Prior Lake

[bigeyes75]

Just wondering if anyone has driven by prior and if so, how much ice is out there? Does any of the bays have ice?

[kwe]

The entire lake appears to have iced over last night. Many of the bays have had ice for some time but opened up during the wind storm we had this weekend. If the nights stay below freezing we should make enough ice to perhaps sneak out on the lake this weekend. I will try to check out in front of my house on the north end of the lake for ice thickness towards weekend. Typically the best fishing is early season on Prior, once the 4 wheelers and cars make their way onto the ice it pretty much shuts down. However, you can pretty much catch smaller sunfish and crappies throughout the season.

[korn_fish]

kwe - do you live on the lake or just off of it??? If you live right on it, where abouts in relation to Koeps bay? Last year I walked and pulled the portable from Sand Point to just outside of Koeps all the time and just eager to buy someone a case or two or three of brew for an easier access close to Koeps (or anywhere away from the crowd )this year.

Keep us posted on the conditions. I would love to try Prior this weekend if there are a couple of good 2-3"s out there somewhere.

[Dusty]

I checked lower Prior this morning. Only about 1.5 inches of ice. All the access points are closed. I would guess we are about 3to 4 cold nights away from safe walking ice and it don't look good until Saturday night for cold weather.

[Berle]

There was someone out in a portable today in the bay by the 21 bridge.

[kwe]

I'm a block off the lake so I can't help you that way but I may be able to offer some help on how to cut your walk down until the ice is safe to drive on. If you fish the north end of the lake near Paradise cove you can park off of Boudin Street and walk thru the channel. Less than a 100 yard walk that way. Stay near to the shore through the channel as it can be thin ice in the middle. This is a good area for panfish, but panfish only. If your looking for walleyes stay closer to Sand Point and fish the drops from 12' to 20' of water. Walleyes are best sought after now before the traffic starts on the lake. Don't waste you time during the day on walleyes wait until just before sunset and a few hours after sunset. You can also access the lake off the Sportsmans access off of Shady Beach trail. Here you will need to wait until you can either park on the ice or drive on. Be carefull here someone always goes through with a vehicle every year in this area. Someone was out yesterday near Martinson Island. I would not recommend this yet. I will check ice soon and post what I find.

[crappieflop1212]

Has anyone checked paradise bay? That is usually the safest first ice.

[korn_fish]

thanks kwe -

yep, primarily looking for eyes. And yep, I agree with you about the time of the bite. Even this fall it was 2-3 hours after sunset when it seemed to peak. But I know I can't walk to where I want to fish, so sand point will probably get most of my attention now before the mini town starts to build and the moto cross guys, 4-wheelers, and snowmobiles start to buzz the area.

[Kodiak]

minitown on prior is awesome fun!

[mtreno]

getting not so mini these days - but your right i have had a good time drink.. oh i mean fishing there.

[bigeyes75]

We should be getting some ice out in the bays on prior. Anyone be out there yet?

[Lucky Dogg]

i checked the ice on upper and found 2"-3" good clear ice. i'm having some work done on my knee this mornin, so i'll be limpin across the lake this weekend. good luck to you all and play it safe on early ice, bring a friend to help you out of the water or land a nice fish. i'm always lookin for new faces to fish with, so drop me a line if you'd like to buddy up! later Dogg

[WALTERCRAFT]

WHAT UP DOGG,

NICE EYE IN THE PIC.

GOING OUT SUNDAY IF THIS WEATHER STAYS LIKE THEY SAY IT WILL.

I'LL BE ON LOWER PRIOR IN A SCOUT.

I'LL BE THE ONE YELLING WITH THE FIRST FISH, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I FELT THE TUG.

STAY SAFE!!!!

[Lucky Dogg]

thx for the info, i need to see how the leg is feelin. i may be lookin at gettin out on monday. let me know how ya did.

[J Rookie K]

Yep, korn that has been my experience also. Dinks from 4 to 6 and a couple hour lull. Ive done well some years and so so on others. Ill be out on tues night. Have to work all weekend, starting tonight. Kinda sucks. Hey Dogg, Ill hook up with ya, we can compare notes. I mainly fish Prior, and only at night. Let me know.

