What happens now after the snow?

[masoct3]

So we got hit with 15 inches, holy cow. Can lakes create ice with so much of a warm layer? Is safe ice fishing still weeks away?

[bobber_down_1979]

I am not experienced enough to know, but I am very dissapointed that it has come to this. I have had my gear are tuned up and ready to go since november. I am so over-prepared that today I bought some iron on American Flag Patches and ironed them on the flag of my new Beaver Dam Tip Up.

[MinnetonkaMan]

I have to say head north. Mile Lacs sounds good and lakes up in the St Cloud, Wilimar and Brainerd area have hardly any snow on them. My ice castle fishhouse is actually going out with a atv on Wed after this cold. The lake we are on has around 10 inches of ice and not much snow on it. Small trucks already driving on it . Bigger fish also north or west and some lakes are not to bad of a drive.

[Will]

This snow will add alot of weight on the ice not to mention the huge drifts caused by this wind. Its gonna get really cold so we won't lose any ice, but i don't think it will be adding much either.

When the sun comes out and it gets above 20 degrees we might have some slush probs.

[masoct3]

I have to say head north. Mile Lacs sounds good and lakes up in the St Cloud, Wilimar and Brainerd area have hardly any snow on them. My ice castle fishhouse is actually going out with a atv on Wed after this cold. The lake we are on has around 10 inches of ice and not much snow on it. Small trucks already driving on it . Bigger fish also north or west and some lakes are not to bad of a drive.

Thanks for the response. Do you have any lakes you can suggest? What lake is your fishhouse on?

Thanks again!

[MinnetonkaMan]

We will be between Wilmir and Eden Valley jumping back and forth. If crowds dont bother you just stop in to bait shops either in Spicer or Eden Valley buy some bait and they'll tell you where the bite is. Good luck also when you get to the lake suggested dont be afraid to drill some holes away from the crowds use your vex or camera and find different schools of fish. Also fishing right at day break or at sunset is key!!!!

[LMITOUT]

I have a feeling the lake accesses will be impossible to use after this. Instead of fishing this winter a better idea might be getting a good tow rope and charging $20 to pull out every knucklehead that tries to park at the access.

[KG243]

I think a lot of this snow will blow off. I will be out this week. I think this artic freeze we are having will help also.

[mixxedbagg]

Quote:

I have had my gear are tuned up and ready to go since november. I am so over-prepared that today I bought some iron on American Flag Patches and ironed them on the flag of my new Beaver Dam Tip Up.

So it's YOUR fault! Everyone knows the best ice fishing of the season happens when all of your jigs rusted from last year, 2 of your rods have no line on the reels, the battery tabs in your headlamp are corroded, your auger won't start and it's dull anyway, the battery on your Vex is dead and you can't find the charger, last year's minnows are still in your bucket, all your cold weather duds are still packed, and your kid's hockey practice schedule reads "dusk every Saturday and Sunday" for the next 3 months.

[cam white]

we got a ton of snow here in manitoba earlier in the month. It has slowed ice production on the red river, lots of slush under the ice on lake manitoba too. I'm sure you guys will be in the same boat.

[JimBuck]

This evening I found slush as high as 10-12" deep in some areas. We fished in 4" of standing water all day but the fish were biting so it was still enjoyable. I really hope this deep freeze on Sunday/Monday help.

[LipRipper!!]

Just spoke to my brother that lives on a lake near Alexandria...he said they got about an inch of snow and good ice. If you don’t mind the drive it is an area to go...I am heading up next weekend ....

[harvey lee]

I hate fighting tons of snow and slush. Too much work for a few fish.

I will fish a few local lakes and then a couple trips up north.

I guess this will be a slack winter for ice fishing and more time for coyote hunting.

C'mon spring.

[castmaster]

we got a ton of snow here in manitoba earlier in the month. It has slowed ice production on the red river, lots of slush under the ice on lake manitoba too. I'm sure you guys will be in the same boat.

You boys to the north use boats for ice fishing?

Crazy Canucks!!

(sorry couldnt help myself)

[ryan p]

The ice and the fishing here on Winnie is holding up good, we have 10 to 11 good inches, once a lake hits 15 inches it will hold the weight of the snow and should not flood, so far it is looking good. With only 10 inches of ice on the lakes that got alot of snow it will flood and be a mess. We dodged a bullet here! This is what the lake looked like yesterday 1.5 miles out.

[Greg Clusiau]

Ryan, did you fish yesterday on Winnie?

[JimBuck]

Just spoke to my brother that lives on a lake near Alexandria...he said they got about an inch of snow and good ice. If you don’t mind the drive it is an area to go...I am heading up next weekend ....

I hear ya. I think I might be pounding the pavement quite a bit this winter. It doesn't sound like the northern part of the state was hit too hard.

[ryan p]

Yes I did Greg, fishing was good slow from 9 to noon only 2 eyes with allot of perch, but after noon was good came in with 6, missed a few including one big pike at the hole. Shiners on a deadstick or a buckshoot rattle tipped with a minnow head. Was off the lake by 3:30

[popriveter]

I think the best answer is the simplest. Fish small lakes. The little lakes in the metro have 6+ inches of good ice below the snow, they get little ice fishing pressure and you can walk to the good fishing spots. You probably won't find good walleye fishing, but panfish, bass and pike are fun too.

[eyebjim]

The wind was strong and from the north so the north accesses of lakes will be better but the south accesses will be bad. Expect lots of slush especially on the southern/snowier parts of lakes. The more protected lakes will likely be hard to access from any side. Lots of drifting.

Ice making will be slow. slowest where there is more snow of course. Snowmobiles will be the best bet for a while. The lakes I have checked this morning all reflected what I said above.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Im not looking forward to dragging my gear around the lakes this year. I dont know if we will be driving anytime soon here in the metro.

[shizzy]

I walk out on small metro lakes all season anyway. I picked up a new drag harness to attach to my sled so I should be good to go. I AM fishing next weekend.

[OnAFly]

I'll be out tomorrow at a small lake. Waterproof boots, ice armor suit, lots of warm clothes. Slush won't keep me from fishing. It just might make it a little harder to get where I'm going. I could use the exercise, so I look at it as a good thing

[eyebjim]

I was out on a wright county lake yesterday with the 4 wheeler and porty in tow. I was able to get around OK but had to give it full throttle to move 10 mph with chains on. Some deep slush here and there. Some of the slush was freezing into a harder surface layer. One of these I hit was like a ramp I didn't know I was climbing til I fell throught the frozen slush layer. I went down about a foot. Kinda freeky when you know your on 8 inches of ice. There was solid ice under so it was no problem, just freeky.

Looks like with last weeks snow the lake only gained 1 inch of ice all last week. Now with the snow we just got it will be a long while before the lakes get thick enough for vehicle traffic. Hope I'm wrong.

[Chode2235]

The only silver lining that I see is that it will be too much work for the marginal ice fisherman, which could mean reduced fishing pressure for longer.

Those of you willing to walk through a lot of snow with your porty in tow could be in for some good fishing. You'll have to work for it, but a lot of guys will stay home (or go north) with conditions like these.