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Posted

Was wondering if anyone can tell me where to drive on this lake at or where to park. New to the area and trying to find a decent lake to take my son out and have some catching action. Been searching online and can't find a lot of info on entry spots and also a place to get bait. Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

Posted

The DNR web site comes to mind for the public accesses:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

Find the lake you are interested in

Then click on "Lake Depth"

Bring up the contour map. On the map will be listed the public access.

There are a couple of other ways to find them on the DNR web site as well.

I am sure others will chime in too on bait shops, but it depends on where you are coming from. Up by Forest Lake there is Mikes on 8 and Gander Mtn. Down closer to St. there is Kathys live bait on Rice St. and Joes Sporting goods in St. Paul. I think there are some in the White Bear area too I am forgetting.

Posted

Bald Eagle Quick Stop at County Road J and Highway 61 sells bait. It is on the east side of the road and just before the traffic light. That is also where you turn to get to the public launch, which is south on Hugo Road from County Rd. J.

Blue Ribbon Bait is at the intersection of Highway 61 where Highway 96 goes to the east. The have a great deal of tackle.

Posted

Any current Ice depth reports? Much appreciated.

Posted

I was out there last night, didn't stick a tape measure down but there was over 12" of ice and people were driving trucks off all kinds out.

Fishing was alright. Fished from 8-11pm and managed maybe 10 crappie in that time. Nothing worth keeping though all between 6-7 inches. The vex was light up like a christmas tree but getting bites was tough. All but one fish came on the bobber line with a crappie minnow and a small yellow and pink tear drop jig with a silver back.

Posted

Thank you for the update!

Posted

Was out on Bald Eagle this morning. Ice seemed at least 14 inches thick. Tried north of cigar island and away from the crowd. Was too deep and didn't mark or catch anything. Moved to the break line in about 12 feet and hot about half a dozen really tiny perch. Wind was starting to pick up and my tall portable was not feeling too secure so decided to pack it up. First time on the lake and something about it made me want to come back despite lack of fish.

Posted

There were large numbers of folks out both days this weekend. Suddenly lots of perms. As I went around the west side of the lake I could see at least 3 large groups of folks. Shouldn't be hard to get around with all that traffic making roads.

Posted

Is the water clear this year? Alum treatment this summer cleared it up and I am wondering if it also made a difference this winter.

Posted

I wasted my time fishing 8 feet of water Sunday morning and could see my jig on the bottom. That seems pretty clear to me. Lot less traffic out there Sunday morning. I couldn't stay long and am sure I set up too shallow, but never marked a fish in two hours. Hope it picked up later.

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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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