ice conditions

im looking to get out next weekend. how are the ice conditions north of the metro and in western minnesota.

Lots of people fishing from Wyoming to Rush City. Ice is clear and smooth as glass. Wish I had long blades! Mostly 3”. I found 4” and went out.

What lakes have 4?. And how’s the fishing on them?.

Lots of fishing in the north branch area.

How is the fishing in north branch?

Skim ice 30 miles west of Chicago.

Sylvanboat wrote:

Skim ice 30 miles west of Chicago.

Nagy & Trubisky better stay away, they might end up like Hoffa.

Do I need an extension?

I’ve heard rumors of guys fishing on a couple lakes in southwestern Minnesota. Haven’t seen it myself and haven’t been out.

Praying it’s true…I’m getting the itch bad.

josh schauf wrote:

How is the fishing in north branch?

It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.

Ripjiggen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>josh schauf wrote:</div>
How is the fishing in north branch?

It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.

What lakes are good there

My son has a friend who lives on Little Rock Lake and since its shallow it is always one of the first in the area to freeze. They were ice skating and his friends dad checked ice and found 3.5″ or more everywhere he checked. I drove by the lake and there were people scattered all over and about 15 HS kids playing hockey. The lake is like glass. So rare to have ice like this.

SW Eyes wrote:

I’ve heard rumors of guys fishing on a couple lakes in southwestern Minnesota. Haven’t seen it myself and haven’t been out.

Praying it’s true…I’m getting the itch bad.

I would head north. Its gonna be almost 60 degrees there this week. Get your golf clubs back out.

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>SW Eyes wrote:</div>
I’ve heard rumors of guys fishing on a couple lakes in southwestern Minnesota. Haven’t seen it myself and haven’t been out.

Praying it’s true…I’m getting the itch bad.

I would head north. Its gonna be almost 60 degrees there this week. Get your golf clubs back out.

The reported highs im seeing are 52 to 53 tomorrow/Wednesday – but Wednesday’s low is in the 20s. It’s been getting cold at night – high in mid-low 40s today low in the 20s tonight. Highs in the 30s, lows in the teens later this week. It’s going to be below freezing for a good 13-14 hours per day at worst. It’ll be 32 shorty after 7 pm tonight and won’t be back above to 9 am tomorrow. Half of the sunlight hours will hover in the high 30 range, which isn’t going to shed anything. We’re making ice. Slowly, but it’s coming.

As long as it keeps getting down below freezing at night and we already have at least 2-3 inches (unconfirmed), we’ll be fine. The lake I frequent is typically iced early.

I’m not planning on testing it before the end of the week, but we’ll be good to go in short order.

I’d rather eat a fluorescent bulb than play golf. Thankfully I have a second deer tag to keep me busy.

SW Eyes wrote:

I’d rather eat a fluorescent bulb than play golf. Thankfully I have a second deer tag to keep me busy.

Lol good one, well played.

I was on 6″ of good ice north of McGregor on saturday. Small secluded lake. Crappies were hungry.

Ripjiggen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>josh schauf wrote:</div>
How is the fishing in north branch?

It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.

The area can be great. I fish it 5 times a week.

I think you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone willing to put lake names out there that are giving up fish early ice, especially on a public forum.

Anytime i’ve done well on a lake, it’s been on Lake Nunya. Nunya damn business!

I was out in the metro Saturday afternoon on 3 inches and fished some. Didn’t venture too far as I usually don’t test it too much but I was at a house on the lake and couldn’t help myself.

FWIW this was in a small secluded bay. Most lakes around the metro aren’t safe and probably wont be after the warm up this week anyway.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Do I need an extension?

…probably to your snorkel!!! Just kidding, I pray everyone stays on top the ice.

I checked some lakes yesterday and found 6” on Big Marine. Bluegill were biting in 10’.

4-6” 50 minutes north of the Metro.

4-6 inches 20 minutes south of the metro. Lots of people starting to get out this weekend.

Anyone been out around Bayport to check out ice on the river? Itching to get out for sturgeon!!

I wasn’t on the ice at Bayport, but I did drive by there Saturday morning. It looked like a fishing contest with the number of fishermen out there. Most were clustered together but there were a few spread out towards the south.

Up in the Perham area they were driving full sized trucks on several lakes. Close to 12” of good solid ice

Chisago today was a 6 solid inches. Fishing was slow. But lots of bass to be caught

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Geez, that kid is everywhere!!

I see you taught him how to long arm a Bass for a photo. lol

Dutchboy wrote:

Geez, that kid is everywhere!!

I see you taught him how to long arm a <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>Bass for a photo. lol

He gets around. This kid being so young has seen more in his 9 years then I have before I was 30.
He needs to learn to take a picture. I have 35 but every one he has a face that says I dont care to take this pic.
He out fished me today so I think he is on the right track.

Anyone have any info on the Bayport area for the St Croix?

Haven’t been out lately to check ice thickness but saw a ton of people on the smaller bays around tonka. Also saw some wheelers out there AND bigger ice castles out even!