Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Chain Ice Reports


Horseshoe_Don

Recommended Posts

I went out last Saturday as well.  Noticed two trucks parked on the Cedar side of the winter access, both a a decent amount of water under them.  I'm still going to the cabin on Horseshoe and walking.  But, I think I need to bring the wheeler or sled next time.  darn, that walking is getting old.  Plus, I have a hefty walk up the hill to where I park.  I also noticed a pretty large group of guys(10-12) in south end of Horseshoe when I got out, and they all made the journey back to the summer landing.  

 

I saw the same ice conditions as others mentioned, 12" where I was.  

 

Anyways, I like to do the late afternoon evening bite.  Popped a few holes, and hunkered down.  Saw quiet a few fish on the finder, had a bite almost right after dropping the line, but missed it.  Then, only a few more bites, and lost one fish.  I was jigging and dead sticking in 28FOW.  

 

I might have to try and explore a bit more when the sled next time out, and hope for more success.  

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
1 hour ago, mnicerookie said:

Any updated ice conditions for the area? In particular, Horseshoe? Thanks!

As of yesterday there was 18-20inches on most of the chain.  Travel has been pretty easy as there isnt much snow and only a few slushy spots

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • I Like it 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have drilled at least one hole that had only 12" in the last week.   But most 16" +

 

 

Don

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a heads up. The Meth hole is open in it's normal area. I noticed 2 sled tracks where one ski was literally 1" away from the hole. Be careful people. 

  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Talked to a CO yesterday by Becker Lake. He said a sled went through the other day. Possibly trying to retrace his path across a spot of open water. This was in the channel between Horseshoe and Long.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Dave S said:

Talked to a CO yesterday by Becker Lake. He said a sled went through the other day. Possibly trying to retrace his path across a spot of open water. This was in the channel between Horseshoe and Long.

yea that channel, especially close to the bridge is NEVER EVER safe!!!!!!!!

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Oh the old Camp woody ,cow bridge area. Crazy you can just about run a boat in that area almost every winter. Smurfy remember the old  Balsams Resort  where you put money in a mailbox to access long back in the days ? Bought a few 12 packs of soda ? from him back in the day no ID required if you know what I mean.?  Hopefully he wasn't water skipping like they did on the years Becker lake had the aeroation system. 

  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, IceHawk said:

Oh the old Camp woody ,cow bridge area. Crazy you can just about run a boat in that area almost every winter. Smurfy remember the old  Balsams Resort  where you put money in a mailbox to access long back in the days ? Bought a few 12 packs of soda ? from him back in the day no ID required if you know what I mean.?  Hopefully he wasn't water skipping like they did on the years Becker lake had the aeroation system. 

yea I do!!!!!!! but I  didn't buy any pop!!!!!!!!?? 

  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out over the weekend on one of the more protected lakes. Ice was 16-18" and we were all over the lake. Bite was slow, but found enough to keep us entertained. All were released and it was a great weekend weatherwise 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Was out today and there were places with 3" of water on the ice.   Drilled holes and it looked like a bath tub draining,    Ice is getting weak and was coming out with some chards vs nice shavings.  Marked very few fish

 

Don

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, Horseshoe_Don said:

Was out today and there were places with 3" of water on the ice.   Drilled holes and it looked like a bath tub draining,    Ice is getting weak and was coming out with some chards vs nice shavings.  Marked very few fish

 

Don

Wow, I took a drive around the chain today and there was a truck out on Brown's.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

There were at least 10 trucks out there this afternoon from reports I got. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I was getting a little nervous with my little suv. ?

  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I brought my venny trimmings to plantenbergs this morning and decided to drive by the chain. looks to me like most the access points are done as far as even ATV traffic. looked like some open water. the few that were out on the ice hoofed it!!!!!!! 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

You can now get from the 22 access to the meth hole if anyone wants to fish kittys from a boat.

 

Don

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Don Thanks for the report  ? Last few days noticed  its really opening up there. Access doesn't seem to flooded yet. Might see a few boats in the next week. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

Don Thanks for the report  ? Last few days noticed  its really opening up there. Access doesn't seem to flooded yet. Might see a few boats in the next week. 

Especially if mrpike reads this. ? I may need to take a drive tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reports. I may go if the wind goes down today may need to pet a few kitties today!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

took a drive around the chain today. the river system is pretty much all open. I did notice from the cty rd 49 bridge out to the west still had ice however. there were a couple people out on scheider but that culvert by the resort area was pretty wide open. there was also someone out on cedar island..he walked out.

 

 fully expected with the wind yesterday to see the ice from the meth hole area to be piled up on the shore but it wasn't. the channel from horseshoe to long was also wide open. 

 

as I was driving around I was plotting of some areas were to maybe fish right after ice out, and it got me thinking about that bay over by becker, the one just west of the 23 bridge. I've noticed in the past noone fishing in the bay lately??????? so did the catfish take that over???????? man that used to an awesome spot in the spring before it got weedy.

  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

56 minutes ago, smurfy said:

 

 

as I was driving around I was plotting of some areas were to maybe fish right after ice out, and it got me thinking about that bay over by becker, the one just west of the 23 bridge. I've noticed in the past noone fishing in the bay lately??????? so did the catfish take that over???????? man that used to an awesome spot in the spring before it got weedy.

That first bay on Becker can be very good... but hasn't the last few yrs. 

Been lots of smalls in there.

If your looking for a decent spot to hit from shore... try that first bay off Forest Hill rd. (Cedar Island) it can be a good one soon after ice out?

Edited by Rick G
  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Rick G said:

That first bay on Becker can be very good... but hasn't the last few yrs. 

Been lots of smalls in there.

If your looking for a decent spot to hit from shore... try that first bay off Forest Hill rd. (Cedar Island) it can be a good one soon after ice out?

I would go by boat to some of these spots. I just don't see many people lately fishing there. And I was referring to the little bag that butts up close to the highway.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like the ice between the 22 bridge and the river channel which would open up a lot of lakes.   Could be another 72 hours for that.    Most of shoe will not be accessible by boat for quite some time yet.   Could be a wile for becker yet too but its melting on both ends.  A good warm sunny windy day would help.

 

Don

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Smurfy,  that bay on Becker by the bridge is money when the water is high.  If it low it just doesn't seem to get many in there.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
33 minutes ago, smurfy said:

I would go by boat to some of these spots. I just don't see many people lately fishing there. And I was referring to the little bag that butts up close to the highway.

The one you are talking about down by the old boy scout land  rarely gets fished anymore. It was one of the best back in the days before the new bridge got built  Usally to shallow and full of scum weeds now. If you didn't get down there early you would be lucky to find a shore spot to fish. I bet you remember driving on to Becker down that hill we all did it for years now they cross the river to get out there boy have times changed. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Borscht... I would bet it could be good this year. I'm hoping to check it out.

 

Icehawk... Oh yea, I remember, made a few trips down that hill myself.? I'm hoping to get the boat out of moms shed this week.

Edited by smurfy
  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Yeah, launched a few boats there too when we used smaller lighter rigs.  Was always best when the water was into the woods and hit them there good about 4-5 years ago when it was high.  Tough landing the boat with the river ripping though.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • 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.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.