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Just want to put this out early... hoping to keep up on the ice conditions along the north shore of superior from Duluth N. 2 1/2 hr drive is a bit far to check ice. Thanks for all the help from people in the area.

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Big lake is still wide open. Guess some people are having luck fishing from shore, although I don't know where they have been fishing. We've had some pretty consistent West winds,  so if there is pack ice, it's all by the Sault. 

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Only way the Gitch is going to freeze is if we have long, extended periods of arctic cold and calm winds.  Even then, the ice pack shifts in and out of the bay depending on wind. Best thing to do from a distance is keep an eye on the weather up north over the next month or 2 and if we get some serious arctic blasts and we're deep into the deep freeze by Feb, there may be a chance. I wouldn't get your hopes up too high, though. Your best option is to focus on Cheq bay and around the Apostle's where ice-up is far more common and regular.  

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Most coho being on Minnesota side are 12" - 17".   Occasional bigger fish.  Very few 3# pound fish.

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  • 5 weeks later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Any updates guys on the ice if there is any?

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Only ice is in McQuade harbor and Knife River, and not much at that.  Cohos are biting really well on some days for guys fishing off the Two Harbors break wall. Pretty miserable conditions in which to fish, though....    South shore has good ice around Washburn, and a few cohos mixed in with good catches of Browns, spoke, and whitefish.

Cohos on MN side have averaged 13-14" this winter.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
2 hours ago, oilandwater said:

Only ice is in McQuade harbor and Knife River, and not much at that.  Cohos are biting really well on some days for guys fishing off the Two Harbors break wall. Pretty miserable conditions in which to fish, though....    South shore has good ice around Washburn, and a few cohos mixed in with good catches of Browns, spoke, and whitefish.

Cohos on MN side have averaged 13-14" this winter.

oilandwater Welcome to the forum. 

Thanks for the report. Any Loopers in the mix with the Coho's? 

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Have heard of very few.  An occasional rainbow (looper and steelhead, make sure to learn the difference) mixed in with the catch in Two Harbors, along with lake trout near the bottom on the right day.  I've seen a few cruising under the ice in McQuade, but pretty slow there.  Rainbow action will pick up as spring progresses. 

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
2 hours ago, oilandwater said:

Have heard of very few.  An occasional rainbow (looper and steelhead, make sure to learn the difference) mixed in with the catch in Two Harbors, along with lake trout near the bottom on the right day.  I've seen a few cruising under the ice in McQuade, but pretty slow there.  Rainbow action will pick up as spring progresses. 

Thanks, for the info.  I'll just look at the Steelhead and Looper on my wall to refresh my memory! :P

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
8 hours ago, oilandwater said:

Have heard of very few.  An occasional rainbow (looper and steelhead, make sure to learn the difference) mixed in with the catch in Two Harbors, along with lake trout near the bottom on the right day.  I've seen a few cruising under the ice in McQuade, but pretty slow there.  Rainbow action will pick up as spring progresses. 

Thanks for the report. Do you or anyone know how things are looking around Duluth? Ice and fish that are biting?

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
11 hours ago, Rick said:

Thanks for the report. Do you or anyone know how things are looking around Duluth? Ice and fish that are biting?

I was hoping with this cold weather there might be ice

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On the big lake at Duluth, no ice. Little daily sheets that form and blow out, but it will take bitter temps and low/no winds for more than a day or two to let it start forming.  The south shore/Chequamegon area has great ice if you're looking for trout and salmon.

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If you want to fish Lake Superior you should pull up MODIS  http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2017_12_07_341&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA3&resolution=250m ,,, On the nice clear sky days you can see the ice cover  and see the mud lines in the spring and summer months

 

You do need to change the date on the top left

Edited by LoonASea
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12 hours ago, oilandwater said:

On the big lake at Duluth, no ice. Little daily sheets that form and blow out, but it will take bitter temps and low/no winds for more than a day or two to let it start forming.  The south shore/Chequamegon area has great ice if you're looking for trout and salmon.

That is exactly what I want to come up and target. Can you pm any areas to try I have never targeted them in winter. Thank you for the info.

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Depending on ice conditions, areas from Ashland to Bayfield are producing fish.  If you are unfamiliar with the area and ice, hire a guide.  Ice conditions and cracks can change by the hour, and although the area is more sheltered by the islands and points, it is still part of the 'lake that eats people.'  HotSpotOutdoors has decent reports on fishing spots, ice conditions, and species.  Facebook feeds for area businesses (River Rock Bait, Beyond the Catch guides, Up North guides, etc) post occasional ice reports and locations.  To try yourself, go to Washburn and head out to a break in 30 or so feet of water, or try to get north of Houghton Pt.  Again, watch for cracks and heaves.  You can get around them, but follow other groups.  In those areas, you never know what will bite; Browns, splake, coho, whitefish, herring, smelt, or lake trout in deeper water.

On the north shore, there is limited opportunities in McQuade harbor, Knife River, etc, but if you're coming from the metro, you're better off to head to Chequamegon area.  Only if we get fish able ice a ways off of 21st Ave in duluth is it worth swinging this way compared to the south shore.

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Drove up to Silver Bay yesterday to go snowmobiling,,, Took the scenic drive to check out the shoreline ,,,, Quit counting at 40 vehicles parked along the shore between McQuade and Blueberry landings ,,, No one in McQuade harbor fishing but lots of busted ice around some open water at the entry ,,, A guy pulling a boat at the Two Harbors Kwik Trip planned to get some open water fishing in  

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Cheq bay and other related areas have had winds wreck havoc this last week.  We were consistently guiding on ice that has now been jeopardized and no longer safe.  The bay near Ashland is the safest ice. Like someone mentioned, hiring a guide out there is very beneficial for a beginner to Superior Ice angling.  Tight lines, Thanks, JH

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
10 hours ago, Jarrid Houston said:

Cheq bay and other related areas have had winds wreck havoc this last week.  We were consistently guiding on ice that has now been jeopardized and no longer safe.  The bay near Ashland is the safest ice. Like someone mentioned, hiring a guide out there is very beneficial for a beginner to Superior Ice angling.  Tight lines, Thanks, JH

Jarrid, do you have a Lift suit?    Please be safe out there. :(

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      Nope not me.  May want to go nextdoor and ask around?  
    • smurfy
      Looks to me like Leech brought his chair home!!😅😆
    • Brianf.
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    • SkunkedAgain
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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • CigarGuy
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    • PSU
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    • Mike89
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    • Hookmaster
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