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Posted

The last weekend in January, about 6 of us are planning on snowmobiling to the knight island area and doing some winter camping and fishing for two to three days. Does anyone have any tips they would share for this area? Also do cell phones work in this area or should we bring a radio in case of an emergency? What would be the closest place we could park the truck? If you have done this, what did you forget that you would bring next time? If anyone would like to join us you are welcome. Thanks for any suggestions.

Posted

Now there is someone with a sense of adventure... gotta love it.

Keep in mind most of the land up there is Queens land, (knight, and bridges being the exceptions)

Cell phones will probably be in the fringe area... Long point would be the closest, but the best trail would be from the Baudette area.

Fishing should be great, tons of humps in the area to choose from.

Remember a warm sleeping bag...

Posted

Jhemi: I agree with WT on the land up there being Canada and where to launch from. As for cell phones, maybe, as there is a tower on NW Angle, but it's fringe at best. On the other side of Garden the chances are better. A Marine Radio is your best bet. Channel 9 is the party line for that part of the lake. Sportsman's Oak Island is a good shot, and the big Black Bombers will go by quite often, they use channel 12. You could get one of them to stop in a emergency. I would rig up a regular 25 watt unit though, as a hand held may be to far away from a base station. You won't need a big deep cycle battery as the one on the sled, if it's electric start, will do the job fine... Threee days, H'mm, are you taking a small generator??? You'll need to charge your Vex or Marcom.. Those batteries work great for lites etc, but won't run a 25 watt radio. and you need an antenna too. get an 18" whip and a mag mount for that... Hope you have fun and be safe, especially watch out for the cold... Kaz

Posted

We are each bringing 3 or 4 vex batteries. All though the gen idea ain't bad, to charge batteries or run some lights. We will have GPS with so we stay on US ice.

Posted

One idea to look into is to maybe camp on Garden Island. It's much bigger and would provide more shelter and firewood. It would only be no more than a 1/2 hour sled ride to fish Knight. It would be something to think about if you get a good wind. Sounds like a blast. It reminds me of some of my winter camping trips to the BWCA 20 years ago.

Posted

I don't have any helpful info for you but I have questions. Do you bring tents or what the heck do you sleep in? Do you have like a big outfitter tent and wood burner or how do you stay warm?

I have always wanted to head up that way and fish in the winter. If you think of it post how it was. I would like to try it sometime. Thanks for any info

Posted

I don't have any helpful info for you but I have questions. Do you bring tents or what the heck do you sleep in? Do you have like a big outfitter tent and wood burner or how do you stay warm?

I have always wanted to head up that way and fish in the winter. If you think of it post how it was. I would like to try it sometime. Thanks for any info

Posted

We will be staying in tents. Sleeping on air mattreses or cots to stay of the ice. We will have a Big Buddy heating the tent to keep us warm. I will be packing gear much like i would be going to the BWCA to keep weight and bulk down. With 6 snowmobiles and sleds in tow, you can distribute quite a bit of gear. The weather will be the deciding factor between Garden and Knight. I will post a report with pics when we get back. Any more suggestion would be appreciated. I can't believe that I am the first to try this.

Posted

WOW! now that sounds like fun.if you have room i might be interested,only thing is i have a wheeler no sled but if nessesary might be able to use one.let me know some of the details. [email protected]

Posted

Wow that does really sound fun. A true adventure in every sense.

Posted

Hope you enjoy your adventure and have good weather. Be safe!

Posted

Be Safe! Like these guys don't know what they are doing! Timmy and I go camping all the time its fun

Posted

I would love to join you on this but probably couldn't make that weekend work. I've been giving some very serious thought to doing this exact trip now that I finally have all the equipment for it. Please post how it goes as, and if I can make it I'll email you.

Posted

I just came back from Knights. OOOOH boy what a trip...

Ice was just horrible and made it difficult for getting out there. Broke up early season pretty bad. 4" jags of ice stickin up in all directions. Makes for a VERY slow snowmobile ride. Their were two spots like this. The first was probably a mile long, the second maybe half that. Once you get out past the second the ice gets flat and you could really cruise. By the time you are planning on going up there, there will probably be enough snow to cover up the mine fields.Also, like a ghost town out there, no houses and the bombadiers not even attempting the mine fields.

