Iceing on the Red

[Guest]

Ya...ice..it's started...can't say I'm overjoyed about it, just yet.

The rivers are starting to close off from the shore outward, slowly but surely. Low flows have helped to allow the formation of ice and it's ability to hang on throughout the sunny days.

It will be a long time before any rivers will be even close to being safe for any foot traffic, so please, STAY OFF THE RIVER ICE! Testing river ice can be a death trap, so please stay clear. Please warn your kids about potential ice dangers early on, and often.

The areas with more turbulent waters and the shallower runs will remain open for some time yet. Some sections may remain open all winter, if we have a reasonable winter that is. So fishing from shore is still a very good option and may produce some of the biggest fish of the season.

Pike are on the prowl now and find feeding more successful in the gin clear waters of early winter. Walleye action may shift to nocturnal patterns, or possibly a mid-day bite on warming mud flats that are gathering heat in the shallows, both patterns may surface from time to time. Forage is always the key. Find food, find fish looking for food.

Like I said, not too thrilled about the ice but Eh, it is late fall and it will come no matter what. In a few weeks, like after Thanksgiving, my mood will change to early ice fever, it always does.

Please be safe folks. Do not make "I'm dying to go ice fishing" your last words!

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Backwater Eddy..><sUMo>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300
[email protected]
http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com

[Guest]

Selkirk park docks have been pulled and some ice has formed on the edge of the river. The launch at the park is passable. The bite has been slow with only the odd report of success. The Assiniboine river which feeds into the Red at Winnipeg has a good flow of ice at the moment. It won't be too long and the ice flows will start to show up in the Red as well.

Saugers are still cooperating up at the dam at Lockport and at other locations down stream. Reports about walleye size have been(for the most part)that fish have been smaller and fewer in numbers lately.

The Winnipeg river, though, has seen a little better bite later on this season (although reports in general once again with regards to size have been that fish in general have been smaller).

I haven't given up yet and plan to hit the water (Red or Winnipeg) should the launches remain viable for launching. It's at this time of year when a smaller boat on the Red can be the ticket to getting out there (for the Winnipeg river it might be overly dangerous to use something smaller unless you fish up in the river).

I would also recommend that people stay off any ice for a long while yet. Current and changing temperatures will have an impact on any river ice.

Hey I'm looking forward to the hard water season....

Good fishin'

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Dan Kiazyk
Cat Eye Outfitter
http://www.geocities.com/dkiazyk2000
[email protected]

[Guest]

did a little ice fishing up by the border on the 17 no fish and not much ice warm temps will slow the ice makeing be safe

[This message has been edited by grousehunter (edited 11-18-2002).]

[Guest]

Adequate ice (4") for foot traffic on the Red North of Lockport. Not many walleyes to report but saugers in some spots are still going strong. If warmer temps over the last two days are to continue, ice may degenerate a bit.... So if you do go, go with a partner with the appropriate safety gear in hand/bag/over the shoulders etc. A floater suit and or a life jacket are an excellent idea as well.

[Guest]

Please be safe folks and talk to your kids about staying off the ice yet.

Tragically 2 youths drown yesterday and another in in critical condition.

Do not assume kids know to stay off the ice, please remind them!

------------------
Backwater Eddy..><sUMo>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300
[email protected]
http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com