MnWalleyeGuy

Don't think this is going to be a good ice year. Too warm for too long.

Oh, I've seen more than a few boneheads on the ice down here too. Last winter was awesome for me. I had a blast being able to ice fish. Funny part was I brought my power auger and was punching a few holes. I offered to punch some holes for other guys that were walking out after I had got out there. They informed me that a yankee was not going to teach them how to ice fish. Smart move on their part. So I sat there and watched them attempt to smash a hole in the ice with a rock for about 30 minutes, swearing about every 15 seconds. All I could do was chuckle. There are some pretty strange folks out there.

I don't go out until February when I know it is safe. I am from NE MN, and have been ice fishing all my life. I don't go out onto the ice unless it is a safe thickness. You may think those that us that ice fish are stupid, but you also have to remember, that those of us who have moved here, this is the only chance we get to do this down here. Last year we had a really good freeze and for a few weeks we had white ice. I don't keep the fish I catch. I'm ice fishing because I grew up doing it, and I'm willing to bet that like the others that do it, we miss being able to ice fish on a regular basis. I'd rather be on the ice than have to dodge some a-hole in a high powered bass boat down here.

Can hardly wait. Auger is all gassed up and ready to go!

I fish LOZ quite often. Great walleye fishery. Although with Memorial Day coming up, I won't launch my Ranger 619 until fall. Too many idiots on that body of water for me from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I run an 1197 SI unit. I love it for eliminating water.

Ice is toast @ Busch. A few weeks ago it was about 8"+, now it is less than an inch.

PD, One can never assume anything down here.

what kind of tournament?

I went to 23 one day and it looked like a small circus with all the people, so I went back to 24. 1/32 tubes with Berkley Gulp waxies. Anything larger, and they would just peck at it. Fish had some serious high pressure issues. Put my ice stuff away, as this warm weather has done the ice in! Going to NE Minnesota to do more of the same. Inland trout season has started up there.

Did pretty good this weekend on the ice. 6-8" of solid ice. No monsters caught, but decent activity. The high pressure front has really drove the fish to the bottom. Going to hit it again next weekend as long as there is ice! Fished 24 every day. Watched a lot of people come and go on the ice, most stayed for about 30 mins or less. Guess it was too cold for them! Anyone on here give it a shot?

Did good @ 24. Someone cut holes with a chainsaw and shovelled a ton of snow away from their holes. Good way to spook fish. I am going to hit 24 again Sunday. I'll be the guy with the black pull behind strikemaster sled and the power auger. Probably will be smoking a cigar.

Sorry, I guess I should have premised my question "has anyone caught a lake trout in the pothole"? I am new to the area, sorry for getting you all worked up Whodat......

I do, I have a Vexilar FL-18. Only way to go. Probably going to hit lake 24 tomorrow.

any idea when they stopped stocking them? I grew up on the north shore of Lake Superior, and we mainly chased lakers and coho's. water is too cold for anything else!

6"+ of ice. Plenty of ice. Went out this morning. Caught 10-15 fish. Threw them back, nothing huge, but the action was good. Going out again tomorrow morning.

Lake Trout? How long ago did they do that? I am assuming that they never survived. Anyone ever catch on down here?

I'm planning on being on the ice @ Busch this week. Ice should be in good shape later in the week. Power Auger is feeling unappreciated!

Funny thing is I was on the lake that afternoon before the guy fell in. The sun came out, got warm, and I watched the ice begin to honeycomb. I packed my stuff up and told the other guys that were there that the ice would be dangerous within a few hours. Most of the guys that were there left when I did. A couple of guys told me that I was full of S***....I wonder how they feel about it now! I'm going to check the ice tomorrow, and if it's good, then I am going to hit it the next 3-4 days. Power auger is dying to go to work!

I also am new on here. I live in O'Fallon, MO as well. Originally from NE Minnesota.

I've gone out at least once a year down here, and due to the proximity of Busch and my house it is an easy trip. I have all the gear, but don't look like a local when I break out my auger and electronics.....Tough to be from NE Minnesota, and love to ice fish, and live here! I am going to check it out this week and if the ice is right, I'll be out there Thursday or Friday....or both!

I usually go out there ice fishing about once a year. But I too wait for the ice to hit 4" or more. The downfall of moving here from NE Minnesota. Have all the ice fishing gear and no ice!

Enough to ice fish on?

How much ice was out there?