any reports in the backus area

[knoppers]

I bought a cabin on hand lake this year, and was woundering if there are any ice fishing reports for the area? I noticed that there are not any reports for this area for a long time, maybe thats a good sign, as its all secret. I was located in palisade, and just moved here this year, looking for general info, nothing specific.

I can say the ice seems good, if you stay away from the slush.

[Wanderer]

Congrats on the new place!

 

But sorry, no reports from me for the area.

[leech~~]

I had a friend that has a cabin or did on Hand lake.  The only thing I can tell you is what he said. The fish are big on Hand lake and the mosquitoes are even bigger! Not sure if that helps?

[knoppers]

this year it was the opposite, small fish and no skeeters, except the one parked in my garage.

[BIGFISH.JZ]

Ox yolk is always good for some sunny and crappie action. Pine mountain has produced some good evening walleye catches. Tons of lakes to explore in the area. Some of the best bites won't be found without getting out and drilling lots of holes.

[knoppers]

I agree, I rode the sled today, and tomorrow is all fishing, have to get my new 40V strikemaster out on the lake and catch something, gills, crappies or anything thats willing to bite.

[knoppers]

well nothing is biting, I did catch 2 very small perch in 15 FOW, had all kinds of activity in deeper water, but no takers. my locator would lite up with fish, but nothing bites.

[Wanderer]

The 30.20 barometer probably didn’t help much.  But it also might be worth trying shallower?

 

10 feet seemed to be good in the past week on a few lakes and have read here that even shallower has been doing well for some.

[knoppers]

same thing this weekend, I tryed from 6 to 35 FOW. I wasn't the only one, everyone I talked to said the same thing, not much happening. it was good to be out anyway it was so nice out.

[knoppers]

the lakes are very low, making it difficult to launch a boat. the dock at my lakes access is almost completely out of the water. I was thinking about going to little boy next weekend, anyone have a report on that access?

[knoppers]

ice fishing has begun in the backus area. I walked out about 20 feet, did not punch any holes, but it looked like 4 good solid inches. some lakes capped over thursday night, so be careful, as the ice thickness will not be the same all over. my lake had open water in middle of lake, but capped over thursday.

[knoppers]

not much happening on the lake this winter the slush is that bad. only ones out have walked pulling portables. snowmobile is the only travel, and that gets a bit iffy in some areas, no stopping, and plenty of horsepower to get through some areas.

[leech~~]

On 1/22/2022 at 7:05 PM, knoppers said:

not much happening on the lake this winter the slush is that bad. only ones out have walked pulling portables. snowmobile is the only travel, and that gets a bit iffy in some areas, no stopping, and plenty of horsepower to get through some areas.

Dang, all the slush reports from all over is making it hard to decide on trying fishing, or just go snowmobiling?  

[smurfy]

3 hours ago, leech~~ said:

Dang, all the slush reports from all over is making it hard to decide on trying fishing, or just go snowmobiling?  

well someone has to pack that slush down with a snowmobile so it freezes...might as well be you!!!!!!!! 

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, smurfy said:

well someone has to pack that slush down with a snowmobile so it freezes...might as well be you!!!!!!!! 

Um, yeah I like to ride on trails in the woods not on lakes. Their cold, windy, slushy and boring with nothing to see.

[smurfy]

no arguement from me!!!!!!!

[knoppers]

I will give this a bump, so we can give updates on ice out. I tryed fishing last weekend, many lookers but no takers. before the latest snow event, the lake was much easier for travel, and about 24 inches of ice.

[knoppers]

I have not been fishing of late, its hunting season now. so I would like to here any local hunting reports you will share. I have been out on the wheeler putting on lots of miles looking for grouse, and I do have to say I have been seeing plenty. the only problem, it seems my barrel must be bent, I can't seem to hit anything. but its fun to be outdoors even though my aim is off.

[smurfy]

I was up in Itasca county a week ago. Seen some grouse, but heard more. You had a split second to shoot or they'd disappear in the underbrush. Lots of foliage at that point.  Did see a bear though. That was cool!!

[knoppers]

finally got myself a bird in the rain thursday west of backus. I made the mistake of hunting blandin land north of hill city friday, tons of hunters out.

[leech~~]

19 minutes ago, knoppers said:

finally got myself a bird in the rain thursday west of backus. I made the mistake of hunting blandin land north of hill city friday, tons of hunters out.

I thought Blandin locked all their land down to lease users only?  It's been a tough hunt out there.  

[knoppers]

that may be potlatch lands. I have hunted blandin land there for years, and have seen plenty of birds this year there. I forgot about the RGS hunt they do every year hear and north of grand rapids, its never very good after they hit the woods with 3 dogs per hunter as it seems.

[leech~~]

18 hours ago, knoppers said:

that may be potlatch lands. I have hunted blandin land there for years, and have seen plenty of birds this year there. I forgot about the RGS hunt they do every year hear and north of grand rapids, its never very good after they hit the woods with 3 dogs per hunter as it seems.

You might be right about it being Potlatch.  Yeah once a dog goes through you may as well head some where else.