2009 October | Modern Ice Fishing Gear

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Sometimes finding a good lake to fish is half the battle. If your ice fishing gear is ready to go and you can't wait to get an ice fishing rod in your hand, it always helps to know where to go. When looking for a lake to fish, here are 5 top lakes in the state of Minnesota that are known producers of fish:

Lake Of The Woods

Well known for its great fishing, this lake gets a ton of pressure every year but always produces. The murky water allows for a day only bite that is great for walleye and sauger and a night doing whatever you feel like.

Mille Lacs Lake

Mille Lacs Lake is a very popular destination in central MInnesota for walleye. It also boasts great populations of northern pike and perch. Last year was a bit of a down year for the lake, but when this lake it on the catches can be very impressive.

Lake Minnetonka

Connected by channels, the many bays of Lake Minnetonka are full of fish. What really is a series of little lakes connected togeher, Lake Minnetonka offers great northern pike, walleye, crappie, and sunfish fishing.

Upper Red Lake

Brought back after nearly being devoid of fish, Upper Red Lake is now home to a burgeoning population of walleye. The enormous crappies that were the rage for many years are still there, just not in the numbers of before.

Lake Bemidji

Actually part of the Mississippi River, Lake Bemidji is a known producer of walleyes and jumbo perch. The structure on the lake is impressive and leaves a lot of area to be explored by the ice angler.

If you don't know where else to go this winter, give one of the above lakes a try!

First Ice Is The Best Ice – But Be Careful!

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The old adage always goes that first ice is the best ice. In general it turns out to be true as fish are feeding with abandon to store up for the long winter. Unfortunately with this period comes a lot of risk on the ice anglers part. Ice will obviously be thin and can be patchy and unpredictable. Here are my rules for venturing out early in the season.

1) If I think that it is questionable to be on the ice, don't be on the ice. This is supposed to be fun, and taking my life in my hands is not my idea of a good time. If in doubt, error on the side of caution.

2) The ice better be 4-6" thick near shore. I want all ice to be at least 4" thick if I'm going on the ice, so I cut a hole in shallow water (2' or so) and check the thickness of the ice. If it isn't 4" there, I'm off the ice. End of story, if it is, I will consider venturing out.

3) Bring some specialized ice fishing gear. Bring a ice chisel or similar to test the ice on every step. If the chisel breaks through at any point, go back EXACTLY as you came. The ice obviously was strong enough to support you on the way out, it should hold you as your retreat.

4) Bring some ice spikes just in case. These simple safety tools can literally be the difference between life and death if the worst case happens. Either buy some or make some to have at the ready in case of disaster.

Like all of you, I'm all in for catching a lot of fish. As soon as I can get an ice fishing rod in my hand I am all for being game on. But in order to continue to do this year after year we need to keep in mind how truly dangerous early and thin ice can be. Please be extremely careful while on the ice, especially early in the season.

5 Top Minnesota Ice Fishing Lakes