Yesterday I  went on the ice and visited a couple friends fishing a couple miles out.  There was 3-6 inches of snow on the ice and really good going.  They had tried a few places before I met up with them and there was not much going on.  They drilled a hole so we could measure the ice and it was about 34″ thick.   (pretty thick for this time of year.)   We drilled to almost the bottom and pulled it up and waited to see if water would  seep in which is a sign of  “honeycombed” ice but it stayed dry.  What had been soft a week or so ago was not now.  The weather is changing and it will probably go out before the opener, but I think its going to be a close.

It’s a shame the the Perch bite is gone.  I’m almost sure that the  situation of all the big fish in Mille Lacs has hurt them also.  Normally this time of year with this much ice the lake would have been buzzing with activity from Perch and Tullibee Fishermen but not anymore…

Keep a Tight Line!!    Eddy

Last night we received another 8-12 inches of snow with 20-30 mph winds.  We are obviously not going to have the “block party” this weekend, and are going to shoot for Sat April 27th.  Lots of snow out there and the ice will be thick enough to get out there.  I’ll inform you later this week.

Not much to report for fishing, but some buddies are coming up tomorrow to give it a try.  but they will need to bring snowmobiles instead of wheelers I’m thinking.

Just not sure now what is going to happen for the Opener.  There is a good chance now we might have ice on the lake if not it going out that week just before.  It is does go we are going to need a lot different weather over the next couple weeks than we’ve been having for sure.  Things are so backed up at the Marine shop with no one picking up their boats that we have no room to move things around.  When it does happen we are not going to be able to keep up with getting them to the customers fast enough.  I’m hoping everyone has patience and some understanding of the situation this year.

Keep a  Tight Line!!  (and and ice auger ready just in case!!!)   Eddy

Sounds like we are going to get 4- 8 inches of snow again over the next 36 hours…@#$&^$#@!!!!!   It looks like the “block party” we have to clean up anything on the ice will be postponed another week until Saturday, April 27th.  I will keep you informed if by chance the weather forecast is wrong.

I commend Dennis Anderson, ( Mpls.Star-Tribune) for his excellent article on March 29th,  (look it up and read it online), and Ron Schara and Rob Dreislen , (MN Outdoor News, contributing writer and it’s editor) for their comments about Mille Lacs Lake and the condition it is in.  It is a breath of fresh air to see people like that speak up for what most of us up here has been talking about and “living” the last 10 plus years.   Please tell the angling public more!!!  There is a lot on the “line” for the future of Mille Lacs Lake and it’s fishery, fishermen, (and it’s people that live and make their living) on the “Premier Lake” of Minnesota and as Ron Schara put, ” The Viking’s Stadium of  Minnesota’s Walleyes” .  The more all of us, (which means you!) speak up the better chance for change……….Everyone……PLEASE do all you can to inform your elected officials at the State and Federal level that you want to have them change this situation that “Treaty Management” and MN DNR’s and State’s lack of standing up for it’s citizens has done to Mille Lacs and it’s resources…..   It’s about time………….and the future!!  Spread the Word!!    Please forward this to all of your friends if you care……….

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy