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Clearwater update


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Anyone been out on clearwater yet? Any updates on ice conditions and or early action?

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  • rockhardinmn

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  • Farley

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  • Johnny B

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  • Icemandu

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I have been out on the east end twice.
two small 12" eyes on two diff spots.
open water in the center of the east end.
the bite has been short for me.
1/2 hr before dark to dark.
4" of ice every where I went.
Hope size to pick up soon.
Prob' go out fri sat and sun p.m.
Maybe go to maple one day.

Pig farmer

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I have been out to the west end near some bulrushes Saturday - Monday, and limited out on crappies. Crappies were good size - 9.5 -11.5 inches, but most around 10.5. Bluegill were also active, but ran smaller. Did catch one close to 9 inches. Anywhere from 10 - 20 feet of water. Crappies were very high - suspended 2 to 10 feet under the ice. Had to work them up to get them to bite. Was using eurolarvae as the primary bait. Missed much more than I caught. The bite died down around 5:30. Not sure if they will be around this coming weekend or not, but will give it a shot. Had to do a lot of hole jumping. There were walleye present, but not biting. Some pike were caught in the vicinity. All in all, a great start to the ice fishing season. 5 inches of ice present.

[This message has been edited by Icemandu (edited 12-09-2003).]

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Yes, B.J.'s is open.

Iceman good report. How was the afternoon bite? I am planning on going this weekend as well. Look for a purple otter cabin and a frabill speed shak: stop by.

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Fishhawk,
Welcome to the Forum.
From what I understand the private launch is about the only place you can park on the east side. I recall that some may have parked along Hwy 24, but I’m not sure if there are any parking restrictions. Check it out when you drive by and look for signs or ask if you see anyone else parking along the way.

The east side has some excellent structure, keep us posted on how you do over there.

<;))))><

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I wouldn't chance it parking on hwy 24 along the lake. You might get towed??? Another idea is to park just off hwy 24 on cty rd 6. It's not as busy a road and they "might" give you a break on parking there.

The east end has good fishing, but it's a real hassle when you want to find an access for ice fishing. Nav

------------------
Jon Navratil
Navigator Guide Service
www.naviguides.com
Central MN rivers & lakes

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Hey Rock-Hard MN: You out there? How you been doing? I know if anyone is catching walleyes on Clearwater....you are! Regards and happy holidays!

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Can a guy get between the island and the mainland point where the two sides (East, West) of the lake are seperated on a ATV or sled? Or is the ice thin there?

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As of last Sunday, the only way to get to and from the East-West basins was by hugging the shoreline and taking the longer way around. I will be checking it out again on Saturday.
Has anyone fished the lake this week?
Who will be out this weekend?

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Hey Lake Center .. thanks for the vote of confidence Lmao ,, i honestly havent been out on the lake as of yet myself ,, got laidoff only 1 week ago ,, got all the ge3ar ready to hit the ice i just havent had the chance to do it as of yet since i am working on repairing a sled daughter wrecked last year ( i pull my fish house with it ) . i also have to spend a little time in duluth over the weekend ( hopefully thats ALL)to get warrenty work on a tranny that went bad after only 1 week ,,, but i will post when i do get out and have anything to report..

P.S> those minnows work for ya at all that i gave you ?

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  • 2 weeks later...

watch in front of your place lake center ..going to work that area the next few days a little ... drop down and say hi ,, fish trap house . pulled by green indy or may be i walk up

[This message has been edited by rockhardinmn (edited 12-23-2003).]

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Rock: Hope you have luck on the hard H2O. This week it looked like it was melting pretty good out there. Hopefully we get some more snow, and I can get the sleds out. Happy Holidays to all!

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Psst ... i got sick for 4 days .. couldnt even get out of bed ... b4 that i was getting plenty of fish grin.gif .. if ya see me out front pop down

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I am going to try to fish the East end this weekend. Has anyone ever parked on Cnty Rd 6 further up past the No Parking signs?

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Cowboy,, Thanks for all this "Gravy", I am working on monday's work now. I will make sure you have a very nice job waiting for you. Plates on 432 and 500 bullits on 469, YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Lake Center ,,, had out front of your place ,, Did ya see me and 1 other out there ? Wallys are there,,, theres a close to home report for ya grin.gif

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Heading up there on Sunday morning, will be fishing the east end just North of Camp Friendship, will post results.

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I am heading out there Saturday, I will be fishing the West end in front of B.J's does anybody have any clue where one may find the Crappies at right now out there? I have been fishing Buffalo for the last couple weeks and I am closer to Clearwater and due to weather forcast fro tomorrow I decdied to stay closer to home. I have not been on Clearwater ice this year yet so any help would be big help for me...thank you..

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Ended up fishing Sunday night, east side. Iced about 8 eyes, missed at least that many more. All but a couple were on the small side. Action started about 4 pm and was just about done by 7.

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Was out yesterday, west side, 6 hours, one walleye. I think I'm cursed. We'll hit her hard this weekend though. Anyone else seen any action this last weekend?

Setterguy, do you ever fish the west side or are you strictly an "Eastsider"?

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I went out Sunday morning on the west side. We had to move several times before we found fish. Caught a lot of very nice crappies, no walleyes. I plan to return in a day or so, hope I can find them again.

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Hey Rock. Thanks for the update. I hope to get out sometime this week...work and the wife permitting. May you find many fish in the new year. Regards, LCR

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Anyone on this forum live on the east side of the lake??? If you are willing to let me park in front of your house and WALK out on to the lake, I will be more than willing to share any walleyes I get. Probably goin out New Years day, all day, leaving in the morning. Otherwise we'll haul a sled out there and go accross the lake from my buddies cabin by the Black Pool. If that's the case: COME ON SNOW!

[email protected]

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Farley- I have never fished the west side on hard water, a friend of mine has a brother in law with a cabing on the east side, thats how we access it. We have always caught fish but you have to sift through them to find a meal. I know there are bigger fish down there, just gotta keep on jiggin I guess.

------------------
Keep the tip up, ask permission and shoot straight. Setterguy

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Setterguy, I'm just the opposite, I've only fished the westside for sunnies/crappeis/bass in the summer, not much for walleyes. Maybee I'll see ya out there this weekend. Purple Otter Lodge. I'm gonna try to stay between the point (that seperates the two sides of the lake) and camp friendship. Hopefully New Years Eve doesnt get too wild, so I can get out there early.

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30 feet of water seems to be working for me finding eyes guys .. the area around camp friendship has been as good as any .

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30 feet of water seems to be working for me finding eyes guys .. the area around camp friendship has been as good as any .

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Rock-
Is there a way a guy can get access out from this camp without a wheeler? Been on the water in the summer and I know it could be a long hike for me pulling a sled. Thinking of going tom. or this weekend. Night or morning any pref?

Thanks

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