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It's been quiet on the forum the past week~remodeling getting in the way of fishing time for us, haven't been out in a week, hope some of you folks are able to get out for some fishing or hunting (grouse opener tomorrow) this weekend.

But the question is~if you were only able to fish either on open water or ice fishing which would you choose?

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Drake Motel
drakemotel.com
(888)253-8501
[email protected]

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Hi Drake!

That's a tough choice! If pressed, I would have to lose the ice fishing, but I don't think you asked a fair question! Ice fishing with even reasonable weather can be a blast! And it's easier to have young kids running around on the ice than stuck in a boat. If I had unlimited financial resources to get four-wheelers and all of the other equipement for ice fishing it may be a toss-up.

Which would you choose? I suppose it's easier with your job to get out in the winter.

Take Care!

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I'd like to weigh in on this one.

I've never had the please of fishing hard water in Minnesota. That's something I'm hoping to due in the future. Ice fishing in Northern Indiana is a hit or miss activity. Some years safe ice only lasts a couple of weeks. However there were several years in the early 90's when I did get out on the ice with my bucket and hand auger. (6" - 9" of ice is about all we get down here.) I must admit it was quite enjoyable. Properly dressed with back to the wind I had a great time catching gills and the occassional bass. Now if I had a shelter on a real lake with real fish, that would be something to get excited about.

I must admit I enjoy open water fishing the most. I like the hunt to locate fish with electronics and then jigging or slow casting with search lures until the fish are found. The mobility offered by open water is a major factor.

But most of all I enjoy the peace of mind I seem to gain by being in the outdoors and away from the job. Soft or hard, fishing, especially Minnesota fishing, makes it all worthwhile.

Thanks for the question.

Indiana Mike

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Mike, You need to get out and try ice fishing! I've followed your's and others posts in regards to fishing the Blackduck Forum, mainly Island Lake. I can almost gaurantee you'll have a blast, and catch more fish than your open water ventures....Based on your reports. Red Lake crappie and northern. Winni perch, walleye, and northern. LOTW? Too much to mention! Fishing can be non-stop at times and you'll be sure to have a good time. The freedom to walk around and stretch the legs is comforting as well. Cold? With todays equipment this is a thing of the past. The days of the 5 gln. pail, ice chisel, scoop, thermos, and 2 pairs of gloves are long gone, sometimes it even gets too hot in the shack! grin.gif.

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http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

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Can It Be,

You make a good case for ice fishing and I appreciate your comments. I guess the biggest limitation for me has been the lack of good ice fishing in NW Indiana. I have been giving some serious thought to a winter vacation up north.

'03 was a slow year for us on Island Lake but we have had some really great years in the not to distant past. I think a winter trip is the thing to do to break the monotony of the long winter season.

I guess I'll have to practice my casting to make sure I can hit those holes in the ice. grin.gif

Best regards,

Indiana Mike

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It was easier to ask the question than to answer it. This time of year is great for open water fishing as the fish normally cooperate, the temperatures are great and the scenery at the lakes with the fall colors is really something.

Your right Sloopjoint, it seems to be easier to get out on the ice than the open water for us. But ice fishing is great, there's a little more work in moving around~unless it's nice and you aren't using a house. Perfect day is hitting Blackduck in the morning for walleyes and/or perch, then off to Upper Red for the crappies (four wheeler would be nice to be able to hit the ice earlier and some of the smaller non plowed lakes). Indiana~Island also was a good producer last January & early February. Another great thing about the ice is that we've spent many days out on the ice with folks stayin here and your close enough that you can walk around & it makes it a good group thing~friends and fishing what more could you ask for smile.gif

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Drake Motel
drakemotel.com
(888)253-8501
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Drake (edited 09-14-2003).]

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Where else can you go and set up camp and get the young uns fishing, you know the 30 and 40 year olds and then go out and visit with all the other houses out on the (ICE),
have A sand bag or two maybe A little captain
coke. Where hear to relax, besides I have the day OFF grin.gif
PUTZ

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I.B.O.T.#03 and counting
I'm sure glad that I have some days off.
I'm on SS now!!

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Drake,

Good question, and a tough one at that!

Guess I would have to go with open water because you have so many more options. Should I pitch jigs, drag spinners, troll, cast......the list is endless and goes on and on.

Putz does bring up some good points in the fact that ice fishing is much more conducive to socializing.

Hmmmmmmm!!!! Now I really am in a quandry grin.gif

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Paul
[email protected]

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Ice all the way. I do love fall fishing but ice fishing is so much fun. You can sit in your house and watch TV while you fish, or play cards, or have beverages. Much more relaxing and on sundays you can sit in the house watch the football game and catch fish at the same time. What more can ya ask for.
This year it will be a lot of fun b/c i just got a Aqua-Vu this summer and I am planning on hooking it upto the TV and watch fish swim by/hit my bait. That will be cool to see.
To me ice fishing is just more exciting/relaxing.

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Fish ON!

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Russ,

Used to have a problem with the beer freezing. Now I just drill a seperate hole and hang them down that hole. Woohoo!!! Ice cold brew and it will never freeze grin.gif

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Paul
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winter is best, you never have to buy ice or worry about how to keep your fish and pizza frozen. and the beer darn cold. we cant wait to get the cabin and ice house sleeper's up and running for the winter season on Red. 2 more new sleeper's coming in this week for delivery. snapfizzzzzzzzz

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Definitely hard water season !! The socializing is much better, no need for ice cubes (Crown Royal doesn't freeze grin.gif ), the fish taste better and are firmer,(especially crappies!) and for the most part the fish follow much more predictable and consistent patterns in the winter. Heck......I've even caught a walleye or two in the winter wink.gif
Plus, if you're out there in the sub zero elements you've got to be a serious fisherman/fisherwoman, and there's far less recreational traffic on the lakes in the winter. (up north at least )

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I vote for icefishing. I like sitting in that little shack with the wind blowing and a heater going. When it is a nice evening getting out and socializing and enjoying the evening.

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