Ice updates/ effect of late ice out on fishing

[PFUNK]

Was hoping I could get some input from some of our friends across the border on the ice conditions up there. We have a trip planned up to Lake Pakashkan in late May near Graham , Ontario and am hoping to get some updates on how the ice looks every now and then. The MN DNR has already delayed the opener in many areas of northern MN, so I am getting the feeling it is going to be a late ice out up in Ontario. If this is the case, how does this affect the approach you will take on targeting walleye around opener in Ontario? Should mean a lot better chances of hooking into a big spawning female i suppose. That would make a real pretty replica. Fish should be even more concentrated in the shallows and should make for a wild trip. One can hope at least.

[elkhuntingfan]

Two years ago, a group of us went to Lake St. Joseph in May. There was still some ice on the lake. The first 2 days up and down the lake, we had to make a trail through the ice. We caught a bunch of big northerns in 2-5 feet of water. The muddy bays were the best. Most of the walleyes were caught in 2-5 feet as well. They were caught more out on the rocky points. The big walleyes weren't in spawning yet. Most of the shallow walleyes were males.

I talked to someone in Pickle Lake yesterday. She said there is still over 2' of ice and they are ice fishing. The ice melt is behind. Hopefully the ice is out when we head up the weekend before Memorial Day.

[superbee]

Opener is still a long ways off. I would still anticipate a normal ice out.

[Hoffer]

I am sure that not all lakes "up north" will be the same...but our paper (Mpls Star trib) had a article in the sports section today outlining how LOW and Rainy lakes and the other larger Northern lakes were expecting "normal" ice out conditions this year. Just thought I would post that. I am sure you can find the article on line at the Star tribune.

[jksfishin]

SuperBee....In your area, was the ice out last year average? or was is behind or ahead of average? J. King

[Outfitter17]

jksfishin,

Last year our ice outs were way ahead of schedule. Most of the lakes were record ice outs or within a day or two of record ice outs.

[PFUNK]

and do you have any predictions for this year outfitter17?

[superbee]

It is still very possible for a normal ice out. There is still 12 days til May 1 and allot can happen between now and then. No need to panic yet

[Outfitter17]

Superbee is right, alot can happen in the next 2 weeks. I just checked the forecast and it looks like alot of rain at the end of next week, not very warm temps, but the rain will help. I am predicting May 4, just about normal for our area.

[PFUNK]

Awesome... thanks for the update.

[prov1900]

+2. Thanks Superbee and Outfitter for eliminating just a smidge of stress in my life. I appreciate those updates. Now if you could promise that gas will be .50 a liter or less...

[jksfishin]

Thanks guys! Just currious...shouldn't be any ice when we come in July I'm with prov...gas could come down a bit! Here is a question...what is considered the main forage in Pipestone lake? Does Clearwater have the same? I ask since I think Clearwater has crappies where Pipestone doesn't... jksfishin

[superbee]

Pretty much teh same forage base. There are a few crappies in Clearwater that I know of and none in Pipestone. That does not have to do with the forage. It has to do with people moving fish around. There never usd to be crappies in any of those lakes.

[PFUNK]

Still thinking May 4th for ice out up there outfitter17?.

[Outfitter17]

Yes.

[superbee]

Off Lake is 75% ice free. The remaining is shifting around and will likely be gone by days end. Pipestone should out withing a week if it follows previous years patterns.

[Muskies]

Good morning Gentlemen,

Most of the shallow bays on Rainy Lake are open. I would guess 7 more days before the lake is offically ice free. May 5 is about the average day Rainy Lake is open...last year it was ice free in mid April.

[buddyboy]

Lucas (@superbee), how is the ice on Clearwater and Pipestone?

We will be up on May 12 to fly up to Meggisi with Jay.

Thanks!

Kris Pierson

[superbee]

Hi Kris - Clearwater is open, I haven't been up Pipestone to check, but it should definately be gone within the next few days if it isn't already. You will be fine for your trip, no worries there. The turbo beaver is at the dock and waiting to go already.

[buddyboy]

Thanks!!