Little Rock Ice

[tonyjor]

How thick is the ice on other parts of little Rock lake north of St. Cloud? I drove by the Hwy 10 landing today and it was still all open water there. Are there any other ways to access the lake without going through someone's land? How thick is the ice on these areas, if there are any more?

Thanks for any help, I need to get out fishing soon

[Borch]

A lot of folks go on at Benton Beach. About a week ago I talked to a guy who fished out of there and said there was 2" of ice a couple hundred yards from shore.

I'd guess it may have gained a little. But be careful as there is some current around there.

[Ole #1]

I haven't been to the lake yet, but my brother and his freinds have. I guess there is 4 inches where they were fishing. They caught some nice northers, jumbo perch and crappie.

They were planning on going back out today.

Ole

[tonyjor]

Thanks for the help, guys!! I plan on braving the lake next friday. I would go this friday but I still don't trust the ice with this weather. Maybe they'll extend the season if we get a late winter

[Bigfife]

In one week I will be living out there. I fish the lake a ton every winter. Crappies, a few walleyes, and some northerns are the only thing we ever catch. Anybody willing to enlighten me on some areas or depths where I can find some jumbo perch. Usually my buddies' house doesn't leave 10 fow so I don't know much about the whole lake. Maybe I could meet you guys out there and do some fishing.

[jlm]

I have never caught any jumbos out there but have caught some decent perch. If you go out of Benton Beach and hit the line of houses that are out there every year, go a little more towards the middle ofthe lake. I have it GPSed if interested. I do not remember the depth but I think it was between 20 and 25 FOW. Good luck!

[jweitgen]

My folks live there and said there were houses out at the beginning of the week. They also said a lot of the ice disappeared over the course of the week. There are several accesses through parks on the west side of the lake. I personnally haven't fished there much in recent years but will be this year.

[Bigfife]

Two buddies and I will be out there all day Sunday. Look for two blue clams or one black portable. Stop by and say hi, there will be plenty to drink too.

[tonyjor]

Is there gonna be ice out there on Sunday? A co-worker of mine drove down there Tuesday morning and said the north bay didn't even have ice along some of the shoreline. I want to go out on Friday but with weather near the 40's the next couple days, I don't think it's gonna happen Anyone else been by the lake lately to see how the ice is doing?

[Bigfife]

It is wishful thinking. My friend said things were good to go so I am just going by what he said. I figured maybe the temps were cooler up there and they were making more ice. Bring on the cold, quick.

[tonyjor]

How's the ice doing? Did the lake lock up yet? I heard the north bay is frozen over but pretty thin. I also heard there are some people going out on some resort or store landing? It's on the Benton beach road but I don't know exactly where. Any help? I want to go out in the morning and I need to know if I should buy bait or if it will be a waste. Also, anyone know about Pleasant Lake's ice situation? Thanks for any help!

[tonyjor]

Anybody?

[WallyObsession]

tonyjor. If you're referring to Little Watab by Pleasant Acre's I checked it this morning. Their was 4 to 5 inches out about 50 yards from the Rod and Gun club access. That thickness is just from looking at the air bubbles in the ice because I didn't have my chissel with. So it could be a little thicker than that. My uncle and grandpa are planning on going out their spearing tomorrow so I'll get more info by Saterday.

As far as Little Rock goes most are fishing on the south end of the north bay. I'm not sure of street # to access the lake on this end. Take Mayhew Lake road east about 1 mile then turn left and follow this road straight off the end onto a field road type trail which goes right to the lake. Try to park fairly tight on shore until the ice is safe enough to park on because theirs not a whole lot of room.

Lets here you're reports. All my weekends are booked until after new years. So reading reports both good and bad are all I have.

[winterse]

Is the ice thick enough to go out of Benton Beach? Has anyone heard if Mayhew is froze up? I am looking for some options that are near Foley.

Thanks

[merc]

There were a few houses on the Benton Beach end yesterday I was told and Mayhew froze over on Monday, but not enough ice to get on yet as of yesterday. That is waht I was told anyway. Sounds good with the weekend weather coming in, bring on the cold.

[tonyjor]

I couted five permanent house in the middle of the main part of the lake today. The ice out there was 5-6" thick and there was a guy out on his 4 wheeler. I tried to go to the north end of the lake but the ice was only an inch thick near shore. There is a huge ice heave about 1/3 of the way from the north shore that looks pretty scary. There was also open water near some of the points. I still wen out and at least saw a nice walleye checking out my minnow. No takers though. There were a couple guys about a hundred yards north of me that were hooting and hollering for a while, so they were probably seeing some action. I tried a few different spots in the middle. All were about 8-11 feet deep. Be careful if you go out in the next couple days until the ice is a little safer.

[merc]

My son just came off the lake. They had two 13" walleye they released and two northern around five pounds each they lost at the bottom of the ice while wallleye fishing. Had a blast just to be out and have some fish on. Where they were fishing the ice was 8".

[Bigfife]

Ice is 6-7 inches thick and it looks good and clear. We got on the motherload of perch. Not the biggest ever, but there were a few nice ones in the bunch. We also caught a few walleyes while we were out there. If anyone is going out this week, stop by and we will trade stories. Black/blue base portable and I will be dressed in all black. Usually go out of the East side.

[steeplechaser2]

We headed out off the west side....noticed our normal access point is now gated off with a NO TRESPASSING sign...anyone know what happened? We did very poorly today....a few small perch....fished 11' to 12'....ice was real hard and at least 6".....any tips?????

[Bigfife]

I go out from my buddies cabin on the West side, but I see cars parked all along the road and then they must walk out. I don't know many areas on the lake. There are two goups of houses out there right now and I am north of them. I said I was going to go and check out new spots on the lake, but I really can't pass up the short walk and the success. Fathead minnow and some waxies is all I have been using. Still want to know where I can find some crappies. Usually they are the first fish to come up the hole, but they just aren't there right now.

[tonyjor]

Is the ice driveable yet? I want to put my house out tomorrow kinda by the bright purple house near a 13' hole I saw on the map. Last week when I was out, there was an ice heave and thin/no ice by the point. I really don't want to have to push my house that far, but I will if the ice isn't ready for driving. Thanks for all the help!

[tonyjor]

Oh, by the way, I go out near the railing on the small bay on the east side. There's some deer leftovers there and the ice was at least 7" thick there on Friday.

[tonyjor]

Anybody? Is the ice on the Hwy 10 side drivable yet?

[Ole #1]

By atv it is.

[Studer]

What is usually biting during the day?? and where

[Ole #1]

We were in 10 ft of water. Perch and northern by day and walleye at night. The bite was slow, but I haven't been there since Friday.

[Studer]

Thanx for the reply Ole!! Will give it a shot..

[Ole #1]

Good luck.

[Bigfife]

I saw two 1/2 tons on the ice today and a blazer. From 11 am to 5 pm it is steady perch and northern action. There are some walleyes mixed in all day, but they really start at 5. I haven't fished before 11 am or after 5:30. Is it worth getting out there earlier or staying later? Has anyone seen a crappie come through the ice yet? In 3 days on Little Rock, I have caught 130+ perch, 10 walleyes, and 2 toothies. About 20 of those perch were 11+ inches.

[tonyjor]

Anyone go out this weekend yet? How's the bite going? I can't make it out til Thursday, so, fill me in on what I'm missing out on. Thanks!