Hey stump,
I hear ya on the gear thing - I wish I could get up there this weekend but it's not going to happen for me unfortunately and not sure if I'll make it up until ice is out, so good luck to you!!!
Waubay will definately be fishable this weekend and most likely several more, at least definitly for foot traffic. I heard this morning that the area ponds and sloughs are still frozen up and the edges are still iced up good even, so I would presume the ice conditions haven't changed much the last few weeks. I would be willing to bet people are still driving on Waubay - so I wouldn't worry bout it too much. Two weekends ago when I was up there it was still 2'-3' thick, depending on where i was. When ya get up there Sunday, if ya see people out driving - I'd be willing to bet it's safe. If nothing else ya might just have to walk out - but I'd be willing to bet you can drive...just be smart about it - maybe even walk out and plug a few holes and check ice thickness. If the ice is good just stay away from heaves and you'll be fine.
As far as where to go.... I've had decent luck in front of the mouth of cadillac bay (north end of the lake near Buckshot) towards evening hours and off of that point where all the mansion houses are being built. The last time I was up we fished towards evening on the northeast corner, right near buckshot in front of the primitive camping area with the trailers in about 14-16' of water and did quite well with the walleyes. I never ice fished in that specific area before - but it was worth it - so I would give that a shot. The bite doesn't start till bout 4-5pm though and it went well till about 8pm when it started slowing down. We were using glow jigs (genz's, fatboys, etc..) tipped with minnows (both small and large) and also had two on my tipups... If you want to get the fish in the morning, best bite is before sunrise and the first hour afterwards. I didn't get a lot of perch this winter, however I didn't make too many trips either and the trips I made I didn't move alot either - which could've been a bit of my problem...
The grenville bait and tackle store is always pretty helpful on providing a few pointers as well as where to go, so you might want to stop there too and ask! Good luck to you and be sure to post how ya did when ya get back!!!
-WF.
* One more thing - the aberdeen area is supposed to get a good amount of snow starting tomorrow - 6-8" I was told (haven't checked weather yet myself) - so there might be a good amount of snow cover on the lake by the time you get up there. If that's the case - I would definately walk out and check ice thickness before driving if there isnt anyone out yet by the time you get there...)
