I kind of figured that no one really knew why they jump, but it was worth a shot.

Yes it was fun to watch.

I just coppied and pasted the story from KSTP.

I heard that we might get into the 50s for a few days in August. So much for global warming, LOL. I was down by Crosby Farm on Sunday and the water was way up down there. They even had signs up saying the trail was under water, it wasnt yet.
Now for the bad news its supposed to snow Tues thru Weds. that cant be good.

I just called the DNR because I wanted to know for sure myself. The lady told me you could fish from the bank (track to track) in WI with a MN licence. That was for the MISS & CROIX. I guess I never noticed that reg before. It opens alot more water to fish.

I have heard but not seen for myself that phalen is open.

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I went to Commo last night. It was totaly open. There was alot of small fish hitting the surface. Had a small bite but no takers.

Just happy to be able to fish.

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Went back to Commo again last night, first cast I got an 8.5 crappie.

FISH ON !!!!!!!!!!!

I went to Commo last night. It was totaly open. There was alot of small fish hitting the surface. Had a small bite but no takers.

Just happy to be able to fish.

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Hey sir,
I have a couple of questions regarding Phalen, I have read the surveys on the eye population and want to fish and learn this clear lake. I gave it a try last winter between the two basins and had minimal success but was marking fish all over. I believe a plain hook with minnow may produce in low light? I am also wondering where to hit it early in the spring? I heard it is great. Can a guy launch a boat there and use trolling motor? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. PM if you could, have to work at 330pm. Thanks alot!

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I fish Phalen alot,mostly sunnies and crappies, but I do know there are quite a few walleyes there. If you are still intrested in what info I have send me a PM as I dont want to give to much info here.

Sounds like this might be fun. Whats a person need to do to join in the fun ?

YES i do pedal on the ice. i havent owned a car in 6 years and love to to ride so it works for me. i have slipped a few times but never really wiped out. i now have a trailer that i have used a couple times and it makes it a little easier to slip. before anyone ask i am legal to drive just to cheap to buy a car, lmao. going out to phalen tonight but wont be on bike, borrowed a car, lmao.

I made it out to Phalen on Saturday. Fish for an hour didnt get a bite. So I decide to put the hand auger and camera to work. I drilled a bunch of holes and dropped the camera down them all. I seen 1 crappie in 8 feet of water sitting right on the bottom.

There was about 8-9 inches of ice, but due to the fire department boat test, there were lots of chunks sticking up that caused a little tripping hazard near the boat ramp.

Between the hockey rinks and the beach the ice was nice and flat and there is a road to walk on.

After watching the replay I score that a 9.5 originality but only an 8 for form. LMAO !!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though I think that all thoose cars were heading down hill. I just cant beleave how many people dont listen when they are told not to travel. It is scary.

With all this talk about regs I have a question. Why is there such a small limit on fish such as crappie and sunnies ? I know the DNR says its to protect the fisheries, but other states have larger limits and no problems with numbers of fish. I have noticed that where the limits are lower the fish are alot smaller than where limits are higher. Seems to me that the might be a conection there. More fish in the lake means less food per fish resulting in smaller fish. I have fished quite a few lakes here in Minnesota in the 3 years that I have lived here and it seems all the sunnies and crappies are smaller than they should be. Anyone else noticed this or am I just catching only the little fish ?

Thanks for the reports. I fish Phalen alot, glad to hear the ice is safe to walk on at least. I am planning on Saturday or Sunday of fishing. Weather doesnt look to bad either …
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a high near 26.

Stay safe out there.

My 2 cents.
I grew up fishing in Iowa where 2 lines are allowed. I dont think it helped catch anymore fish, but it did help catch differant fish. I could bottom fish for cats on one line and fish for what ever else on the other. Iowa has far fewer lakes, meaning far fewer fish and you can fish with 2 lines. Using just one line or 2 isnt going to change how many fish “legal” people keep.

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Here is my 16 inch 14 oz northern. He’s a wopper aint he ?!?!?!?

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Here is my 16 inch 14 oz northern. He’s a wopper aint he ?!?!?!?

Got to use my cam on Xmas day !!!!!! Worked great. I even forgot to turn it off for like 2 hours and it was still going strong. I got to see a couple good size schools of sunnies and 2 northerns within like 10 minutes of dropping it down the hole. I almost didnt fish.

I think it does great for its cost. Although I havent used any other cameras.

Is this the official thread for the contest pics or is there going to be another ?

I want to post my pics tonight wanted to make sure i was in the right place.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

My Christmas fishing trip.

I hit the water at Coon Rapids dam about 6:30 am xmas morning. Didnt get even a nibble, left there at 10 am.

Went up to Buffalo lake to try it out. Ice was a good 7 inches where i was. Drilled about 10 holes in 2 hours didnt see one fish on camera or flasher.

Moved over to Ida lake near St Michael. Had 8 inches of ice. First hole drilled showed good school of sunnies. Caught a couple small ones on waxies. Caught first northern through ice. It was a wopping 16 inches long and wieghed in at a hefty 14 oz. Pics will be in contest thread later tonight.

Just thought I would share.

I woke up very sick this morning and didnt get out. Slept all morning. I feel much better now. Might try to go this afternoon, not sure yet.

I did try the Hariet Island area this morning. I started on Raspbery Island on the down river side. Then moved back over to the St Paul side and fished along the wall and under the Wabasha bridge.

I didnt even get a single nibble.

I did have fun trying to find some good spots to fish from.
Thanks for the help though. I will try the other spots maybe later this week.

I got one of thoose cams for xmas. I havent tried it on the ice yet (tomorow sunday). I did however try it in the river a couple times. The first time was at the lower end of the upper st anthony locks in minneapolis. It did good there could see probly 3-4 feet, the water was clear. I tried it today under the wabasha bridge in st paul. Couldnt see a foot but water was real bad.

Hope this helps some. I will try to post what happens if i get on the ice sunday.

Thanks I am going to have to check out thoose spots. HarrietIsland area is real close my try that first.

Thanks for the tips. Shore fishing does sound like the better idea.
Boat has been put away for the year.
If I do catch anything I will be sure to pass it along.

I know I am late but I am in.

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what part of the lake did you fish in? how often did the fish bite.

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I was on round lake kind of in the middle of the lake. There are lots of hole out there so it shouldnt be to hard to find the area. I was only there for about 2 hours and once it got dark the fish stop bitting.

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So where is everyone looking to go early ice this year on the east side? Unfortunatly I don’t have a lot of experience on the east side, especially early. I’ve caught crappies on Turtle and walleyes and crappies on White Bear and Bald Eagle, but always a little later.

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Round lake next to phalen is completly frozen over. Not sure of thickness but it was 5 inches a few yards from shore. I have caught sunnies a crappies there.

Phalen was still open as of Monday night 12-4-6. I have seen good walleye and a few muskies come out of there.

Just wanted to say thank you for calling.

I fish a few of the metro lakes and and see people taking way to many and under sized fish. Now that I have the number I will probaly have to make a few calls myself.

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Just before dark on 12-3-6 I seen 5 or so people fishing on Round Lake. Thats the lake on the north west side of lake Phalen. Dont know about thickness of the ice but they were fishing. Going to check it myself tonight.

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I went out on round lake last night [monday] and checked the ice close to shore. It was 5 inches a few yards off shore. Didnt check further out due to sounds the ice was making. I got a little spooked and decide is was better to leave that swim .

Thinking about heading out there tonight to try again should be good I hope.

Phalen was still open. Only a few yards of ice out from shore.