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Ice Fishing Rookie --- Needs Help


BigWadeS

Question

I have posted this in the ice fishing forum as well, but wanted to try here as well...so here it goes..

I am planning on attempting to start ice fishing this year as I can't wait until open water to fish again. I guess my biggest question is rod & lure help. I have received for presents a tip up and also what I believe to be a jigging rod. I am planning on trying metro lakes for any species. I guess any information you can give a "newbie" would be greatly appreciated. Also, as far as ice houses go, what is a general cost of a cheaper more inexpensive model?

Thank you

Wade

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Frabil makes some suitcase styles as well as some sled type flip overs that are reasonably priced. I have a Frabil Speed Shack and it fits 2 guys and was less than 200 bucks.

For a newbie I'd suggest targeting 'gills and crappies for starters.

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Big Wade, I live in Cottage Grove also. I'd be happy to take you out and show you the ropes once we get some hard water. But beware! It's even more addicting than open water!

Call me on my cell once the season rolls around... 651.341.4581

Good Luck!

Ken

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Labs thats a very nice offer and one that Wade should take you up on before spending money on gear.

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Hey Labs, you have no idea how much I appreciate that. I will definitly take you up on that offer. I will be in trouble though, more addictive then open water, this could be the start to another great hobby.

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I think the Berkley Ice Lightning Rod makes a nice combo for around $20 (rod, reel, & line). They were a great starter rod for me and the price is reasonable. Sometimes you can even get them with a free tub of Power Bait wax worms.

As for lures, there's lots to choose from and if your not fimiliar with ice lures, the lure names will just throw you for a loop, so I'll spare you on that. Small to tiny lures would be my recommendation. 1/16 or smaller (sometimes much smaller). I prefer lures that glow. I also use a lot of lures that have a thin plastic tail.

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Wade, I have lots of equipment for you to try out!!! just don't let my wife know about any of it! hehehe

We'll get you on some fish and teach you about some electronics, and augers and houses etc... We'll have a good time! Always willing to help someone else get into ice fishing!

Good Luck!

Ken

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Labs and Wade, I also live in the Grove and have equipment to go. I can't get out as often as I would like ( kids in Hockey) but would like to go and help out if I can. Labs4me is that on your plate. I have seen it around town and where I work. If that is you I will introduce myself next time I see it. Keith

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Yep, that's me. Flag me down next time you see me. We'll have to get out and fish.

Good Luck!

Ken

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That is another offer I can't refuse, I would definitly like to get out and learn and fish with you guys.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
      I'm not there, so I can't tell exactly what's going on but it looks like a large area of open water developed in the last day with all of the heavy snow on the east side of wake em up Narrows. These two photos are from my Ring Camera facing north towards Niles Point.  You can see what happened with all of snow that fell in the last three days, though the open water could have been wind driven. Hard to say. .  
    • SkunkedAgain
      Black Bay had great ice before but a few spots near rockpiles where there were spots of open water. It looks like the weight of the snow has created a little lake in the middle of the bay.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Thanks to some cold spring weather, ice fishing continues strong for those still ice fishing.  The bite remains very good.  Most resorts have pulled their fish houses off for the year, however, some still have fish houses out and others are allowing ATV and side by sides.  Check social media or call ahead to your favorite resort for specifics. Reports this week for walleyes and saugers remain excellent.   A nice mix of jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, and an occasional crappie, tullibee or sturgeon being reported by anglers. Jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second line is the way to go.  Green, glow red, pink and gold were good colors this week.     Monster pike are on a tear!  Good number of pike, some reaching over 45 inches long, being caught using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring in 8 - 14' of water.   As always, work through a resort or outfitter for ice road conditions.  Safety first always. Fish houses are allowed on the ice through March 31st, the walleye / sauger season goes through April 14th and the pike season never ends. On the Rainy River...  The river is opened up along the Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale, the Frontier boat ramp and Vidas boat ramp.  This past week, much of the open water skimmed over with the single digit overnight temps.   Areas of the river have popped open again and with temps getting warmer, things are shaping up for the last stretch through the rest of the spring season, which continues through April 14th.   Very good numbers of walleyes are in the river.  Reports this week, even with fewer anglers, have been good.  When temps warm up and the sun shines, things will fire up again.   Jigs with brightly colored plastics or jigs with a frozen emerald shiner have been the desired bait on the river.  Don't overlook slow trolling crankbaits upstream as well.   Good reports of sturgeon being caught on the river as well.  Sturgeon put the feed bag on in the spring.  The bite has been very good.  Most are using a sturgeon rig with a circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers / frozen emerald shiners. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing is winding down up at the Angle.  Walleyes, saugers, and a number of various species in the mix again this week.  The bite is still very good with good numbers of fish.  The one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is working well.   Check with Angle resorts on transport options from Young's Bay.  Call ahead for ice road guidelines.  
    • CigarGuy
      With the drifting, kind of hard to tell for sure, but I'm guessing about a foot and still lightly snowing. Cook end!
    • PSU
      How much snow did you get on Vermilion? 
    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
    • Hookmaster
      A friend who has a cabin between Alex and Fergus said the lake he's on refroze. He texted me a pic from March 12th when it was open and one from 23rd when it wasn't. 🤯
    • SkunkedAgain
      I don't think that there has been any ice melt in the past few weeks on Vermilion. Things looked like a record and then Mother Nature swept in again.   I'll give my revised guess of April 21st
    • leech~~
      As I get older it's really not just about sending bullets down range.  Some of it's just the workmanship of the gun and the wow factor. The other two guns I have really wanted which I'll never have now because of their price, is a 8mm Jap Nambu and 9mm German Luger.   Just thought they always looked cool!  
    • jim curlee
      I had a guy hit me with a lightly used 1969 BAR, he wanted $1650 with an older Leupold scope. More than I think they are worth, I made an offer, he declined end of story.   You know if you look at the old brochures, a grade II BAR sold for $250 in the late 60s, $1650 would be a good return on your investment.    Why would anybody want a 50 year old gun, they are heavy, have wood stocks, and blued metal.  I guess mainly to keep their gun safes glued to the floor. lol   You can probably buy a stainless rifle that you never have to clean, with a synthetic stock you never have to refinish, is as light as a feather, and for half as much money, perfect.   I'm too old for a youth gun, although I've shrunk enough that it would probably fit. lol   No Ruger 10/44s.   Jim      
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