Theif Lake

[Guest]

Has anyone ever hunted on Theif Lake before. I usually hunt up around there but have never tried thief.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Never heard of it. Where is it????

Ely lake expert

[Guest]

Thief Lake is up by the north west tip of Minnesota.

[Duck-o-holic]

crappiehunter--

I can't say that I've hunted it, but my Dad used to hunt that area quite a bit back in the 70's. Lots of geese in that area-- used to be a lot of snows, but don't know if they still frequent that area. I think it is a refuge, or at least some of it. I think there are state blinds around it. Maybe someone else can fill in those blanks for you.

One thing that I do know about it, is that it was once a great diver lake, but it has not produced the birds like "back in the day." The DNR drained the lake down to a few feet deep last year, in an effort to kill off all of the fish (via winterkill) that feed on the freshwater shrimp-- which used to be the great attractant to migrating fowl. I think the DNR is finally putting a bit of effort into trying to return some of the migration that we've lost over the last 20 years. Now wouldn't THAT be nice???

Good Gunin'

Duck-o-holic

[GullGuide]

I used to hunt the lake 2 or 3 times a year when I lived in Bemidji. Got into the ducks a few times, but like Duck said, there seems to be more geese than ducks. If you like hunting geese over water, this is the place to go.
There are a number of public accesses on the lake, and what's nice about them is that you are allowed to camp at them. It's really fun because there are usually quite a few other hunters there and it seems like one big duck-camp.
The southern part of the lake is a lot like Mud Lake near New London. Lots of cattail bogs, holes and points. The NE side is mainly diver water. Big stands of cane grass islands, much of it is over 6' high. The Eastern side is pretty barren and full of rocks. The NW corner and western side is all refuge. There are signs out in the lake that mark the boundary.
I made the mistake of hunting it on opener one year. Those of you who have hunted Mud, think of the very worst weekend as in number of hunters, then multiply that by 5. Got pretty crazy out there and the sky busting was unbelieveable. If I could hunt it on a weekday, that's when I would go.

[Ely Lake Expert]

If it is in the northwest angle, one of my buddies goes up their every year and usually does good. I have never been up there though, so personal advice coming out of me.

Ely lake expert

[GullGuide]

Nope, not in the NW angle. It is south of Rouseu and east of Crookston.

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Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

[Duck-o-holic]

Gull--

Isn't the closest major town Theif River Falls? My mom graduated from there, and that's why my Dad was always hunting that area. I haven't been up that way for probably 15 years, but think it would be fun to gun my Dad's old stompin' grounds! Might have to make a trek up there this season!!

Duck-o-holic

[GullGuide]

Yea, TRF is the closest town.
We should definetly take a weekend and give it a shot. Camping there is a blast, especially in this one spot where there is a channel all the way around the camping area where you can leave your boat in the water the whole time right next to your camp. It's great being able to shoot the breeze with other hunters up there. Sound like a plan?

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Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

[Duck-o-holic]

Count me in! Sounds like a good place to have a Fishing MN duck hunting tourney! We could have it in November and it'd qualify as an I.C.E. series event LOL!!

Good Gunnin'

Duck-o-holic

PS-- Tough to do C & R on that one....

[GullGuide]

LOL
Sounds great, but you'll have to be my partner for that one Duck!
How many points would coots be worth?...lol

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Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

[Guest]

I think a little Fishing MN get together hunt\ tourny would be a blast. Then we could finally put names to faces. 2 person teams, start at legal shooting time til' noon maybe. Different dux and geese would be a different number of points...add rules if you want.

This would be a BLAST, we should for sure do this....now to think who is on my team...hey Sartell Angler, you down?

Just and Idea...

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!

[GullGuide]

I think we were just kidding about a duck-hunting tourney, not quite sure if the DNR or even the Feds for that matter would be too happy about it. Just trying to get some humor going in between our long wait till the season starts up again....only 7 months away.....

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>"////=<
Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

[Sartell Angler]

A group hunt sounds awesome, and Thief Lake sounds like a dang good spot. Like Gull Guide said though, i don't think that a duckin' tourney would be legal this day in age. Plus, Duck-o-holic and GullGuide are duck huntin' studs. A trip up there sounds like a good idea though. I was already planning a hunt in the Detroit Lakes area.

S.A.

[GullGuide]

Duck hunting studs huh?....hehehehe