Author Topic: Iowa Great Lakes (Read 6678 times)

CrappieBuster · « **on:** Nov 24, 2014, 03:41 PM »

Any reports on how the ice held up on Big Spirit after the little warmup we had? Bringing my wheeler over Friday just wondering about the ice.

tla100 · « **Reply #1 on:** Nov 24, 2014, 04:23 PM »

Not sure about over there, but I am hour west and if they are getting the wind we are, it can't be good for any ice.

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #2 on:** Nov 24, 2014, 04:31 PM »

It was locked up good when I left there last week Tuesday. Just a little bit of open water on the east end yet. Most my fishing will be done on the west side anyways.

speedy · « **Reply #3 on:** Nov 24, 2014, 06:30 PM »

NW corner of Spirit is wide open from Minnewaukon boat ramps to Buffalo Run, with many open spots all over. Definitely not safe for a wheeler or for me even walking out on the main lake.

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #4 on:** Nov 24, 2014, 11:40 PM »

Ufffdah! May have to drag out and fish shallow.

tla100 · « **Reply #5 on:** Nov 25, 2014, 12:02 AM »

No snow. no problem...even fat shacks pull great on ice.

I am thinking will be in SD hopefully pulling up some slabs, then some eyes.....will see.

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #6 on:** Nov 25, 2014, 12:47 PM »

Any good shallow areas to try where the walk isn't to far out?

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #7 on:** Nov 29, 2014, 12:39 AM »

Bump!

FrozenFisherman · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 02, 2014, 08:12 AM »

Anyone been on the Iowa GL's recently? Hoping to head that way this weekend.

FF

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 03, 2014, 12:09 PM »

Fished Spirit the other day. Went out on the wheeler from hale's to midlake 1.1 miles to be exact. Ice was pretty variable yet as I checked it along the way. Most the way I found 9 out there with some spots close to 11 inches. A little hole that opened up and refroze out near the middle had 7 inches near it. Hardly any snow on the ice so you can keep your eye out for iffy spots and basically spot the thickness ahead of you. The eyes were crushing minnows out in the basin 20fow. They preferred one presentation 6 to 1 over everything else I was running. Wont go into anymore details. Gonna get on a midlake reef today and fish it into the night. See how that goes...

ONFISH · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 03, 2014, 10:37 PM »

Thanks for posting CB. I'm going up for a day trip. Get there by 7 and fish till 5pm the latest. Have a 4 hour drive home. Good job on the eyes. Is the water clear? That is all I will ask ya!!!!

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 09:20 PM »

Id say 2 foot visibility right now. Later in the year it can be close to 15. Theres still some open areas so theres some wind getting under it clouding it up a little.

ONFISH · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 09:27 PM »

That's what I'm hearing as well. Thanks for info.

Terribleusername · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 04, 2014, 09:37 PM »

Thanks for the great update. Will be going there tomorrow.

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 05, 2014, 07:38 PM »

Probably see you guys out there. White Honda rubicon and otter lodge in tow. Post how ya do.

nwifisherman · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 05, 2014, 08:33 PM »

Made the trip to NE SD and am wish I went to the igls instead. Slow fishing today.

sparkee · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 06, 2014, 07:37 AM »

Keep us posted on SD, headed up there a week from Monday. Be my first time out this year, can't wait!!

ONFISH · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 07, 2014, 06:55 AM »

A few gills but found a school of perch and caught them for a couple hours. Ended the evening with a couple walleyes as well.

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 07, 2014, 10:32 PM »

one from the other nite............cpr'd

Agronomist_at_IA · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 08, 2014, 12:32 AM »

Nice. Is that a picture board we can all put our face in Lol

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 08, 2014, 12:56 AM »

Was gonna try and get hasselhoff or prince in there but yeh my Microsoft paint skills are limited

Agronomist_at_IA · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 08, 2014, 01:04 AM »

Quote from: CrappieBuster on Dec 08, 2014, 12:56 AM

Was gonna try and get hasselhoff or prince in there but yeh my Microsoft paint skills are limited

Well congrats. Couldnt make it over that way. Ended up hitting a small lake. got into 14ft of water, and had non stop pulling fish up the hole. Had a number of crappies and blue gills. size was decent. It was a day of catching.....not fishing.....gotta love those days.

Cotacatchers · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 08, 2014, 12:05 PM »

is the guy in pic WANTED? ha ha , nice fish

FrozenFisherman · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 12, 2014, 08:14 AM »

Just curious what everyones thoughts are on the ice in the IGL area, will it still be fishable with this warmer weather we are going to have for a few days? I fished Minnewashta a week ago and it had a solid 8-9" on it where I fished. Best of luck and stay safe!

FF

BRIFISH · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 12, 2014, 08:56 AM »

Hey just wondering how the ice was up there, i was thinking of making a trip next weekend. Also i have never fished Boji where is a good place to start lookig for perch/crappie?

nwifisherman · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 12, 2014, 10:22 AM »

I was hoping to but it isn't supposed to freeze again until Sunday night so I'm sure the ice is really melting. If I go I will post a report.

CrappieBuster · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 12, 2014, 12:13 PM »

On Spirit the least ice I found was 7. The most I found was 11. Heard of spots around 4 inches on the west shore. I think we will fare just fine it will melt the random drifts out on the ice. Also it looks to be cloudy most the time. If we had the 4 dreaded ice busting things going on Sun,Wind,Warmth,Rain id be concerned. Im going Wednesday for a good week I'll update you guys with what I find.

FrozenFisherman · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 12, 2014, 12:53 PM »

Thanks CrappieBuster! I was going to be up that way on Sunday and I was hoping to pop a few holes but Im a little leary of the ice conditions.

FF

tracksnorth · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 13, 2014, 05:10 PM »

Wow crappiebuster who took that picture? That's really great, did you hire a professional photographer?

nwifisherman · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 13, 2014, 06:39 PM »

Went out on millers bay this morning and caught some dinks and 7 keepers. The ice was 5" with a couple inches of water on top. Also tried east lake by parks and only caught 3. Ice was better though. 8" with inch of water on top. Quit fishing at noon but had a friend on west all afternoon that got his limit. Not sure on how big they were though. I would be extremely careful of you go out tomorrow.

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Author Topic: Iowa Great Lakes (Read 6678 times)