It is November 10th and looking at the forecast we may be just a couple of weekends away from madness ensuing on Red Lake. With that said what are predictions for the first week of fishable ice up there? Can’t wait for the hard water.
Do I need an extension yet?
Yessir. I was hoping it would wait til December to freeze up but I don’t think it’s going to wait that long. We will be up there Dec 9-11th.
West Wind said they’re letting out single axles and half tons by Monday 
West Wind said they’re letting out single axles and half tons by Monday
t is November 10th and looking at the forecast we may be just a couple of weekends away from madness ensuing on Red Lake. With that said what are predictions for the first week of fishable ice up there?
Isn’t Thanksgiving or shortly after when every one shows up for the early ice bite anyways? So really a couple weeks from now would be average. I can recall last year it was about a week later in early December because it was such a warm fall.
Yes usually Tday weekend.
We go every year after Thanksgiving dinner. This year will be no different
I’m guessing things will be right at about average. Next week’s winds look soft and temps look perfect. My guess is next weekend (a week from Friday/Saturday), resorts are walking around checking things out and will open to foot traffic right around Thanksgiving or so.
We were up the first weekend in December last year and had ~10″ most places, but did have a few with 12″ or so and one spot where the pucker factor was up a bit when we punched through only 4″ of ice. Resorts were NOT letting vehicles out, but atvs and side by sides pulling whatever houses. Naturally there were still probably a dozen half ton trucks bombing around too.
We will be back December 8th this year to give it another go. I’m not really a big Upper Red Lake guy, but 3 buddies plan it every year and I tag along. Last year the bite during that time was decent…not lights out but worthwhile. I think we fell victim to trying to chase fish versus sitting it out and letting them come to us. Once we hunkered in for 3-4 hours in a spot quietly away from any noise, we did well. When we were constantly moving and punching holes it was more hit or miss.
I have the first weekend of December penciled in for my first trip ever to Red. Hoping to overnight on the ice but if we can’t drive out I will set up on shore somewhere with one of the resorts and walk it which is fine with me. Can’t come fast enough!!
i don’t know why people risk driving even ATV’s on UPRL early ice? usually there is little snow and you can walk out of the resorts with little effort. all you need to do is find the first break and set up away from any noise. the fish come to you. no need to waste time drilling 100 holes. if you have a bunch of people, spread out in one general area and you will find out where they are moving through.
Jr’s reported today they are hoping for Black Friday to be able to fish
The paper said there are reports of ice on Red.
The paper said there are reports of ice on Red.
There is ice over 500 yards out since Saturday
That’s enough for me lets go…..
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Gregg Gunter wrote:</div>
The paper said there are reports of ice on Red.There is ice over 500 yards out since Saturday
Any photos of people fishing yet lol.
Can I get to the first break in my 1 ton and 20 foot castle? Or should I call the resort to check?
Can I get to the first break in my 1 ton and 20 foot castle? Or should I call the resort to check?
You should be good Rip!
Rumor has it they may be walking out this weekend. Not confirmed, just what I heard.
Bump.
It’s full steam ahead on Upper Red. Enjoy the time out there, stay safe, be patient with the masses and drive, and share back your reports for everyone who heads that way.
I’ll be up there in a couple weeks with some friends. I’m not a huge URL guy, but enjoy spending time with them and checking it out. One of them has been out twice already and had discouraging results…his first time getting blanked ever on URL yesterday (and he’s in his late 40s). I saw a few people reported online via social media that followed that trend. My guess is the water is still very cloudy from the wind which led to that, but time will tell.
The Sheriff up there posted some pics of open water area’s still, so be careful especially at night or on a wheeler or both.
Yesterday Kelliher Fire and Rescue posted pics from a airplane that flew over URL and the pics showed several random spots of open water all over URL. Just because theres 5 inches of ice in one spot does not mean it is 5 inches everywhere.
Everyone always trys to “get away from the crowds” on red and that is extremely dangerous this time of year. Be safe out there everyone. A few fish are not worth not coming home. Wasn’t that long ago that a couple people died on URL on early ice.
Wasn’t that long ago that a couple people died on URL on early ice.
I believe they were drunk on a wheeler at night and went were they were told not to. Not saying it doesn’t come with dangers, just use your head and listen to the resort about where you can and can’t go. Good luck to everyone going, I am still waiting to find out if my buddy can get Friday off, if he does we will be there.
6” of ice out in 8’ of water. Travel during daylight hours to avoid open water spots. Water is a little dirty but the fish are biting.
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<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Gitchi Gummi wrote:</div>
Wasn’t that long ago that a couple people died on URL on early ice.I believe they were drunk on a wheeler at night and went were they were told not to. Not saying it doesn’t come with dangers, just use your head and listen to the resort about where you can and can’t go. Good luck to everyone going, I am still waiting to find out if my buddy can get Friday off, if he does we will be there.
I remember reading they had woken up early in the AM and left before dawn. To me that wouldn’t indicate they were partying unless they were considered intoxicated from the night before. Was a sad story
sheez guys……..go to the red lake forum…………Cookie has a really good detailed report……he did yesterday!!!!!!
I remember reading they had woken up early in the AM and left before dawn. To me that wouldn’t indicate they were partying unless they were considered intoxicated from the night before. Was a sad story
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I new both of them. It was on the way from bar close to the shack.
6” of ice out in 8’ of water. Travel during daylight hours to avoid open water spots. Water is a little dirty but the fish are biting.
Come on Brian. Hold that thing out a little further lol. Thos3 ones are active on the Croix right now from shore
I remember reading they had woken up early in the AM and left before dawn. To me that wouldn’t indicate they were partying unless they were considered intoxicated from the night before. Was a sad story
I new both of them. It was on the way from bar close to the shack.
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i remember that one very well……..traveling at dark and drove into open water. PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL AT NIGHT THIS EARLY IN THE SEASON. super easy to get disoriented on such a big lake. BE SAFE AND SMART. it is a shallow lake but the hypothermia will kill you before you know it!
I was out there on thanksgiving 6” was least amount of ice I found. Water was dirty out to about 9’ then “cleared “ up but the bite was dead in the clean stuff. Only walleye I caught were in 7’ or less out front the river. Also caught biggest pike of my life and didn’t even snap a picture because it snapped me off at the hole and it took me awhile to get my jigging rap out without hurting the fish, I was worried about how long she was out of the water and didn’t think running back to portable for phone was worth the gamble. Definitely over 40. My rod is 32” and fish was damn near another ft longer. Walleye bite was poorest I’ve ever had up there. After my stop at blackduck I’m not sure I’ll ever fish red again.
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