Ice Fishing Reports 2010/11

[Pete Brzezinski]

Well I made it out on the ice for first time in 2010 last night. Ice is sketchy at best. 2-3 inches in most places, with slush pockets where snow is at on the ice.
We caught a few walleyes with a mix of tip ups and jigging nothing big, but good eaters. I did break one off on a tip up that felt ok. Rain or snow will make ice go bad fast if we get what is forcasted with warm temps. I may try and get out tonight if the rain holds off. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks,
Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures
(715)574-1813

[Pete Brzezinski]

Well, the little bit of ice we had on small lakes in Northern MN. is not in safe travel condition anymore. About 6-8 inches of wet, heavy, snow fell on 2-3 inches of ice we making ice dangerous to travel on. Over in Superior we had rain so with some cold temps. the river and some lakes in NW WI should be in better condition by December 10th as long as the we don't get the snow sitting on the ice. Over the weekend I heard a report of someone falling through in Kimballs walking. No fish is worth going through the ice, the water will be frozen until March so give it sometime, we have lots of winter left.

Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures
nbkguideservice@yahoo.com

[Pete Brzezinski]

Temps are looking like they are going to dip below zero tonight and that should get most of the lakes finished freezing over. Good news is that our last snow fall didn't impact some of our larger deeper lakes around Hayward as because they had been still open. As of last night all the lakes have skimmed open and should make good ice. Lakes however north of Duluth have 2-3 inches of ice on them down have 5-12 inches of heavy, wet snow on them making them slushy and dangerous for foot travel. As for the river, it survived the snow storm also with a small amount of snow on the surface of the ice, but should be making good ice over the next few nights. Forecast looks like cold temps for the rest of the week and into next week so things are looking up for somemore early ice walleye action and hopefully some eel pout fishing shortly!

Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures
(715) 574-1813

[Pete Brzezinski]

Hey hardwater anglers looks like we have a good start on ice fishing in the northland. With recent cold temps and the lack of snowfall there is good ice on all inland lakes.
As for the St. Louis river, we have some ice forming up to 8 inches in lower and non-current areas. But I stress ice on the river is never safe and ice conditions are always changing. There are some walleyes in the river already. But as usual they are nomadic move around daily. Early report: 3-10fish per night. To find fish start in productive areas that have produced in the past and keep bouncing around night after night until you connect, then start putting the pieces together.

Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures

[Pete Brzezinski]

Bourbots have started to arrive. My good buddy Greg and I got out in the Clam Nanook last night and had a few pouts hit the ice!
Now is the time to start hitting it for the eel pouts, great cold water, hard fight fish that are great eating!!

Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures
(715)574-1813

[Pete Brzezinski]

Pout fishing continues to be great! We were back out Saturday and lost count on how many we iced! Pouts are running at 3-4lbs. With a few in the six lb range. Jigs and minnow heads near the bottom are the ticket right now.

Fished walleyes last night just to give it shot. Picked up a couple eaters last night nothing big. Jig/minnow head combo took the eyes last night. Mixed walleye reports are coming for the eyes, some guys do ok and others are struggling. Considering the walleyes are coming from the lake, its pretty early to get to excited about them right now. Also, just remember to use your heads out there. Some guys are starting to drive trucks out and getting pretty brave/stupid out there. The river has lots of access points and no spot is farther the a ten min walk so use your head.

[Pete Brzezinski]

No need to pout about the pouts there are a few around for the taking. Seems like anything that glows tipped with a minnow head seem to be doing the trick. Walleyes are still hit and miss day to day. Earlier this week we ripped a few. But the last two days they seems to be scattered, but you can still stick a couple every night/morning but some days that size is lacking. Here are some pics of the pout action.

Pete Brzezisnki
(715)574-1813

[Pete Brzezinski]

Well we got out in the new Clam Fish Trap Nanook Thermal, man is the extra insulation on this shack nice! It pulls really easy with the runners and the extra insulation only weighs five extra pounds!
Anyway here's my good buddy Danny Burns with a 13.8 lbs eel pout. Thats alot of ugly all in one spot. But great table fair.

Pete Brzezinski

[Pete Brzezinski]

Ice out on the river is spooky to say the least after all the wind we had this weekend. Ice has changed alot in the last week, between the wind currnet and the few days of warm weather. No snow and some large cracks out there now. I've put the snow machine away and have been walking out to be safe.
As for the report, Getting about 10-20 walleyes a night/morning for about the last two weeks now. Jigging has been the key lately, with fish coming from 4-16ft depending on the time of day. In low light or cloudy conditions hit the shallower stuff, sun and mid day head a little deeper.

With the cold weather we've been having. I've been setting up my Clam Thermal Nanook Fish trap (warmest flip-over I've ever owned) with the leave the heat going and hole hop outside of your shack.
As for jigs, buckshot rattles and jigging raps have been good. If you are seeing lots of fish on the Vexliar but they are not biting, change up colors and see if that makes a differents.
Walleyes season here on the St. Louis closes March 1, so there's not much time left.

Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures
(715) 574-1813

[Pete Brzezinski]

Game fish season came to a close yesterday in MN, the St. Louis closes on March 1st and WI closes this coming Sunday.
The river has been holding its own here right up to the end limits of walleyes every night. I'm also getting into some jumbo perch, not many but a few. Which leads into or next season.
Now its time for panfish season baby!! Hopefully we get some warm weather soon, get some melt run off and can start doing some hole hopping for big blue gills and crappies.

Pete Brzezinski
Northland Ice Adventures
(715)574-1813

[Pete Brzezinski]

Bluegills and Crappies are still going strong, weed edges during the day and on top of the flats in the mornings and evenings. We have good ice conditions on inland lakes but the river ice is going fast. I've put my ice stuff away and got the boat out heading for cohos with a few big browns mixed in. Hope we have a bite like early last season, limits most everyday and some great table fair. Just pasting time until muskie season opens.

Good Luck and Tight Lines,
Pete Brzezinski