Ice fishing expected on Lake of the Woods by Dec. 10

Baudette-area lodges checking ice daily. Six inches reported on west side of 4 Mile Bay.

December 5, 2011 at 7:29PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
In winter on giant Lake of the Woods, ice and cold prevail. But anglers and their guides prevail. Here, at day's end, a couple of ice fisherment prepare to head back to Oak Island, on the American side of the lake about 30 miles from Baudette, Minn.
(Dennis Anderson/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

For tens of thousands of Minnesotans, the scene in the photo above from Lake of the Woods last winter is akin to heaven on Earth — or on Earth's ice.

It's a scene about to be repeated.

Reports from the big lake indicate safe ice on some parts of the lake near Baudette.

Sportsman's Lodges reports that on Sunday afternoon, 4 Mle Bay had about 6 inches of ice, with several spearing houses on the west side.

Anglers are reporting very clear ice and water. "We are optimistic about fishing by Dec. 10," the report said.

Elsewhere, smaller lakes in far northern Minnesota are seeng some angler activity. Caution, as usual, is advised.

Low temperatures in the single digits are predicted thoughout much of the northern half of the state this week — good for ice-making.

about the writer

about the writer

Dennis Anderson

Columnist

Outdoors columnist Dennis Anderson joined the Star Tribune in 1993 after serving in the same position at the St. Paul Pioneer Press for 13 years. His column topics vary widely, and include canoeing, fishing, hunting, adventure travel and conservation of the environment.

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