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Ice fishing the opener???


BobT

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WIth the opener in May just 5 weeks away, about 3' of ice on the local lakes, about a foot of new white snow on top, no reported open lakes yet shown on the DNR ice out map, and the forecast showing below freezing temps for the rest of this week it is looking pretty likely that we could still have a lot of ice on the lakes for the opener even around here. I usually go to Vermilion for the opener but I highly doubt that will work this year. Maybe this is the year we break the old record since May 14, 1950?

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If I recall correctly, next week will be in the 50's with thunderstorms.  This type of weather will knock a lot of ice off the lakes.  The sun angle is higher in the sky and that too will work fast.

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It’s possible but not really likely. Yes we will be making ice this week but next week with temps in the 50s it doesn’t take long then. Even if we did still have ice around it probably wouldn’t even be safe to fish. Its like that time like in the fall when there’s to much ice to get the boat though but not enough to “safely” ice fish. Lake Superior is ice free so I’m not even remotely worried if there’s to much ice the salmon bite will be banging around opener so no big deal to me.

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I remember 3 years ago when we were dodging icebergs in Big Bay on the opener Saturday! We could only get out as far as Birch Island from Pike Bay area!

I saw a boat with 3 or 4 guys in it pulled up to the main ice flow and the guys sitting on the ice in lawn chairs!:lol:

Cliff

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Hey cliff do you think vermilion will be fishable on opener this year in the boat?

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I think there will at least be some open water to fish!

Sure hope so anyway! I am going stir crazy!!

Cliff

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I don't think 50 degree temps will melt the snow cover and then the ice very fast unless it is accompanied by bright sun. 

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2013 was a late spring with ice lingering late.  I wonder how this year compares with that year as far as temps and ice thickness across the state?

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

By the looks of the forcast this year might be worse. time will tell.

 

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I went back on the Ottertail forum and looked at '13 conditions.  You might be right eyeguy.  Looks like the ice went fairly quick on OT once it warmed up.

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It really depends on how many "sunny" days we have; if we'll be dodging ice bergs on opener or not. Even after a record low of 2 above last night, by 10 am this morning, that sun's energy feels great out here right now..... :D

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I doubt the low temps we are having right now are adding any new ice.  All its doing is refreezing snow that melts in the sun.  Even now with temps in the 20's and 30's snow is melting with the power of the sun.

Extended forecasts shows 50's and even some 60's for the metro area.  Add in some rain and as much sun as we can get and I'm sure everyone will be able to find a place to put a boat in.  There may be some ice on some northern MN lakes that limit options to some extent but if you look I'm sure you'll have some open water to tool around.  

 

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Well you definitely will be ice fishing  on some lakes that's for sure! Was on Osakis today drove my full size pickup out. Ice was still rock hard 36-38 inches. Its as good as it was in mid January for sure. Going to be interesting on a lot of lakes unless we get some warm temps and for sure some rain. 

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Well I checked the St Cloud forecast.  2 60 degree highs on 4/28 & 4/30.  A total of 6 days where the nights stay about freezing.   I hope I'm wrong but this looks worse than 2013 where many of our lakes in central mn were still locked up opening weekend.  

 

Positive thing is long term forecast are rarely correct.  I'm hoping that it's not actually colder.  :angry:

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

3 wheel houses came out on osakis today

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I am loving it

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Looks like I will be hitting the river

And you be quiet with the loving it talk Moose

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12 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

3 wheel houses came out on osakis today

or more!!!  I was looking at them too...

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

couple from april 1 last year in the kayak. yak is in the backyard buried in snow right now. LOL 

41b.jpg

April 1 2017.jpg

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Glad you got the new drill! We got weeks of ice fishing yet

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Indeed:)

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On 4/7/2018 at 5:51 PM, monstermoose78 said:

Glad you got the new drill! We got weeks of ice fishing yet

Moose, your positively about our extended ice season both :grin: and :sick:!!

 

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
8 minutes ago, ANYFISH2 said:

Moose, your positively about our extended ice season is both :grin: and :sick:!!

 

It’s grand to be ice fishing on 30 inches of ice on April 8

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It sure is fun ice fishing on april 8th, I would prefer, fishing thru 20" of ice in 50° temps!!

Enjoy, we may be able to ice fish in May at this pace.  

Interesting spring for sure.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

indeed, gonna be a fun week!

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
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