The deer season is pretty much wrapped up for most folks. I'm still chasing with my bow but the seasons are a changing. There are a number of lakes with some walkable ice in the area now. Please use caution and check as you go. I know this weekend folks will be getting out there so good luck and be careful. Gull has plenty of open water yet, round has a skim of ice, north long is getting close and many of the small lakes are walkable. So there are a few places to fish but lets try not to push the bigger waters yet. We'll be around the shop some if you need some minnows. I'll try to keep you posted on a regular basis again this winter with the ice conditions and the hot bite. Have a great Thanksgiving and be safe.

Jason Erlandson

jason, looking forward to reading your posts. Last ice season you were very informative. You manage to put me and some buddies on some good bites without being too specific to kill a spot. Guess I,m trying to say I can pick out certain info you give to put more fish on the ice. What about the eyes on gull this coming weekend?

where you looking?? I would say mi-lake.
,Or perhaps Van-sicle Bay! NE side of the horshoe.
The break between sandy point and Q. Deck...GL

Jason, got to it first...LOLL!!!!!!!

GL all

Hi guys, things are starting a little on our lakes. But the action on Gull has been pretty limited yet because the lake has open water on the big part. It could skim over if the wind would lay down. There have been a few guys out on the bays and lakes of the chain. Sounds like the panfish/crappie action has been ok. The walleye reports so far have been ok but not outstanding, couple here couple there. The small lakes are offering the safest option and I still think it's best to check as you go. I haven't been out yet but I am starting to think about it. A couple of good bets right now would be North Long's Merrifield Bay, the shoreline breaks of Round, Jones Bay on Pelican, or the shoreline break out from the Birchdale access on North Long. As Gull and our bigger lakes freeze solid I should be able to keep the updates coming. I wish I could always be the first to the hot bites but that usually doesn't happen. But I do have a good network of contacts that work hard to find them. They feed me quite a bit of current info. This weekend could be pretty busy out there so the reports should start coming in. Good luck out there.

Jason Erlandson

Drunk already?

LOL!!! Marmot...guess so, or maybe just too [PoorWordUsage] gung-ho!
ready for it to start, and heed the advise when you get there...red hook bobber rig and shiners,..( send me a picture of what you put on the wall)! lol.

Gull won't make the cut for good fishing until mid- December anyway. I grew up there and kept a detailed log of ice on and out and I know better but when it happens, get there for the first month and WOW!! Mid Jan. GL! gets cold and tough, last year it stayed good but too many years in the past I have sat and scratched my head as to where they went.

daddyducker, what is my lake? Red glow jig and a nice goldy have done exceptional for me. How is the golden shiner availability up there? Only the river run shiners available in the milaca area! I was thinking the rock piles out in front of the 371 access on gull this weekend. Think I'll be able to walk out come sat. morning? I think it is about 1/2 mile give or take.Thanks

give sportland bait a call for good ice conditions.
This early, i would fish the bars towards 371 from the rockpile.
if you still have open water fish the culverts off the road.

As far as the lake, sounds like GULL; and if not you picked a good rig for it. Round is also a good possibility.

If you are looking for another one, try East Twin north of Nisswa. Never gets fished and it has some nice eyes...mostly (90%) trophies! Small clear lake, fun to fish, full of northerns, so concentrate in the evening only. Ice is usually real good out there. Plan on one fish every 2-3 nights spent out there, but if are looking for something to put on the wall...

Or for more action and table fare, cross the road and hit West Twin, right off the road. Eyes and crappie within walking distance. Do it early in the year though, 'cause it seems to fill up quick.

talltines...got alittle off course there, i just love this game!! However, so much knowledge, so little time to use it. Figure I might just as well share it..lol.

Anyhow, i have pulled some nice eyes through the ice on that lake, and they have come from all over. When I fished it 2 or 3 times a night years back, I would catch 2-3 fish everyother night. Did that for a month straight. smallest i caught was 18"

Maybe I just have the nack, but i seem to always end up on fish out there in the winter. Nice thing is that they are good healthy eyes, and avg. a decent weight

I hope you guys banking on Gull this weekend have innertubes and waterwings...

The main body was still good for duck hunting this week.

daddyducker, thanks alot for the info I'll definitely give east twin a shot. I am committed to GULL this weekend, got a good vibe about it for some reason. I also like round lake but never get anything over 20". And SCOOT don't worry about me Arctic Armor here baby. Daddy where are you fishing this weekend? You are only 45 mins. from horseshoe lake on the chain in richmond, produces lots of pigs. I am from St.Cloud and fished out there often. I moved to Milaca now and it is about 80 miles so I don't make it out there anymore. It's milacs 75% of the time.

If you are heading to Gull (bring a boat) or be careful! It is the last to freeze in the area every year, so watch your steps. Round has been very popular this week, I have heard mixed reports...I also know that there is section out there that has yet to freeze, so look out. From what I have heard and seen, it is best to stick to the smaller lakes this weekend, remember, it is still early! Good luck and be safe. There is a bunch of time to catch early ice eyes!