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.

Recommended Posts

Any early ice out predictions?  Never too early too start...?

 

How was the season-end Vermilion ice conditions....integrity and thickness....overall compared to last year?  I barely got out due to projects. Hoping for a warm April!

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had 26" of solid dark ice on January 17.  We got a lot of snow after that, but there have been very cold temperatures also.  My guess would be May 1.

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

We're due for an earlier-than-May ice out :)

 

I'm thinking we'll have a warmer than normal April. My guess is April 23rd.

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

With the lack of snowcover on the lake, it was great to be out there this weekend listening to her make ice.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

It looks like it stayed above freezing last night, with some warm weather and wind hitting today/tomorrow. However, the 10-day forecast still shows most nights below freezing and even down into the teens. It doesn't look like an early ice-out at least according to the forecast. Maybe on-time at best, or early May.

 

Any reports from the Pike River?

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

Yeah the forecast isn't looking as warm as I would have hoped. I miss having the 2 Pike Bay webcams to look at. 

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

I was just out on Daisy Bay and there is 9-10” of clear ice with 5-6” of very wet slush on top. Last week the same hole had 18” of ice with 6” of packed snow/slush. 

  • Thumbs Up 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

57 minutes ago, tbetts1000 said:

I was just out on Daisy Bay and there is 9-10” of clear ice with 5-6” of very wet slush on top. Last week the same hole had 18” of ice with 6” of packed snow/slush. 

 

It sounds like we're making progress. 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, BigVwalters said:

I am going to guess the April 23rd.

That's where I am at as well....though not as interested with the order in place ?? On the bright side, will be wetting lines in a month! ?

 

Early season beer consumption might be a little higher this year...

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was thinking April 20th for ice out but with the cooler night time temps next week I'm thinking April 27th now. The ice is starting to pull away from the shoreline which is a good sign.

 

2020 ice.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Darrell. I was just thinking about whether or not the river had opened up. This post was perfect timing.

 

It's great to hear from you and to get news about Cliff. I'm sure that I can speak for most by stating that posts by both you and Cliff are missed. Glad to hear that everyone is well. Going off of the adage that the Pike River is typically two weeks ahead of ice-out, that puts us right around the end of April for a typical Vermilion ice-out. That's great news.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We just bought a place on the Pike River - was up last weekend cleaning the place up.  River is moving well.  Saw a couple eagles pick up suckers out of the river so I'm guessing they are running.  

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My original post mentioned the DNR trap nets at the hatchery, they will NOT be setting nets this year, for obvious reasons of health issues for all concerned, the DNR personnel and visitors.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cedarbanks - welcome to the forums. There is a lot of great information packed away on here from prior years. You could become a fishing master if you went back and read all of the fishing posts from Cliff, MarkB, Ace, and others. Enjoy and share.

 

Darrell - I wondered about that as I read your post. Maybe that means that the east end will have a little more plentiful walleye class in 2020, or just that the older year classes will have more food to gorge on!

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

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
6 hours ago, Darrell Larson said:

I still talk with Cliff Wagenbach  now and then he is alive and well and is still a Guide on Vermilion, fyi for some on this site that know Cliff.

 

When you talk to Cliff let him know we miss him.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/14/2020 at 4:42 PM, SkunkedAgain said:

Cedarbanks - welcome to the forums. There is a lot of great information packed away on here from prior years. You could become a fishing master if you went back and read all of the fishing posts from Cliff, MarkB, Ace, and others. Enjoy and share.

 

Darrell - I wondered about that as I read your post. Maybe that means that the east end will have a little more plentiful walleye class in 2020, or just that the older year classes will have more food to gorge on!

As I understand it the DNR puts back fry into the lake to compensate for the eggs they take.   This works because they are better at hatching fry than ma nature is.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, delcecchi said:

As I understand it the DNR puts back fry into the lake to compensate for the eggs they take.   This works because they are better at hatching fry than ma nature is.

They say they put back more than would've hatched naturally. If we get a great hatch and a big year class I'm sure plenty of people will still question that. 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, FishinCT said:

They say they put back more than would've hatched naturally. If we get a great hatch and a big year class I'm sure plenty of people will still question that. 

 

Good or bad agree or disagree it seems there will be some learnings here.  But of course, every year is different naturally so probably there will still be a raging debate on the impact.  Other species may benefit and that may make some happy.

 

The lake I am on is only stocked every other year with walleye and not this year so should be no impact unless it carries over to next year.  I think the best year class of the lake actually came from a private stocking effort with yearlings wish we could do more of that I would be happy to pay for it though not sure how to make something like that happen.  I know on another lake a few years back the lake organization tried to do this and the DNR denied it.  Sad. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are numerous private hatcheries in the state,  including 10,000 Lakes Aquaculture, a big hatchery operation up near Osakis.  You can buy walleyes, but I had a buddy that looked into it for a private stocking on his own little lake, and it was pretty expensive. You can get walleyes, crappies, bluegills, perch, all kinds of fish. There are also numerous lakeshore associations around the state that do their own stocking, so I know its possible. Good luck if you are able to get interested people together, and stock some fish.

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

I've never minded the hatchery. It's actually a lot of fun to go seem the staff at work, and see all of the eggs inside the building. I think that whateverisbiting is spot on, that a debate will rage and for no good reason. There are too many variables at play to look at one and pronounce it the cause of change.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, FishinCT said:

They say they put back more than would've hatched naturally. If we get a great hatch and a big year class I'm sure plenty of people will still question that. 

Often hatching isn't the problem, survival for the first year is.   Check west end for evidence.

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

Any ice reports from the smaller bays? Is the ice starting to pull away from the northern shores yet?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Young of the year survival is the key player here. A good natural spawning year far outpaces stocked fry- however the fry are not making it to the adult population. It is happening all over not just on Vermilion. The DNR does a very good job of documenting their work on the young of the year assessments.

Crappies, sunfish and largemouth bass are very strong right now in the lake.

 

Best of health to all in these trying times- hopefully we will be able to wave at each other while on the water catching walleyes starting at the opener.

 

Steve

 

 

 

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

Checked-in in the webcams to see how ice out might be progressing.  There’s a boat out in Wolf Bay...stuck in an iceberg?  ?

942B855E-9FF1-4C29-8325-D0F8C4F5555B.png

  • Confused 1
  • Wow, ❤ 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.