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Posted

Anyone been out fishing for ice kitties on the horseshoe chain?

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Posted

Havent been out for them yet this year but plan on going out for them this weekend. Last 4 years I've been fishing for them out there during the hard water season. 

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

Hey Kelly welcome to the site. I haven't fished them personally yet this year but I sure saw alot of them on the electronics. I would say if you target them you would be able to ice a few. I know Rick G and Andrea got into a few about a week ago sounds like she had a decent one on around 28 inches. Hopefully Rick will chime in he usally has some gd info to share.

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Posted

Head cedar island on the north side of the island I caught some nice kitties there on Sunday took them home for smoking 

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

Pickoff any crappies off that breakline?

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Posted

Couple they were pretty finicky. I threw the kitchen sink along the weeds thinking maybe I would get some gills but I was wrong

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

Try the narrows between the island and shore some isolated weed patches  through there that sometimes hold some gills. It may require a little searching but you may find a few. 

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Posted
15 hours ago, Kelly Oman said:

Anyone been out fishing for ice kitties on the horseshoe chain?

Been getting a few here and there, only really tried for them once this year sofar. From what I'm seeing this season, the numbers appear to be down a little from years past. 

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Posted (edited)
20 hours ago, Rick G said:

Been getting a few here and there, only really tried for them once this year sofar. From what I'm seeing this season, the numbers appear to be down a little from years past. 

They will be down due to the late start.   Kitties are best in early december.

 

Don

Edited by Horseshoe_Don
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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

Wondering seriously how the bite will be this winter once people target them . I noticed what I thought that there seemed to be a decline in the population this summer. Never hooked many fishing eyes out there this summer. I have a couple buds who fish this system religiously and noticed the same thing time will tell I guess.

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Posted

I made it up there on Friday and caught a few. They were stacked up pretty heavy in deeper water (32-36 FOW) but it was tough getting them to bite.

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Posted
17 hours ago, trappingaddiction said:

I made it up there on Friday and caught a few. They were stacked up pretty heavy in deeper water (32-36 FOW) but it was tough getting them to bite.

Were you fishing close to me?  

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Posted

I may have been. There was probably a half dozen others or so around.I came out in the late afternoon/evening to an area you had showed me in the past.

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Posted

Was out saturday evening in a spot I've never fished em before on long....marked a ton of fish but they were very finicky...managed a few but nothing real great. Need some good cold weather to thicken up the ice in a few spots before I venture out for kitties again.

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Posted

^^^ How much ice on Long?  Was thinking of going out there next weekend.  Thanks.

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
Posted

I had 5 inches the other day on the S end. There is some funky ice up on the North end so be cautious if ventureing around the N end islands.

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Posted

By the access there was clsoe to 6" I'd say, but most of where we drilled was around 4" down on the south end. Seemed to be pretty solid ice at least. Saw a wheeler out there but I can't say Id reccomend that until this cold snap starts

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Posted

Thanks!  Should gain a few inches next week.  I am pumped to get back out there.  Had a blast fishing for them.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

How's the chain? Is the method hole still any good? Haven't heard anything about it this year.....  Good for snowmobile traffic? I'm gonna be up Saturday trying to catch some cats and crappies.

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Posted

M1dwestF1sh, meth hole is a good starting point. Been hit or miss this season as far as the cats go.... Crappires are plentiful as always

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Posted
2 hours ago, Rick G said:

M1dwestF1sh, meth hole is a good starting point. Been hit or miss this season as far as the cats go.... Crappires are plentiful as always

Okay so kinda like normal. Thanks! Anybody driving out yet?

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • JerkinLips
      Currently just to my Facebook family and friends.  I could start a topic on this fishing forum but it could be quite boring.  Didn't catch a laker on 3 trips to Burntside last winter.  Did have good fishing on Vermilion-Trout in the BWCA in early January but that can be very difficult travel.
    • Hookmaster
      That is one chunky 22" walleye!!
    • smurfy
    • monstermoose78
      Went to Mille Lacs with my dad and ended up with 17 perch and one tullipee. That was on Sunday we fished hard and I burned through 3 9 amp batteries I would say about 25 holes per battery through 32-36 inches of ice. 
    • mbeyer
      i'd like to read about your lake trout trips....do you post them somewhere?
    • smurfy
      🤣 not fer some of us!!!!!!!!!!
    • smurfy
      i couldnt find it.....but maybe???
    • leech~~
      Looks great! Thought we started a smoker thread?  🤔
    • leech~~
      Well, that's not getting 10 years old now is it!  🥱🥱
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across Big Traverse Bay, with resorts and outfitters still in full swing offering both day houses and sleeper fish houses. The bite in February has been excellent, with lots of fish being caught and plenty of opportunities for fresh fish fries. Some ice roads are now extending over 20 miles out, keeping anglers on productive schools of walleyes and saugers. Ice conditions continue to build, making this one of the best late-season ice years in recent memory. If you’re fishing on your own, bring an auger extension, as ice thickness is significant. Most fish houses are positioned over deep mud, while some remain on or near structure. As always, expect to sort through some smaller fish, but that’s a good sign of a healthy fishery. With fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th, the extended season on Lake of the Woods offers plenty of time to plan your trip. Pike fishing never closes, and with the thick ice conditions, this year is shaping up to be fantastic for targeting trophy pike. March: The Go-To Month for Trophy Pike March is prime time for big northern pike, as these aggressive predators begin staging for the upcoming spawn. Lake of the Woods is loaded with pike over 40 inches, and tip-up fishing can be lights out this time of year. Anglers targeting pike should set baits under tip-ups in shallow water (6-15 feet) near pre-spawn areas, weedy areas, river mouths, or back bays. Current Fishing Depths & Patterns: Most fish are being caught in 26-32 feet of water. Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout, pike, tullibees, and even some crappies are in the mix. Suspended walleyes are showing up—watch electronics closely. Plenty of limits are being caught, with many anglers taking home bonus perch this season. Best Techniques: Jigging Line: Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head continue to be the top producer. Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap-style lures are also working well for aggressive fish. Lures with built-in lights have been very effective in the stained water (Reminder: In Minnesota, lighted lures are legal as long as the battery is mercury-free and the hook is attached directly to the lure, not on a dropper line). Deadstick: A plain hook or small jig with a live minnow, set 6 inches to a foot off the bottom, continues to catch neutral or less aggressive fish. Time of Day: Bite windows vary daily. Some days, mornings are best; other days, the afternoon bite turns on. Walleyes can move through at any time, so staying patient and watching electronics is key. On the Rainy River...  Mornings and evenings continue to be the best times for targeting walleyes. A jig and minnow or jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head remains the go-to presentation. Sturgeon fishing has been solid, with some giants being iced (Reminder: The current sturgeon season is catch-and-release). Safety Note: Ice conditions on the Rainy River are good, but they can change rapidly due to current. Always check with resorts or outfitters before heading out. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing remains excellent throughout the islands region of Lake of the Woods. Resorts are moving fish houses regularly, keeping guests on active schools of walleyes. Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees. Big crappies continue to be caught just over the border in Canada. If you're interested in targeting crappies, check with a NW Angle resort for guide services and ice conditions. Plan Your Ice Fishing Adventure! Lake of the Woods offers an extended ice fishing season, with:  Fish houses allowed overnight through March 31st  Walleye & sauger season open through April 14th  Pike season never closes—March is prime time for trophies!  Perch and crappie seasons open year-round Whether you’re looking for a day house rental, a sleeper fish house, or comfortable lodging at a resort with or without a meal plan, there’s still time to plan your late-season ice fishing adventure.    
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