable may be some thin ice in that area for a while yet. On a side note believe Horseshoe Don is on the ice waiting for his reports to come in saw his trap and wheeler out in his honey hole wink

Posted

Anyone know of ice thickness on any of the spunks ? thinking about heading out there on Saturday. Just wondering if it will be safe or not.

Posted

Anyone been on Elk?

Posted

New title: Ice fishing is here.

Had a fun night. Was in 20ft of water and on 4.5" of clear ice. Rode the small wheeler out there carefully with no problems.

From 2 to 4pm the Crappies were biting and could have caught a lot if I had switched to a smaller jig but still got some.

From 4 to 5:30 The Wallys came in and they were hungry and aggressive. I was a little rusty with my hook sets but Kept enough for a nice meal. Lost 2 of every 3 on the way up. Was very active.

Only spotted a few cats on the sonar and had one bite but lost him on the way up.

Water clarity on the camera was 3-4 feet.

Be cautious, just because I have plenty of ice does not mean other bays do.

Great night

Don

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • monstermoose78
      Ok the ice was 15-16 inches and less than 2 inches of snow. It’s was -15 this morning and the weekend looks to be cold again. The fish were there but not biting with change in weather. 
    • Dash 1
      I guess the vikings are a lot like fishing.  Very entertaining but frustrating at times. I've probably been cheering the vikings for 50 plus years  that i can remember and once again it's all about (there's always next year).  
    • Dash 1
      I remember Jeno's boxed pizza years ago.  Mom made it every Saturday night while dad and I watched All Star Wrestling.  
    • smurfy
      Chef boyardee box pizza. Good stuff 
    • smurfy
    • leech~~
      Smurf, still trying to get his lure jigging down when using the camera!  🤭   https://www.facebook.com/reel/517510734635573
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore... Ice fishing is going great on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters reporting thickening ice conditions with two feet of ice in some areas.  Many ice roads are now open to 1 ton vehicles pulling a wheelhouse.  Every road has different weight limits, check with each resort for details before traveling up and out on the ice.      Some good fishing this past week.  As a rule, fishing activity is happening in 28 - 32 feet of water.  Resorts do just about everything they can to get customers on fish and this past week, some resorts made some long runs, resetting fish houses in new areas miles off shore.  Most are reporting good fishing as a rule.     It is common to sort through some small walleyes and saugers to get your keepers on LOW.  Naturally, some big fish are showing up, especially in deeper water.  In addition, this has been a very good year for jumbo perch with good numbers being caught.  Other fish in the mix are eelpout (burbot), pike, tullibees and an occasional sturgeon.      Anglers are using the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole. In the jigging hole, a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail in gold / pink, gold / glow red, glow white / pink, or Wonder Bread have worked well.     Especially in the deeper water, some anglers are finding success on rippin raps or using jigging spoons with a rattle as well.     On the deadstick, a small jig with a live minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin set 6 inches - a foot off of the bottom is working well.  One day the jigging line catches most of the fish, the other day a deadstick is hot.     Electronics are very helpful to see suspended fish, know when fish are coming through and adjust your presentation to the mood of each fish.  Most resorts, outfitters and bait shops in the area rent electronics by the day.   On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes and saugers, primarily in the mornings and evenings.  A jig and minnow working well.   Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing continues to be good for those targeting them.  An oversized hole, or three holes drilled together, with nightcrawlers or frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig fished on the bottom are what anglers are using.     Ice conditions on the river can vary significantly due to the current. To stay safe and maximize success, always work with a local resort or outfitter familiar with river conditions.    Up at the NW Angle... Ice fishing continues to be very good up at the Northwest Angle. Resorts have fish houses set up on various pieces of structure as well as adjacent to structure in deep mud.  A consistent mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and tullibees in the mix.     Shallow structure is best right away in the morning and as the sun starts going down in the late afternoon.  Mud is more of a slower bite but all day.   The ice road from Jerry's on the mainland (Angle Inlet, MN) to island resorts (as of this past week) was open to 1 ton vehicles.  Guests drive right to their island resort after picking up a road pass at Jerry's or Point North Services.  Venmo is also available at all resorts.  Work through your resort for specifics.   Ice fishing is in full swing across Lake of the Woods and there are openings for lodging, fish house rentals, sleeper fish house rentals and meal plans across the area.  Ice fishing is extended on LOW with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st, walleye / sauger season open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes.  
    • Brianf.
      From your fingertips to God's ears...  Finally got some snow!   Several inches of new snow fell before and during the weekend.  Sunday eve when we left, the high winds had already begun to create some drifting on the lake.  It was fun riding for sure.  Lots of folks on the lake this past weekend too.  We fueled up the sleds at Shamrock and saw as many people fishing in that area as I've ever seen in the Winter on Lake Vermilion.     Our weekend results were decent.  Jeff and I and a buddy caught probably 50 walleyes between the three of us, mostly fishing a jig/plastics with our three biggest being 24", 25", and 25.5".  We also got one large pike of unknown length.  During the midday on Sunday, we targeted whitefish and Jeff managed one big one.  We released all of our fish, except for three small walleyes that our buddy wanted to bring home for a meal.  Definitely a fun weekend on Lake V!   
    • leech~~
      The Vikings are the Vikings so it's nothing new.  It is kind of sad that Darnold's off season stock is now going to drop like a rock after these last two games. It kind of shows he's not a big game guy.  🤔
    • smurfy
      I'm blaming leech... his food selection has been lacking game days recently  🤣
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