West Metro Reports

[ratdog]

It amazes me that there are still fish left in red rock. Last time I fished it there were around 25-30 people fishing, pulling out full buckets of fish. This lake has been pounded for the last 5 years after that famous write up.

[nytelyter]

mader one check on waconia today and found 4" walked out about 100'still 4" will prolly be out there on monday

[Carp-fisher]

Spent an hour out on a small lake in the west suburbs. 4 solid inches 100 yards out. Vex was all lit up; bluegills and craps biting in 7' of water. Great to be out.

[BobberTom]

Any ice updates for redrock?

thanks, tom

[Tony Holland]

I was out for the first time today. I found ice was ok, 3-4 inches i still did not feel that comfortable, but i was by myself. Vex was lit up constant fish under me. Nothing big just bluegills and crappies. I forgot my tackle box so didnt stay very long.

[NorthernLite]

Went out on Red Rock today. The ice was very unconsistant, most spots I fished where between 4-6 inches whish some spots where wet/slushy with less than 3inches. I tried to get to the other end of the lake away from the launch but I stopped past the point when the ice started to crack and I drilled down and found an inch of sluch over 2 inches of ice. If you go out this weekend watch where you walk.

[QuickDraw]

similar experience here, inconsistent 2"-4" thick on unspecified "secret" lake in north metro. we didn't venture too far out after we had cracking ice under our feet. didn't catch any but a small crappie swam up and said hello. it was fun to be out though.

[Carp-fisher]

Fished Mitchell lake today; a bunch of small 'gills, one crappie and one nice bass. Ice was 5" thick and according to other folks I talked to...fairly consistent across the lake. Great to be out.

[Powerstroke]

I fished Red Rock today. I was in the north bay. There are 2 large wet spots that are very obvious. I found 5-9" of ice with it being mostly consistant of 7-8". The 5" was inbetween the 2 wet spots in solid ice.

Lots of fish on the vex but only caught 1 sunny. Great weather and lots of snow on the ice. I found no slush except near the wet spots.

[bdiddy]

Was out on Hydes last night. Ice seemed a consistant 5-6" with only about 1/2" of bad ice. Not too much slush although there were a coulple of spots. The crappie bite was a very shy one and they were slippery! Hard to catch.

[CALVINIST]

Carp-fisher,

I called a couple nights ago, did you get my message?

Am heading out to that lake by my house sunday afternoon. You're welcome to come along and try for some pannies if you want. I have a few spots in mind that might produce.

[Cyberfish]

If you are going to the lake I think you are going to, watch out for those aerators!! I d hate to see a Calvinist become the frozen chosen!

[Carp-fisher]

Calvinist,

My phone died this week, so I didn't get your message. Shoot me an email with your phone number, and I'll give you a call. Would love to do some fishing with you tommorrow.

[Powerstroke]

I will be out tomorrow in the area during the afternoon. If anyones putting something together maybe we can all hang out.

I've got no solid plans yet about where, but I'm open. Otherwise I will probably just go to RR.

[Troublehook]

My dad and i drove out to orchard today, to see how it was doing. There was one permamnent out by the beach. I was at the launch, i walked out maybe 4 or 5 feet(couldnt tell for shure with all the snow) and heard a crack. I walked back, and looked at where my foot had been, an the footprint started to get wet

[Cyberfish]

Me, Calvinist and mabye carp? will be on Sarah in the afternoon. Going out from the boat ramp. I will be in the ten year old beat up 2 man fishtrap with the crappies drawn on the front... Come on out!

[Powerstroke]

That might work for me. I'll mention it to the 2 guys I'm bringing with. I've got a bent pole so my shack is out of commission. Unless my buddy has a bigger shack we may be staying close and on a smaller lake.

[BobberTom]

CAN ANYONE GIVE ME DIRECTIONS TO RICE MARSH IN E.P. HAS ANYONE BEEN FISHING OUT THERE LATELY?

THANKS TOM

[tafadzwa]

I haven't been out there this year yet but here are directions:

Highway 5 to Dell Road (south).

Turn right by the Rice Marsh Park sign (I can't remember the street name).

[BobberTom]

THANKS, I'VE HEARD THERE ARE DECENT SUNNIES IN THERE. IS THAT CORRECT. I MIGHT GIVE IT A TRY NEXT WEEK. WHATS THE DEPTH OUT THERE? IT CANT BE VERY DEEP.

[moby1]

Tonkaboy, Ebass and myself took Tuesday off work for a little fishing. We hit one of the little west metro ponds that is supposed to be good for pike numbers.....but it wasnt. Ebass and myself finally succumbed to the temptation of crappies we marked outdeeper. They were really finicky. I think I pulled up 5 or 6 and only one was decent. We never even had one flag go. It was still better than work. The ice was around 5" and just like med and eagle.....1"-2" of slush under the snow.

[irishjigs]

I was out on Mitchell last night. Good time. Caught many sunfish, most were small until I headed to deeper water (10-15)the sunnies got bigger and that is where I also got into the crappies. Some sunfish were biting on smaller crappie minnows and wouldn't touch grubs or eurolarve. The bite shut off around 7pm.

[Capt. Quicksteel]

I tried driving around looking for the access to Rice Marsh Lake yesterday and couldn't find it. Just people from the local neighborhood watching me like I was from Al Qaeda! Is there a path down from the park or did I miss something? There were no tracks on or around the lake anywhere. Thanks.

[blackdog1101]

My son and I fished O'Dowd yesterday with some friends. The ice was about 8" thick, top 4 was soft ice, the bottom 4 was hard ice. Caught some sunnies and crappies, but nothing big. Lots of people out on the ice, nice to see people out having fun.

[MSchmillen]

I was wondering about Rice Marsh also so I checked around. It sounds like there is no access.

[NorthernLite]

I don't know of any public access to Rice, I think you just walk out onto it from the paths that go around it. I have heard of decent panfish fishing on the lake but I have never fished it. I would think there would be a high winter kill factor. If anyone goes out please post how ya do.