Ortonville

[Fish_Off]

How is the water doing out there. I'm thing of heading out by the refuge Thursday and was wondering what is frozen. Are the small sloughs locked up yet? any help would be great.

[BouncinBottom]

I haven't been by Ortonville but Mud Lake north of Lake Traverse froze up last night and some of the big sloughs by Herman also froze. With a forecast of lows in the single digits overnight and less wind you better plan on hunting really big water or fields.

Good Luck!!

[sdstatekid]

I haven't been up by Ortonville either, but, out here by Brookings today, it was windy all morning. I went out to scout before dark and all ponds and sloughs were completely frozen over. Only the big lakes were open.

[ortonville]

the small water is all froze up.and the wind died down so iam sure the bigger water will lock up tonite unless there is birds keeping it open

[Fish'n guy]

This morning Bentsen lake and Thielke lake were froze up pretty good with a little open water out on the north end of Thielke but that was about it. The mallard and goose hunting the last few days has been absolutely awsome north of Ortonville!! Still alot of birds around.

[SSSTaxidermy]

I would assume everything near the Beardsley and Barry area are froze up as well. I was hoping to sneak out there 1 more time before freeze up, not looking good though? Any reports in this area?

[Fish'n guy]

The diver hunting on Big Stone lake has been pretty good lately with everything being frozen over, its pretty much the only thing left.

[Fish_Off]

Well not even artichoke was open. It was pretty much a nice drive out and home .

[ortonville]

there are alot of geese around. and there are a few mallards working some corn fields if you put in the time to find the right field. fishoff i wish i would have knowen that you where making the trip out here ypu could have hunted with me.i had a great morning. was by myself everyone else has a real job

[Fish_Off]

is the water opening back up out there today with the heat. If no are the ones with open water getting bigger, smaller, or are they staying the same? Thanks agian in advance.

[BouncinBottom]

Not any open water east of Ortonville but there are still some birds (mainly geese but good numbers of mallards in some areas). Plan on field hunting if you make the trip or bring a pick ax to get through all the ice.

[waterfowl74]

fish'n guy, where on big stone lake did you hunt?

[whitewolf6647]

The lake is completely open right now so hopfully the weather should keep it open for awhile casue there's a S*#% load of birds out there and I mean ALOT!!!! The day before the north end was still froze and we had the best shoot in two years out there on that day.