1st trip 3/5-3/8

[TJB]

We are coming up for our 1st trip. We are leaving from St. Paul MN. Just wondering what the best way to go up there would be? We are trailoring a 7X14 bar on wheels and me are wondering where would be the best place to go. I know it is early to ask, but I will keep am eye on the reports and go from there. Obviously we need to go out from a place that keeps up there roads. Got stuck on Red and that was no fun. We are hoping to get into them good and make it over for the tournament on Red 3/6. But would rather catch eyes, so if we must we are willing to put the time in. Thanks in advance for you help.<BR>TJ [email protected]<BR>

[jlm]

First off, it is going to be very tough for you to get around on the lake towing a house. Bring a shovel or three and prepare to work hard if you plan on getting off the road a little ways. I highly recommend that you bring sleds and portables if you want to get away from the crowds. LP, Zipple, and Adrians (Wheelers Point) all have good roads and they keep them plowed well throughout the day. Same with Morris and Babblers. Don't expect to get past Arnesons reef off Rocky though, its not plowed to 12 or 16...at least last time I was up anyway. I will be up this weekend as well. Good luck!

[TJB]

Hey,<BR>Thanks for the quick reply! We do have chains for the truck, may not be much help. We are also taking a portable with to be mobile. If we do get into them we may be doing a ton of shoveling to get the bar close. Is there anyone up there that would plow us a road to a spot off the main road? If you know of a resort or a local that offers this service please advise!<BR>TJB [email protected]<BR>

[fiskyknut]

I think the crew at Zippel will for 25 beans.

[jlm]

25 beans will be well worth it to in my opinion! I would leave the house on shore and just use the portables...you will get in more fishin' time! Unless you can get them to plow a path for you!

[TJB]

Does anyone have the number for Zippel? Also like I said I have never been there before, still looking for directions from St. Paul MN. Also about how long of a drive is it?<BR>I really appreciate all your help.<BR>TJB [email protected]<BR>

[bturck]

TJB: I live in St cloud and make 4 trips a year up to LOW. this is the route I use because there is very little traffic as compared to #371 round Brainerd. Take hwy 10 to Motley (4 lane all the way) Take #64 north through Ackley to the jct of #200. This will be west of Cass Lake and Walker. Take a left on #200 and watch for #71 to Bemidi. Again this will be 4 lane. In Bemidji exit on #71 which says to International Falls. At the stop light head straigh a way to Blackduck (25 nmiles) You will hook up with # 72 follow that right past Upper Red and it will bring you to # 12 on the east side of Baudette. From St Cloud, including a breakfast stop in Blackduck I can make Baudette in 5 hrs without burning the carbon out to bad. Its a nice ride and relativley little traffic as I mentioned. We used to run #371 but it seems you were constantly slowing down for another town or signal light. Hope this helps Bill

[BobD]

Bill, have you heard how far out river bend has thier shacks??

[bturck]

Bob: No not recently. The last time I was there was January 19 and they were out to 32' at that time. I have not talked to Glenn since then, so I don't know if they ventured further or not. I'm headed back on 2/26. Last year our February trip was still out to 32'. Bill

[bturck]

BobD: I missed your reply on the other post about the beer on my tab. Go ahead have one, tell Glenn I'll pick it up next week. Either that or put it on Rich's. Good luck to you up there and hang on. Bill

[Buckets]

TJB, By the middle of March the ice can get hospitable again to traffic. You never know, even by the first week, just depends on the weather.<BR>If you do a search on here for directions or routes there was a lot of info a month or so ago on good routes from the cities... <BR>Good Luck

[B mac]

I was up last week. I don't think people understand how much snow is up there!!! The sides of the plowed roads are 4 feet high. There is no chance of even busting through them unless you have a plow or a snow-blower and a ton of energy. I wouldn't even waste my time with a permanent house at this point. I don't think the resorts are even bothering to move their houses either. Definitely go snowmobile and portable house.

[TJB]

Thank you all for your input. Anyone have any luck lately?

[TJB]

BUMP

[TJB]

Any recent info? Where you went out of, how deep, what seemed to produce the most fish? Dead lines work better or jigging? One again thank you in advance.

[Jaypo]

TJB - <P>There are a lot of ways to get there, but we got to Baudette last year from Lino Lakes in 4 hours and 15 minutes (308 miles) by taking 35 north to Moose Lake. From "Downtown" Moose Lake, take Hwy 73 North to Hyw 2. Take Hyw 2 thru Grand Rapids to Hwy 46 which runs past Lake Winni. When you hit Hyw 71 from 46, go left about 3 miles to Hyw 72 and head North past Red Lake to Baudette. <P>I'll admit Doc Madison had the minivan doing 105 at some point of the way, but we slowed down through the rural areas considerably and found it was the easiest trip yet. With little traffic anywhere along the way. <P>We'll be up at LOW at the same time you are fishing out of Sportsmans. Last year was annoying with all the 7 inch rogues we caught and nothing with any size, but that was in early Feb. We've done well later in Feb. and early March in years past, so you should do well. Might be a cold front coming through next week that may slow things down, but if the sun is out, we may not have time to drink our beer!!<P>Jaypo

[olbaidhh]

There is goignt o be a full moon next weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iffwalleyes]

we caught fish this past weekend but things were tough and they weren't snapping hard. We ended up about 8 short of our limit for 4 guys. There didn't seem to be a magic lure. If anything did better then the next it was just a plain gold kahle hook on the dead sticks. For jigging we did have some luck on glow combinations pink/glow, green/glow, orange/glow. The trick is to change lures often. I don't know if you are still planning to bring your big house or not but if it were me I would leave it at home and get a hotel for the night and stay with the portables. There is so much snow and slush you will be shoveling for hours to get the house where you want to to pick up fish instead of actually fishing. Hope this helps a little. <P>------------------<BR>Grip it and Rip it<P>IFFWalleyes<BR>I Fish For Walleyes<BR>[email protected]<p>[This message has been edited by iffwalleyes (edited 02-27-2004).]

[Guest]

TJB,<P>I live in Roseville, and I'm heading up on the 4th. The fastest way to go is to take 169 up to Grand Rapids. Take a left on Hwy 2 at the "T". Take Hwy 2 to Hwy 46 in Deer River. Take 46 to Northome. Take a left onto Hwy 71 for a couple of miles to Hwy 1. Take a right onto Hwy 1. Stay on 1 for a couple of miles then take a right onto Hwy 72. Go north on 72 until you hit Baudette. <P>From Roseville it takes us about 4.5-6 hours depending on who's driving.

[TJB]

Thank you all for the info. We have got a route all planned out and we are looking forward to catching some eyes. Not to sure about the weather for the weekend. I hope the warm weather sticks around to keep those fish active.<P>How did you guys/gals to this past weekend? Any info would be much appreciated.<BR>tjb<BR>

[TJB]

Wonder where we should go out of? Any help would be great.

[the olde man]

tjb, there are some great post in this forum I`d check them out and go from there