|
February 1, 2012
The mild
weather continues in the Bemidji
area, with good ice conditions and
less than six inches of snow cover
on most lakes. Fishing slowed down
some during the coldest part of
January, but February is here and
fishing should keep improving as
March approaches.
Anglers have
been catching walleyes anywhere from
the deep edge of the weedline all
the way down to the edge of the
basin, depending on the conditions.
Walleyes usually move into structure
during low light periods and head
for deeper water during the day.
Walleyes in stained lakes often
suspend over deeper water during the
day, at approximately the same depth
where they will make contact with
structure when they get active.
Anglers using
sonar usually have a big advantage
over anglers fishing without sonar.
Anglers can see fish on sonar when
they move through and they can see
when their presentations are
triggering bites and also when they
are scaring the fish. Anglers using
sonar know when fish are moving
through and not biting and when
there are no fish in the area. When
conditions are tough, just the
presence of fish, even if they won’t
bite, can be a good sign. Eventually
the conditions may improve and the
fish may decide to bite.
Perch anglers
have been finding schools of perch
in both deep and shallow water. The
shallow perch have been on rocks or
on the edges of flats with cabbage
weeds or chara covering the bottom.
The deep perch have been close to
the edge of the basin, where they
can feed on both insects and
minnows.
Anglers have
been finding crappies on the edges
of structure connected to deep
water. Most of the crappies have
been between 20 and 30 feet,
suspended a few feet off the bottom.
Most of the
large lakes have been producing
walleyes in the mornings and
evenings.
Paul
Nelson
Bemidji Area Lakes Guide
Service
panelson@paulbunyan.net
218.759.2235
SCROLL
DOWN FOR ICE SAFETY TIPS
|
|
Over
400 fishing lakes are within a twenty five mile radius
of Bemidji. With twenty-five percent of all the
lakes
in Minnesota
located in the famed Bemidji area, you will find some of the best areas for fishing
to fit your needs. Whether you are an avid angler or just simply like to dip your hook in
the water now and then, we have it all. Lake Bemidji has two
fishing piers located on the Mississippi River inlet and on the north
shore at Lake Bemidji State Park. The Bemidji area
is a year around destination for fishing, from walleye, bass, muskie,
perch, crappies, pan fish and trout.
|
Licenses available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 1-888-665-4236
or www.wildlifelicense.com/mn
Public water access maps available
www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_access/counties.html
Ice On/Out Dates for Lake Bemidji
Average Ice On - December 2
Average Ice Out - April 26.
Earliest Ice
Out - April 11, 1945 & 1973
Latest Ice Out - May 22, 1950
|
ICE
SAFETY INFORMATION - participating
in ice activities is at your own
risk.
Please remember that ice is never considered totally safe. Ice
conditions are changing on a daily basis. Call ahead for the
most current ice conditions. Anglers should always use extreme caution while ice fishing, and are
encouraged to wear a floatation jacket, carry ice claws and check
ice-depth often. The Department of Natural Resources reports:
* 4 inches of ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel
by foot.
* a minimum of 5
inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles and ATV's,
* 8-12 inches of
new, clear ice for cars and small trucks.
Build Yourself a
Lifesaver - C-J
Johnson
The winter's first
ice is already skimming Minnesota
lakes and ponds and, unfortunately,
with it comes the ice tragedy
season. Every year we hear of people
drowning because they broke through
ice they thought was safe.
We think to
ourselves, "If I fell through,
I'd just climb back onto the solid
ice and be just fine."
Unfortunately, this is much easier
said than done. First, when you fall
through the ice, you're taken by
surprise (if you knew you were going
to break through, you wouldn't have
walked there in the first place,
right?) The sudden shock to your
body plunging into freezing water
adds to the confusion and panic.
Cold water saps body heat 25 times
faster than air of the same
temperature. Just try holding your
hand in a sink full of ice water for
more than a few seconds and you'll
see what I mean.
And, should you
accidentally fall through thin ice,
then comes the difficult task of
pulling oneself out of the cold
water onto the surface of the wet
and slippery ice. Unless you have a
plan of action for just such
emergencies, your chances of getting
out safely can be pretty slim.
Should the need
arise, here is a plan that can help
increase your chances for surviving
a sudden icy dip, you can purchase a
set of commercially made ice rescue
picks or "claws" or, if
you have a few simple tools and a
little skill in the workshop, you
can make a set for a couple of
dollars for materials.
1) Get two 4"
pieces of wooden doweling the size
of a broom handle or a little
larger. Whatever material you
select, it should float in case you
drop the claws while struggling.
2) Drive a stout
nail into one end of each dowel.
3) Use a file or
grinder to sharpen the nail heads to
a point.
4) Drill a hole
into the dowels (in the end opposite
the nail) and tie a length of strong
cord through the hole so a pick is
on each end..."jump-rope"
fashion. Keep the picks in your
pocket for quick emergency access if
you or a companion do break through.
If you do break
through, try to remain calm. Turn in
the water towards the direction you
came from - that is probably the
strongest ice. Dig the points of the
picks into the ice and while
vigorously kicking your feet, pull
yourself onto the surface by sliding
forward on the ice. Roll away from
the area of weak ice. Rolling on the
ice will distribute your weight to
help avoid breaking through again.
Get to shelter, heat, warm dry
clothing and warm, non-alcoholic,
and non-caffeinated drinks. Call 911 and seek
medical attention if you feel
disoriented, have uncontrollable
shivering, or have any other ill
effects that may be symptoms of
hypothermia (the life-threatening
drop in the body's core
temperature).
What If your buddy
breaks through?
First tell them to
"Stay calm" and that
"We'll get you out of
there."
Then throw them
the picks and explain how to use
them. Remember that by kicking their
feet, the thrust of the kicks can
help push them back onto the solid
ice.
I hope you never
have to use ?ice claws? on your
ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross
country skiing or hiking adventures
on frozen waters this winter. But,
just having a pair of these items
with you may offer you a welcome ?comfort
factor?.
CJ Johnson was an
outdoor communications specialist
with Explore Minnesota Tourism,
retiring in 2011.
www.exploreminnesota.com
|
