Ice Fishing

Getting back into ice fishing in S.E. MN. Any suggestions for the Mississippi river area. Have fished out of Wilcox. What about the West Newton area? Looking for panfish.
Thanks

Welcome aboard. Pull up your key board and make yourself at home.

West Newton has been fairly good from what a friend has said but you need to sort through the small ones.

Good luck and be safe

Thanks Trumar. Have you heard of any other places to try?

Welcome to IDO

I heard from a reliable source that the Callashan (spelling?) Bottoms near Red Wing has had a good sunfish bite. Not sure about size, times, etc if you want to come that far north.

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Welcome to IDO

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Ditto!

Panfish have been hot (on the ice) down along the dike road near Wabasha. If you follow the dike road all the way out, you will end up just below the Alma Dam.

Thanks Ed, was just out in the Wabasha harbor and caught probably 18 decent bluegills. I’ll have to try the dike road next. Thanks again

You’ll find that at West Newton you have to do a ton of sorting to get a meal. The fish run pretty small in there anymore.

Don’t confuse the dike road with the dike. The dike road runs between Wabasha and Nelson. The dike that Ed mentions runs to the Alma dam from a public parking area across the road from the Pioneer Campground, east of Kellogg; however it is not a road per se.

Wilcox has some fish but you need to stay mobile in that area to find and stay with them. Moseman, below Alma on the S’conie side might have fish yet that are decent.

Around Lake City you may find crappies out on flat, deep water like what you’d find just up-stream from trailer point. Someone mentioned that a crappie or two could be found at Frontenac too.

Red Wing’s Baypoint Harbor has a good panfish bite around this time in the winter, but I haven’t heard anything regarding that happening yet. I’ll be in Red Wing on Monday and will know more after that.

Silver Creek Reservoir and Chesterwoods have been giving up decent fish according to a fella I spoke with at the bait shop this morning, both of which are a lot closer if you want to scratch that itch without driving 40 miles one way.

Thanks for making that clear. I always thought the dike going to the dam was the only one. But I have only been in the area 40 years! Live & learn…& of course, fish!

Tom, thanks for the info. Let me know how you do in Red Wing. I talked. to a guy who I work with that also said he was having good luck out at Chesterwoods. Thanks for all the info.

Hi Ed,do you know where to turn off county road 84 out of Kellogg to get to Pritchards. I have fished that area many years ago but couldn’t find the turnoff the other day.
Thanks, Chuck

I have never gone through Kellogg, I usually have hit the river coming from Wabasha. I have gone past the high school, but I’m not sure we are talking about the same area. You have to remember, I am hitting some of these spots for the first time in 20-25 years! Wayne Smith grew up in the area, and lives in Mantorville now. He told me to stop at the bait shop by the harbor for any questions I had. If nobody else can help you, try there. Sorry. I hope you are still catching fish anyway. I may try to get out either tomorrow or Wednesday. I will keep an eye out for any hot spots. Good fishing!

Another source of info might be Jim or Tim Lodermeier in Alma. They run the Great Alma Fishing Float from March until October. Both fish & hunt as much as most of us wish we could. I will try to talk to them soon and post their info. Ed

Ed, thanks alot for the names. I will be trying to stay on the fish. I sure am glad I got back into ice fishing. Good fishing to you. Keep me posted on any hot spots.
Thanks, Chuck

I’m going out near Frontenac tomorrow. I talked with a guy coming off the ice who had not even seen fish on his Marcum. Another group of three had caught a couple of dozen in three hours. I guess “You should have been here Sunday!”. Never heard that before! Hopefully, I can post some pictures after we are done. Good luck, Ron & me!

Ed,good luck tomorrow. I hope you have some pictures to show.

Thanks! I have always said it never hurts to be lucky. Talented doesn’t hurt either, but I’ll take all the luck I can get!

My talent was wasted today, & I wasn’t quite lucky. I fished in 18′ near Methodist Point near Old Frontenac from 9 until 1, with only one bite, and only 5 fish marked in several different holes. Guys coming off the ice said things were slow. I only saw 1 sauger caught, about 18″. But the weather & the few visits made the day a pleasant one. My buddy Ron called about 7, sick, so I had o go it alone. Found a gentleman with a new auger, appreciating the easy life! I will have to try again sooner than later.

Am heading out to Chesterwoods tomorrow. I will let you know what happens.

Was anyone else out there today catching fish? I hope I’m not one of 200!

Chesterwoods was not on fire today. Caught 1 largemouth 1 crappie and maybe a dozen small gills. I was out for about 6 hours. Caught most of them early. Had a lot of lookers late but wouldn’t hit.

I was out at chesterwoods today. 1 bass was all I got.
Had alot of lookers also.just couldn’t get them to bite.
Saw alot of fish on my marcum camera.

What color shack were u in. I was in the red Eskimo.

David, I was in a black Frabill. You might have walked right behind me on your way out. Did you stop and drill a couple of holes by the trees on your way out?
Chuck

Yeah that was me I was leaving but it was so nice so I decided to drill 2. Holes. I didn’t see any fish so I left. Over all a slow day of fishing
I’m going up to Milacs on monday with a friend. Then off to the lake of the woods wed to Sunday. Hope the fishing is better that Chester’s
Some day well have to fish together

Sounds good. Good luck this week. I would sure enjoy going up to either place you’re going this week. Maybe next year. Let me know how you do on your trips. Look forward to hearing about them. I hear they are having some ice troubles on Mille Lacs so be careful.
Chuck

Thanks
I’ll let u know how it goes

Had a good morning on Chesterwoods today. Some very nice Blue gills. Couldn’t get my hand around some. But about 11:00 started looking and not biting. Caught about 20 total 1 crappie.

After two attempts with no results for the pan, and with the wind trying to blow me off the ice(I’m only 130……… Kilograms, that is!) I hit one of my shore fishing spots in Red Wing. With the storm approaching, today would be hot!!!! Not quite, Carp Lips! Not even a single hit. I was amazed at how clear the water was. The first two feet were like bath water—before the bath! I did get to stop at Runnings to look over some late season ice fishing deals. After one of my rod holders found it’s way to the bottom of Pepin, I did find one that fits over the edge of a five gallon pail. Not a bad set- up! And this should be a lot tougher to lose!!!