Safest Ice

[Ishmel]

Can anyone tell me where the thickest ice in the area is? If I don't get out soon I just might have a nervous breakdown. Unfortunately, no time to scout.

Thanks

[Dean Schellinger]

Look to the smaller, shallower lakes. Such as the Briggs chain, Grand, Pearl, etc,and the bodies of water that are not moving, lakes with currents such as the chain or in very open spaces that allow the wind to blow open or have kept open are not very thick yet. Hoping to get out for the first time this weekend!

[Ishmel]

I think I'll probably try pearl or grand sometime this weekend. Probably Sunday, hopefully the weather predictions are correct and it will be cold enough to add an inch or two by then.

[Skeets]

Today there was two permanant houses on Pearl and one portable. I walked out a little ways and the ice looked good. A few more nights of some cold temps would really help.

There appeared to be some open water in the middle yet.

Grand and Goodner were also froze over, but no activity on either lake this afternoon. The ice on these two lakes looked very rough, refrozen after the high winds.

[rockslider]

I agree. Pearl looked pretty good this morning, I stopped out there this morn and was a bit surprised to see the permanent already but the ice seemed consistent. ALOT better than most other area lakes that I've been by.

[Robert G]

Just wanted to let people know that I saw 4 perm fishhouses on Kings lake on the north end. That end is about 20 to 30 feet deep. I didn't go to check out how thick the ice was though.

[Ishmel]

My brother called this morning and said that there are a couple houses out on Two Rivers Lake. Anyone know anything about this one? Good fishing there? Currents or springs to look for or worry about?

Thanks

ishmel

[tisch008]

Skeets,

Can you give me any advice on fishing grand or pearl?

How to access these lakes

where to try for panfish and walleye

any suggestions would help. I'm trying to get my brother-in-law out this year and he lives in Cold Spring.

Thanks!

[Quimby]

Two Rivers is a good lake. Usually there is good crappie fishing on the north end near the sunken island. You can always tell where it is because a few shelters are always on this bite early. Good luck. Q

[The Donk]

I dont know as much about Pearl, but Grand I could tell you just about anything you want to know... straight out from the resort on the west side of the lake is usually a pretty popular spot for crappies and walleyes, but I usually stray from it once it gets overpopulated. If you go out from the access, and veer to the right a little, the weed line that breaks along there can be good for all species. Up next to the drop for sunfish, and off it for walleye and look out for northern. Those are the two easiest to explain, let me know how you do! Good luck

[merc]

There are a couple of spear houses on the north end of Two Rivers. One spot that is dangerous all year long is the narrows just north of the public access. I have seen a few vehicles pulled out of there in January and February over the years. You can access the north end past the Snoflyers clubhouse just south of Holdingford off county road nine. It is private land but has always been open for travel. That area can be good for crappies some years but like all lakes it is hit and miss. You will see the town out there once the ice is safe.

[Borch]

Quote:

---

Can you give me any advice on fishing grand or pearl?

How to access these lakes

where to try for panfish and walleye

any suggestions would help. I'm trying to get my brother-in-law out this year and he lives in Cold Spring.

Thanks!

---

Grand-

The weedlines can be good for all species especially early ice. Out in front of grandview resort is a community spot for a bit of everything. The deep hole on the east side of the lake is the crappies hole. There's a bar on the SE sde of the lake that can be good at times for eyes, pike and crappies off the edges. Access is from the public access or graqndview resort. Everthing else is private and a no no unless you get permission from the owner.

Pearl -

On this lake you'll catch lots and keep a few. Whether you're talking sunfish, crappies or pike. As far a spots go most fish the basin(lots of 17' water)for crappies, sunfish, pike or eyes. Others will fish the weedlines. for the same species with a few bass tosed in. The bar out front of the public access is popular, but you'll see houses scattered all over the lake. The mobile folks definitely have an advantage on Pearl. Most folks access it from the public access on the North side of the lake.

Good Luck!

[tisch008]

Do people park at the resort?

[Skeets]

I have never parked at the resort.

Plenty of parking at the public access.

Borch explained these two lakes well.

[Borch]

Skeets,

Have you been out yet? I just got out for a couple hours tonight on a small private lake. Ther was 6-7 inches of ice. Lots of crappies but not much that were decent. Caught fish on go devils, ratsos, small jigging raps and crappies minnows on glow demons. The ratsos were the most effective for me and accounted for the few keepers I caught.

It was good to finally get out on the ice.

[bturck]

Merc, by the narrows you're referring to the area between the east point and the rushes along the west bank? Geez been driving that for a long time, I did not realize this was a problem area. We've been driving of course once the ice is a good thickness. Lots of traffic that way last year. thanks for the heads up. Bill

[merc]

Bill, that is the area. I snowmobile across it a lot and have seen it froze for weeks and then small areas of open water. Stay to the west shore, if you come from that side, as the open spots normally are along the point on the east. I personally have watched two vehciles pulled out of that area, both in the middle of winter. Better off going south from the public access or entering from the snoflyers clubhouse to fish the north end. I know I won't drive through there any time of the year. Good luck fishing!!!

[Skeets]

Hi Borch,

No I haven't been out yet.

Tuesday is my day off--I will be out for sure.

Had to work all weekend!

Look me up if you want to wet a line together.

Last time I fished with you I had a blast catching all those fish!