With the snow hitting this past week it has made fishing alittle tougher, people are still managing their way around but the heavy snow has forced many people to stay on the roads that are being plowed. We managed around 12-14 inches of snow.
As for the ice I would say it ranges but from 8 to 12 inches would be a good estimate. Depending on the lake, All the lakes around the area have some sort of fish house action on them. Reno has been packed but people are driving smaller trucks out on the lake and there are alot of big houses out on the ice. Osakis, has ice ranging from 9 to 11 inches also with many smaller cars driving out onto the ice. Minnewaska has ranging ice but overall it probably has the most ice of any in the area with ice ranging from 12 to 13 inches. The Alexandria Chain ranges but the average is 8 to 11 inches of ice, Le homme deiu and Darling have the most ice with Carlos still having the least in the area.
As for fishing there are some reports of good sunnie and crappie fishing in the shallows ranging from 8 to 12 feet of water, using wax worms and crappie minnows. The best colors have been either hot colors (ie pinks, chart, or orange) or they have been going with more nuetral colors (ie blacks and purples) As for walleyes the bite has been slowed since the big storm hit but their are still some to be had, the best bites have been in the evening into the night. depths ranged but 15 to 22 feet of water seems to be your best bet. Most people are using a jig with one rod and a plain hook and a minnow in the other hole. They fish have been biting both. As for Northern fishing, the best bet is to find a good bed of green weeds and set up tip-ups around the bed with large sucker minnows. Depths are ranging but anywhere from 12 to 15 feet of water. If you do have any further questions about lakes, fishing reports and rental house information please feel free to email or call at any time. Good luck to all those heading out.
Drake Herd
H&H Fishing Guide Service
320-766-2320
www.hhfishingguides.com