Yes, there is still ice out on the main lake.

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The next couple days we at forecasted to receive 3-8 inches of snow, which will prolong the ice-out.  it’s looking more and more like a “normal” mid to late April ice-out for us up here.

For those that read Outdoor News, (www.outdoornews.com/minnesota) you should read the March 28th, 2025 edition and read Rob Drieslein’s “Outdoor Insights” opinion piece about FFS and how it possibly lead to the Mille Lacs Perch “blowup” that happened this winter, and the limit reduction because of it.

Those Perch didn’t just magically get big and start biting. Fishermen found them in middle of nowhere spots where they always have been. FFS just made them simpler to find. 40 years ago I would go out on snowmobile, late season, drill and fish, drill and fish, drill and fish.  Sometimes I  got on them, but many times not.  When you have the ability to comb large areas with sonar it becomes much easier.

My only experience with FFS was 40 years ago when the Hinckley DNR fisheries came up to our place during the late season to the Tullibee Hole.  The military had loaned them a forward sonar unit to try. I was able to go with them and watch.  They were locating schools of fish up to 1/4 mile away. under the ice.  There was no resolution of definition with it but it some mass.  I would head that direction, fish and found Tullibee.  Pretty amazing for back then.

There will be alot of discussion about FFS in the future. Until then we will continue to see reduced limits from the DNR. It’s beginning to look like fishing is a “rich man’s” game.

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy