GRAND RAPIDS — The ice conditions on area lakes are always changing. Jeff Sundin is KAXE’s fishing commentator, who monitors and connects with others about lake ice conditions during his time off from open water guiding.
In the Ely area, ice conditions have improved greatly on all area lakes this past week, Jeff said.
Ice roads are showing up at many area lakes, too, which Jeff said is a good sign that ice can handle the weight of vehicles. The lakes with ice roads are reporting 12-14 inches of clear, solid ice.
Ice reports from lake trout lakes are showing 7-11 inches of ice recently. Smaller all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles were a common sight this past weekend.
In the Lake of the Woods area, the ice is thickening, and some ice roads are allowing light vehicles and wheelhouses.
Jeff’s contacts are reporting Lake Winnibigoshish resorts are plowing roads and allowing half-ton pickups with smaller ice fishing shelters to drive on the lake. Leech Lake resorts are only allowing ATVs, but are plowing for eventual vehicle travel.
No ice is ever safe, according to Jeff, who reminded us that every ice road has its own rules and restrictions. Local resort owners, bait shops and outfitters are great resources for current conditions.
Fish reports
- Lake trout - Many lake trout anglers were not disappointed for the opener. Anglers did best fishing flats in 30-50 feet of water. 4-inch tubes, worked aggressively, were the most productive presentation. Sucker minnows, fished under a tip-up, also accounted for a fair share of fish.
- Stream trout - Rainbows, browns, brook trout and splake were all active for trout opener. All trout were caught with small jigging spoons or tungsten jigs, tipped with soft plastics or wax worms. Rainbows were found 5-10 feet under the ice, while brookies and browns were found on shallow flats that had weeds or timber. Last but not least, splake were found near the bottom in 15-20 feet of water.
- Walleye - Walleye fishing has been surprisingly good considering the cold snap that just moved into the Ely area. Anglers continue to find active walleyes in 20-25 feet of water, over mud flats. Bite windows being reported are between 4-6 p.m., then another one from 9 to 11 p.m. Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head has been very effective, but a dead stick or rattle reel, set with active minnow, has been accounting for the majority of walleyes being caught.
- Northern pike - It's been challenging to fish for pike, given holes freeze over fast, but pike anglers have been reporting good numbers being caught. Deeper water than usual — 10 to 17 feet — was the best. Medium- to large-size suckers or frozen smelt have been the baits of choice. Deeper flats near river mouths or near weed beds have been best.
- Panfish - Panfish reports have really cooled off as many panfish anglers switch to stream trout now. Crappies continue to be found hanging out in deep water but have been laying tight to the bottom. Anglers have had to work hard to get these fish to bite. Small jigs, tipped with small soft plastics or wax worms have been best.
Source: jeffsundin.com.
Barotrauma
Sundin also recently appeared on Sporting Journal TV for an interview about barotrauma. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says barotrauma refers to injuries to fish (and humans) caused by rapid changes in barometric or water pressure.
When brought to the surface, fish may experience bulging eyes, bleeding gills, gas bubbles under the skin or expanded swim bladders, which pushes the stomach out of the fish's mouth.
Species most susceptible are walleye, perch, bass and crappies.
See Jeff’s conversation with Dave Weitzel, DNR Region 2 assistant fisheries manager, here.
Have you been ice fishing? Send us your reports!