Ice Coming Soon

[LakeofthewoodsMN]

Fishing remains good for the few anglers interested in the last remaining open water.  Walleyes, saugers and some trophy walleyes are being caught in 14-30' of water in front the Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island on the south end of the lake.  Some ice forming in bays but still too thin to venture out on.    

 

On the Rainy River, walleye fishing remains good. With rain, more current this week.  More walleyes and larger walleyes are showing up in the river.  Good reports at various spots from Wheeler's Point to Frontier Access.  The fish prefer jig and minnow still near bottom.  Orange, and gold mixed with bright color the ticket tipped with minnow. 

 

Up at the NW Angle, not many fishing as ice is showing up in spots.  A thin coat of ice this week in backwater areas.  Resorts are ready for ice fishing. Walleye action in 15-26 feet jigging near Oak Island, Rabbit Ears, and Hay Island. On the Ontario side, areas with current adjacent to deep holes best.  Muskie fishing going well trolling in 10-20' adjacent rock walls

[Sculpin]

What is the overall ice situation at LOTWS as of today ??

 

Thanks

[vman11]

There isn't much of an ice situation right now.  Today's satellite looks like there is ice forming on the main lake but it's just a tease in my opinion.  Looks like 10 days or more of highs around 32-40.  Sportsman's webcam shows the river wide open.  Guessing Bostic Bay, Zipple Bay and Young's Bay are frozen but that's about it.

Unless the meteorologists are incorrect there isn't an arctic cold front coming in the near future, not in the next 15 days anyways.  Hoping things turn around.  My initial guess to be ice fishing was 12/12 but that doesn't seem possible.  Hopefully 12/19 or 12/26.

 

[SHAWSKI]

wow, that sucks. 

 

Gonna be a really late start for big heavy houses like mine.

 

:(

[Neighbor_guy]

I wonder if the have spear shacks and tip ups going in Bastic or zipple yet?.?.?.

[SHAWSKI]

good question, a little bit of pike skewering would be a good way to keep one's sanity while waiting for things to get safe for truck travel on the big lake.

 

[Hoey]

I just checked the webcam and I think I spotted a couple fisherman in a boat heading to their favorite spot!!!

 

Just kidding.  Ice could be awhile - in line with vman11 post.

[DRAGFOOT]

Lets get the boats back out!! I should not have winterized my place apparently.

[vman11]

According to the weather.com 15 day forecast, it's not looking like we'll have fish-able lake ice until Christmas at the earliest.  And I feel that's being optimistic.  Unless there is an arctic front the weather guys are missing or that's waiting just beyond this forecast it really could be the first of the year.

Last year was crazy early, this year will be crazy late.

 

 

[Hoey]

Don't shoot the messenger.  This is crazy and I am waiting to get my boat back from the marine shop.