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Posted

I went out at 11 a.m. today, Thursday December 6, to check on activity on Bald Eagle and White Bear Lake.

There were two portables on Bald Eagle.  One was up on the north end in the middle but I couldn’t tell how access was gained - probably a local since there isn’t any place to get on up there.  There was also a portable by the cattail bed south and west of the landing.  There were enough tracks from the landing to make me think there are a number of folks going out that way.  

What I saw that was odd was a large area of very dark ice going north and west from the island.  The rest of the lake has a thin coating of snow but this area looked to be totally clear.  Hard to believe that it is still open water given the recent temps.  But there were also some ducks flying along the west side of the lake and looking for a place to land.  Doesn’t make sense to me.

White Bear only had two portables and it looks like they probably came out from the VFW.  I didn’t go around the entire lake but there was nothing visible from the launch on 96.

Part of it could be the lack of any information from bait dealers.  Blue Ribbon’s shop on 96 has been closed for a couple of seasons now.  The ladies at the Quick Stop on 61 near 120th really had nothing useful to offer in terms of info and I doubt they pay any attention.  One said that there have been a few coming in to buy bait but no one has given any reports.

Posted

From what I'm seeing on Lake Owasso and Lake Josephine which aren't real far from Bald Eagle the area of open water doesn't surprise me.  Owasso still had a decent amount of open water on the northwest side of the lake last night when I drove by.  Josephine looks to be locked up but has areas not far off shore on the east side that don't look great and those areas were open a few days ago. 

 

 

Posted

A friend who lives on the lake told me that the area north west of the island was open water last week.  She's out of town right now and didn't know how it was doing today.  

Posted (edited)

Bald eagle had open water out around the big island and extending north til this morning. There is still a small strip of water east of it where the crack forms every year. By tonight it should be locked up but be wary. 

Edited by funbilly
Posted

Any updates on the ice condition of Bald Eagle? wanted to go up there tomorrow. Has there been any increase of traffic on the lake yet?

Posted

Some by the reed island, some by the rock like North part of lake.  No one driving anything that I have seen.

 

Posted

I don't know about BE specifically, but I wouldn't be driving anything on any lake in the Metro.  As far as I can tell, with the warm temps, the ice hasn't gotten any thicker in the last two weeks - and not really supposed to get cold enough for another week.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Anyone have a recent ice report? Any open water sitings lately?

Posted

Was out on bald eagle yesterday 730 til noon. 2nd spot we tried was mid lake near an old heave that flat by us, had shoved maybe 6 inches towards the island a ways away. At 11:15 I've started swelling at the crack and boom! Heaved up and pushed water. Buddies tip up was about 6 feet from the water after. Careful out there.

20181230_111935.jpg

Posted

Forgot to mention....7-8 inches of ice in all spots we were

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Posted

Few out on the south end of Bald Eagle today.  Only one visible from Highway 96 on White Bear.  Quite a few visible from the VFW.  Didn't see any perms and no vehicles on either lake

 

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Update on driving on Bald Eagle anybody

Posted

I'm going to Bald Eagle on Monday, so I can give an ice report then.  I'm going to walk out to spot though.

Posted (edited)

Very little driving on the lake.  A wheel house way on the North end and only a couple of perms scattered about.  Newspaper today said the sheriff closed BelAire access on white bear.  Two vehicles went in and one got hung up on an ice ridge.  Oddest season I've seen and I moved out here in 87.

Edited by Tom7227
Posted

Thanks for the report good to know

Posted

Cars seem to be going to all areas of the lake.  Very light traffic.  I wasn't home this weekend so I don't know what was going on.

Posted
On 1/17/2019 at 5:47 AM, Dragon Fish ll said:

Update on driving on Bald Eagle anybody

Ice on Bald Eagle seems ok for driving now.  Several vehicles were out Sunday and Monday.  As always, take precaution, the ice is still forming and I noticed some parts were thicker than others.

In terms of fishing, Sunday was better than Monday.  Sunday I was out from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.  I was marking several in about 28 feet of water.  Pulled up 4 small crappie and had another about half way up before it broke loose.  A lot of marks but not many bites, so I'm guessing most were on the small side or just not interested.

Monday I was out with a friend and didn't have much luck.  We tried a few different spots between 20 and 28 feet.  It was colder and windier Monday.  Caught one small crappie and one small walleye

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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