Surprised how quick the landings got rough fast

2 lakes I went too already will be very sketchy by the end of this weekend. I was just surprised how quick they got rough plenty of ice to fish but getting rough fast.

I’ve noticed that too. It happened really fast.

More wheelhouses, more traffic, and more people driving fast on/off the ice are all bad deals for the landings that are deteriorating.

However, once the landings get bad to the point it’s tough to get on, the bite really takes off

buckybadger wrote:

However, once the landings get bad to the point it’s tough to get on, the bite really takes off

Best panfishing of the year

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>buckybadger wrote:</div>
However, once the landings get bad to the point it’s tough to get on, the bite really takes off

Best panfishing of the year

For sure.

That’s kind of why fishing is always great before driving onto the lake or if you’re one of the few first on the fresh 12″ of solid ice with the truck.

I’m planning to head out tomorrow to a metro lake. It should still be plenty safe to drive out even with the recent warm weather, right?

For the most part yes.

Was up at Gull yesterday and there was easily over 20″ yet. The landing did go from nice in the morning to a mess in the afternoon. Didnt take long at all.

I saw 5″ of water/slush near the access on Chisago Lake last night. It’s soon over…

This week with the mid 40’s could be rough on it. Hoping to get out again this weekend but will have to wait and see.

Might have to grab the boat after this week!

Jason wrote:

I saw 5″ of water/slush near the access on Chisago Lake last night. It’s soon over…

Nooooo!!!

I’m still trying to get my kids out one time before this season ends for their first time ever.

Jason wrote:

I saw 5″ of water/slush near the access on Chisago Lake last night. It’s soon over…

Forest lake wasn’t any better.

Yeah I honestly think it going to get ugly soon. Those landings turn quickly for sure. I was up in Brainerd last night checking a late ice lake and it already had standing water at the launch.

Is that because of salt you think? That drop shakes all the loose snow boogers off and then just sits there?

That could be. I know with Gull last weekend they brought in a load of sand to help with the landing icing up. Shortly after that the lake ice around the landing was a total mess.

Sun is so strong now, you can feel it when your out. Sand kicked onto the ice by vehicles are little solar collectors that eat into the ice, look for shaded access points on the south away from inlets and outlets.

tim hurley wrote:

Sun is so strong now, you can feel it when your out. Sand kicked onto the ice by vehicles are little solar collectors that eat into the ice, look for shaded access points on the south away from inlets and outlets.

Made it out this morning on Meeker county lake and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ice. Even the landing at the north end was in great shape. I ran the side by side, but there was around 20” of solid ice. Snow is nearly gone so I think ice will begin to deteriorate more now. Fishing was slow. A lot of lookers, but no biters.

Sun & ice don’t mix. Thats why you get little umbrellas in your drinks.

Dutchboy wrote:

Sun & ice don’t mix. Thats why you get little umbrellas in your drinks.

I’m headed your way, very thirsty. I’ll bring ice. Do you have those umbrellas.

Rainy river Brian? Let’s go

Fished Knife Saturday night and lets just say I probably shouldn’t have driven my truck out, but got on and off with everything in tack. Didn’t get where I hoped to and it was a dink perch fest. With the slush on the lakes it may even be tough for wheelers now.

Still drove out saturday, no issues. Smaller lake in the Brainerd area. Doubt I’ll be driving the truck again until next season.

I was up on a lake by Minong in WI and the landings were fine. I’m sure after this week it will be different.

Just looked at a Jeff sundin report up north. Some resorts now are only letting guests out others are letting trucks on a day by day basis and no more wheelhouse. most if not all resorts are highly recommending ATV travel.

Fished several Central Minnesota lakes over the weekend. Some of the landings are holding up OK. Others were looking really rough. Drove out still on Two lakes and walked out on a 3rd. I think that was my last time driving out on a lake. heading North this next weekend for what may be my last Ice outing of the season. I have Family plans the following weekend and don’t think there will still be much fishable ice after that.

Wigwam and Wheelers point posted on Facebook they will be pulling all there houses off today.

Cyrus posted that anyone who has a house out to pull it off.

Tomorrow’s forecast of rain will do some damage to the ice. I was really hoping to get out an do some late season pan fishing but the season is probably done.

I’ve still been driving my truck on the ice. Access is getting a little rough but just means I drive around the rough part. Still 2.5 ft of ice here. Crappies are biting like mad, but I decided to drop my cell down the hole on Sunday night.

I found anywhere from 6-16″ of ice on sloughs connected to the river on Sunday. I also soaked my boots working my way onto an ice sheet that has started to lose its edges. The river ice is foot traffic at best in most places. I want to go back out Friday, but won’t even attempt it without a 10′ 2×8 in the truck.

It was a long 1.5 mile hike to get to the spot, but the fishing was worth it compared to the community hole dinks. With 2 guys we managed a 14 1/4″ perch, a few 13s, probably 20 or so in the 12″ range, and lost track of the number of 10-11″ fish. The bigger ones were all verified on a bump board. The legitimate 15″+ fat river perch still eludes me. I’ve hit 14 3/4″ a few times in the past few years.

Those are some beauty perch for sure!