It's Happening . . .

[Toad]

Time for icefishing is approaching quickly in the area. Most lakes are still largely open, but ice has begun forming on smaller lakes and bays. I don't want to get too optimistic, but I'm really shooting for Thanksgiving weekend. Smaller lakes should have a good several inches by then-- time for a crack at first ice panfish! We'll see.

In the meantime, North Long Lake out my front window had patches of newly forming ice all across the surface this morning.

-Toad

[Guest]

Ya, Beers should be freezing nicely too!

First ice Musky, ohhhhhh--yaaa, gona get me some, uh-huh!

Ice is nice!

BE....................><, ,> J

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 11-16-2000).]

[Toad]

A layer of ice now covers 371 Bay on North Long-- a few more days and we'll be talkin' about first ice crappies. I suspect first ice 'eyes on Round will be happening soon, as well. Though you might consider a duck boat at first. Well worth the hassle-- should be a super fine first ice walleye bite.

For now, I'll still be on another grouse run tomorrow; albeit with a keen eye on a few favorite panfish lakes. Later fellas.

-a friend called Toad

[Guest]

Good luck on the feather bags!

[Toad]

Iced my first panfish of the season yesterday. YES!-- Early ice is oh so nice! Although no one has as yet been on 371 Bay of North Long Lake, I would suspect it must have a good 4 to 5 inches by now, with temps dipping near zero for the past several evenings.

The crappies and bluegills (and pike) I found were on a lake about 200 acres in size, which had about 5 inches as of yesterday. Certainly many smaller lakes sport solid walkable stuff by now, as well.

We're still probably at least a good several days away from good ice on the bigger lakes like Gull, Pelican, North Long and Whitefish. Walleyes can still be had on smaller lakes, though-- always an overlooked option (Hubert, Round, Edward, Blackhoof . . .)

This afternoon I'll be poking around the backroads, scouting lakes and testing ice. Hope to get you another updated ice report soon. So here's to fresh fillets, sizzling away in the pan, soon.

-a friend called Toad

P.S.
Anyone else out fishing yet? Been out yet Paul?

[Toad]

An update for first-ice fishheads . . .

I can now confirm good safe ice on a number of lakes . . .

>Crow Wing Lake has up to 5 inches-- walleyes are going good at night, starting at about 4:30pm.

>371 Bay of North Long harbors ice up to 6 inches-- plenty of panfish boys out there, but lots of moving going on. Crappies in the early morning hours.

>Round Lake-- Three to 4 inches in most areas. Diehards out there the past couple nights (including myself) have done fair to good on dusk walleyes. Nice fish too.

>Most lakes under 200 acres in size have fishable ice now as well.

The Yet to Freeze Department--

>Gull remains wide open-- actually noted several boats stationed along Polks Flat, while across 371 on Round, anglers fished on ice (only in Minnesota . . .)

>Lake Hubert is still 80% openwater, as are lakes like Pelican and Whitefish.

Great time to get on those normally tough to access small panfish lakes. See you out there soon!

-a friend called Toad