Ice fishing at Mozingo or Bilby

[Water_Guy]

Just moved down from Minnesota/Canada border & hoping to get info on Mozingo or Bilby. Have all this ice gear from Lake of the Woods fishing and hate to not use it!

If any body can fill me in on presentation, depth, structure, that kinda thing, would really appreciate it.

Used to having hundreds of guys monitoring and sometimes getting "too much" feedback but would settle for anything here. Thanks!

[1900_LE]

Welcome to Missouri Water_Guy! I've never ice fished here in Mo. I did inquire with Mo conservation last year about using my snowmobile to go out on the lakes in northern Mo. Big fat NO there. When I go ice fishing I go back to Mn. If you ever decide that you wanna go to Mn fishing and need someone to split the expense let me know. I can go at anytime. I've got the same dilema as you, lot of money invested in ice fishing gear and a long way from Mn.

[BarryG]

I wish I could help you out water guy! I guess I'm lucky...I don't have much invested in ice fishing gear, I've only been ice fishing one time and I went to LOW! I did REALLY enjoy it though!!!!!

[Water_Guy]

Thanks for the reply 19, I lived in SW Iowa & SE NE for my 1st 40 years and northern MN for the last 10 but I gotta say, I'm not transitioning back to this lattitude very well. It's only been 2 months though and not rushing to judgement.

So it was a NO to sledding on the lake,eh? Guess they gotta catch me first LOL!

Does that go for 4-wheelers also?

Kinda sounds like we need to get an ICE BUS trip to LOW started. Not sure I can get away from the new job quite yet but I will be on the Rainy River for ice-out sows April 1!

I plan to be on Mozingo Friday & will post my results!

[Finns]

Shoot me an email in the next couple day and I'll try to get you a map of where we go during the summer. Haven't hit it in the winter yet. Usually go to small conservation lakes or ponds in winter.

Screwed up my knee on at work the other day so not getting around anywhere much now.

finns3 at stjoelive dot com

[Water_Guy]

Finns, you've got mail.

[Water_Guy]

Promised to post, so here it is, for what it's worth.

Walked out on Mozingo from west side 220th St. Ramp. Drilled as I went and found from 6" down to less than 3" of good clear ice. The 3" was not to my liking so stopped exploring when I found it.

Deepest I found was 9' or so and fished for a little bit with no action. Did mark a couple of decent fish and could get them to follow but no takers.

Thought I would try a good sized pond that might have better ice. Started drilling and found 4 - 6" of foam ice with no more than 2" of clear below. Not my kind of ice!

As much as I want to fish, I prefer to live to fish another day!

[1900_LE]

I guess there's no sense in me making a trip up that way.

[KCWalleye]

Water_Guy,

I grew up in MN and have lived in KC for the last 10 yrs or so. I too miss the ice fishing. I make at least one trip , if not more, up to northern MN every year to satisfy the ice fishing urges. I have not heard of many people ice fishing muck on the big lakes. Like you have said, the ice is not the type of ice you were used to up north. Ponds usually freeze pretty well but I don't know any good ones to fish. I have heard of good ice fishing on El Dorado lake in Kansas but that is quite a drive for you up there. I don't think the ice is too thick there ever though either. Definitely not advised to drive a sled or wheeler out on any lake of any size. GOod luck in your search. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Post if you find any good lakes or ponds, I am sure you could have some fishing partners if you would like.

[knorstu]

Water_Guy, welcome. MN transplant myself. Grew up west of Bemidji. Have most of all my ice fishing stuff here. Tried Mozingo once last winter myself. No fish but it's better than sitting home all winter.

The MO dept of conservation puts on an ice fishing clinic on Mozingo most every winter. They are planning to do it again this year once enough ice forms. It should by the end of January. If you have access to local papers around Maryville, they plan to publish when once it's scheduled. If not, watch the MO dept of conservation HSOforum.

I've only seen two walleyes from Mozingo but they were both nice! One was even worth $25.

Kevin

[Finns]

Welcome to the site Kevin!

[BarryG]

Has anyone tried ice fishing yet? Interested in hearing about it!

[Finns]

I haven't been out yet this year. Slipped on the icy road back in Dec. and bummed up a knee. Still hobbling around with a cane.

[BarryG]

Take it easy! You've still got time to heal up and get out there.

[Finns]

The Missouri Department of Conservation will be hosting its fourth Annual Ice Fishing Workshop in Maryville on Saturday, Jan. 29.

The free workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mozingo Lake multiuse building. The workshop is subject to ice condition and will be cancelled if ice conditions are not favorable or if the weather is too cold.

The purpose of the workshop will be to address ice safety and equipment, the species of fish and where to find them, along with hands-on, on-the ice fishing techniques.

Bait and tackle will be provided, while supplies last, but each person attending the workshop is encouraged to bring their own gear.

To pre-register call the MDC in St. Joseph.

[1900_LE]

Finns, how much snow is around Maryville/Mozingo?

[Finns]

Haven't made it up there in the last few days but next to nothing down here in St. Joseph (35 miles south).

[Water_Guy]

Thanks for the heads-up on the "Ice Thing" at Mozingo Finns.

The 3.5 " of snow we got Wed. covered the brown that was starting to show a lot of places. Not much moisture in it though and already starting to settle down. Should let me put a few miles on the sleds this W/E though.

Fish or ride...fish or ride...?