Open Water Soon?

[Guest]

We'll have open water much sooner than previous years but the water temp will probably stay low so the crappie action won't be too hot for awhile

[LaVoi]

My prediction-March 14, anyone else have a guess to throw out there

[The Chemist]

I think it all depends on the lake. On my way out of town on Friday I saw a truck out on Eagle in Maple Grove. IF we get a decent rain tonight and the temps stay up and sunny. Look for about the 8th, if not then I would venture the 22nd.

[Guest]

If you really have the open water urge, the Mississippi is wide open -- at least from Clearwater on down.

Had a nice brunch Sunday in the Carousel Restaurant atop the Radisson in downtown St. Paul and watched several fishing boats motor up and down stream. Does give one the itch.

[Guest]

Any ideas on how soon we could actually be fishing open water metro lakes? I got a taste for some fresh crappie fillets.

[Guest]

The Chemist,
In another post you talked about bass fishing in Bay lake. I believe you said you had a cabin on the the lake in the 80s and the fishing was pretty good. My parents have a cabin on the lake off of Katrine drive. I fish the lake often and do pretty well for bass, and crappie in the spring and summer. Do you know if the lake is as good for walleye? I have never caught a walleye out of Bay, although I have not fished for them alot. Any hot spots that you could recommend for any species? I think I'll be spending opener on the lake. Thanks for any info.

Doug

[Guest]

Late march would be a good guess on ice out.
Crappie action is still good when the ice goes out, as long as you don't rush to the shallows looking for fish.

Crappies stay fairly deep until the water warms to at least 44 degrees.

In some lakes I have caught Crappies shallow right as the ice went out, but most of the time they're still hangig in deep water.

That depth may very, as some lakes the fish are still in 30-40 feet for up to a couple weeks depending on weather, and some lakes they are just outside their feeding grounds in 8-12 feet.

At any rate, the fish still exist, and still feed. It is just a matter of finding them before they make the big move.

PCG

[Glenn_S]

Here's some good info on ice out:

http://climate.umn.edu/doc/ice_out/ice_out_historical.htm