Fishin this week!!!/ Ice conditions north of Tug Point?

[Super Black]

I've been chomping at the bit trying to get up to the cabin and finally the time is here. We'll be traveling by sled up the north arm all the way up to the Manitou Sound. Hopefully make it there without getting wet!!!! If anyone has information on the ice conditions north of Tug Point I'd really like to here it... I'll be leaving on Wednesday morning and getting to the cabin about midday if all goes well. SB

[fishmeister_86]

HI S.B.,

YOU WILL NEED TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL, SOMEPLACES WE HAVE LITTLE OR NO ICE. BRING ROPE, ICE SPIKES, WEAR A LIFE JACKET, NOT TRYING TO SCARE YOU, JUST TELLING YOU TO USE GOOD COMMON SENSE DURING THIS EXTREMELY MILD WINTER!!! I FISHED LAKE TROUT SATURDAY & IT WAS VERY SLUSHIE. THERE WAS SNOW, A VERY THIN LAYER OF ICE, WATER & ABOUT 6" OF SOFT ICE. THEN I FISHED CRAPPIES ON RAINY SUNDAY & THE CONDITIONS WERE MUCH BETTER, HOWEVER THERE ARE PARTS OF RAINY I WOULD NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

[Super Black]

Where would those places be on Rainy not to go? I usually take the canoe channel all the way up to the 3 sisters, then just follow the main lake channel up the rest of the way. I did talk to a resident up in Fort Francis and he said it would be no problem traveling by snow machine up to my cabin, but if you know where there is unsafe ice please identify. Thank you so much. SB

[Mooseart]

This morning I saw three wheeled vehicles along the West side, over by the canoe channel. The lake made ice last night but the ice is VERY difficult to read, due to the hardpack snow cover.

[Super Black]

Thanks Moosefart, By the way, I love the name!!! We'll take it slow and check the ice often. I'm not one for getting wet during the winter time! Time of departure is 7 and hope to arrive to the lake by 1 or so... I'll definetly post what I find up there for ice and fish. You guy's livin up there have been so helpful to me and others. This site is the best..SB

[Super Black]

Well we made it up to the cabin on schedule! Had no problem heading up the north arm. We did hit pockets of slush on the way, but was nothing to be concerned about. The biggest pockets were about 100 yards long, but if you kept up the speed you could make it with ease. Fishing was ok. Picked up some nice pike and found some JUMBO perch. We had a blast catching these buggers in about 40 fow. Luckly they were nice size and made an excellent meal. The walleye bite was non existant. We tried everything from 12 to 35 fow. I did have one up on the hole, but got off. The northern bite was really strong off of points relating to deep structure. Caught most of them in 20 to 30 fow. Dead shiners and also live bait was proved to be effective. Too bad about the walleye bite. I catch them all throughout the summer most of which are of good size, but nothing through the ice. Anyway, its always a pleasure being on the lake. Wonderful weather and easy travel. Didn't see anyone else until the last day. A lone snowmobile heading to one of the lake trout lakes. He stopped by and was wondering if we were lost. I kind of chuckeled and asked him the same question! Ice thickness varied from 8 to 12 inches. Snow depth varied from 4 to 8 inches.. Well, gotta get back to work so I can go again in March. SB