New here–I got Friday off work and am heading up for some ice fishing Friday during the day. Sleeping in Walker and will fish Saturday before heading back in the evening. What do you guys recommend for some good smaller lakes to fish in the area? Are there any good bays of Leech Lake that have solid ice? Anything off 371 on the way up would work, looks like Birch Lake in Hackensack has some shallow spots. Any suggestions?
Welcome to the forum Bob, hopefully you’ll benefit from some helpful information here.
Bearcat suggests Black Duck which is quite a ways north yet of Walker. But at least you have some idea of it being fishable.
I have ice fished Pine Mountain in the past, it’s just south of Hackensack. Right off 371 in Backus, easy access and we had a fun day out there…caught a lot of nice perch.
I’m not sure about anything on Leech yet as far as fishable ice, or any lake from there south yet.
One can speculate, yet you need to have someone who’s actually gone out and verified ice conditions.
The one year we fished Pine Mountain, all lakes in the metro were open water. We just decided to drive north until we found lakes with fishable ice. When we saw small trucks out there, we figured it was safe for us to walk out.
I plan to call some bait shops in the area to check but I feel good about those smaller lakes that don’t get too deep. Thanks for the tip on Pine Mountain Lake, I’ll check it out
I fish all the time on Blackwater in the summer, but I think it is too deep to have any solid ice this early. Blackduck is quite a bit north but who knows, I have time
My parents live in Nevis and mom said people are out but she wasn’t sure what lakes. So, I know there’s a bunch of lakes that are froze in the area, but not sure which ones. Also, make sure you are super careful as a lot of the lakes have current going thru them that keep em open or thin in spots.
Yeah I have my ice picks and will check ice every so often. Cant wait! I like my chances at finding some good ice
Hey Bob, I also live in Nevis, about 15 miles w of Walker. Everything is pretty well buttoned up. Activity is picking up but folks aren’t venturing too far out yet.
I haven’t been east of Akeley but see no reason why it’d be any different.
Good luck!
Not really Walker area but I know a few lakes being fished in the ottertail area. I heard of one lake with 6-7′ on a small bay of the lake. I would think some of the smaller lakes and possibly smaller bays on Leech may have some fishable ice. Like other said, Be careful. I’ve done well on Panfish in Shingabee bay in summer months. Not sure if the panfish say in the bay or not come winter but think they would. Good Luck. Be safe. Post a report when you get back home.
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