2-20-08

           

Welcome again ice fishing enthusiasts.  Good news and bad news.  Let’s start with the bad news.  Not only is it still cold, but I’m preparing this report on the coldest night that we‘ve had yet.  It has been a pretty cold month, but it sounds like we might see a break come next week.  One note to ice fishing is please be prepared when the temperature drops below -35 degrees as this is when propane will not always flow through a gravity system.  Just be sure to have all your bases covered meaning two vehicles, extra clothes for walking outdoors, etc.  LOW has been holding strong with catches this winter, and with its extended walleye dates is a good choice for late season.  I am glad to report that as of yet the catching is still happening up on the big lake.  This is a change from the last couple of years when the mid-late to late season was not good. 

            My first choice would be the reefs north of Pine Island.  These reefs are as consistent as you will find at this time of year.  If you have read my report before you know which ones these are Garden, Bridges, Knight and Three sisters.  If the weather is nice you can possibly drive out but if the weather is questionably you may want to consider booking with a resort.  With the wild winds that we have had of late, this is a great insurance policy also.  They will get you out in comfort, and more importantly they are all connected with marine band radios in case any vehicle gets in trouble.  If you would like to stay close try the flats in 30’-33’ as they are still producing some fish due to the spread of the fisherman this winter. 

            Watch for the bite to move back into the 25’-28’ range in the next month.  This is a natural migration that occurs every year and the key is to be aware of the first signs of it.  Move back quickly, and you will usually be rewarded with not only sufficient catches, but usually some larger walleyes and pike.  The step after this is up into the 20’-17’ range around the lake shore and particularly up by the rainy river.  March is the time of year the big pike get caught on this body of water also.   Buffalo bay, Elm Point, Warroad Bay, Swift Ditch, Zippel Bay, and Four mile bay are all good trophy pike waters.  I like to fish shallow water 3’-10’ with dead herring or live suckers and tip-ups.

 

 

Good luck and take care,   Travis.