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Ice Update for the Big Pond?


Grabs

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There are NO starving fish in Mille Lacs! I caught a 27" on 12/25 at midnight that I would have easily guessed went 8-8.5" I see hundreds upon thousands of fish on the under water camera all day long! And we are starting to see increased numbers of jumbos too.

The pressure ridge slammed shut on Thursday, I was there to ride out the quake! Hopefully this next cold snap will seal it up and we can get out to the island. There is 12-14 out to the Island, so the SW side will be in good shape once that crack heals.

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Grabs...

How ya been? I haven't seen you since my buddy and I stopped by when you were out of Jerry Brandts... I had the Polaris Scrambler (JUNK) and Fishtrap...

Where you out of now days? Weekends??

Brant

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Anyone know the ice conditions out to 4-mile from Brandts? I'm thinking the sled is a safer bet than a truck? Any ridges on the way out?

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So how far are they driving out? Can one drive out the Seven, Eight, or Nine mile flats? How about Shermans Flat? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

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Just got back from the pond. Went out from Terry's on the west side. Fished on Curly's flat for a half hour or so...22 feet...didn't see anything. That was at about 9:00 am. Then I went south and fished off the south end of Curly's..in between Curly's and Buster's flat. 30 ft of water...got 3 wally's - 2 19" and 1 20" - and caught about 15 perch...kept 8 JUMBO's...caught the wally's on a mid size gold weasle tipped with minnow head...and the perch on big rattler, green/orange also with minnow head. Was using a set line also with shiner minnows...had 3 or 4 bites but couldn't get the hang of hookin em...****! Ice was a good 17 or 18 inches but there are what looks to be 3 or 4 cracks/heaves you have to drive over...spooky but no problem. Good luck fishin!!!

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. 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. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   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...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
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