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West Central MN | Artie’s Bait and Tackle in Ortonville is very active on FB and they will give you lots of information especially if you buy bait from them. Currently they are saying about 11 inches of ice so things are coming around and it sounds like fishing has been pretty good.
I’m local but don’t fish so not much help from me personally.
This is their report from 3 days ago:
Big Stone Lake is ready to go!
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Ice Report:
We are finding 10-11 inches of ice in most areas of old ice. Some new ice areas may be 9 or less. Avoid ice heaves and do not cross them. We are advising atv/utv or lighter and small wheel houses for the next week. We do not feel the lake is ready for vehicles yet. However at public accesses it is your choice.
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Fishing report:
Fishing has been hit and miss but good when you dial it in! We have had reports of limits of crappie, decent numbers of perch (good size too) and a few bluegill. Most in 10-13 ft of water. The bite is a little finicky/spotty. One angler reported not jigging and leaving a dead stick worked well. He said if you jig...they spook. Another challenge has been no snow cover on the ice. In a shallow lake the fish will spook on clear ice. It's best to go stealth mode and find a white patch of ice. Fortunately we are getting a couple inches of snow now. Most fish are still adjacent to drop off and not so much in the middle of the basin yet. That may change soon.
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Fish house rentals:
Rentals start tomorrow! We are running a special through Sunday. $125 for half day. 7-noon or 1-6pm. $250 for full day (includes shuttle to and from the house). No overnights until Dec 26. We still have openings for rentals this week and next. For more details and regular rates for Dec 26-Mar 2 go to www.artiesbait.com
To reserve call 320-839-2480. Afternoon phone calls preferred.
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Lodging:
Econo Lodge Hotel (owned by Artie's)
Rates start at $95 per night
Includes free hot breakfast and a pass for heated fish cleaning facility at Artie's.
www.econolodgeortonville.com
or call to reserve 320-839-2414
Schmidts Landing Resort
Friendly owners
Lakeside cabins
Heated fish cleaning
605-432-6911
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Bait Shop:
Fully stocked! Augers, electronics, ice rods/reels, all the right tackle, fathead, crappie minnows, waxworms, red and white spikes, hoodies and more! We appreciate your business and have many sales!
Hours:
Mon-Thu 7am-6pm
Friday 6:30am-6:00pm
Saturday 6am-5pm
Sunday 7am-3pm
(Hours will expand soon)
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Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Good luck...stay safe and Merry Christmas!
Shares are much appreciated!
Edited by vvv 12/21/2024 16:35
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Ice Fishing Big Stone Lake MN