Fished Knights Island reefs, just to the south of the island. Water was very cloudy, but again should be settled in another month or so. Good Luck!

Posted

Hey der Josh, hope that new sled you got is working nice 4 u.

Do you got any plans to make it up this way anytime soon, or not so soon?

Merry christmas to you and yours, say hi to you're pa and Mikey from me too.

email me as I can't find your addy on my new laptop anywhere?

fiskyknut

Posted

In my years of winter camping the best thing to sleep on in a close cell foam pad, this will insulate you from the cold. The air mattress will not, and it will make for a cold night trying to sleep. I would not use the buddy heater because is will cause the tent to get condensation inside and this will drip and run down the tent and get everything wet. I always go winter camping back to wind bay on Basswood lake, and with 3 of us sleeping in the tent we have to keep all of the windows unzipped to stop the moisture from building up. Also bring at least a -20 sleeping bag.

Posted

Thanks Fisky, will do. Mike is probably watching this thread as well. No serious plans on coming anytime real soon, but I'm hoping for several trips later in the season. I'll let you know. The only time I've driven that sled was loading it up in September. That will change by this weekend. Have a Merry Christmas.

Posted

I have to second the post by rooster30. Air matress will be miserable. Closed cell foam much better.

Posted

Thanks for the suggestions on the thermo rest, it makes sense. They are pulled out of the summer camping stuff and ready to go. Does anyone know on average how long it takes to snowmobile from Baudette to Garden Island? I will be posting a report and pics after our trip to paradise. I haven't fished this area before. Besides the obvious eyes, what other species would you target in this area (craps, jumbos, northerns)? Have a great holiday weekend.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Only two more weeks. If any one is going to be fishing around garden the weekend of the 27th, stop by and say hi. We will be the crazy people in tents. We may have some hot coffee on.

Posted

Please share your experience with the board when you get back/IF you get back. I would guess that about 2 weeks is when this beautiful winter weather we've been having will change into a furious storm. But I am interested in hearing how it went. I am pretty god (Contact US Regarding This Word) tough but I don't think I'd want any part of sleeping in a tent when it's below 0. I slept in a tent on an island ONE time for fishing opener. It snowed all the way up to Vermillion and the wind blew at about 40 mph the first two days. It was a miserable fishing opener. I couldn't imagine doing it in the dead of winter.

I know you should be fine once you get into your sleeping bags for the night but what do you plan on doing from sundown until bedtime? I am just curious as usually that is time to finish off the last 12 pack for the day and play poker.

Posted

Maybe a few cocktails instead of a 12 pack, eat a good dinner, figure out the next days game plan, then cribbage, cribbage, cribbage....Too many cocktails we may be playing GO FISH.

Posted

This is the part I don't understand. Will it be warm in your tent or will it be 0 degrees? A tent doesn't hold any heat does it? Or will you be playing cribbage in your snowsuit?

Posted

We will be heading out to Oak Island on the morning of the 28th on sleds, when we come by if I see you guys I will stop and see how things are going.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Only four days left until the adventure begins. Everything is set in stone. Their will be four of us heading out of Morris Point Friday morning between 9 and 10am. We will start fishing around Garden, if we don't catch anyting we will keep going north. Looks like the weather will be good so wish us luck.

Posted

One would be surprised how warm one can stay in those elements as long as you are mentally prepared. I had a class in high school that did this for a field trip. The only difference was that it was in the BWCAW. Weather looks decent, so have fun. Please report back on how it went. Remember to sleep with your water bottle & boot liners. It does not hurt to do 20 jumping jacks before getting in the sleeping bag either.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Did you guys survive? I'd love to hear the report. Hope I don't have to go looking for you when I finally make it up there.

