Ice Fishing Trip Ideas?

Try Beacon Harbor. Decent place at a decent price but only stayed there in spring. Westwind is big bucks. I think Blackduck has a Americ Inn? Short drive. Royal shooks motel is…well…sketchy?

richsn wrote:

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)

Red, LOTW, Winnie, Leech, Devils Lake, Green Bay, Winnipeg, Cascade are all on my bucket list for ice fishing. You are at where I plan to be in a couple years…RETIRED!

I have a place at Mille Lacs so that’s where I always go because it’s close and I’m limited to short weekends or an occasional extra days off work. But not near enough time off to go to the places where so many are going. Makes me a bit envious hearing of other’s going to far away destinations when I’m still at work.

I keep encouraging myself…2 more years.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>richsn wrote:</div>
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)

Red, LOTW, Winnie, Leech, Devils Lake, Green Bay, Winnipeg, Cascade are all on my bucket list for ice fishing. You are at where I plan to be in a couple years…RETIRED!

I have a place at Mille Lacs so that’s where I always go because it’s close and I’m limited to short weekends or an occasional extra days off work. But not near enough time off to go to the places where so many are going. Makes me a bit envious hearing of other’s going to far away destinations when I’m still at work.

I keep encouraging myself…2 more years.

Hello Stranger!

Have a friend that bought a rock quarry that was stocked with fish. 6 miles from my house. During the winter about an 1/2 hour before sunset the walleyes go crazy.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Hello Stranger!

Okay, call me Stranger…but it’s still out there on who is really “Stranger”

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We’ve been going there for the past 6 or 7 years at different places and have settled on JR’s Access since they have nice houses and cook up your fish and provide all of the fix’ins to go with it. We have been out of Roger’s and Greater Minnesota rentals (Dave is great guy) down the road. But, JR’s has everything and JR and Adam are great to work with and this year I have heard they will have a full bar!

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
Hello Stranger!

Okay, call me Stranger…but it’s still out there on who is really “Stranger”

Thanks for posting my senior picture Andy!

If I can help it I want to try to get up there WAY before anyone takes a hard house out there! lol Sound like the typical shallow lake bite early ice! Now lets see if I can get that plan to come through for me!

This ice season I’d really like to fish for bass in Mexico.

fishinfreaks wrote:

This ice season I’d really like to fish for bass in Mexico.

You should 100% look into Lake Comendero! You WILL be spoiled though so don’t ever expect to catch bigger Bass

A true ice fishing bucket list has to incude Lake Erie when they have good ice.

One of my best trips ever, caught a pile of big fish and met some really nice guys too.

richsn wrote:

A true ice fishing bucket list has to incude Lake Erie when they have good ice.

One of my best trips ever, caught a pile of big fish and met some really nice guys too.

I kick myself every winter since the amazing winter of 2014 when the whole lake was good and people were out there on a HOG FEST!

richsn wrote:

A true ice fishing bucket list has to incude Lake Erie when they have good ice.

One of my best trips ever, caught a pile of big fish and met some really nice guys too.

I kick myself every winter since the amazing winter of 2014 when the whole lake was good and people were out there on a HOG FEST! And I DIDN’T GET TO GO!

I kick myself every winter since the amazing winter of 2014 when the whole lake was good and people were out there on a HOG FEST! And I DIDN’T GET TO GO! doah

That’s the year I was there. Went twice, it was awesome.

Thanks for rubbing it in…

DWSDave31 wrote:

Thanks for rubbing it in…

Not trying to rub it in, my philosophy is that “everything changes”, especially in our outdoor world, so when the opportunity comes up to do something, do it if you can. I’ve been waiting for good Lake Erie ice ever since, and it hasn’t happened.

We had a similar situation on Lake Superior this year, when you finally get GOOD ice somewhere that doesn’t always ice over, I try and make it a priority.

I hope you have that opportunity on Erie some day!!

Lol No hard feelings bud! I almost quit my job that season to go because a few guys I knew were going for the week! I regret not quitting that place sooner! now all I do is fish and film so if someone says good ice I’m going!!!

Been going to Lake Oahe 7 years straight. 2nd weekend in January up by Mobridge. These next two years will be epic as there’s a lot of tankers moving through the system. Couple trips to NE SD, Spirit Lake Iowa should have some respectable perch now and Okoboji always can be fun for gills.

I really want to try Okoboji some time! I have heard good things!

DWSDave31 wrote:

now all I do is fish and film so if someone says good ice

Must be good winning the lottery?

Bahahahhahah Don’t let the fact I am on the water all the time fool you… I AM FLAT BROKE! This is what it is like to live your life working on a dream! Basically said this is it or nothing at all! I am still trying to figure out if having money and feeling secure or fishing all time is more important

Maybe some day I’ll get to experience both at the same time!

If i’m renting I use north woods fish houses (last 3 years) and recommend him to anyone…got one booked in December. He is out of Mort’s now but used to be at Roger’s. I also go out of boondocks on our own if not renting a house. Can’t wait for Mille Lacs Ice fishing too

Early Trip = LOTW the second weekend of December out of Sportsman’s

That’s the only real “trip” I have planned, but I’m usually out on Pool 4 somewhere chasing perch the weekend after Thanksgiving through last ice. We like to mix in a trip to the Birchwood and Hayward areas for big crappies as well.

Depending on how LOTW goes, we will either make that our annual trip or flip to Red for an early ice outing next year.

Is ice travel normally sleds for early ice on LOTW? Just wondering how much snow is normally up there and if I go early enough if my little machine can make it or if I need a sled?

Early ice can really vary depending on the wind, if the entire lake isn’t locked up and it’s windy, be very careful. Early ice up there is pretty much anytime before 16″. Lots of years, the south shore can be pretty busted up depending on how it locks up. I use to go up early and used a 4 wheeler. Just be vigilant.

Ok thanks for the heads up! I’ll have to watch the wind closer this year!

3 trips already planned for the ice season.

Early ice on Red Lake out of West Wind

Late December trip to Bowstring. First time on that lake, and staying at Geiger’s Trails End

Late January on Mille Lacs in Appledorn’s 18 hole shack. Though not much serious fishing will probably happen that weekend

Brandon S wrote:

Late January on Mille Lacs in Appledorn’s 18 hole shack. Though not much serious fishing will probably happen that weekend

You never know, that one might turn out the best. Last year out of Appeldoorn’s late January was the best big walleye catching through the ice I’d had in 10 years. Just keep your 2 lines down on the rattle reels the entire time and you can still party the day and night away.

DWSDave31 wrote:

Is ice travel normally sleds for early ice on LOTW? Just wondering how much snow is normally up there and if I go early enough if my little machine can make it or if I need a sled?

The resorts will let you know how you can travel. I like early ice for a couple reasons. One is it can be great fishing the other is I like the excitement on checking daily if we can even actually get out and fish. We typically book the weekend after the show in St. Paul a few years ago we didn’t think there would be ice. At the show we spoke with a few resort owners and they said no way will you be out on the ice next weekend as the bay still has open water, well a cold front came in and locked it up and we were fishing.I love early ice.

They won’t let you out on there roads if the ice isn’t safe.
fyi – it can be a pretty long walk if you want to pull a smitty but can be well worth it.

The little machine can run on 4in of ice just fine I will be watching the weather VERY close!