Ice House Rentals

At this time we are no longer booking any ice house rentals for the 2015 winter season, I am full up.  I have had an overwheliming amount of requests.  I just don't have the capacity to rent any more then I am now.  I will still be guiding and that is where I focus my business.  

Thank you to all my customers current and past.  Also appreciate all the interest, just too much for a small operation for a guy like me.  Hopefully you find someone to get you on the ice, or if you are looking to book the ultimate trip with ALL the gear provided then book a guide trip before those are all filled up as well.

Until next time, Fish On!  

Across The Ice Belt

Where haven't we been in the last few weeks.... Winnipeg is about it, and that one was on the list, had passports in hand but we got side tracked.  We have hit the ice belt and pounded on some miles and landed some amazing fish.  It has been the earliest ice we have seen in 15+ years and the fish did exactly what they were supposed to-chew.  

We started on Leech Lake on Nov 19th and found the fish in the typical fall/early ice spots.  We managed to catch lots of nice gravel lizards over 22" and some pushed the 26"+ mark.  The eater size fish also cooperated so we had a few nice fish fry's.  When we arrived in late November we found ice to be about 6-7" on the area we wanted to fish, so we used ATV's, Clam portables, and small wheel shacks to stay on the ice over night.  The best bite was at sun down and sun rise.  The late night bite was also pretty good.  The usual plain hook with a minnow did most the damage.  

From there we headed west in search of some big bellied jumbo perch.  We did spend a few days poking around looking for them, but once we landed on them I can tell you it was one of the most amazing bites I have ever been a part of.  We managed many perch over 12" with some pushing 14.5" or so.  2lb Perch surely do fight hard and also present a great challange.  This trip and experience was one for the record books.  We have been back since, and I will have more info to come.  The best baits have been clam baits tipped with maki plastics.  Yes, we caught most of these fish on plastics!  They work great and allowed us not to have to bait the hook as often allowing us to catch and land more fish.  

As for an updated ice report, I have had many people ask.  Here is what I have for ice conditions in MN, SoDak, and surrounding area lakes.  

LOW- 16-24"

Red Lake - 18-24"

Leech - 14-20"

Lake Minnetonka - 9-16"

Lake Waconia - 9-17"

Webster SD area - 10-20"

Thats a quick report from some recent action.  Will have more in the coming days, until then Fish On!

First We Must Get To The Fish

I am excited to announce that I have partnered with Camoplast, a great company with a track product that is a must for myself and many other ice fisherman/outdoors folks.  This means that now I will be able to go places I may not have been able to in the past, we must first get to the fish.  It will take me further, take me to remote places, and get me to the fish.  Not only will I benefit from this partnership and their great track system I will now be able to get my clients to places and fish that once were not attainable.

I have installed my Camoplast atv tracks on a Polaris Sportsman 850HO XP with power steering.  This is the ultimate ice fishing machine.  Now that I got this all installed and have been using it the last few weeks all the snow melted, but that is ok.  These can go on ice, snow, dirt, grass, anything for that matter.  They go and go.  I did install some "dirt bike" style screw in studs in my tracks for the sole purpose of getting some better traction on glare ice.   

It has been on display the past two weekends at Gander Mountain in Eden Prairie and Cabela's in Rogers.  Many people stopped to check it out and ask questions.  As you can see it is the complete machine and will go anywhere I may want to go.  Look forward to a busy winter with the machine and have some great fishing reports/updates I need to get posted.  We have been on the big gravel lizards in a big way.  Until next time, Fish On and Merry Christmas.  If you have any questions in regards to the Camoplast tracks or system please contact me.  

10 Last Minute Christmas Ideas For The Sportsman In Your Life

Here we are 10 days away from Christmas, so I figured it would be a good time to call out 10 of my favorite gift ideas for the sportsman in your life!  Some of these items will cost you more then others, but the list consits of all price ranges and aim to please your man.  They are in no particular order.  

1. Rapala Lithium Ion Fillet Knife-Fishing and a must have for any fisherman who likes a meal of fish now and again.  

2. Jason Mitchell Elite Ice Fishing Combo-These are great combo's and available in different actions depending on your man. If he fishes panfish get him a 24" Meatstick and if he is a walleye or perch guy the 26" or 28" make great options.  

3. Sitka Fanatic Jacket- Anything Sitka will be the best hunting gear your man will have ever owned.  This stuff fits right and is warm for the deer hunter in your family.  Also check out their waterfowl and Open Country patterns.  

4. Shimano Curado-The best all around baitcaster made and a great value at under $200 bucks.  He will love this reel if he enjoys casting for fish at all.  

5. Grizzly Cooler-If keeping your game or beverages is important then a Grizzly is a must have.  They make great bait tanks in the winter and great for keep beverages and food cold for days in the summer.  Another must have for the avid outdoorsman.  I find myself using the 20qt and 40qt all the time.  

6. Clam Tackle- If you are looking for small items or stocking stuffer's these are your "go-to"!  Clam has an entire line of tackle options to help your man catch more fish this winter.  

7. Mathews No-Cam HTR Bow-The most accurate, smoothest bow ever invented.  This thing will make your man drop to his knees and praise the ground you walk on(if he doesn't already..).  If you want to make your man feel love beyond words, I would look into getting him one of these if he is a bow hunter or looking to get into shooting.  

8. HHA Lite King Pin-Maybe your man is in need of a new bow sight.  HHA has recently released a new single pin sight that will have him wondering who you were getting your info from.  This one is another home run for the avid bow hunter in your family.  A great upgrade to any bow.  

9. Clam Ice Auger Conversion Kit-If your man has a nice Lithium drill or maybe you bought him one already for Christmas this will make for a great way to get him on the ice.  This conversion kit really makes for a easy solution to drill ice holes.  Great alternative to a gas auger.   

10. Guided Fishing Trip-If you are completly stumped this holiday season but want to send him on a fishing trip he will remember, or you have always wanted to hire him a guide now is your chance.  You can contact me for gift certificates for 5hr fishing excursions for 2 people with all the gear provided.  

Hopefully these ideas help you ladies or men still looking for "the gift".  If you have any questions feel free to contact me at any time.  Fish On and Happy Holidays!