Manitou???

[tearin' lips]

Outfitter where is the best place to get access to manitou via via snowmobile/fourwheeler. Looking to get up there on wednesday. I am assuming with the cold weather there is safe travel on most of the lake. Can you get into esox right now? Thanks for any info from anybody.

Take Care and Good Luck Fishing!!!

[Outfitter17]

I was just up this past weekend and we went through dogfly at 18 km and it was just fine. I would stay away from the alonghill portage I tried it two weeks ago and I got stuck in a couple of spots. The snowmobile trial at 24km is also a good one but I don't know how traveling on 4 wheeler would be on that trail. I was on it a couple of times 3 weeks ago and the snow was pretty deep. I havn't been to esox since mid january, but I would assume that you can still get there. If you are coming from the strecth you just need to follow the trappers trail over the little island between the open water spots(where the white jugs are in the summer) and you should be fine. I will be up this weekend again, we only have a few more good weekends left before we have to put away the ice fishing gear for another season.

[superbee]

It was still good crossing between the 2 open water spots on the middle of the island going into Esox this weekend. The fishing should start picking up as the bite was pretty slow all over from what I saw and everyone else I talked to. Alot more fishing than catching.

[tearin' lips]

Outfitter,

I know this is a dumb question, but are you talking there are trails at 18km and 24km on the cedar narrows road. If you are is there enough parking there for a truck and a double wide snowmobile trailer?

I fish esox and manitou quite a bit in the summer, but this will be a first time in the winter. So all information is appreciated. Thanks Matt, Take Care.

[superbee]

Yes, those are the ones he is talking about. The 24km trail, on the right just before a pull over spot(couple hundred feet or so) will bring you out on the Manitou at the Alonghill portage. It is a longer trail but no hills to climb like at 18km with rooks and ice on them in warm weather. Both spots have more than enough room for a couple trucks and trailers.

[tearin' lips]

Thanks for the info guys I really appreciate it. I will have a report for ya when I get back.

[cedarnarrowsguy]

What's the best method of travel right now. Wheeler or sled? Thanks!

[superbee]

4 wheeler is the best method of travel. There is not much snow on the ice and what is there is like a rock. I had my slides stick yesterday and had to put the sled away.

[Outfitter17]

Anyone heading up to the manitou/dogfly area should use wheelers only. All the snow is gone and there is water on the ice from the melting snow, but I expect it to be gone within a couple of days.

Fishing was pretty good, we were only up for 1 night but 6 of us limited out both sat. and sun. without much trouble, and we threw a few others back each day.

The ice is good with anywhere from 30-36+ inches in various spots. This is my last trip up this year for hard ice, can't wait for that first ice out laker.