Posted

I agree, let's hear a report! Sounds like an fun adventure. We're sledding to the Angle next year, but we'll be sleeping at a resort and enjoying the drinks and hot food

Guest
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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • JerkinLips
      You called for it.  The north wind blew strong today.  The ice was disappearing fast.  Pictures below are from 4:30pm and 8:20pm.  Just a small sheet of ice left in the south-east bay.  Should be gone by tomorrow.  Think I will put the boats in the water tomorrow.   I have never eaten smelt before.  Will be interesting to see how I like them.  I'm waiting for the call to help clean them.  Have never done that before either.   Need not be present at the smelt fry to win, unless you want to make sure I don't lose your $2,500.  Drawing will take place live online on May 18th.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus along the south shore is watching the ice disappear from back bays, big pike sliding into the bays and ditches for the spawn and of course ice out on the main lake (Big Traverse Bay).   From now until the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, anglers will be targeting northern pike (and sturgeon on the Rainy River). Ditches are running and shallow bays are starting to pop open. Now is the time when the big pike are moving in, staging for the upcoming spawn.  This is a great spring fishing opportunity not available in most parts of the state. Various techniques for spring pike are effective.  A dead bait under a bobber, casting spoons or trolling shallow crankbaits all can be effective. However you fish, shallow bays along the south shore such as Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are a prime spot to hook into a true trophy. The pike limit on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods is three fish per day. All pike between 30 and 40 inches must be released, but one pike over 40 inches can be kept. Many anglers choose to take measurements and photos, release their fish, and order a replica mount to remember the catch. All great options! On the Rainy River...  Now that walleye season is closed, sturgeon fishing is in full swing and the bite is very good.  Anglers are catching solid numbers of these prehistoric giants. Some of the feeder creeks have opened up, increasing the current. That added flow has lowered visibility of the water a bit, but sturgeon primarily feed by scent, so fishing has not been affected. Most anglers are using 4 to 6-ounce no roll sinkers with their sturgeon rigs to stay on the bottom in the heavier current. A typical sturgeon rig includes an 18-inch leader, a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook, and baited with nightcrawlers, or crawlers paired with frozen emerald shiners. Local bait shops and resorts are well-stocked with everything you’ll need. The sturgeon season is open through May 15th. Here are the upcoming dates to keep in mind: Catch and Release Season: May 8 – May 15, and again October 1 – April 23. Harvest Season: April 24 – May 7, and July 1 – September 30. Closed Season: May 16 – June 30. Up at the Northwest Angle...  Progress is being made with more and more open water this week. Other than some local airboats, travel on the ice is pretty much done.  The focus is on the upcoming open water season.  Resorts and area guides are already preparing.   Based on the ice fishing season, expectations for fishing success naturally are high.  Lake of the Woods is healthy. Now’s the time to plan your spring or summer fishing trip!    
    • Kettle
      Most medium sized lakes around grand rapids went ice free today. Closer to bigfork they still have ice pulled away from shore. Turtle by Marcell is still pretty covered but that's a big deep lake
    • smurfy
      Hey I didn't get my nap today 🫣
    • smurfy
      🤣 I just reread my post! Dat feller I was referring to is our very own Kettle!😴 DOAH!
    • smurfy
      hookmaster.....our cabin is 7 miles west of talmoon. what lake would that be????   there's a fella on another site many may know, is a dr. posted some small lakes in the area opened up completely last week.......he's between and rapids and Marcell.   that white is a good possibility the top is is nothing more then very honeycombed ice.  i've been watching several webcams up there 1 being on bowstring and that ice is moving away from shore more everyday.  that ice turned from very dark to whiteish also!!!!
    • Hookmaster
      I was out in a boat on Minnetonka on March 28th. Only a handful of bays were ice free. That lake maxed out at ~24" of ice this winter where I fished. Talked to a friend in the Grand Rapids area and he said the lake where his parent's cabin is near Talmoon is still white and not pulling away from shore yet, and the cabin is on the east side!!
    • leech~~
      Blow you son-a-batch blow!  We need wind now!  🤣 Oh, how do they make their Smelt, I like um really crunchy!  Maybe I'll swing by for some smelt when I pick up my $2,500!  😎 🤭
    • leech~~
      So, your saying I an't gona win!  🤣
    • gim
      26 inches of ice still?  Man, that's ridiculous.   The lakes have been open by me since April 1.  It's amazing how much of a difference there can be just a few hours away.
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