St Cloud Get Together 2016

[Borch]

St Cloud Get Together 1/30/16, 8:00 am until you want to leave

When after all of your feedback the St Cloud Get Together will be on Horseshoe Lake near Richmond.  The event will be held near a spot call the Meth Hole.  The area gets this name from the methane gas bubbles that sometimes leaves a small hole in the ice.  Today the ice conditions where checked again and found to be 14-15" of good ice between the winter access and the gathering area.   Thanks Don and Rick.  The Meth Hole area is well known for a great place to catch channel catfish through the ice.  What you may not know is that it is also and excellent spot for catch crappies, walleyes and the infamous party crappie,(rock bass).  Channel cats can be caught on the same gear you use for crappies or walleyes.  Those targeting cats often use pieces of minnows, chicken liver or live minnows.  These baits can be fish under a sensitive bobber or jigged on a small jigging spoon.  Despite there size, channel cats can be very light biters so take that into account.  Crappies can be caught on the usual crappie techniques, including plastics.  We caught a lot of crappies last year along with the cats.  So if cats aren't your thing there still the crappies or walleyes to target.   With the late ice this winter there hasn't been a lot of people fishing this area.  So fishing could be really good.  As the name implies, this event is mostly for fun.  It's a great way to meet others from the forum, tell stories, share techniques and maybe even a few fishing spots. 

There will be a potluck about noon.  The plan is to have a fish fry with any donated catfish, crappies or walleyes from the morning.  If folks could pack a fillet knife and a fish cleaning board that would be great.  Also storing fish so they don't freeze makes the cleaning process so much easier.  Bring a dish to pass.  This is a family friendly event so bring the whole family!  I will have some fishing goodies for the kids.

Given the ice thickness it is important that vehicles are spread out a bit.  Try to avoid parking 3-4 vehicles right next to each other.  Know what your vehicle and fishhouse needs for ice based on it's weight.

Horseshoe Lake is south of Richmond MN on CR 22.  There is a public access about 1 mile south of Hwy 23.  DO NOT USE this access as it sits on the river and is a high current area.  Instead use the winter access further south(see on map).

I look forwards to seeing you all there!

[Rick G]

Thank you Jeff for putting this together  can't wait to see old friends and meet some of the newer members. 

[harvey lee]

For those that checked the ice, possible to drive half ton and wheel house out to the Meth hole area, thinking of spending the weekend out there. I would access the lake from the access off 22, is that area not full of snow? need to get back up the hill without snow issues. Thanks

Edited January 24, 2016 by harvey lee

[PiNkSiNkO]

Thanks to everyone who helped plan this event and spent time checking the ice.  I plan on being there!!

[Borch]

A web site explaining the general MNDNR ice thickness charts.  Some good information regarding ice safety when it comes to bearing capacity.  Scroll down a bit to fine the weight to ice thickness chart.

http://lakeice.squarespace.com/bearing-strength/

[FISHUNT]

My wife and I will attend this year. We are really looking forward to it. We missed the last get together and were pretty bummed.we are just getting into fishing ice kittens and have a lot to learn. My new puppy helped bag a few cottontails this weekend. Hope you can enjoy them at the potluck. John and Joyce.

[eyeguy 54]

hope to get there. will bring smoked eggs if I can. 

[Naturboy]

12 hours ago, Borch said:

A web site explaining the general MNDNR ice thickness charts.  Some good information regarding ice safety when it comes to bearing capacity.  Scroll down a bit to fine the weight to ice thickness chart.

http://lakeice.squarespace.com/bearing-strength/

Great link Borch, Thanks

[mrpike1973]

From the ice report I assume I could drive a small SUV out there? Is it better to buy small crappie minnows or fat heads? Do you have to be there all day? Can't wait to meet up with you guys and gals!

[Rick G]

32 minutes ago, mrpike1973 said:

From the ice report I assume I could drive a small SUV out there? Is it better to buy small crappie minnows or fat heads? Do you have to be there all day? Can't wait to meet up with you guys and gals!

Yea, you should be good with a small suv... Crappie minnows should work, only using heads anyway.

