Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Are we going to see Ice on the Big Pond? (aerial pics added)


Recommended Posts

Plenty of ice. Uh, sort of. I took these images late this morning from a flight over the bay just outside the lift bridge. You can see there's ice, but you can also see in the second two images where it's broken.

Not me. Uh uh. No way. Not getting me walking out there!

bay-from-Lake-S.jpg

bay-from-land.jpg

bay-ice-close.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 75
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Deep_Sinker

    8

  • Quickstrike

    8

  • SKIPPERS KID

    7

  • fishane

    6

Quote:

I took these images late this morning from a flight over the bay just outside the lift bridge.


Deep Sinker: Are you the guy in school who always started the test before he read the instructions? grin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been off 21st and the lester this past week. There is about 8 inches off of 21st, but a few good sized pressure cracks you have to be carefull of. The lester had about 4-6 inches of ice and also had a good sized pressure ridge near shore. Let it be noted that we were prepared with rope, pics, a spud bar and were very carefull. I managed to hook 2 loopers and lost them both, and didn't see much of anything other than some herring out deep off of 21st.

Good luck and be carefull.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve you the man great photo's thanks for sharing. that is a good birds eye view thanks for that so we all can see what the pond looks like from the above view and Ice covered well just on one end again thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Deep Sinker: Are you the guy in school who always started the test before he read the instructions?
grin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gif


Yes, I do jump the gun; I just wasn't sure as the big crack(out from the pump station) hasn't moved much...about the same as I saw on Thursday which surprises me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

there's not really any ice in front of the french, but guys are getting off the lester

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great Pics Steve! The first is obvious (location), the 2nd is the end of London Rd and the start of 61 (I think)? Where is the 3rd? I'm guessing that it is off the Lester a bit......just curious.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Image No. 3 is just a close-up view of image No. 2.

So the strip of open water seen in image No. 3 is the bottom strip of water seen in No. 2, wherever that is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Plenty of ice. Uh, sort of. I took these images late this morning from a flight over the bay just outside the lift bridge.


I find it amazing that you can flap your arms and take pictures at the same time grin.gif. Ok, I will return to my seat

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I managed to hook 2 loopers and lost them both, and didn't see much of anything other than some herring out deep off of 21st.


Quick,

It sounds like you are the resident expert on LS ice fishing? What are some tactics for this? What sort of tackle do you usually use? I really would like to get out there, so if you ever need someone to accompany you; give me a shout.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have this in my book mark and I think every one should mark this as well. Thanks for the link Smeds smirk.gif this is a handy link.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Deep Sinker, I am in no way an expert of lake superior ice fishing, I just have too much free time on my hands! Fishing deep for lakers, I have had little luck off the north shore but I would try the same techniques used around bayfield and in the islands, big spoons, beetles, with smelt or herring. When fishing shallow for loopers or coho, i like to fish a crawler under a bobber and then jig a small spoon with a 6 in dropper with a fly and a waxie.

I'll probally be out on wed but might head back over to chequamigan, found a pretty hot bite over there this weekend. wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quick,

Let me know if you wanna hit superior sometime in the near future.(my email is ryanboe at hotmail dot you know what) I would like to try it while I can. This morning there was a group way out there with a four wheeler and a canoe. confused.gif Not sure why both as the four wheeler wouldn't fit in a canoe. Anyways, I would like to try for some loopers, cohos, lakers. Really anything! I bet a looper is a heck of a rush through the ice! Is there any ice in front of the sucker? I've heard good things about looper fishing there...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be heading deep for lakers on wed, if interested e-mail me at paul0508 at d dot umn dot edu

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

LOL I want to know the reasoning behind the canoe and the wheeler


I believe it is just in case that chunk of ice breaks off when the wind switchs.......then they can paddle back to shore (or at least good ice)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The purpose of dragging a canoe (or other small craft) behind you when fishing on Gitch is not in case you "break through" but instead for if you "break away". The ice is quite thick (a lot of times formed elsewhere and blows in) but is in fragmented sheets that are prone to breaking away into the open portion of the lake.

When this happens (and it has) it is a lot cheaper to do a self-rescue than pay the fine/fee that the coast guard will charge you for a Helo ride!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw some clown out about a mile from Fitgers on ice skates getting pulled by a dog today!!!! There were 3 other fisherman out about a half mile north of there on a point ice fishing. Anybody doing anything out there lately? I might have to get out there for some Lakers!

Justin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I believe it is just in case that chunk of ice breaks off when the wind switchs.......then they can paddle back to shore (or at least good ice)


What about the four wheeler? Catch that in wisconsin?

Anyways, I ventured out of 21st tonight, be careful around the pressure cracks as the ice is expanding and the ice near the ridges varies. Other than that, I found 10-12 inches of solid ice and nothing but some smelt for fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Deep, I guess if you are so concerned about the ice that you drag a canoe out there, you can't be too worried about the wheeler.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I've been playing this ice game on the lake for over 30 years. Started fishing off 21st with just a few guys and when everyone else were off the Curling Club. The type is we have now you don't fish Lakers out deep in. You stick off the river mouths or off 21st in close. Herring and Salmon are the target off 21st. At any rate even fishing in relatively close you stayed alert because the ice could leave with you on it. Happened many, many times.

Think about boarding a canoe into the water off a sheet of ice. Tell me how your going to do that. I can say with great confidence that the average knucklehead will flip the canoe over 5 times out of ten.

If you plan on going out deep for lake trout forget about a canoe and drag a boat out or two canoes lashed together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What is the rhyme and reason for where the clusters of anglers are on the lake? Skated out and talked to several who were fishing from 100-140 ft. of water. Look for a particular depth? Any break or structure to speak of? Clustering together because we are social creatures? Is one place as good as the next? Whatever the reason it is pretty exciting to be on the ice and to skate over the shallows with the rocks flashing by below.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.