First Ice Fishing Destination - What's on the hit list

[Jeff Andersen]

Where is everyone going and what species are you fishing for your first ice adventure for the year?

I have a few smaller lakes in the Brainerd Lakes Area that are on the hit list for crappies. Then I plan on heading up to Red Lake, which was really good last year, early ice for walleyes. Then North to LOTW for early ice pike! Yep just writing that gets me pumped up!

[Jason Hamilton]

Can't wait to get out on some smaller trout lakes in Northern Ontario...lakeres and brookies.

Then walking onto the Red River and Lake Winnipeg for some 1st ice greenbacks!!

Bring on the ice!!

[Jeff Andersen]

Big Greenbacks now we are talkin!

[RawHog]

First thing, I'll be on LOTW for the first time dec 21-23 . Other then that I will hop around Twins City lakes, Alexandria Area lakes, and hopefully 4 or 5 day trips to Mille Lacs.

I really do not care much as for species that I catch. I just started Ice fishing last year so I just like to see anything come up the hole.

[Lawrence Luoma]

Our first UPL tournament is on Linwood Lake in the metro area and then its on to Mille Lacs for the NAIFC Championship. Gonna be fun trying to catch Crappies and Gills on the big lake!!

Hopefully though for my own fun will be Osakis Thanksgiving weekend fishing for Eye's in the morning, Panfish during the day and then Eye's again at night.

[pushbutton]

If it gets colder than usual might see you up there. A guy I know makes it out nearly every year on turkey day there and does not fall in that often There is a really big eyeball swimming around on the north end sporting some of my tackle, if you catch her let me know, I want one piece in particular back

Don't really know where to first this year, a lot will depend on the weather. If it is warm like last year, will get stir crazy by the 2nd week in Dec. and end up heading north on a whim and hit Red or LOW. Most likely though, there is a little 40 acre panfish walk in only access lake that will try or maybe some kitty fishing on the Sauk Chain.

[Jarrid Houston]

I'll be hitting the lakes of NW sconnie (Douglas Cty). Love targeting early ice pike. While doing a little gill fishing. I will also be traveling to URL this yr too. Heard they laid back on regs in regards to slot again.... Looking forward to it!!!

[Jim Uran]

mahnomen county for big gils!! Upper Red for some walleyes too!!

[Cyberfish]

Linwood for Panfish, then Mille lacs Crappies, and perch!

[lookincalifornia]

it's been 10 years since i've fished hard water. can't wait to get my kids onto and early ice IGL bite!

[sorenson]

Whichever one provides me with safe ice first. Probably something at higher elevation fishing for trout. If it's a mid-elevation destination, the species can vary greatly depending on which one freezes first.

S.

[MikeRaetz]

Anywhere there is first ice. Im hoping leech lakes bays freeze up quick. Jumbos and bluegills were going nuts last year!!!!!

[bbfenatic1582813981]

I have some bays that freeze over early on some of the bigger lakes around Detroit Lakes that I fish early ice for either eyes or crappies depending on my druthers that day. Many times I can see the white caps on the main body while fishing on ice in the bays (weird feeling). Otherwise I have plenty of smaller lakes N of town that freeze over early that hold crappies. I am out on 1-2" of ice every year if it is clear and not snow covered, heck one year I drove a jeep cherokee I had at the time on 4" of clear hard ice without any problems on a big lake out to a hot walleye spot and got into them pretty good for a week straight.... after that then it is good everywhere and time to chase crappies for the remainder of the ice season. Can't wait!!!!!!

[Brad B]

locally I was thinking of hitting this one small lake for bluegills and crappies. the other plan would be to hit the sauk chain for some early ice channel cats. it will all depend on which one freezes first as to where I go.

[Chad Peterson]

The Alexandria area for panfish and walleyes. To many lakes to fish at any given time around here.

[DLD24]

Hoping to hit the bay for early ice for the first time then its mille lacs right after christmas then lOW right after new years...Gosh I love when christmas and new yrs fall on Mon and TUE both weeks...Bring on the ice

[timjones]

Right out my back door as soon as it gets to about 3". I'll take anything that will bite.

[Rick G]

Sauk Chain for Catfish or a smallish 9ft deep local lake that has a few walleyes and crappies in it.

[Brad B]

Sauk Chain for Catfish or a smallish 9ft deep local lake that has a few walleyes and crappies in it.

bring on the ice I can't wait to ice some of those kitties. keep me posted on when ice up starts to happen on the chain.

[TruthWalleyes]

You can bet i'll be breaking ice with my boat before i even think about ice fishing!

[Tony Mariotti]

I'll be hitting the smaller lakes and bay of some of the bigger lakes, in the Detroit Lakes area. Typically we can find somewhere to walk out by Dec. 1st. I spend the early ice period hitting my favorite gill and crappie spots, and the occasional walleye spot at night. As the season progresses I tend to follow the crappie bite as it moves! Man, I can't wait! Just charged the vex and got the Jason Mitchell Thermal X put together...

[Kevan Paul]

I must say West O. Blue Gills will be on the top of the list but there is a little lake called Crystal Lake located in North Central Iowa and last year we killed the Large Mouth Bass, Gills/Crappie and even caught a few Eyes. I once it has 4" Im rolling to Crystal.

[Jim Hudson]

Show me where first ice will be and I am heading that way!