Is anyone else planning to fish in the snow storm?

Was thinking of hitting up Mille Lacs. They are calling for blizzard like conditions?

I’m going to pass. Plan was to go up to Red for a couple days but I’m not a fan of white knuckle driving much anymore. Sounds like things can get pretty nasty with some ice accumulation along with snow and wind so no thanks. Besides leaving the day after New Years for annual Devils Lake trip so I can wait until then I guess.

I was planning on heading to red but the drive home Sunday does not sound like much fun. I will probably get out around home or go bow hunting one last time.

I also was planning a trip to Red but cancelled this morning. Not worth getting stranded or worse yet some type of accident trying to get home. There is always next weekend. Going out of Rogers next weekend.

Little snow never hurt the boat. Ill just bring a snow shovel.

I was supposed to be leaving for LOTW last night. But with the weather and a nasty cold, I decided against it. It really sucks this year that I have to drive 4-5 hrs just to get on safe ice. Here in SE Wisconsin there have been some brave souls who ventured out on 1-2 inches, but that isn’t me anymore. I prefer to stay dry and alive.

Now it sounds like mostly rain in the Brainerd area? This is getting annoying…..

lindyrig79 wrote:

Now it sounds like mostly rain in the Brainerd area? This is getting annoying…..

Annoying is an understatement. I was out on mud on the north end of ML last Friday and with this rain coming, things aren’t getting any better. It’s going to be a tough season for the resorts or anyone else wanting to get a shack/wheelhouse out there anytime soon.

We’re now heading to URL next weekend. Sounds like just about every other fisherman willing to put the drive in will be there too. It’s going to be PACKED.

The forecast on the news tonight said the rain/snow line will be as far north as Brainerd and Duluth.

Yup,
Last night we limited out on crappies.
At the meat raffle now, will head out at about 9.
We left at midnight with a full screen of Mark’s on the Marcum.
12″ the biggest. Just made a batch of crappie cakes, dang they are good.
Hoping an eye swims by tonight.

Yup, rain, snow or shine I’ll be out tomorrow

mille lacs walking in the AM is the plan

lindyrig79 wrote:

Now it sounds like mostly rain in the Brainerd area? This is getting annoying…..

Actually?…maybe a “hidden” blessing?

Annoying for this weekend yes, but better than another 6-12″ snowfall adding to the insulating blanket already on Mille Lacs. That might have pushed it past the point of no return.

From what I’ve learned is that rain now will melt down the snow on the lake and reduce “the snow blanket” and the runoff will settle in cracks and other places that will likely better freeze into more solid ice when it get’s colder…hopefully soon?

Eddy Lyback’s report explains this situation pretty well.

http://lybacks.com/category/fishing-report/

My report from last weekend was beautiful to be out there.

Sunshine and grilling Johnsonville brats…and even a handful of walleyes were caught.

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I will be out for the afternoon walleye bite, sounds like a mixed bag of weather here, snow/freezing rain. In years past, I’ve done very well in bad weather, maybe again. Good 9″ of ice where I fish, a bit of slush.

Andy, are you out fishing in the houses or parked by shore and walking out? You guys at Lybacks?

3rdtryguy wrote:

Andy, are you out fishing in the houses or parked by shore and walking out? You guys at Lybacks?

No, not Lyback’s. Eddy hasn’t been able to pull any of his houses out yet.

We went out of Randy’s, he started pulling his houses out almost 2 weeks ago. Better ice there compared to most other areas of the lake. He had them out on the first break in 18-20′ of water.

He pulled everything out with ATV. Nice deal he has going. If you don’t have your own ATV, he’ll shuttle you and all your gear out with his ATV in a big wooden trailer.

It was really nice to get out on early ice and stay out a couple nights in a sleeper house and catch a few fish.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

…but better than another 6-12″ snowfall adding to the insulating blanket already on Mille Lacs. That might have pushed it past the point of no return.

From what I’ve learned is that rain now will melt down the snow on the lake and reduce “the snow blanket” and the runoff will settle in cracks and other places that will likely better freeze into more solid ice when it get’s colder…hopefully soon?

I know, kind of silly to reply to my own quote but I’ve been watching the Mille Lacs webcams this afternoon and it looks like it’s been all snow, and a fair amount so far. Not sure if it’ll switch over to rain, but if not…there’ll be at a lot of wet heavy snow that won’t just blow off. Not good.

I’ve already made my reservations at a “nice place” on the east side for January and I’m finally starting to get worried.

Sounds like anybody on the ice on Red right now is on there until probably Monday morning. Most access roads are shut down and no plowing until this is over. Knew I should have went!!

I just got my az kicked trying to walk out on the north end of Mille Lacs. Couldn’t even see my trail after 1.5 hours of fishing it’s like a total white out so pulled the plug early and limped back into shore. Shoulda stayed home…….

lindyrig79 wrote:

I just got my az kicked trying to walk out on the north end of Mille Lacs. Couldn’t even see my trail after 1.5 hours of fishing it’s like a total white out so pulled the plug early and limped back into shore. Shoulda stayed home…….

Sometimes it just ain’t worth it. Glad you’re safe.

lindyrig79 wrote:

I just got my az kicked trying to walk out on the north end of Mille Lacs. Couldn’t even see my trail after 1.5 hours of fishing it’s like a total white out so pulled the plug early and limped back into shore. Shoulda stayed home…….

Never regret trying!

You never know ahead of time how it’ll pan out.

In hindsight, you could have gone down the road to Agate Bay or another nearby resort and paid the $10 to walk out on a plowed path.

Or shoulda stayed home?

No, you tried and did your best…give yourself credit for that.

BTW, I have a couple questions for you. I’ll PM.

There were definitely fish to be caught today.
Three of us walked out early from Agate and setup shop. The other two had their keepers by 9 am, and although I didn’t get mine, I did catch 17 fish between 16 and 20 inches. Nothing smaller and missed an over.
The sleet certainly didn’t make for a comfortable day, and there was a lot of scooping out the holes and wiping off the flasher, but if a person dressed appropriately, it was doable.