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Posted

Was on eagle tonight didn't have my tape measure, but would say their was around 8 inches. No water on top of the ice and the bite was very slow. Might be due to I only had plastics and they where wanting the real deal. 

Posted

I was out on Johanna sunday.  5-6" of ice. I've yet to catch anything on that lake, but I'm guessing it's mostly due to the time of day and lack of searching out the fish.

Posted
19 hours ago, Mike Otis said:

"Has anyone ventured, been having luck, or could provide pointers on Johanna, Josephine, Vadnais, Gervais, De Montreville, Jane, or Phalen"

I'm curious as well. Fished Johanna as a kid and have fished Phalen some, just not for a couple of years. Gonna fish somewhere tomorrow and would love to know if it's worth puttering on the local lakes or if I should just shoot up to White Bear. Where ever I end up I'll post a report. Thanks!

Posted

Can someone please give an ice thickness report..

Posted

7" on non-mainlake Tonka.  About 1.5" more than 2 days ago in the same spot.  Wouldn't suggest driving vehicles out, wheelers and sleds should be fine away from the channels.  A few inches of snow on the ice.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

7" of good ice on Phalen,  very little pressure and getting flags.

 

 

Posted

7" on Medicine lake last weekend out from Harty's

Posted

Went out to the local small mpls lake by my house, 8" of good ice with some more of the white not so good ice on top. Nothing but small perch and there are some small crappies out deeper.

Last year I did good on the eyes and so I wanted to fish this lake since it is so close to my house.

Thinking on Moving on, Maybe try Tonka or Harriet coming up in the next week and then once the ice is safe for an SUV on Mille lacs I will head up that way.

Good FIshing...

Posted

9.5" on a small lake in Victoria last night.

Posted

Got out on Orchard in the south metro today for a hew chilly hours. Had about 8" of good clear ice with another 2-3" of frozen crud on top of that. Really slow bite but it was good to get out for a little bit this weekend. Looks good for next weekend with the warm-up coming.

Posted

Main lake Tonka away from any snow has 15 inches of ice. Fifty yards from 15 inches of ice under just a few inches of snow is more like 8 inches of ice, maybe even 6 inches.  If you drive a vehicle out there anytime soon STAY AWAY FROM THE SNOW!  Stay away from shorelines where snow has blown in.  Only a few inches of snow makes a lot of difference out there right now.  I bet some truck is going to go through this weekend.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Posted

Just went to Medicine Lake to check out an auger bit I just purchased.  There is about a foot of ice.  A guy just drove off of Hardys in a F150, and is out in the middle of the southern end of the lake.

 

Just an FYI.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

Up to 12" or so out in the middle. Saw a full size truck and house out on the deep pool. A van driving around the claw. I don't know the lake extremely well like some guys do so I haven't drove out with my small sedan. I seem to drive less and less on local lakes every year. Btw anyone catching any decent size walleyes? Been out a bit but kinda struggling.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

On thursday I found 15" on coon lake, anoka county.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

A few vehicles starting to venture out in the south metro lakes.  I'm not at that comfort level yet - it's 15" in MOST places but not in all.  But it's definitely getting thicker, the last cold snap really helped.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

Drove by Wayzata Bay, Crystal Bay, Maxwell Bay, and Browns Bay.  Did not see any vehicle traffic this morning, around 11am.

Posted
On 1/11/2016 at 2:05 PM, Mike Otis said:

 Has anyone ventured, been having luck, or could provide pointers on Johanna, Josephine, Vadnais, Gervais, De Montreville, Jane, or Phalen?

Unless something changed that im not aware of Vadnais is a no-go year round except fishing from shore in that park area. No wading, swimming or surface use (boats, ice houses, ice skating, ect). But I have seen some dandy fish taken there in the summer.

Posted

Starting to see a few more vehicles on the ice I was on 10-12 this morning anyplace that had snow there is less ice so be careful

  • Thumbs Up 2
Posted

Just got off Coon. Found 13.5 to 14.5" in the 19 FOW center of lake area. One area around point with more snow still had 13". Checked dozen locations from Lexington Access to center of lake via the Flag Pole point and up the arm to Viking,  all drillings at 13" to one at 15". Saw two F250's and lots of 1/2 ton along with vans and other cars. Perm villages are beginning to develop in popular areas.

Most people I talked to said was a bit slow with a few crappies in the bucket at 9 to 11", but that was about 2:00PM. Bite usually pick up after 3:30 till after dark.

I plan early next Sat morning with wheeler, check everything out before Ottertail trip.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Posted

Fished Chisago on Saturday and had 13"+ of good ice with trucks and wheel houses everywhere. Also fished Orchard in Lakeville on Sunday and found 14" in most spots with a few 11" spots mixed in. Fishing was slow but did manage some nice northerns and panfish for the table.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Posted

I was on Marion in Lakeville on Sunday. I was spearing so I pulled up the block 7 inches of clear Ice and 6 inches of frozen snow / slush. Nobody driving. Some atv traffic. I will not be driving out this year. That refrooze slush snow does not equal clear ice in strength and is permeable. 

MWal56a641a33192a_20160124_1535201.thumb.jpg

Posted

Was out on a lake in Faribault on Saturday.  Very inconsistent ice conditions based on snow cover.  Anywhere from 7 inches to 12 inches.  

Out on one of the bays on Tonka on Sunday; 11 - 13 inches consistently with vehicle traffic all over.  However too many larger trucks on the ice, mostly suvs and cars.  Didn't see any 3/4 or 1 tons out.

Posted

Is alright to drive 2wd smaller cars with all season tires out on lakes?  Any problems with getting stuck out there? 

 

I have a 4wd half ton, but I don't feel comfortable driving it out.

Posted
On Monday, January 04, 2016 at 6:50 PM, Nokomis Tiger said:

 

Was shopping in the area and decided to see how many people were out on Marion and saw people roping off an area. was wondering if someone went through the ice. My experience on that lake is that people seem to push their luck out there. 

 

On Monday, January 04, 2016 at 6:50 PM, Nokomis Tiger said:

 

was hg  I ap I ap  I apologize   for  the mcan can

tried to delete that first post with no luck. sorry for that mess. On a lake in Chanhassen right now and seeing 12  to 13" of good ice still walked out and the fishing is pretty good.

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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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