Wish we could be thankful for a good start to the ice season, but that's just not the case. This latest snow not only shut down many Twin Ports streets and schools, but also many areas of ice fishing.
If you don't own a snowmobile, you may want to invest in a good pair of snowshoes to access your favorite fishing holes. ATV use will be a big gamble in the deep snow. Another option is to travel to areas where snow did not impact lakes as much, such as Northwest Minnesota.
The weather forecast shows a big dip in temperatures coming. Let’s cross our fingers and hope for no more snow. Until then, if you need to get out around here, plan on spending a great amount of time and energy to get out fishing.
Lake Superior was hit with tremendous wind and wave action during the blizzard and was chocolate-milk brown last week from eroded clay, sand and dirt from shore. Not that anyone is open-water fishing from a boat anymore, but some folks do enjoy shoreline angling. Once the lake color comes back to normal, the North Shore will surely offer opportunities to catch a fish.
The St. Louis River mostly missed the adverse effects of the storm. Much of the river glazed over with a thin sheet of ice before the storm. St. Louis River ice is still very dangerous. But the good news is, if it doesn’t snow again soon, that thin layer of ice should grow safe for river fishing before Christmas.
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The reservoirs and other inland lakes north of Duluth now have “trash” conditions. Lots of snow over slush will be a challenge to deal with. The snow also insulates the ice and prevents it from growing fast. Nonetheless, fishing opportunities are there.
Piggybacking off the last couple reports, fish tactics remain consistent with near shore success. Tip-ups and set lines with walleye suckers, large chubs or shiners are taking some pike, bass and the occasional walleye in shallow waters over edges of vegetation.
Panfishing has been OK, but many fish have been lock-jawed with the changing fronts that have been passing over the Northland. Look for the bite to pick up with more consistent weather.
Jarrid Houston of South Range is a fishing guide ( houstonsguideservice.com ) on Minnesota and Wisconsin inland waters, the St. Louis River and, in winter, on Lake Superior.
