We arrived to West Wind Resort, paid our $10 road fee, and set out to find some walleyes for the frying pan. The lake had a solid 15-17" of ice everywhere we went. When we stopped and got bait, the cashier asked us if we are going to go and join the other 3000 fish houses on Red Lake. I kind of laughed, but when pulled out onto the ice, I realize he wasn't kidding, now there wasn't 3000 houses, but there was a small city out there. Now I am not one to fish amongst the crowd so we headed out about three miles and veered away from the masses. The driving conditions are great on the lake right now, allowing you to travel all over the lake. Obviously be aware of pressure ridges and ice heaves, and when you stop in ask the resorts.
We found the area we wanted to go and set up for the morning. It couldn't have been two minutes after we got set up, Jim Ernster said "fish on" in my Jason Mitchell Thermal X, which by the way is one of the best two man portables on the market because of its durability, fishable space, and its full thermal protection from the cold and wind, which was a big part to our success on Upper Red. Throw in the ability of the Thermal X with the use of our new Portable Buddy Heaters from Mr. Heater (View Website Here), which are easy to use, pack up nicely and tight, and keep you and and your hands warm making fishing much more enjoyable. If you don't own one of these heaters or have never tried one you are simply missing out on the comfort they provide anglers on the ice across the country.
From that point on the five of us worked through and sorted through quite a few fish. We finished the day with our five limits of great eating sized walleyes and a few bonus pig perch thrown in. The action was decent and it was enough to keep us busy in the portables and allowed for enough bantering back and forth. We had to make a few moves, but ultimately the hard work paid off.
The fish were not responding very well to the jigging spoons. The fish that did take the spoons, had to be enticed and coaxed. Remember to keep them chasing and focus in on our cadence. I found as the day went on that a subtle jiggle and inch or two pull away from the fish is what got them to hit. Also constantly switching up spoons, colors, and sizes often times got that reaction bite. The Jason Mitchell 28" Walleye Rod was the ticket and has enough sensitivity to feel that slight pull or change in your cadence when a walleye hits your lure. As the day went on though, the dead sticks out produced the jigging spoons. The jigging spoons brought them in and often times they would hit our dead sticks that were either a plain hook/split shot or glow jig. Now you tell me, what is more fun than watching your bobber disappear down the hole? :) Our best action came in about 10-12' of water. Another thing to not overlook is utilizing pressure ridges and ice heaves as ambush locations for fish. These often times provide a change of light under the ice, but also a place for predators to trap bait fish. This is something to we put to good use, but use caution, park away from them, and check the ice where you want to fish before setting up.
Our best bite ironically enough started about 2:00PM and lasted well into the Vikings game! So listening to the Vikings and catching walleyes became a reality this day and an awful lot of fun. At one point, I heard "AP all day" from Pablo's shelter and a whole lot of screaming.
A day trip well worth it! Walleyes on the ice, the Vikings won, beat the Packers, and are in the playoffs! More importantly memories were made!
The fishing on Leech Lake has also been very good, with many limits of walleyes being caught and some perch starting to show up. We have permanent houses on the lake, guides busy finding the hot bite. For any of your ice fishing needs in the Leech Lake and Brainerd areas be sure to give us a call! (855-LOA-Hook (855-562-4665)
Until then
SKOL VIKINGS!
