Prior Bad Spots?

[sean-r-r]

hi, im new to the site, i've read some psots about the bad ice spots on prior. i just moved to savage and plan to fish prior, maybe even today, but im not familiar with the prior ice conditions. Could somone give me a heads up? i have open water fished prior so i am familiar with bays and islands,just not the ice. thx

[picksbigwagon]

the perenial bad spot is people thinking they can drive under the bridge between upper and lower prior.

[wastewaterguru]

You can go out today....should be no problem. I always follow a very important rule of thumb when ice fishing.

-Walk out only when others bigger than you have walked first.

-Drive out only after vehicles bigger than yours have driven.

I would be alright with walking out today, but check the ice thickness often with an auger or heavy spud bar to make sure the heavy snow isn't causing some stress on the ice. If the ice is sagging and there is water on top or if water comes up through your holes......than go home.

[sean-r-r]

Hey thx for the insight WWG, i appreciate it! words to live by!

[JDZWART]

If you go out from sand point, the main part of the lake south of the island is always the last part of the lake to freeze over, so I would not venture south of the island for a few more weeks.

[kurtkwe]

Sean,

The closest and safest spot for you from Savage is probably Paradise Bay. Its a long walk out from Sandpoint or the Sportsman Access but you can save the walk by doing the following. Take 42 to 13 and go south. Turn onto Boudin road and park at the end of this road. Walk through the channel and Paradise Bay is on your right hand side. Their have been many people taking this route during the early ice. It's a decent spot for panfish. The area north of the rock island by Sandpoint is typically a bad spot as is the area to the west of Reeds island by the rocks. The bridge is always a bad spot as is the channel leading to the bridge where it narrows. I noticed snowmobile tracks this morning going through there however. You can also park at Sandpoint and walk out to near the rock island just be carefull. If the ice ever gets safe enough to drive on this year you can drive on at Sandpoint or the Sportsman access. You will see where everyone is at on the lake in these two areas.

[crappieflop1212]

Paradise has been solid for panfish this year. Size and numbers are better than years past. You can also get there by turning on Rutgers(next to the Arby's) from 42. Just stay on this road and you will run into the lake. There is a gated access there. Sunday there was a good 5 inches and a few perms on the bay.

[crappieflop1212]

Also there was a few people that walked thru the chanel out to the main lake, where there is even better fishing. I just didn't have the balls to go out that far on Sunday.

[Lucky Dogg]

hey waste, what rule should i follow when fishing with you? .... i remember, i get to catch all the fish while you play with my vex! haha , like to try to get out again on friday, if your in! give me a call.

hey Kornfish, you going to be able to go friday? let me know when you get a chance. later Dogg

another bad spot is when your not getting any fish!

[Walleye Guy]

I was on Paradise Bay on Sunday night and I actually measured the ice. It was 4.5" with 3 inches being solid clear ice and 1.5 inches being white, crappy ice. I had this in every hole I fished.

There is a big difference between 5 solid inches and 3 solid inches. Particularly when you add 6-8 inches of heavy wet snow.

Bottom line: Be very careful on any ice in the metro area right now. This snowfall changes things quite a bit. Expect slush, maybe water, and possibly diminishing ice conditions until we get a solid blast of cold weather. It looks as though it will get pretty cold this weekend which can only help.

[Whiskeywalleyes]

Sean.

I have live there near sandy point for 3 years now ice fish on prior a-lot. Bad spots.

lower prior

1. (East of the Island off the sand point beach) , saw a car go under there in mid Feb.

2. Northwest of Reeds island usually theres a pressure ridge there) saw a pick up cross it and go under. avoid that.

3. most channels.. the normal.

Lower prior (do people fish that end? is there fish there lol)

The Whiskmeister.

[wastewaterguru]

Lucky Dogg,

I'll see what I can do. I may wait till Saturday and try the day bite for some pannies.

Saw a couple guys with a limit yesterday...they said they got them on the flats toward the marina. I have heard good things about that spot. Maybe I will head there on Saturday.

We could also try that tip up spot I was telling you about that is over by that really shallow area....

Later Dogg,

[PlasticGuy]

My info is a little old but....I was out last Sunday off of Sand point. Cut 3 holes (4-1/2", 4" and 3") Water coming up out of the holes when someone would walk within 5 yards of the shack. Nice size pannies this year tho. Anybody been up there this week?

oh yeah, a buddy told me about this site. Can't wait to see what it does to my productivity @ work!

[fishingsfinest]

Was out on the lake Monday and Tuesday morning with everyone else that was trying to catch some panfish. Was out by Sand Point and also found ice to be varied. Pretty consistant with about 4.5 inches, but ventured farther down shore towards the island and a little past and found as much as 7.0 inches. The ice is definitely inconsistant...I drilled 1 hole within 20 feet of my first spot and barely drilled through 3.0 inches. BE CAREFUL!!! The snow definitely will not help. The cold that arrives here on Saturday morning should help a little. Four to five nights or so with lows at or near 0.

Oh and yea, the fishing was great! Pleanty of fish to be caught, had to fight through a few little guys, but there are definitely some MONSTER gills in that lake.

[korn_fish]

Lucky Dogg -

Friday is a no go for me. Working late again.

It's not going to be the best time to go, but I might be able to get out Saturday afternoon somewhere. I need to run down and pull the perm house out from a snowbank first before it becomes a REALLY big snowbank. So if not Saturday. definitely Sunday AM.

[Lucky Dogg]

hey Korn and Waste, give me a call when you know when your able to get out. Sat or Sun is both good to me.

i told ya about that being a good spot Waste! the key is to be very quite. its not all that deep there. later Dogg

[wastewaterguru]

I can fish Sat. till dinner or Sunday till 4 or so.

Don't matter which day or where I go but I can't do both days and I can't stay out late. My wife and I have dates both Sat. and Sun. nights. (I know I'm whipped.....but it's all good).

[Lucky Dogg]

hey Waste, i think Korn has run away! lets try sunday in the day. you thinkin of doing tip-ups with the kids or just us big guys? either will work for me. later Dogg