This morning, the cold weather showed up overnight with a low of -12F.  We made some ice and will find out how much today when we head towards the Banana Reef and the Tundra. Unfortunately, a broad ridge of piled ice formed when we had those strong NW winds as the lake was freezing a week ago.  It skirted just south of Hennepin Island, headed southwest toward the Banana Reef, and then west towards the north end of the Tundra.  Today, we will see exactly where it is and what it will change for fishing spots. I’m sure we will get across it at some point so we can head to the East Bar, but there is much to do closer to shore for now.

Yesterday, some anglers went out with ATVs and portables West and northwest of Spider Island. They came in at sunset with reports of lots of small Walleye C/R and steady Perch action, but they were also throwbacks. Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s we had a fishing cycle similar to what I heard from the fishermen yesterday. Will this be the year of the “quarter pounder” once again?  Time will tell.  There are a lot of nice-sized Walleye out there, but when there are so many baitfish and smaller Perch and Walleye, the larger ones are well-fed for now.

We will be open for portables, ATVs, and SxSs for the weekend. Wheelhouse camping at N/C is available, and there is plenty of parking for rigs. Depending on the ice thickness we find today, I might have some smaller 4-hole basic rentals out by the weekend. If I do, it will be in the report tomorrow.

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy

By dark yesterday, we staked our road to the NW of the Graveyard Reef and the SE side of it. We also staked Ray’s Reef, NW of Popes. Today, before the wind picks up, we will be doing Popes Road, SW Spider Road, and the beginnings of the Tullibee Road to the Banana Reef. There was nothing less than 7″ of ice where we traveled, so there will be a lot more by Friday with this cold.

The first two pictures were taken at 8:00 a.m., and the third picture was taken at 11:30 a.m.   (Click on the image to enlarge)

Starting tomorrow, the office will be open for ATVs, SxSs, snowmobiles, and portables this weekend. Until I see more ice out there, we have received just enough snow for snowmobile slides overnight. We have plenty of parking for rigs and wheelhouse camping at N/C; the only cost is the access fee. Permanents are welcome to come up and stay overnight in their houses on shore if they want.

Getting anxious to see what the bite will be out there this weekend!

Eddy

Today, I went out and measured ice thickness in areas we have already been to get an idea of how much we have made since last Thursday and to have a baseline for the next two days of cold. On the roads I had made Friday, there was approximately 8″ of ice, so we have gained a couple of inches since then. We should make another inch or two in the next couple of cold days.

After the winds die down on Wednesday, we will open the access for the season. Over this weekend, there will be ATVs, SxSs, walking, and portables, and we will go from there. Currently, there will be access to Popes Reef, Gull Reef, and the South and West of Spider Island. We are checking out conditions on Ray’s Reef and the Graveyard, so we will see if that is doable. If we get a couple more inches of ice by Friday I plan on pulling out a few small basic rentals for the weekend with the Jeep, but we’ll see what we have for ice first. We have plenty of parking for rigs on shore. The office will open on Thursday at 7:00 a.m.

Let’s hope for a good start this year!

Eddy