Bemidji area has some walk-able ice in a lot of places right now and a few are starting to use wheelers and sleds. Some of the smaller lakes and bay have 6-8” of ice. We received 8-12” of snow in most of the immediate area around Bemidji which has caused some slushing issues. Hopefully the cold weather that is here will freeze up that slush.
It was great to get out for a while on Sat morning during the start of that storm with a group of great guys just to fish for a bit. It seems that the first time on the ice every season you always figure out what you did NOT have with you that you were supposed to have. Catching for most of us was not great but the fishing sure was good.
Still use some caution out there and keep in mind it is early yet. We have a long winter ahead of us so use some common sense and stay safe.