Ugh....

[AlwaysFishing23]

So after the 8” of snow the other day the lakes are a huge mess. I was out for a snowmobile ride yesterday and went to a lake not to far from home. I like to ride out there a couple times a week. So I made a loop around the lake and the snow was about knee deep but had no issues. I was just about ready to head home and checked out an area I like to fish. Well.... I jumped a plowed road bank and sink in about 1 foot of water and slush. I pinned my sled and barley crawled along about 50 years to dry snow. So my weekend plans of fishing are done. This was a smaller lake so I’m sure all lakes are impassable. I have what I think id a good ice fishing sled. A Polaris 600 with a 136” track never had an issue before but with all the snow and slush now there’s no way I’ll be able to fish. The snowmobile trails haven’t beeen grommed after the last snow and I’m getting sick of riding the ditches. Anyone else annoyed with all this snow now? Thanks Mother Nature I now have nothing to do this weekend! 

[Wanderer]

Yeah, I think we’ve had enough.  The silver lining for me is I DONT plan on fishing this weekend.  But I do have to ready my sled for next weekend in ON.  I’m hoping the snow isn’t as bad up there.  Strange to think it’s a possibility but yeah, that’s how much we have in MN.

 

I kept my face plastered to the plane window going down to Denver on Monday.  The snow line peters out around the NE/CO border.  The only people not complaining about snow and cold at home were from CA!

 

I thought there was a noticeable lack of fishouses out on our MN lakes too.  I hope to get a good view of Mille Lacs when we come into Brainerd.  It was amazing how small the lake looked on the way out! 

[AlwaysFishing23]

The dog and i went to for a walk last weekend to buddy of mines Ice castle. About a .5 mile walk each way. 10”-16” of snow and then 4”-6” of slush under the snow. The walking was doable but it was a workout. So looking at the forecast we’ve got for sure one snow storm headed our way this Saturday looking like 4”-10” of snow. As we sit now off road travel on lakes is possible by Snowmobile but if we get any more snow I’m not sure if lakes will even be accessible by really any vehicle.

[mrpike1973]

I tried this last weekend nothing but slush walking out was a heart attack waiting to happen. For me by the time the snow melts enough to get on the lakes I don't think they will be very safe. I'm waiting a week then I think I will put the ice gear away

[AlwaysFishing23]

Saying 8”-14” for central MN now for Saturday and Saturday night. And then another possible storm next Wednesday bringing rain/ice and a possible 2”-6 of snow. As it’s looking now unless there’s plowed roads still open and cleared or if we’re Able to travel by sled down old roads there won’t be much of any moving around on lakes. If none of that is possible it’s back to the good old days of an otter sled and a pair of snow shoes.

[Wanderer]

Have fun with those snow shoes....

[AlwaysFishing23]

1 hour ago, Wanderer said:

Have fun with those snow shoes....

 

After I posted that I thought that as well. With all the soft powder and water and slush. Would the snow shoes really help or would you just sink? Maybe just going with boots is easier.

[Wanderer]

I haven’t been on snow shoes for MANY years but I think the powder is what they’re meant for.  Wet and sticky snow will probably load up the topside of the shoe so much you won’t want to take too many steps for the weight.

[Mike89]

never been on them but makes sense...  

[AlwaysFishing23]

We were just out for a small hike for my forestry class. They were the old time ones with homemade rubber bindings. I have had a few nice sets over the years and I do believe I have a brand new set at home never used. Here’s what I found today. If I was ice fishing towing my one man flip over or otter sled I would be wearing nothing but pants and a sweatshirt. Personally I can walk about 2x as fast without them. And unless the rope to the sled is about 15ft long it’s weird to walk being snow shoes are a lot bigger than normal boots. IMO I would leave them at home unless it’s a short distance or we get dumped on again ( after Tommarows event).

