big stone

[cannon]

Any reports on big stone

[Purpledescent]

Some guys are finding some Perch.. But overall it's slow. I'd wait till the bite picks up a bit. IMO.

[bk_MN_iceman]

What are the ice conditions on Big Stone?

[hey__bob]

Looking for somewhere to to take my son for an overnight fishing trip the week of Christmas. Perch bite better by then? Where is the best place to rent a sleeper house for one day during the week?

Thank You!

[live-2-fish]

Artie's has fish houses to rent

[tjoutdoors]

Are most of the perch fishing grounds within walking distance of a lake access? Is a wheeler necessary or waiting until you can drive vehicles on the ice? Looking to get out the day after Christmas and have never been. Stopping at Artie's for bait, map and advice is a must I know that but once I get there, it is too late to bring the wheeler.

[gp13581]

I'm heading out tomorrow (12/20). I'll let you know how we do. Right now it sounds like first light and last light are the best times. Reports of both walleyes and perch but only for those that know what they are doing. If I figure it out, I'll share.

[gp13581]

Was out all day Saturday. Stopped at Artie's and got great advice. That is a must. Set up just north of landing away from crowd. Drilled 4 holes and had first jumbo in 5 minutes. This was about 9:00. Lots of vehicles on the ice. Ice was 12" where we were. Used perch talkers, titanium jigs and Swedish pimples. Wax worms and crappie minnow heads. Consistent every 20 minutes we had fish come through and we might catch one or two. Any noise on ice they would scatte including people driving by. Shut down at 5. Overall good day of fishing.

[bkMNIceman]

We spent the weekend (Thursday-Saturday) on the lake. Moved around a ton. Could not find the fish. Drilled a LOT of holes but just couldn't locate them. Tried reefs and about every other type of structure possible. 3 perch were caught all weekend. Maybe we didn't wait long enough in each spot but we definitely put in the effort.

[Blackhawkxp]

Are there full size trucks driving out? I have some relatives from Wisconsin that would like to try ice fishing for the 1st time. Hoping we could drive out versus dragging the portables. Unfortunately i don't have an ATV and there isn't enough snow for the sleds.

[bkMNIceman]

We were on the south end of the lake. There were more trucks starting to come out on Saturday when we left. Had a consistent 14 inches in most places we drilled. Just be careful as there are spots were houses fell through the past week with the warm up. I saw 2 houses in the lake while i was there and ran across another spot one had been in previously. They are all marked but just be aware those spots will be thin!

[Blackhawkxp]

Thanks for the report. I just wish this weather would make up its mind. Wont be heading up until Friday so hopefully it will be a little colder by then.

[gp13581]

I saw several trucks out on Saturday. We had a good 12" of ice where we were. However, we drove over a snow patch with the ATV and it was very slushy. Could have been just the snow had melted a bit but you always wonder how much insulating that snow was doing.

Too bad Iceman didn't have better luck. That's usually my story. The perch were very skittish and any vehicle driving by made them scatter so maybe getting away from everyone else is key. We were in 13' of water and felt like we were more on the west side of the lake than the east side. But still towards the middle. We did have good luck with small silver swedish pimples and minnow head in addition to the jig and wax worm and perch talker with head or wax worm. Good luck to everyone.

[slicjigger]

How big are the perch on average? Don't care to eat them just wanna find some biggins!:D

[jake125]

I would say most of them are in that 9-11 inch range. If I wanted true jumbos I would drive the extra hour to Waubay/bitter area

[slicjigger]

Thanks Jake I will be trying the Watertown area.