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks, Rookie. ------------------------------

----------" Expert Fisherman are Master Baiters. " -----------

[CanOfCorn]

Is anyone going out Sunday? I'm itchin' to go and don't know if I can watch another Vikes nailbitter but I am a little gun shy about going alone. I have been down to the Upper launch and checked a couple of drilled holes and it looks to be 3-4". I've got my own portable and everything, I just wouldn't mind having someone in hollering distance.

Let me know. Email is jxande8 at hotmail.com

[Dusty]

I went down to lower Prior at Sand beach this morning to see if anyone was fishing. I found two guys retuning to there vehs about 10am. The gate was still locked. About then the Prior lake Fire and Shakopee fire dept. came rolling in. One of the units had a jon boat in the back. I don't know if they had a report of someone going in or not. They left that area with lights and siren going. Anyone else know anything of this?

[CanOfCorn]

Don't know anything about it. I drove around Upper Prior about 12:30 this afternoon and no one was fishing between the bridges off 21 but there were 3 guys with sleds crossing Upper Prior. All 3 guys were together but stayed staggered about 30 yds apart. I did see a portable out last night on Upper on the south end of the lake as well. Haven't heard about anyone breaking through though.

[Riverfishin]

Tomorrow I'm either going to marion or prior. Does anyone know if they are going out on lower prior by the swimming beach?

[CanOfCorn]

Yes. They are going out across Sand point launch on PL. There are guys all over the ice. Also, I got the scoop on the John boat and Fire Dept being out at the launch. Someone was out fishing last night and left there portable out there and one of the home owners saw it out there this morning and thought something had happened to the fisherman so they called 911 and the Fire dept responded. They took a John boat out attached to a huge rope across the lake to the portable and no one was in it. I guess another fisherman was out there and explained to them that the guy just left it out there and will be returning.

I'll be out tomorrow for sure. There is 4" in most of the bays and after tonight, we should be more than safe.

[korn_fish]

I was out tonight from 7 to 10. Making a lot of ice out there. Just off of sand point beach was anywhere from 2 1/2 - 4" when I went out. Good hard ice though.

Fish were pretty fussy.

[priorbass]

I have seen a portable on candy cove and heard there was a few out by twin island fishing on the small end of the lake...-8 this morning...would think walking out should be getting safe...good fishing and tight lines to all how go out...be safe

[kwe]

On the lake today actually skating. Ice is anywhere from 4-6 inches. Clear solid and in great condition. Covered from Paradise bay down to Reeds Island. Did not see any problem areas like in years past. Talked to several guys fishing. The sunfish were cooperating though nothing of any real size.

[Fergus Mor McErc]

I fished on Prior yesterday afternnon and evening. 4-5 inches of good ice. Lots of sunnies and crappies about but they weren't in much of a biting mood. Caught three nice sized sunnies that my buddy took home for dinner. Also saw a bass and a couple of walleyes but they didn't feel like biting either. I bought an UW camera this year and the thing works better than I hoped for (even at night). I may well go back out tonight.

[crappieflop1212]

finaly got out last night in paradise bay. The bite was slow. 8 crappies between my buddy and I. They all were good size though, which was a nice suprise. I couldnt beleive there was perm out on the main part of the lake. We had a good 5" in the bay. I doubt there was that much out on the main lake.It sure was nice to get out again.

[korn_fish]

crappieflop - When I was out Saturday night, I found there to be more ice in the main lake than up by shore. Not really sure about the bays in comparison.

My large perm will be out the day after x-mas. Gauranteed!!!

[crappieflop1212]

I was out sunday night 4-8pm. Thats different, about the ice. I see for the first time in a couple of years there isnt all that open water east of the island. Looks like we have some good ice this year. The perm that I seen was straight out from paradise bay.

[mtreno]

i was told that some went in by the mouth of candy cove on saturday. not sure if it was true or not just what i was told.

[Kodiak]

hahah, that would be cool to go in by candy cove and fall on that dam and be standing there in a foot of water!

[big_fish_guy]

korn_fish,

I met you out there last year at wastes "Awsome" portable, remember? Anyway, want some company out there the day after xmas? let me know, I was planning on getting over there sometime that weekend anyway.

email me... [email protected]

John