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Posted

I agree with the walleye thing, I've ate just about everythign but there is a definite muddy taste to the chain cats.

Posted

I agree with the walleye thing, I've ate just about everythign but there is a definite muddy taste to the chain cats.

I disagree. I think the chain cats are delicious.

Posted

I disagree. I think the chain cats are delicious.

Its great that you think that, but you are one of the few that do.

Posted

How's the ice thickness? Anyone driving? Any info would help thanks.

Posted

Little birch catfish.......

Wonder if the state ever thought of how far reaching their cat experiment would go. You would think the large pike in both Sylvia and Little Birch have kept them in check from exploding their populations. Only a matter of time I bet........

Posted

I will chime in that the Chain cats taste like mud.......fishy mud, but mud. We fried up a couple the rest are froze, and then going to be put in the brine to hit the smoker.....I think that is the best to enjoy chain cats wink

And yes, that was a great trip on Saturday. It was my first time catting in 20+ years. And I still had the touch, Dtro would have caught up eventually.........

Posted

It's sad the notions people get in their heads about foods and flavors. I find Minnesota folks raised on hot dish, bland foods, and the premonition that Walleye are the greatest fish that swims sad. I suppose when offered something different like Foie Gras, Escargot, Oysters Rockefeller, Sushi, etc. all different textures and flavors you go eeoowwww. Given the choice walleye is way down on the list of good eating fish. Just my 2 cents, tight lines and good fishing.

Especially since a deboned pike tasted 100x better than a walleye.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

better with the bones! smile

Posted

I will chime in that the Chain cats taste like mud.......fishy mud, but mud.

Well, you can't say little Adam didn't warn you!

Posted

Well if I would have gone off what he was saying none of my "butt" fish would have counted either. smile

Posted
Posted

Nice Video, DTRO, how recent is that exterior footage? Looks like there was still a lot of glare ice when it was shot.

Are people driving vehicles out there yet or is it still just snowmobiles and ATVs?

Posted

Surreal, that was last Saturday. The spot we were at had anywhere from 12" of ice to 4" of ice so we took sleds. I'm sure you could drive out a ways with cars so as not to have to walk as far, but I'm not familiar with the area at all.

Posted

Are the major holes and current sections of the river at least froze over?

I'm planning on coming up friday and possibly staying through saturday night; but would like to focus on the river closer to cold springs. Any safety advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted

We fried up some cats from the Chain last winter and we all thought they were pretty good. You can't compare them to Crappie or Walleye, which are the most flavor-less fish there is.

We made sure to cut the blood line out and rinse them good. Then we soaked them overnight in Buttermilk. Finally we dipped them in egg and some kind of cajun mix. Lightly seasoned and they were good.

I also tried someones catfish balls at one of the catfish gatherings a few years ago and thought they were good also.

Nels

Posted

FBRM, you need to hook up with the Book of Face dude. Lots of good info on the MN Catfishing group. wink

I’ll shoot you a message. I’m pretty sure our idea of safe might differ than others and I don’t want to broadcast something that might get someone in trouble.

Posted

Thanks Darren.

Posted

Hey guys. I'm thinking about heading there this afternoon but have never done it. It looks like a blast Im a avid cat fisherman but have never caught one through the ice. If anyone can point me in the right direction and tell me a lil bit on what to use that would be great. Not looking for your hot spots just a lil info to get me started. Thanks guys. Good luck out there!

Posted

Water_woods, as far as how to do it check out Dtro's youtube page he has a video on getting started for ice fishing cats. It's a great learning tool.

Posted

Whos on the chain right now or tonight. Im on long right now marking fish they chase up about 2 foot then back down

Posted

Probably just wallys. Cats do not usually come from the bottom up only. Cats are more random. But it could be perch or rack bass also. Heck even sunnys.

Don

Posted

hillbilly, your inbox is full.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

caught cats the other day 12 feet of the bottom. funny

Posted

Super slow tonight, caught 12. Sleeping on the river tonight; thinking they're going to go nuts tomorrow!

Posted

How thick is the ice road from the winter access out to the meth hole?

Posted

probably 20" but thick enough to drive anything

Posted

Inbox has room now couldnt figure out why it said i had mail but didnt show. Well spent 9 hours out and only caught 1 and could even eat him. He had some strange stuff in meat and organs. Dont know,if worms or not..

Posted

Last Friday spent the day fishing the chain. We couldn't find any cats but we did manage a number of decent crappies. Of course we had to leave early as the choke broke on the auger and when we checked the back of the pickup we lost my Cabela's fish house somewhere between the meth hole and 1/2 way to 94. Someone must have picked it up as we couldn't find it backtracking. If anyone heard of an honest person that found a fishouse last Friday, please let me know. And good luck out there.

Posted

Going tomorrow. Any recent reports on the cats? Sounds like finding a different smaller deep hope would be better than the method hole.

Posted

I only fish the meth hole in Dec.

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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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