Good reports guys!

I am wondering about going out from Hi Banks, do they charge anything? I am not new to fishing Fish Lake, but I am new at ice fishing it!

They do charge a $3 access fee to the lake. Also, they no longer carry minnows....you'll need to pick them up at the minnowette or before you get to the lake.

Hi Banks carries great food/bev's and snacks for the lake. He has lantern mantles, 1 lb propane tanks, small assort of fishing supplies and other goodies. Definately make a stop in and see Tim(owner) and have a brew on your way on/off the lake!

Papa Woodie, I hope you get that house out this week. Give me a call if you need help with any thing you need help with and we can get your house out there. If things go right we should have 4 houses close and one good plowed road to get them off the lake when we need to. I am going to bring a small grill to leave in the house for those weekends for grilling.

Long time lurker, first time post. I have had no luck finding crappies on fish lake.Can anyone give me any tips on depths or locations? Thanks a lot.

Get away from the people and especially the narrows. I have been getting fish in 11.5- 16' of water. Small baits like ratfinkies with a waxie is whats needed at times. At others they will take a minnow on a bare hook. Lately with fronts popping in and out they have been real slow and skidish.
Like I said above get away from the others and when you get on fish keep it under your hat.

And also a shout out to the snowmobilers, give some consideration to the people fishing, i had wheelers and snowmachines buzzing us within 20 yards. Other than that it was good to be on the ice again. The crappies were finicky and we had to work for our fish. We even caught a few on shiners!?!? But Northlander hit it on the head, the fronts of late have slowed things down. Anyone break the 12" "slabber" mark yet?

Thanks for all the info!

Tom, i will be in touch. I'm sure there will be something real soon i will need ur help with. Getting that winch on the trailer possibly.

Ill give ya a call here in a few...i am at work now...working hard....and will be off at 330 or so.

We did last night.

Just barely, i think it was a hair over, maybe 12 1/4".
Chadwick- when you get a chance send me the pic of the one i put back.

jeremy- check your mail.

Fishing the narrows once ice is good enough for wheelers and sleds is a fish at your own risk ordeal. Thats why avoid the rat race all together.
I have had several crappies over 12" so far. Most over 12" were in that 12.25-12.50 range. Finally got some nice gills mixed in with them tonight.
If I fish the weekends up there I get there real early, get my fish, then move on to other areas and do some exploring. Ill have the sled out this weekend checking out some spots I got fish on this fall.

Thanks Andy.

Last year, early ice i fished just outside the narrows and was all by myself, often getting out there before light. then on the weekends it was a rat race. good luck.

Northlander-you have mail

Back at ya UMD sportsman.

thanks Northlander