[AlwaysFishing23]

I got out last night for a few hours before dark. I brought the flip over and planned to stay Mobil till I found the fish. Well I had to drill one hole. I was on fish from time I dropped down to the time I left at about 6:40pm. All big gills 8”-9.5”. Few ok crappies released everything. Only one other person on the lake and they left shorty after I got there so need less to say I had the whole lake to my self. I walked out since it was a short walk and I knew it would be slushy. Well there was no slush! It was all froze solid so there was maybe 4”-5” of snow and when walking you broke through a few inches of it so it was easy walking! Couldn’t believe there was no slush I scrapped down in a few spots with my boot and it was dry. Maybe 5”-6” or froze slush when I drilled my one hole. 17 fow on a gradual break. Wax worm and a tubby jig. Most fish were suspended 4 ft off bottom to 5 ft below the ice and they were AGGRESIVE. Fun times! Ice fishing season is just kicking into high gear again for me got a couple fun trips planned for this month. 

[AlwaysFishing23]

Well “sadly”. Yes I just said that. Winter is coming to an end and gross summer is near. The hot temps, Humidity, mosquitoes, crazy busy boat landings, drunk boaters. The worst time of the year is near. Life is so blah now. No snowmobiling, no ice fishing, ( I wouldn’t be done for awhile yet but mom won’t let me go anymore), I mean really!? I could still drive my truck out What’s more dangerous late ice or being out on first ice on 2”-4”? It’s just water, mud and by far my least favorite time of year. This winter just went by way way to fast! But it is what it is. Can’t believe it, but so long winter 18-19. In summary probably one of the top ice seasons for me! It’ll make me feel better if I can share some pics with y’all. Enjoy! This is only a VERY few select pics from the winter. Biggest walleye- 21” (caught 3 total all caught while fishing for crappies or gills). Biggest gill- 9-3/4”. Biggest crappie- 13”. Total ice outings 29. (I wanted one more to reach 30). 26 angling outings, 3 dark house spearing outings. 

Edited March 21, 2019 by AlwaysFishing23

[leech~~]

 

Well it's all how you look at it grasshopper!

 

[smurfy]

Well at least you have your shirt on!! nice pics you 2.

[Wanderer]

Spring is no slouch for activities though!

Here’s a list of (fun) possibilities for even this weekend:

 

Sapping

Shooting - rifle range

Shed hunting 

Still enough ice to fish through

Some open water to cast to

Still ‘Nuff night light yet for yotes 

Scout for turkeys

Snow goose season is open too

 

It’s too bad though I have to include some other stuff for the weekend:

 

Helping move someone

Taxes

Annual files cleaning

HVAC maintenance 

Some catching up at work

Snow plow repair/maintenance

 

At least I can count on getting stuff from BOTH sides accomplished!  

Edited March 22, 2019 by Wanderer

[AlwaysFishing23]

Got out fishing this morning at about 9am and was off by 2. Had a group of good buddies join and ended with 3 limits of big gills (8”-9.5”),  (limit on this lake is 10 per person per day) 2 jumbo perch, 3 decent pike, and 3 largemouth ( all pike and bass were released immediately as they are out of season). AWESOME day with a good group of buds. Sight fishing in 4-5FOW made the action even more fun if you were able to get out it was a great day to be out with friends, family or the kiddos. 

[Wanderer]

Nice @AlwaysFishing23!

 

We drove by there last night and were tempted to pop a few holes but had burgers on the brain too much.

 

I got over half of the bottom part of the list done today and 1 part of the top list done, which was much more fun!

 

A friends custom 6.5 dialed in.  Started at 500 yards and finished at 1000; 7 mph cross wind.  My favorite hits were the 4 inch circle at 550; the 4”x5” plate at 700 and managing a 12 inch 3 shot group at 1000.  Man, he’s got this baby down.

[smurfy]

yea no target pic...……...I aint buying it!!!!!!!! awesome looking gun !!!!!!!!!

[Wanderer]

1 hour ago, smurfy said:

yea no target pic...……...I aint buying it!!!!!!!! 

 

Haha - ya I spose!  Only we weren’t shooting paper.  Painted steel hanging targets with a spotter and spotting scope. Drive to em to paint em but no retrieval.  

[leech~~]

No body on this site has "Faith" in what they can't see!    

[Mike89]

8 hours ago, leech~~ said:

No body on this site has "Faith" in what they can't see!    

I do!!!   

[mrpike1973]

The 6.5 is A great round.

[smurfy]

9 hours ago, leech~~ said:

No body on this site has "Faith" in what they can't see!    

yea, but I think I've heard that somewhere here before!!!!!!!!!

[chaffmj]

I heard Big Dave has faith in what he can't see! Just joking Big D!