Ice coming plenty early this year   https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2346535195421666&id=770784022996799

Prods, Thanks for becoming a recent member of this site.  I never give out that information online.  There are too many people who strictly fish a lake because someone said something on a facebook/online post and everyone hits the lake and destroys the lake.  I was fishing north of DL though on a very large lake that is relatively shallow.  Its a fun lake because not many people fish it but it has multiple public accesses on the lake.  Fishing has been relatively good on the lake and a buddy has been out there filming a few youtube videos also from there.  I plan on going out again on Friday earlier to see if they bite during the mid day.   I'll give you this information though its on a mid lake point fishing out from the weed line.  Its a muddy/silty bottom and the fish cruise the bottom and I'm assuming feeding on blood worms and that is why the soft plastic worked so well.  According to Navionic's there is a "hole" of 13-14 feet that isn't that big where our houses were set up.

Didn't venture out myself, but saw 3-4 people ice fishing on Alimagnet Lake that borders Burnsville and Apple Valley on Sunday.  I thought they were nuts, but nobody was swimming.

Will have another ice report on Linwood Wed. afternoon. walking out with my chisel to really check it out.

Colleague tells me there's about 3" or so of ice. Check it regularly to be sure.

I saw on face book beacon harbor is allowing wheelers and sleds. I never got to talk to Buddy hillmen  yesterday but I imagine its getting closer for him to also allow wheelers and sleds.  Jonny boy and I got all the house's ready to move. once we hit that  consistent 14 inches of ice on our end.   The temps dropped to -2 last night,  You would think that should of made a little more ice.Then it started to warm up and we got a sprinkle of new snow. I would say less then 1/2 a inch.  I'm hoping to get out in the woods again tonight. At least for the last hour. I'll plan on still hunting to my stand with a flu- flu arrow knocked in case I get another chance at that fat grouse I saw. This time I'm not going to hesitate and take the shot asap.  I counted  just a few pop ups out there yesterday.  I did see two wheelers come from the south but have no clue where they got access to the lake, I imagine it may of been someone with a cabin  on the shore line.   We should see quite a few more fishermen after thanksgiving, I expect it will be a little bit busier that last weekend. I do have a few friends coming up Friday, so I will have a first hand report on how they do.  Knock on wood both blue thunder and the red baron are in good shape as of now.  The little grey kia needs a little work but it does have good heat so that's a plus. I see it s 9  so better get to work    

good luck and welcome to fm 

Hello. This is a post for those interested in the Bayport area.   Many anglers are waiting for the river to freeze to get after the big river crappie. Right now the Bayport pool is skim iced over. The Bayport area of the St. Croix River is the best and safest place on the river for crappie fishing. The Crappie bite can be very good, but as a whole not the most consistent. Normally the morning bite is be the best though, from a half hour after sun up till 8:30, with an ok bite from 3:00 till sun down.  Techniques that catch crappies: Crappie minnow and bobber on a #6 hook or small jig.  Space out your lines in terms of depth above bottom as these crappies suspend up to 18 feet of the bottom, though four to ten feet above bottom is more common than 18’.  Smaller crappie minnows work better than the larger ones for numbers of caught crappies; minnow heads can be productive on jigs (for anglers actively jigging) instead of a whole minnow when the bite is slow. Crappies always roam the basin; this soft fluffy bottom covers the majority of the Bayport pool, and the majority of the basin is 33 to 36 fow.  Also the shallower basin (the north part of the pool) in 26 to 30 feet can also be productive.  Without a doubt these crappie roam and a mobile angler does better.  Walleye and sauger catches remain inconsistent traditionally, and a few being taken constitutes a good day (15” minimum size for walleye), Jigging Rap’s are a best bet to tangle with river walleyes and saug dogs (glow green tiger, clown, and rainbow trout colors in sizes W3, W5, and W7) either tipped with a minnow head or plain.  White bass are a bonus and very good out of the ice-cold water the top loin is white meat and good eating. Avoid the meat.  Trucks will eventually drive on the ice, but it is a river folks!  Please be aware that there is open water on the river. Because of currents, I would not drive within a mile of the train bridge (swing bridge) near Hudson or the New Stillwater bridge.  The NSP plant also has a warm water discharge.  The Malileau Dam also flows into the Bayport pool. Learn the river in the day and stay on the beaten path until you are experienced enough. Keep Catchin’ Turk

So the weeks betwixt point and click and smoke pole deer hunting always have my ire up to get that last Musky Missile into my hands.  Gotta scrub that slime into my glove until next year.  Going to give the Mississippi below Falls a try here in a few hours.   Might find it frozen, might find a spot to get in.   I'll bring my boat because I'm an optimist,  but I'll bet the kayak is where i end up.    Wish me luck, otherwise I have a scheme on my mind for my favorite frozen central mn musky lake.   

Chill62 I live in the the Detroit lakes area and have fished a few times with little luck. Just wondering what lake you got the fish in the pictures on.