I would be interested in a report when you get a chance as we are going a week from Tuesday.

Thanks and good luck!

I also have a polarbird and the floor is awesome. Warmest shelter I have ever been in. It would be a great ice camping option, possibly the best shelter for the job.

Are there any opportunities for zander through the ice?

Mille Lacs will have sleepers out in 3 weeks when he is planning on going. They will probably book fast though.

I have caught many walleye on my bullwhip. Biggest was 27″. It will do fine. Last year I added a Fusion and I use that more now, but I will still use my BW.

Congratulations to the Gophers on a special season thus far. Iowa had an undefeated regular season four years ago and received similar criticisms about the schedule. They can only beat who is put in front of them and Minnesota is winning in convincing fashion. Even if they don’t win another game they have had a special season.

With that said I think Iowa pushes it to 5 straight wins over the Gophers next weekend. Top 10 teams coming into Kinnick haven’t fared well in recent years, Vegas agrees as Minnesota is +3 next weekend. Either way it will be a great environment and I’ll be there cheering on the Hawkeyes.

belletaine wrote:

On the flipside, Mills has improved since their ownership change a few years ago.

I disagree. Mills used to be my go to from work clothes to fishing gear to vehicle maintenance. This year their ice fishing selection was sub par and the things I would have bought were perpetually sold out, very early in the season too. They rearranged their clothing section and it was tough to find what I was looking for, and not as many options as in the past. My experiences with the automotive center have been even worse.

Scheels is my go to now. Knowledgeable staff and full shelves most of the time.

I had a buddy out today. Started out @ 39 and he hit 43 this afternoon.

Peacock bass

I was thinking of coming up next Monday. First timer so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Best bait shop? Thanks!

I have an Abu Icemax. I love the foldable handle and I bought a spare spool so I can use it for multiple species.

I have been to Silvercreek several times. Like eyeguy said above, there are a ton of small gills. More than I can remember in year’s past. Small perch are still there too. This year we have caught more decent crappie than we have in the past. We don’t keep fish, but have caught several keepers each time out. We haven’t caught any pike yet, but always see them on the camera. I did hear someone caught a 40″ last weekend on a tip up.

I haven’t been to Foster yet, but I always enjoy fishing there and will be going there soon.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

If anyone in the Rochester area is planning to scamper on over the Scheels, here, take a rest. They don’t even stock these. Not sure about Fleet Farm but they always seem to have the new and unusual.

I could not find any at fleet farm yesterday, but I did not ask either. After striking out at Scheels i ended up ordering from fish usa.

I picked up a marcum lithium shuttle for $190, striker ice boots for $95, and a 13 fishing ghost for $50.

TUCR Bullwhip

riverrat09 wrote:

I’d say close it down for a month or 2. March/ April or just April. Keep the limit the same and just tell the people from Iowa to start releasing the 25″-30″ fat females

Painting with a mighty broad brush, aren’t ya? I have been fishing p4 with guys from Iowa for years and we always release big females. I bet there are far more people from MN and WI that keep big females than people from Iowa.

Pm sent

I was at Silvercreek yesterday. There was some standing water at the access, but everywhere we drilled had about 2″ of slush then good ice.

I thought I read it doesn’t work well once the ice gets thick because it floats. I was intrigued by the mapping capabilities. I fish several bodies of water that do not have contour maps available and this program would help me immensely.

I don’t drink often, but when I do it is ipa. Bent Paddle Bent Hops was my go to last summer. Lake Monster was one I enjoyed too. Todd the Ax Man by Surly is one I liked in moderation. Toppling Goliath is definitely my favorite brewery. So many great bears. King Sue might be my favorite beer ever, and I am not a fan of doubles.

Great bowl season for the B1G. We have definitely shown we are the best conference. OSU could play with anyone. I also think OSU would beat Wisky 8 times out of 10. No one wants to see that game.

Farm pond tomorrow morning then The Pond on Sunday and Monday.

FF had spikes (waxies and butter worms too) last weekend.

Go Hawks!

eyeguy507 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>hawkguy wrote:</div>
I am at Silver Creek Reservoir right now and the ice is 5″, which also happens to be the average fish size.

Most of the bigger fish left in buckets when they put the parking lot in. How far out is the ice good?

I only made it out about 150 yards. There was another guy out quite a bit further. I tried 3 spots and all were between 5 and 6 inches.

I am at Silver Creek Reservoir right now and the ice is 5″, which also happens to be the average fish size.

I have stayed with Hunter’s Point several times and never had any problems. The sleepers are very nice and we have always caught fish.

reelman wrote:

Iowa has just ruined the badgers stregth of schedule rating

We are going to do more than that next weekend! In all seriousness, keep winning and the rankings will take care of itself. Iowa was in a similar situation a couple years ago.

Docks in everywhere?

Thanks!

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>hawkguy wrote:</div>
I was on ML in a sleeper a couple weeks ago. All of our cooking was done on 2 burners. We did venison steaks, beef and barley soup, sloppy joe’s, grilled cheese, bacon, eggs in ziploc in slow boil, and dehydrated hash browns. I also brought some lunch meat and cheese which was a big hit. We ate far better than we fished!

You guys must’ve been eating the whole time…non-stop? Did you find time to fish at all?
Actually you guys did do OK with the fishing, got some action…better than getting skunked!

I never even mentioned what we had to drink!