Beltrami County deputies and several other emergency responders arrived on the scene and determined that due to the size of the separation, an airboat would be needed to evacuate people from the ice.

During the rescue, strong winds continued to push the ice chunk and the separation grew to a couple hundred feet.

BIG thx to Beltrami County Deputies, Kelliher Fire & Rescue, MN DNR, and the Bemidji Fire Dept for getting everyone back across safely! ????

Then just yesterday…

…a plane broke thru the ice:

Only 1-2” of ice was reported where the plane went through approximately 1/2 mile out from Pioneer Rd on the southeastern shore of Upper Red Lake. The pilot had already made contact with a recovery operation and made arrangements to extricate the plane.

Crazy! Glad the fellas were okay.

I also saw this posted yesterday by Jim Staricha (Northland Towing) who was up there recovering the cleanest dang Panther I think I’ve ever seen. I’m about 97% sure I saw it listed on FB marketplace about a month ago:

Started with Luke Loewe doubling-over on a quality bite in the pouring rain. Love the expression on his face – I’m assuming he’s thinking “wow these fight way harder than bass” hahaha! And then reinforcements slid in for the assist:

Was an awesome experience getting to hit the ice with ‘em and see the Rapala team in their natural environment (little more on that soon-ish). Also gotta say the new VMC Rattling Roach Spoon is a killer bait for fussy, clear-water walleyes. I will definitely have one tied on a rod the next time I hit the ice…maybe tomorrow? ????

In my experience using them in other states, fish are almost always hooked in the lips and primed for a healthy release…whereas it’s super common for tip-up fish to be deeply “gut hooked” and come up bleeding before you ever even touch ‘em.

Soooo…I recently came across a post on the MN DNR’s Facebook page announcing the new 23/24 regulation books, and saw a comment + reply that instantly caught my attention:

Couple more quick details:

…has an adjustable sensitivity and power setting so ice anglers can set how much force they would like [both for bite detection and hook-setting power].

Ice spikes on the bottom of tip up to hold securely in place. Folds down for easy storage. Constructed of a heavy-duty nylon material. …adjustable so it fits a variety of ice fishing rod lengths and actions….

Full rundown on the Predator Tip-Up in the video below where Caleb Wistad also shows how to set it up for fishing in either function:

But something Loren didn’t mention was if you look closely, that fish had an appetizer before taking down the main course:

We’re back with episode 63 of our “Top 5” video series brought to you by our friends at Sea Foam – hope you dig it!

…after a sheet of ice broke away from the shore.

They were fishing and heard a loud crack, bang…went out and looked a little bit later and ice was gone from the shore to about 100 yards out into the lake. Due to poor phone service, the stranded fishermen ended up putting a message out on Facebook as a call for help.

3. MN: Tony Roach hit Upper Red Lake…

…in the newest episode of Dialed In Angling. If you’re headed that way soon-ish, they’ve got some useful info on how they’re catching fish in just 6-7’, and the type locations they’re fishing (what they’re looking for both under and on top of the ice).

4. TUCR has 15% off in-stock Bullwhips.

TUCR = Tuned Up Custom Rods. Bullwhips = The hardwater panfish rod that needs no introduction. They currently have 15% off all in-stock Bullwhips, which is actually sorta crazy because they already sell as fast as they can (hand) make them. Limited supply until they run out – can snoop thru ‘em right here.

If you’re looking for a new panfish stick for outside hole-hopping, they have a handful of longer 36” Bullwhips with the EVA handle in stock right now. ???? Nasty rod! Of course you’ll want a slightly shorter one if fishing inside the shack.

5. MN: $10K 1st-place prize at annual LOTW ice derby…

…outta Springsteel Resort (Warroad) on Lake of the Woods on Feb 17, 2024.

6. ND: Aerators saved West Lake from winterkill.

Don’t see ‘em much around where I’m at, but the first time I ever drove thru [secret area] in southern MN during the winter, I was blown away at how many small, fertile, shallow lakes were being given man-made oxygen…and the fishing + growth rates were awesome.

7. SD GFP seeking public comment on fisheries planning efforts.

8. GSM bought Phenix Rods.

Anotha one! *DJ Khalid voice*

9. Convicted walleye cheater gets forgery sentence.

Not related to the tourney scandal.

10. FL will now allow weighing ‘overs’ in bass tourney.

The Black Bass Tournament Exemption Permit allows tournament participants to temporarily possess live black bass that may be over the recreational length limit.

First I had ever heard of something like that. Would be interesting to see if any states would give that type of exemption to a walleye derby? Would we want it??

If you’ve got time to kill, TJ Erickson’s full video is packed with a bunch of tippy nuggets and even underwater walleye-strike footage – which is ultra rare in these parts. If you’re in a hurry, you can jump to 9:25 where he’s specifically talking about locations.

TJ is fishing a tight inside turn (20-25′) between 2 shallow flats that basically forces fish to come to him. Also had some decent daytime action considering those clear-water lakes are primarily a “flash bite” at sunrise and sunset:

MN-FISH