Bayport Ice Report – 7 December

Not enough ice to fish on yet. This warm spell isn’t going to help. There is a large expanse of open water in front of Sunnyside Marina and the NSP Plant. It is still iced over from Bayport to Hudson but only about a 1/2 inch of ice. Andersen Bay has open water along the shore in front of the Andersen Access and along the factory shoreline. I drove the Hubs Point Road out to the river – the property owners along the road sure don’t make you feel welcome. The road is lined with huge boulders and there are signs about every 5 feet declaring “Private Property – No Trespassing” and “No Turn Around”. At the very end of the road at the river, the signs create this maze that is quite confusing and really intimidate anyone from traveling there. I have a feeling that our days are numbered on being able to use that access. From what I understand that is a public easement but it sure is not very clear as to where you can go. That huge mansion that was just built on the point is doing everything it can to discourage use of the road. Kind of a shame – the average guy is slowly loosing access to the river.

I also checked Bayport today Comanchero 15 and I agree its not quite there. I aslo checked the ice at Ferries Landing in N. Hudson this morning. The shoreline ice is not developed, but if you walk across a board or driftwood as I did. There is thicker ice about 3 feet off of shore extending out quite aways. I popped some holes with the spud and would say theres about 2.5 inches there.
A couple more cold nights should do it.

Lindy

Thanks for the info, Lindy. Is Ferries Landing the Wisconsin access point that anchors the ice road that connects to Hubs Point on the Minnesota side? I’ve never been over there but Ferries Landing may end up being the prime access in the Bayport area. I had some good fishing along the shoreline just north of the landing this fall. Is the landing hard to get to? I noticed a kind of steep hill down to the river, does that hill create issues? I may take a run over to Hudson and look for the landing. I pull my Fishhouse on a trailer so I need a fairly good road to get on and off the river.

I hear ya. It’s a huge shame if we lose the last auto access in the area on the Mn side. I think political corectness will be the doom of that spot. The new owner will complain or someone gets hurt on the ice and that will be it. What a &$#*^% drag. It’s like the loss of an era. I love driving out there once it’s safe. The Wi access can be a little difficult sometimes. I just got all worked up thinking about this.

Comanchero 15, yes it’s the WI acess point for ice road to Hubbs Point. The hill is not usually a problem, the city plows it and it gets used alot.However, some ruts do build up at edge of river sometimes, but shouldn’t be to much of a problem. To get there take Highway 35 north(1st Hudson Exit) from I-94 or south on 35 if you’re coming from the stillwater bridge. Head west towards the river on Sommers st.(across from Tom Thumb gas staton) in N. Hudson. Then take a right(at T- intersecton) onto gallahad road and you’re there.
Checked ice there this morning and it doesn’t look good. There is about 6 inches of frozen slush on top of maybe 2/2.5 inches of ice. Hit through easily with one stroke of spud bar. With snow/slush insulating the ice it could still be a couple more days.

Lindy

Thanks for the directions, Lindy. I am going to take a run over there in the next few days. I hope this snow doesn’t insulate the ice and slow up the freezing process. Looks like it is going to get cold in the next few days so we should be fishing pretty soon.

I am heading down to Afton tonight to test the ice.Has anyone seen it today at all.Our slush shoud be frozen good enough to walk on by now but I hate to find out the hard way .I will try and send in a post by morning on what I find.