Looking like one of my brothers and I will be heading out to Foster Arend tomorrow morning. Any word on the bite and/or ice? I believe the last I heard, which was awhile ago, was that there were some sketchy ice spots. I’m assuming it’s good to go by now but we’ll be sure to be cautious. I’ve been way too busy this year so haven’t fished much, if I can get into a few panfish here and there I’ll be extremely happy.
Thanks for the reply. You’re well aware that our part of the state is not blessed with lake after lake, so my big fear is that with tomorrow’s nice weather there’s going to be people everywhere!
You’ll find people regardless of the weather but if its a nice day expect traffic wherever you are around Rochester.
Lake Zumbro has been very slow and frustrating for people fishing there. Panfish in the local ponds are going fairly well. If you are thinking Foster specifically they dumped about 800 trout in there a week ago, but then there were probably that many taken out inside of four days afterwards. Foster’s panfish run on the short side, but they offer some fun. The ice there is sufficient for foot travel in most all areas now, but on that lake I am never one to put the first foot print on any untraveled areas.
I am extremely new to fishing in general. This was my second fall season. Struggling with lures as there is a plethora to choose from. I’m in the Rochester area if anyone has tips. So far, I’ve attempted Foster, willow, kr7, and Chester woods. I haven’t caught anything at Chester and only small pan fish at foster. Right now I’m focusing on pan fish to learn. I only shore fish. Trying to get into ice fishing but it’s expensive
Welcome aboard Jack. I’m in Rochester and if you’d like to meet some weekend day or an evening I can show you first hand what tackle is good for Foster trout and the local panfish. Pm me with any interest.
Pleasure to meet you Tom. Thanks for the setup and knowledge. Let’s see how much I retained
Practice, practice, practice!
Anyone hear of ice conditions in Rochester this week? The weather last weekend created a wild card in the area. I was thinking of going to SCR this Friday but before I make that trek to Rochester I’d be interested if anyone has seen people out or seen the ice themselves in the area.
Dan, I haven’t heard anything about SC but will be making my way to Foster today. Depending on how it goes I will be making my way to SC later either tonight or tomorrow. I’ll post back with depths
I haven’t heard much for this area but the metro area has people on water now with fair ice after the dunking we got. I’d assume that the local puddles would be about the same since the weather was about the same.
I personally haven’t been out there but my BIL was out there yesterday and I drove by Monday and yesterday and there were several people out there each time. I haven’t made it out to Chesterwoods yet though, wondering if anyone knows what ice conditions are like out there. Maybe Tom??
Awesome thanks guys!
All of the reservoirs are seeing some attention but I have no idea what the bite is like or how the ice is. People just need to get on the ice and off again carefully and use a spud to check the ice as you go. I know a couple people who have been to CW and SC lately and have done so-so. With the high skies today I think I’d hit Foster’s trout….sunshine = flash and trout love flash. CW is always better with some clouds or darkness for crappies.
I haven’t heard a peep about Willow Creek or Gamehaven or the perch puddle by the landfill KR19 I think they call it? Maybe wrong. Cascade has had action but that pond right behind the Mayo parking lot has a big spring on the eastern end of it and that’s generally where the better crappie action is. The big lake should be fishable now in most all of the areas.
The dam has been giving RPU fits this early winter period and water levels go up and down like a yo-yo. I’d imagine walking out may be happening but anything motorized might not be wise just yet. Fishermans, Rattlesnake. high banks and straight across from the Ponderosa should be handing out fish by now and I think getting there on the hoof is doable. The Zum is the best water we have locally but access has been a real pain in the arse.
Just got back from foster. Plenty of ice out there. We had 6″ of the thick stuff.
Any fish?
Not for me. But I don’t feel bad, lots of people struggled and I suckered haha
Dan, still heading to SC tomorrow? I’m going out just don’t know where
Sorry Jack, just saw your post. I planned on SC but ended up going near Red Wing due to fishing with a brother of mine who needed to be closer to home to let his dogs out haha. Caught plenty of fish but all small ones. Ice seemed real good though, typically 7″ or more and very solid and somewhat clear. Last weekend’s weather seems to have actually helped.
No worries Dan. We actually went to SCR and did some c&r. Had a blast
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