need help on ice fishing spot

i am from nebraska & would like some info on ice fishing around st.paul or south of there .bait shop phone #s what ur catching.would like to fish for pike/perch/crappie any info would be great thanks.

i thought i could find someone to help me out i guess not.we do not get ice in nebraska anymore so i thought i would spend my money in your state.i fished the river earlyer this year & the guys from FTR helped me out alot i guess i will go ask them.thanks anyway.

tightline,

I think the reason no one has jumped on this post is this. Most of the lakes within an hour drive of St Paul get a ton of pressure. I’d hate to recommend a spot and have you drive all the way up from Nebraska to get skunked!!

There are many places to go fish, sometimes can do quite well. But most of the time it can be tough.

If you can swing it, go north of town. The further, the better. Red Lake, Winni, Lake of the Woods. I know, that a lot further than you probably had in mind, but it’s a sure shot.

The lakes around the Chisago lakes area we have been talking about is pretty good so close to town. I’m not too familiar with areas south of the cities.

Hope that helps a little,

Jon.

I agree completely with Jon’s view on this… if you’re driving from Nebraska, the Fauribault area lakes might leave you feeling a bit, shall we say, unfullfilled. Mike Finke’s latest report from South Center, north and EAST or the Twin Cities, sounds like a hoot with 80 pannies hitting the ice in 4 hours. That sounds like it might justify the drive. Lake of the Woods sounds like its been unreal with big numbers of walleyes coming to the holes but man, now that’s a drive!

thanks for the info i would come up on a sunday
& leave on thursday.is it that busy during the week? any lakes to the west of st.paul.or do you know any one that rents fish houses that can be slept in.thanks again guys.

I have a hard time recommending that anyone even venture out on the ice in Southern MN right now. Why?
My cleaning lady Doreen Smith’s brother and a group of his friends just saved the lives of two elderly gantelmen ice fishing Mud Bay a couple of weeks ago, on Lake Washington. These older guys in their 60’s and 70’s walked into thin ice and down the went, near the narrows. Lucky to be alive today…. and the ice is not that much beter now.
Lots of good lakes near here… not a lot of good ice.
When we do get good ice, Lake Washington (near Mankato)is a good place to go… or Madison (near Madison Lake , MN), or Cedar (near Fairbault).
Dave Hoggard

thanks for the info guys,it is starting to get cold here finally.hopefully us nebraskens will get ice on the valentine refuge lakes its all we have.5hr drive there beats 17hr drive to LOTW but not the fishing.no eyes in valentine but plenty of pike & world class gills.thanks agian guys have a good christmas & new year.

Sounds like you are in town for the holidays rather than a full blown fishing trip…???

Ok, here is a lake I can point you to, in St Paul. Try Lake Phalen. Easy access with a parkway all the way around the lake. The park on the west side has plenty of parking. The mid lake section called the “Saddle” or the “Beach” are good spot for an occisional walleye or northern. Sun up and sun set are the best times to be fishing. Gold jigging spoons are the best bet now.

This is a city park. No driving your car or any motor vehicle on the ice. Portable shelters require a license.

Good Luck,
J.