"Thick Lake Ice in Good Shape, Fish are Active"

Thick Lake Ice in Good Shape, Fish are Active

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• March 11, 2015 /
• by Joe Henry /
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March 11, 2015… With over three feet of ice, Lake of the Woods will not see open water for some time.  Checking with area resorts, the ice is still good and they are monitoring it throughout the day and early morning hours before anglers get out.  As typically occurs this time of year, the surface snow is melting.  Temps in the 40’s have begun to melt the snow on top of the ice first causing some standing water in spots.  This layer of snow is actually a barrier to the warm spring sun and protects the ice for a while before the sun can work on the ice.  This is where we are at now.

At Lake of the Woods, being we are border water with Canada, we enjoy longer seasons.  Fish houses can remain on the lake until March 31st.  Walleye season is open until April 14th.  Pike season never closes.

Our resorts and ice guides are monitoring ice conditions constantly.  We suggest any time you access the ice on Lake of the Woods, you utilize the services of a resort, resort maintained ice road or guide.  Ice conditions can change at any time and our resorts have the equipment and expertise to make sure your route on the ice is as safe as possible.

Snowmobile trails across the lake are still staked and offer anglers access to some good fishing.  Regardless of what month of the year, make sure to practice safety.  Travel with another sled.  Avoid cracks and ice upheavals.  Avoid neck down areas between islands.  Stay on the trail.  Carry a rope and ice picks.  Travel during the daylight hours.  Carry a cell phone.   The snowmobile trails over land are quite sloppy and are probably finished for the year.

Fishing has picked up this week as fish prepare for the spring spawn.  Walleye, northern pike, crappies and jumbo perch are being caught around the lake.  Crappies tend to be targeted by our NW Angle resort around the islands of the lake and much of the time into Ontario waters.

March can be one of the best ice fishing months of the year, let’s enjoy it safely.

http://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/thick-lake-ice-in-good-shape-fish-are-active/