Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

I was wondering if anybody could possibly tell me the current ice thickness. I was planning a walleye run to this lake any tips and information, areas depths lures etc would be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Icehawk~

I drove by Minnewaska on Sunday on my way up to Bemidji. There was probably a dozen fish houses out there with there lights on and a four wheeler parked on the ice. This was on the Starbuck end out from the Waters Edge. Its an excellent spot early ice for a couple weeks. Tons of walleyes! They start before dark and slow down as the evening goes on. Get out there soon before everyone else does. Goodluck

~juddfish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Green Light!!! I fished Waksa last weekend and the eyes were going pretty good. No monsters, but a lot of good'ns. There should be plenty of ice by this weekend for sure. 6" or more I'm guessing.

Kicker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

just sent a customer out with a bucket of shiners and fatheads on his way back down to Minnewaska...says the ice is nearly six inches....good for fourwheelers....bite has been very good....should be a great weekend!

------------------
Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where is this lake located? I am heading up there this weekend and looking for a place to fish.
Thanks,
A

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alphid

Minnewaska is a large lake about 8 miles long it runs from Starbuck to Glenwood. I usually fish early ice on the Starbuck end of the lake and always have great success. Give it a try and let us know how it went.

~juddfish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Judd,

are you going to be out there this weekend? I'll be out there this afternoon and all weekend. Can't wait to rip some lips!!

Kicker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kicker~

No I wont be there this weekend. Stuck up in Bemidji smile.gif Goodluck on Waska! Shouldnt take to much luck just keep a minnow on the hook smile.gif Well I am off to the lake now.

~juddfish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys, need the info on this one, what depths work best for walleyes and what jig/color. In spots or other secrets you would like to share?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't say what is good right now but last year it was anything glowing in green or white. About 6 inches off the bottom. Jig it by bouncing it of the bottom lightly and the small movement about six inches up. About a hour before dark they will start to move in. And they quit about a one hour after dark.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Fished sunfish the other day out there, it was very slow. I cut around 80 holes in all the traditional hot spots, the cabbage bars etc. The sunfish just dont seem to be in these areas good yet, managed to hook a couple of eating size walleyes though. The walleyes are relating to the weeds and their aggressive. If anyone hits the sunfish post a report I'm sure everyone would appreciate it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey IceHawk. I was out there the other day as well. Pretty much the same exact report as yours except that the gills are there, but just don't want to bite. I set up one of the guys with an underwater camera. As my other buddy and I were out punching holes and searching, Mike sat there and watched perch, gills, bass, and eyes come by and take a look and then swim off. In the afternoon there were gills coming through quite often, but most would not bite. A majority of the bites were so light they would go undetected if you didn't see them take it on the camera. Every now and then one kamikaze would come by and nail it. We only ended up with about fifteen gills a dozen nice perch and a few eyes. I'm a vex man all the way and hardly ever bring the camera with, but on this outing the camera proved to be a better tool. It made it a lot easier to distinguish between the weeds, perch, and gills.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard very good reports on the Gill bite from last week. However, is sounds like they shut off over the weekend. The guys that really got into them during the week were finding them on the weedline. However, it was a bust for them over the weekend.

Hopefully they will turn back on with this warmer weather. Scott Steil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard on the news this morning that 2 guys on ATV(s) went through the ice on Waska and barely managed to get out. The ice is really thin in spots and the warmth is not helping!! Be careful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last Saturday a snowmobile went through the ice. I know it happened because I talked to the guy the next day when I was going out fishing. There was pretty good ice, in fact, I parked my truck on the ice. But, it is a big lake and I wouldn't be running to far with anything.

So, how is the fishing? Have they turned back on with the warm weather? Scott Steil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I doubt the DNR and the Pope County Sheriff's Office would start a rumor. It was on the news this morning. They advise EVERYONE to use extreme caution because when the temps are in the 40's, pushing 50, can really mess up the ice. Almost every lake I have been on has 12" of ice and people driving trucks, while the other end of the same lake (s) has 5" or less because of the big blow on 11/29. If it weren't for that wind 2 weeks ago the ice conditions would not vary so much.

I have no idea where these guys went through. All I know is it happened yesterday. I would not venture around any lake at this point!

For example: My friend went on Otter Tail Lake and found over a foot of ice on most parts, but the middle of the lake where he had his "honey hole" there was 3" of ice. Luckily he walked over a mile and chiseled his way and learned of the conditions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spoke with the local CO on Saturday...he spent the whole day down on Minnewaska...says it is quite trecherous in areas....another 4 wheeler went through...ice heaves...open cracks, thin ice...open water in the middle...

BE CAREFUL!...still lots of activity off of Water's Edge in Starbuck...

but again...use caution!

good luck , good fishing...take care!

------------------
Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.