The ice keeps building on Detroit and other lakes in the area, but some lakes still have relatively thin ice. I visited a handful of lakes on Monday, and the following stats are from that evening:
Little Detroit: 7.5-8.5” near Zorbaz access. Ice gets thicker further from shore.
Big Detroit: 8.5-9.5” near public access, with thicker further from shore. Thickest ice around!
Deadshot Bay: 5.5-7.5” at Long Bridge. Ice is thinnest beneath the bridge.
Lake Sauers: 4-4.5” as far out as 200 yards. I don’t recommend fishing here until the weekend.
Leaf Lake: 5-6.5” with thicker ice starting 100 yards from shore.
Big Cormorant: 4-4.5” near North access. I don’t recommend fishing here until the weekend.
As you can see, ice thickness varies greatly from lake to lake. It’s important to check the lake you are fishing as you walk out. Drill holes every 50’, wear picks around your neck, and tap ahead of you with an ice chisel (tap twice). Officially, I recommend fishing Detroit right now since the ice is thickest there. Panfish and pike are biting during the day, while walleye and crappie are feeding after sunset. I recommend fishing shallower than 15’, near green weeds. If using an underwater camera, you can see color best during the day, so that’s the best time to find those green weeds that are producing oxygen. Thanks for reading and stay warm this week!
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My name is Brady Baxter. I teach high school social studies in Detroit Lakes and I own Baxstar Fishing. I also write this report every week. Join me on the ice for a fun-filled, actioned packed fishing trip. I will teach you everything I know, and keep the conversation going in between! Booking a trip online takes less than 5 minutes. Click below to start planning your next big ice fishing trip!
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TY for the Great Lake info!