[Borch]

I'll be there all day.  But come when you can MrPike.  Lunch will be around noon or so.

[Naturboy]

I am wondering what the snow covering is like out there for my 2 wheel drive? any help?

[Rick G]

3 minutes ago, Naturboy said:

I am wondering what the snow covering is like out there for my 2 wheel drive? any help?

Paul, as of now you will be fine with the van.   There isn't a whole lot for snow on the lake.

[Rick G]

Looks like we will have some decent weather for this  I should be out there around 8am.  Bringing pork and beans for the pot luck lunch.   

Also rounded up a few jigs for big fish prize. See you all out there

[Borch]

I've got some goodies for big fish prizes as well plus some stuff for the kids.  I'm bringing stuff for frying fish.

[PiNkSiNkO]

I'll be on the water by 8 or maybe before to look for some early morning gills.  Ill also bring something to share for the pot luck.

[soft]

Not sure what is the ice thickness, but i am still nervous for tomorrow event, with many cars, trucks park close together... any updates on ice thickness?

[mrpike1973]

Getting very excited about tomorrow. Hoping to bring my folks we will see. See you tomorrow!

[harvey lee]

I will have my wheel house there so if anyone is bringing food that needs to be warmed up, I can put it I my oven or on the stove if need be, as long as the pot is not to large to get in m oven. I will have a black Ice castle hooked up to a white 2015 crew cab Chevy.

 

For anyone on the edge of coming, this Get Together is a great one and the fishing for channels and any other specie is a lot of fun,. great food, BS all make this one very fun day on the ice.

 

Always people there to help you find fish and answer any question's one may have if they have never fished for catfish through the ice.

 

See you all there.

Soft, I talked to a few guys, seems to be 14-15 inches so there should be no ice issues. Heck I am bringing my 1/2 ton pick up with my wheel house.

 

[Rick G]

6 hours ago, soft said:

Not sure what is the ice thickness, but i am still nervous for tomorrow event, with many cars, trucks park close together... any updates on ice thickness?

Was just out there. 14-15 in meth hole area. Decent road going out from access. 

[Borch]

6 hours ago, soft said:

Not sure what is the ice thickness, but i am still nervous for tomorrow event, with many cars, trucks park close together... any updates on ice thickness?

I agree that it's important that at least our vehicles are spread out.  That has usually been the case anyways at this event and people spread out and if there's a small school of fish the portables are brought closer together. 

[Willie Howard]

Hey all long time no Talk...  Tom I hope you are well... Say I will be coming up tomorrow with with 2 others what side dish should I bring...And the 11yr old wants to catch Cats....

[GeluNumber1]

It's official, I'll be coming tomorrow for my first get-together. Hope to catch my first icefishing catfish.

[Borch]

51 minutes ago, Willie Howard said:

Hey all long time no Talk...  Tom I hope you are well... Say I will be coming up tomorrow with with 2 others what side dish should I bring...And the 11yr old wants to catch Cats....

What ever you want that tastes good.

I have a little bag of goodies for the 11 year old that might help them out.

[Vallejo]

I wish I was there!

[mrpike1973]

Had a great time fun to meet a lot of people. You guys and gals did a great job. I finally got some kitties now I'm hooked!

[Rick G]

Thank you too all that came and had fun.    Huge thanks to Borch for hosting and cooking all the fish. 

[1960]

Yes this was a fun get together, thank you Borch for putting this together and frying the fish, good to meet a few FM people and put a face along with the name.

[Borch]

It was a lot of fun getting together sharing stories, techniques, food and laughs.  What a beautiful day and the cats were there and hungry.   Here's a few pics from today.

Harvey Lee with a nice cat.

Willie with one of his many cats.

Jaxon with the big cat of the morning.

 

 

 

PiNkSiNkO with a couple of his many, many cats.

GeluNumber1 with his fist cat.  He really got the hang of it pretty quick and got several more.

It was a blast!  Hope you all had as much fun as I did.

[Weathertite]

Great event Borch , Your a real Class act !!!!