Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Is there any fishable ice to speak of in the Wilmar area. Not expecting green to frozen over or anything im just wondering about thanksgiving weekend as i will be home from college. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Drove around the Willmar area on Saturday. Me personally, i'm still not venturing out yet. With it raining in my area this morning (Sunday)this just hurts it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out this morning, looking at the real small lakes, I found a couple that had 2-3 inches. Still not enough for me to risk a swim. Maybe next weekend have to see what this rain and snow will do. Being out early, you could don't come out a dead hero, only gods why of sorting out the weak.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave genz and brian(bro) along with the other ice team memebers were at gander mtn. in lakeville this past saturday. They have been ice fishing small lakes in northern minnesota. Bro claimed he has taken the chilly swim a couple times in the past few years. I told Bro "I took that swim many years ago, only once when trapping, i'll wait a week longer." With the cooler nites and days the lakes could be getting some walking ice soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

went out today got a few crappies and sunnies ice was 7-8 inches. any other reports?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Crappies in Kandi...hmm I never new there were any...What side were you fishing hardwater,if you don't mind me asking.

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's ALOT of BIG panfish in Big Kandi including nice sized crappies. I usually find them around the rocky point on the island. Not sure though where everyone else finds them.

Hey J, what are your store hours this season? Just wondering if you'll be open when I need some bait! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Put permanent out on sat on a solid 6.5">>Big Kandi<<Hopefully those crappies that were caught went back in the water as their are few in the lake but numbers seem to be rising. Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was a permanent house that fell through George Lake this last weekend. Lets all be smart about early ice out there in the area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good to see some new names in the Willmar/Spicer forum. Welcome aboard! You can learn a TON of info from this site.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Leech21,

I have regular hours for the season now, we are open till 7pm. Technically we are open 24hrs a day for Bait as you can get Bait any time of the day or night from the Bait Vending machine.....So, I will say if the wife is bugging you too much and you feel the itch to go sit on the ice at 2am in the morning, well get bait from the machine and off you go.

Seems like the Bait machine is working out good for the guys. (Even has survived a vandilsm attempt. Good think I got surveillance cameras )

Later,

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.