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Posted

Hello all,

After a humbling experience at this spring's get-together (I think Andrea outfished us all five or six to one), is anyone willing or interested in another unofficial FM/HSO gathering to see if we can ice some Chain catfish?  Or are there plans for an official one? 

It's always nice to see some old faces (yes, I'm talking to you, eyeguy) as well as some new ones, too.  I haven't been out to the Chain yet, so I don't know much about ice conditions except what's been posted here, but I'd vote for a weekend sooner rather than later, even if we have to walk out or ferry people via wheeler.  Heck, we could even gather somewhere that isn't the Meth Hole...I think there are a few other places that also hold cats out there. :)

 

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Posted

Horseshoe winter access bay off 22 would be my suggestion. Line um' up Carl! 

Posted

Hello a get together would be great last winter was a good time it was my second time id ever been on the chain i got to meet Don and Borch and Tom Sawyer wich Tom later in the evening stopped in by me and wife and told me where to move my house to cetch some fish and we did get some crappie and i even got a few cats after the move  but my wife is yet to cetch a kitty last winter we couldnt move around much cause of my wife haveing knee surgery  before the get together well im in the same boat again this year about a month ago she just had another surgery on the same knee she just had replaced last year its the 4th surgery on that knee so hopefully the get together will be able to use wheelers so i can see the people i meet last yr and to meet new faces this yr

 

Good fishing to all Randy Melvin

Posted

Let me know I'm game for a get together for cats. 

Posted

I would try to make it!!

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

Been waiting for ice conditions to improve.  Had hoped for December as that can be great fishing but mother nature just wouldn't help us out.  We will work on setting a date soon.  I love getting to meet everyone and if someone catches their first cat it's icing on the cake. 

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Posted

We are geeks for cats all summer.....I would LOVE to catch them through the ice! Not even sure where you are talking, but if times in my favor Id be game!

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Posted

I'd be interested in doing this again along with my son, its been awhile since I've caught a cat through the ice.

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Posted
On 1/5/2016 at 9:03 PM, Borch said:

Been waiting for ice conditions to improve.  Had hoped for December as that can be great fishing but mother nature just wouldn't help us out.  We will work on setting a date soon.  I love getting to meet everyone and if someone catches their first cat it's icing on the cake. 

Excellent.  Good to hear that plans are in the works for another Cool Cats Get-together.  Kind of a bummer we can't get out on some early ice for it, but you've certainly made the right call.

Since plans are in the works for an official gathering, let's just wait on getting together as a group before then.  I might head out Friday night, but after that there's some serious cold weather moving in, which might make fishing (and the walk to the Meth Hole) a little difficult and/or unpleasant. If I do head out Friday, I'll let y'all know so you can stop by if you want.

 

 

Posted

I'll have to see what the weather does and I might even make a drive down tomorrow.......might

 

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Posted

The bite on Mille Lacs is crazy right now.... I'm thinking I'll stay up here another night to see what I can do. 

I'm looking forward to cool cats 2016. Until then, if you want to catch walleyes, head north. :)

 

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Posted
7 hours ago, Stick in Mud said:

The bite on Mille Lacs is crazy right now.... I'm thinking I'll stay up here another night to see what I can do. 

I'm looking forward to cool cats 2016. Until then, if you want to catch walleyes, head north. :)

 

but you cant keep any or like 1 so whats the point?    Kinda far to drive for one fish,   Just saying

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

Hoping to have a decision on a date/time by tomorrow night.  Stay tuned...

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Posted
On 1/8/2016 at 5:23 AM, Horseshoe_Don said:

but you cant keep any or like 1 so whats the point?    Kinda far to drive for one fish,   Just saying

Some people just like catch and release. When I took a trip to Lac Seul in Ontario two years ago, I cared more about catching a trophy than getting meals.

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Posted
On 1/8/2016 at 5:23 AM, Horseshoe_Don said:

but you cant keep any or like 1 so whats the point?    Kinda far to drive for one fish,   Just saying

Strange...the only good reason to fish walleyes is to keep and eat them?!?  Last time I fished the lake I caught something like 40 walleyes, in three days, in about nine hours of fishing, and the biggest eye was a fat 26''.  If you can't understand why that's not worth it, I can't help you. :)  

Plus, I eat fish two or three times a year, so a slot doesn't really matter to me.  If I do clean a few, I give them either to my neighbor (disabled lady) or to the local convent.

Now, I can't understand why people fish for all these little toothless fish that are "trophies" if they hit 10 inches!!! 

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

hey... I like toothless trophies! :):)  take me to the pond Carl! ;)

I'll bring eggs! ll

lol

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Posted

Yes, but you're good at catching them.  I'm not. :/

I'm now working every day (I know, the tragedy), so I can't zip up mid-week.  Given the short season, I don't know how much room there will be this year, to be honest.  One weekend is with the wife, the Old Man has it for a few, one weekend I'm with my Little from BBBS. 

Ya know, Stick in Mud the Elder is retired now.  I bet you could convince him to get up there during the week.  The bite sure has been good.

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Posted

Heck I don't need to fish in the house.......just set me up outside....Granted you will have me creepily looking in the window every time I hear a rattle go off though....

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Posted

We'll have to make it happen, but my work schedule this year is a bit unfortunate.  I could just give you guys the GPS coordinates of the house and you could set up right on it.

Would be fun to do a little unofficial HSO/FM Mille Lacs get-together, maybe.  I used to enjoy the trolling ones in the fall.  No reason it wouldn't work in the winter.  We could even have some seminars..Royce could give one on catching small toothless fish with waxworms, and I could give one on how to flood old Jiffy augers. 

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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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