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Ice Still Forming


LakeofthewoodsMN

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On the south end...   Ice continues to form and make progress on Lake of the Woods.  With that being said, it is going to take some time before it is safe and fish houses are out.  Resort ice guides have been out checking ice thickness, flying drones over the ice and basically staying on top of current conditions.  

Back bays are locked up and there is some spearing for pike that has been happening.  Ice conditions even in back bays vary, so for safety, please work through resorts and outfitters.

 

Most of Big Traverse Bay is ice covered.  There are still patches of open water, some cracks that have opened up, etc.  This is typical for this time of year and it will be a bit yet before most can give the green light.  

 

Lake of the Woods is big and there are many areas of the lake resorts and outfitters go out on.  Each business will be monitoring ice conditions in their area and make informed decisions when it is allowed to access the ice through their ice access and what weight limits will be allowed.


Resorts and outfitters have started marking trails on the ice in bays and close to shore.  When it is time to get out on the ice, we encourage working through resorts and outfitters and staying on marked trails for safety.

On the Rainy River...   The Rainy River is ice covered.  Local resorts and ice guides are monitoring ice conditions in areas of the river they offer ice fishing.  As you have read in this report previously, work through a resort or outfitter for safety reasons.  

  
Up at the NW Angle...  The Angle is ice covered (as a whole).  Outfitters and ice guides have been marking ice trails.  The ice roads and trails are not open yet, but much of the ice has frozen smooth and is coming along very nicely.

There are always areas throughout the winter where there is current up at the Angle so it is important to stay on the marked trails, both when they open up and throughout the ice fishing season, which goes through March, Mother Nature dependent on course.
 

 

Staked trail on early ice_Ken Mar Ke Resort_120423.jpg

Ice chunk_Zippel Bay Resort_120223.jpg

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