Just got off the phone with Charlie at River Bend. Here
is what he told me....

Wheelers on 4 Mile Bay and on the lake out from the
Morris Point Resort. Very close to fishing at Zippel Bay.
If there are no big winds in the next couple of days the
ice will be ready by next weekend for wheeler traffic and
more fishers.


So the worried guy who had reservations for the 8th can
breath a little easier now.

(take deep breathes)

That is GREAT news. Won't be long!!!

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.i wish i could could up there next weekend.but i will be spending money at the ice fishing show.

I cannot wait to ice fish LOTW !!!

We will be at Zippel Bay for the first time Dec 13th & 14th. Have always fished out of resorts on the river. Is it worth bringing a few tip ups with to Zippel for some Pike this time of year?

its worth the shot.good time middle of dec is a awesome time to head up to zipple bay fishing is outstanding this time of yr.im just waiting for the word then im up there in a heart beat.

Went to the lake tonight because I don't want to repeat 2nd hand info as gospel.

Went to Graceton Beach Rd (Co. 4 between Pine Island and Zippel) and found a nice ice pile right off shore. Was wondering how I would get my 4-wheeler over when my dull spoon auger fell through after 5 or 6 turns. Actually the ice split between my feet and water squirted up before I got through. When I walked back the 20 or 30' I ran when that happened to where Carl was still standing and finished the hole, we found all of 2 inches.

Could have been the thinnest place, several warm water seeps along the south shore.

Could see ice as far as we could see and appeared to be a big pile or ridge out about 2 miles. Saw several portables inside of Morris Point but no one outside. Could see open water at the Washout but I've seen that in February.

2ND HAND INFO!!
Heard there were guys that walked out from Morris Point yesterday and caught good.

Heard there were folks on 4 mile, very patchy but some 4" ice, good catch. Stay away from main current areas as some are still open.

Forecast is for single digits most of this week so should have "some" good ice for the W/E. As it got dark it appeared the river ice had finally stopped moving so should make some ice tonight.

Thanks Doug,

First hand info is best. Keep it coming

With a C,
you'll have to put the innertube around your feet and start walking out...I'll be right behind you...about a quarter mile or so.

Excellent report Doug, thank you.

Oh ya caught good yesterday too! Shhhhh, I wanna go back and do it all over! Be nice to get another evening or 2 in b4 all the terrorists arrive!!!

I would'nt reccomend folks be taking their Wheelers out anywhere just yet! Things change quick though...Sure did from Friday to Sunday this weekend and with the cold snap coming it will be fullswing soon.

Walked out on 4-Mile Bay today. Got almost to the grass patch and chickened out. Fished in 7-8' which is about all you get inside the grass, but think we might have gotten another foot if we'd gone another 40 or 50'. Things just didn't look so good.

Drilled about 25 holes going out and saw a lot of 4" stuff but enough 2-3' to make you think. Brian from Adrians was out before and said there was some open water but it had all closed in today and that was probably the 2" stuff we saw.

Got in about 3PM and saw a few small marks with a couple of followers when a big red one showed up and inhaled my Airplane lure before I could lift it 2 inches. I remember why I LOVE ice!
Just a 16" but made the trip a success.

Carl had one short but also had a handicap 'cause he had a dead battery on his Marcum (which I gave him). I'll take any edge I can get! We'll be back out tomorrow with charged batteries and a little better prepared (didn't have a slush dipper between us).

Another "idiot" 40 yds. away caught 1 short that I saw and we heard an expletive that must have meant a wiff. Pretty slow but soooo good to be out.

Temp was 18 when we went out and 8 when we came back. Should make enough ice tonight to be comfortable about anywhere inside the grass. Sure we'll be all over the bay and probably over Pine with 4-wheelers by the W/E.

There is still open water in the river so BE CAREFUL anywhere with current!

2ND HAND INFO!
Still hearing that folks are going out from Morris Point but haven't talked to anyone directly. Anyone?

Thanks for the info, Royal Dutchman. We are planning to come up on Sunday morning. Any additional information regarding ice this week is much appreciated.

Thanks Royal Dutchman. May try to sneak up there this coming weekend...

Doug....Yes, peeling out again shortly. Small green Otter, green guidewear, all by myself. Jig, jig, jig!!!

Speaking of the terrorists... I just want to remind everyone that Lake of the Woods is now mine, and it's all posted!

I'll allow everyone to fish there who didn't say "NO" to me when I politely asked if I might, following the regular firearms season, hunt deer with muzzle-loader on their land. That eliminates a lot of people!