Any ice fisherman on the site?

[Tightlines667]

I have fished Mille Lacs extensively.  It has had its ups and downs, but is rightly known as "The Walleye Factory".  The lake is boardered by resorts which all open and maintain ice roads, and villages of ice fishing houses in the winter.  I always had my best luck using a snowmachine and portable house to get over the ridges, and out by yourself.  Some of the surfounding lakes have good tip-up fishing for small Northerns, or spearfishing for the big gals.  MN is the land of 10,000 lakes, giving the angler plenty of choices.  

My favorite Ice Fishing was for Walleye and Sauger on Lake of The Woods.  Red Lake Walleye, and Perch fishing has gotten much better in recent years, and Leach can be good as well.

Also, the Eel Pout festival in Bemiji is a an annual MN festival celebrating the local heritage, and the sport of ice fishing.  Prizes, games, and much crazy tomfoolery abound.  Google it for a laugh.

I lived on Lake Minnetonka, so that is where I fished the most.  I know every but of structure by heart.

I have always wanted to fish Devil's Lake, ND for monster perch, and Walleye through the ice.  There are several local resorts that cater to the out-of-state traveling angler.  They can set you up with as much or as little gear as you need.  They even have a group Perch Express train ride from the twin cities to the lake if you don't have wheels.

Now days, the use of good electronics, and cameras really helps find the fish.  The trick is how to get the cold/sluggish devils to bite.

[Indyfisher]

John thanks for all the advice and locations. Might see a change of scenery for my winter escapades coming soon. I've always went to Michigan for my ice fishing because I have a friend that lives in northern Detroit. I'm also  licensed there every year for fishing different species every trip. Been to St Claire and a few other smaller lakes on ice. We did decent for perch and northern.

[Indyfisher]

I need to find the whitefish spot. Haven't been to lucky so far.

[Jon_Kol]

 I do a lot of ice fishing, for Northern Pike and various salt water fish, but I live in Norway so I don't know if it's of any interest that I post photos of various rigs etc?

[Indyfisher]

Any advice is well taken Jon, from anyone. I'm a novice at the ice so any tips will be treasured.

[Dominick]

I do a lot of ice fishing, for Northern Pike and various salt water fish, but I live in Norway so I don't know if it's of any interest that I post photos of various rigs etc?

Jon, post the photos.  If the Norwegian fish will hit a lure we can try it out on American fish.  Dominick

[Indyfisher]

I was thinking the exact same Dominick.

[Lunker Larry]

Love to get out on the ice. Got my granddaughter into it. I know some ice fishermen are very picky on the tackle they use but not me. I've got a number of ice fishing rods and some I've made from old rods. Any reel will do the trick along with any left over fishing line. Have a few homemade tip ups too. Never had any issues.
One little trick that I can pass along is to attach a plastic zip tie to the end of the rod. Fasten it along the end of the rod so the square end sticks out a few inches over the eye at the end of the rod. Cut a small 'V' in the square pull through end so you can lay your line over it. When you set the hook your line just falls off the zip tie. You can pick the size of the zip tie to fit the weight of your lure. It is absolutely perfect for detecting the light bites. Better than springs and other less sturdy methods. I'll post a picture later.

[Lunker Larry]

Here's a pic of what I do for the light biters. It really does work great.
Sorry for the pic. The light in my garage tonight is not good for my playbook camera but you will get the idea.

[Tightlines667]

That's a good idea.  I used to use porcupine quills as floats, then switched to these modern slim balsa fliats for light biters on the live bait.  The soft tip rods work good for light jigs, but heavy jigs need a stiffer rod.  Guess detecting the bite while jigging is less of an issue though.

John

[MarkT]

Ice fishing? Man, I don't need that as an excuse to drink beer!

[Indyfisher]

That is an awesome homemade alternative to some expensive spring bobbers. Thanks for the info Larry. I was using a rubber grommet with titanium leader wire with a broken tip as a spring bobber. You just gave me a weekend project. Appreciate your advice.

[Indyfisher]

Ice fishing? Man, I don't need that as an excuse to drink beer!

You have to drink something a little harder to keep your inside warm. 

[Lunker Larry]

Ice fishing? Man, I don't need that as an excuse to drink beer!

Me neither but I would rather have cold toes than be sea sick

[Bill B]

There is a show on Netflix called The Frozen Chosen about spearfishing for sturgeon....was pretty interesting....kind of like precision bombing with a spear....there are some really big fish in those lakes.....Bill