I know it’s still open water season but who is already making their winter trip plans? I was just looking back at the first big trip I took last season that ended up being a great decision to try something new! What new places are everyone looking to go to this ice season?
Nothing new for this year but yes can’t wait to be ice fishing.
Devils two trips
Red a few times
LOW once early ice
SD one trip
Then a few mixed in to friends cabins. Plus fishing metro during the week.
Already Booked to try out Blackduck lake, 12 guys.
I really want to try to get to Red this season!
What’s at Black Duck?
We are renting a cabin and sleeper houses at
http://www.dunrovin-resort.com/contact.html
For us we would like to catch fish but hanging out is the primary goal.
La Crosse/Onalaska again to chase perch
Never to early to make plans, especially when renting rooms and such.
Winnipeg in March.
Clearwater in February or April.
Fort Peck in February or March.
Sakakawea multiple times.
Can’t wait for Clearwater again. We only got 2.5 days out of 6 last year as the ice was pulling away from shore.
Thanks for the reminder to get my butt moving on plans! I always get sidetracked fishing in the Fall now!
If you want to hit up Onalaska I can provide all the info you need – just send me a message
I plan to! Is the water super high right now still?
Can’t wait for Clearwater again. We only got 2.5 days out of 6 last year as the ice was pulling away from shore.
Curious — which clearwater?
I have a site reserved at Roger’s for a couple of weekends, first time ever going to Red for me and it cannot come soon enough.
Red in January and Winnipeg in February for me.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>MNBOWHUNTIN wrote:</div>
Can’t wait for Clearwater again. We only got 2.5 days out of 6 last year as the ice was pulling away from shore.Curious — which clearwater?
He comes up to Clearwater lake in Manitoba.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tangler wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>MNBOWHUNTIN wrote:</div>
Can’t wait for Clearwater again. We only got 2.5 days out of 6 last year as the ice was pulling away from shore.Curious — which clearwater?
He comes up to Clearwater lake in Manitoba.
Nice! Saw an episode of uncut where they were sightfishing lake trout there, very cool.
Nice! Saw an episode of uncut where they were sightfishing lake trout there, very cool.
That was a really cool episode.
Only thing set in stone for now is URL over Thanksgiving weekend. Likely some trips to the pond. We’ll see
Does anyone find some off the beaten path lakes and just go exploring?
I used to when I lived in Bemidji. Tons of little lakes in the area. Especially going NE, lots of little lakes on the Chippewa that are off the path.
I see a lot of people are planning on Red. For those of you who’ve been there, care to share any recommendations for resorts or sleeper rentals?
For Red I’ve tried 2 places. The first (can’t recall the name) was terrible. Since then I’ve gone through JR’s Corner Access and been happy. I’ve only ever done sleepers in mid-winter, although won’t be doing that early ice this year. Sleepers aren’t fancy but certainly good enough. They’ll move you around if needed. Nice guys and a fun bar back on shore if you’re into that sort of thing or just want to use a real toilet.
I used to when I lived in Bemidji. Tons of little lakes in the area. Especially going NE, lots of little lakes on the Chippewa that are off the path.
I want to try that more this winter!
A fun thing i like to do is either finding those lesser known spots on bigger metro lakes like minnetonka. Or finding those little hidden gem lakes. Always a fun time exploring and sometimes you dont have to go as far as you would think.
Great thread! Always looking for new places.
My list for “planned” trips 19/20 season:
URL early ice after gun season
Mille Lacs early ice
URL again when wheelhouse can get out
LOTW in March
Winnipeg March (first time…checking off that bucket list)
Lastly, fingers crossed for Superior to freeze up again.
Going to try Onalaska as well since it’s relatively close to home.
Other than that a bunch of wheelhouse weekends with the kiddos.
For those of you that hit Upper Red on a regular is there any tips for doing it solo? I don’t want to have to hire a guide but from what I understand it’s featureless?
For those of you that hit Upper Red on a regular is there any tips for doing it solo? I don’t want to have to hire a guide but from what I understand it’s featureless?
Red isn’t featureless, it’s just shallow and doesn’t have traditional big lake structure. Since it is such a popular destination the best advice is getting away from people, the walleye’s roam and being in the middle of a big group lowers your odds. If you can get there early or midweek, when the pressure is less, then finding the different reefs and bars is a good start, but those are usually packed with people once the sleepers are out.
Red’s only features are sand gravel transitions. Early ice fish first break and move out as ice allows. Get away from other houses, especially loud ones. You are only in 9 feet so fish will spook. ALWAYS have lines in at prime time, they come hungry in packs. Glow and red are good starting spoons. Anybody can be a walleye guide on that lake!
Upper Red is a bucket list trip I haven’t made yet, but would like to.
Usually fishing solo (I’M retired, my regular fishing buddies aren’t!!!).
I’d probably just stay in a motel, are there any close to the lake???
(BTW, GREAT topic, now that I’m retired, I’m looking for more ice fishing experiences, we call it “adventure fishing”, trying new lakes/areas. Fishing alone is challenging, but I’m figuring it out! I got to Winnipeg and Saginaw Bay last year)
I’d probably just stay in a motel, are there any close to the lake???
The only one close that I’m aware of is the Shooks Motel, that looks like the Bates motel…I’d call one of the resorts up there, a few have cabins, but most have sleeper houses that are your best option imo.
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