Well, This May Be It For Ice Reports

How does the old saying go:

All great things must come to an end!

We fear that that may be the case this 2016-2017 Ice Fishing Season.

We know this for sure, we will no longer be traveling on the ice with vehicles.  We had planned on going, via truck, on Sunday; but with the degradation of the access and numerous reports of difficulties by others at accesses, we traveled by side-by-side.  Upon leaving the ice, we discussed further excursions and if we do get the chance to go again, it will be on foot.

Friday we tried for some Perch and Crappies in North 6 Mile.  We were able to get on and off the ice with a truck safely Friday, but in that time both the accesses have degraded to the point that we do not recommend attempting vehicle travel (full sized or 4 wheeler for that matter) and would suggest only foot travel.

Highs in the 50’s all week is going to take its toll on the ice.

We didn’t find the motherload Friday but found a school that had some BIG fish in it. We only got two Perch to bite along with the Walleye:

The one Perch was a PIG and there were more large marks along with it.  This was in about 31-33 feet of water.  If you want a chance at a true DL Super Mega Jumbo, this is a good place to try and it is reachable by foot from the East Side access.

On Saturday and Sunday we focused on the Casino area.

We did have some luck in 41-43 feet of water in front of the Casino again and had the pleasure of fishing along side some guys from Wisconsin who were very friendly and we all caught some fish, not limits, but enough action to keep it interesting.

I caught more fish on slip bobbers than active jigging and the fish were very timid.  A plain hook and a minnow was the ticket for me.  The nice thing about this spot is it is large, there are a lot of fish sprinkled in, and it is within a long walk form the Casino landing.  If you have an ATV or don’t mind walking a little, we strongly suggest you check it out.

They are very active right away in the morning and then in the last hour of daylight.  They go kind of docile in the middle of the day.

There are also dink walleyes and a few keeper walleyes mixed in with them.

Got the chance Saturday to get this guy out and he had a blast:

Good Fishing Left For The Daring

We may or may not venture out again.  The migration of Snows and Blues on Sunday was filling the sky and we are itching to do our part in the:

‘Saving of the Tundra’ campaign!

If you are an avid ice fishermen though, there is still some good foot travel Ice Fishing to be had and there are literally fish in every depth zone right now.

The coulees are also starting to run and open water can be found at bridge areas.  We did see a few ambitious guys out long rod open water fishing already.

Truly NO OFF-SEASON up here on the Northern Tier of North Dakota.

The time is NOW to get out and enjoy numerous outdoors activities.

Good Luck out there!

Hold On To Your Rod…

And…

CATCH MORE FISH!!