Lake of the Woods
Ice is forming rapidly, and there has been some fishing in Four-Mile Bay. Whether anglers hit the main lake by this weekend depends on the snow and wind received earlier this week, but it sounds promising. As much as 5 inches of ice was reported in the bay and on some parts of the lake side near Pine Island. Most resorts in the area are holding off on starting their winter season until the middle of next week at the earliest. The cold temperatures and minimal precipitation in the forecast for the next few days should help accelerate the ice-making process.
Devils Lake
Anglers and spearfish enthusiasts have started venturing out on some of the shallower lakes north of Devils Lake such as Morrison and Sweetwater, and ice thickness reportedly varies from 3 inches to 6 inches, according to Lynn Schlueter, a fisheries biologist for the Game and Fish Department in Devils Lake. Fishing guide Jason Mitchell said he''s starting to hear reports of anglers venturing out on some of the bays on Devils Lake, but ice conditions have been "pretty hit and miss." The north end of Six-Mile Bay, north end of Creel Bay, Minnewaukan Flats and Pelican Lake are among the places anglers are fishing, Mitchell said, but he hasn't heard any gangbusters reports. Ice depths vary from 2 to 6 inches, "but there are some areas on the main lake that I would venture would be a lot less," Mitchell said.
Crookston area
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Anglers have started venturing out on Maple Lake, which has 4 to 6 inches of ice, according to Sue Kaiser of Ceasons Bait and Tackle in Crookston. A few walleyes and crappies are being caught near the rock pile on the east side of Maple, Kaiser said.
Elsewhere, Union Lake just froze, Kaiser said, and she hasn''t heard of anyone fishing Lake Sarah. Nobody has fished the Red Lake River in Crookston yet, either, she said, but a few anglers likely will start testing the ice within the next week or so. Caution is the keyword this time of year, especially on the rivers.
Upper Red Lake
Most of the lake has 3 to 4 inches of ice, but that could change with a strong wind or any additional snow. A few people have wet their lines, but fishing reports have been limited. If the area can dodge more snow this week, ice fishing should shift into high gear by the weekend.
Bemidji area
There's as much as 3 inches of ice on many small lakes, but the snow has piled up causing slush to develop. As a result, extreme caution is advised if you plan on walking on any lake in this area.
Blackduck area
Everything is ice covered, but the snow has limited the ice-making process. A few anglers have been walking on some lakes and report 2 to 6 inches of ice. Where the snow has blown off, you''ll find more ice.
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Leech Lake area
Anglers have started walking on the small lakes and there is some ice in the bays of Leech, but most of the big lake still was open as of Tuesday morning. The wind early in the week prevented many areas from capping, but it will freeze over soon with the right weather.
Lake Winnibigoshish
The entire lake was covered with ice Tuesday, so if the wind stays down and the area can avoid snow this week, there should be some areas thick enough to walk on soon. Early reports indicate 2 to 5 inches of ice, depending on where the snow is piled up.
Detroit Lakes
Anglers are walking on some of the small lakes, but there is quite a bit of snow piling up. The wind earlier this week was blowing the snow off many lakes, and as much as 7 inches of ice was reported. But there's less ice in a lot of spots, so caution is advised.
Park Rapids area
There was some open water on the big lakes, but anglers have started walking on a handful of smaller fisheries. As much as 4 inches of ice was reported on the lakes where people were fishing earlier this week.
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Downhill skiing report
- Buena Vista Ski Area near Bemidji: 16- to 24-inch base, 14 inches of new snow, groomed powder, snowmaking continues. At least six runs will be open by the weekend. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for skiing, noon to 5 p.m. for tubing. Info: www.bvskiarea.com .
- Frostfire Ski Area near Walhalla, N.D.: 15- to 30-inch base, 15 inches of new snow in the past week; making snow. Open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Info: www.frostfireskiarea.com .
Cross-country skiing report
- Turtle River State Park near Arvilla, N.D.: Cross-country ski trail loops A and B are open and in fair condition and were groomed Wednesday. Local snow depth 4 to 8 inches.
- Hayes Lake State Park south of Roseau, Minn.: Ski and snowmobile conditions listed as poor because trails have not yet been groomed. Local snow depth 10 inches.
- Lake Bemidji State Park: Very good cross-country skiing conditions, unknown snowmobile conditions. Local snow depth 9 inches with 2-inch trail base.
- Lake Bronson State Park near Lake Bronson, Minn.: Very good cross-country skiing conditions, and trails were groomed Wednesday. Local snow depth 13 inches.
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- Itasca State Park: Fair cross-country skiing conditions; trails were packed Nov. 22 but weren't listed as groomed as of Thursday. Local snow depth 8½ inches.
- Old Mill State Park near Argyle, Minn.: Trails are still listed as poor because grooming hasn't started. Local snow depth 6 inches.
- Zippel Bay State Park near Williams, Minn.: Very good cross-country skiing conditions, but snowmobile trails remain closed. Trail base 6 inches, local snow depth 12½ inches.
