West Wind ice and fishing report

[WestWindResort]

I drove my ATV out on the lake about 1 mile today and found the ice to be 8 to 10 inches thick. The snow seems to be insulating the ice causing it not to freeze as well in some areas, that's where the difference in thickness comes in. Also I found a few slushy spots, also caused by the weight of the snow. The slush I found was only about 2 inches deep and was no problem getting through. There have been a few people out fishing and the reports have all been good, walleyes and a crappie here and there. For now I would still suggest ATV's and snowmobile traffic only but it won't be long and we will be driving out. Good luck and be safe!!!

[Outdoors Junkie]

Thanks for the great report Scott!  We are excited to have you part of MNO!

[Mayfly]

I got a question for you......

These days what are most ice anglers in search of on red? Are they looking for big pike? Walleyes? or are they searching for the famous red lake crappie?

I made the trip two years ago...what a great time!!!

[jigglestick]

who the heck is scott?
a new guy or what?
what happened to Kevin?
Tim, Marty?
Paul,Gasman and all the lovely ladies that served us so faithfully all those years ?
sure do miss those fun nights and great bites!

[Outdoors Junkie]

The West Wind is still the same great resort we all have come to love.  Scott is the person in charge of ice fishing for the West Wind.  He has been in this position for a few years now.  He has offered to submit local reports to MNO.  So, please help me welcome Scott Waldo as a Field Staff reporter for MNO. 

Here is a little more info about the West Wind Resort.  We opened our doors in March of 2000 and we have been going strong ever since. Each year we have been expanding adding more services to our customers.  We now offer a wide variety of things like: Restaurant, Full Service Bar, Bait and Tackle, Fish Cleaning Facility, Gas, Propane Refill and Exchange, 17 Fish House Rentals, 8 Cabin Rentals and most importantly a friendly group of people to help you out with all your needs.

We have a protected marina with 34 boat slips and 15 RV sites with full hook-ups along with a shower house for year round use.

Please visit the West Wind Resort onlline at www.westwindwaskish.com  or call them at (218)647-8998

[cookie]

Looking forward to having some fresh walleye cooked at westwind.
Will you be coming up this winter Jiggleship?
Last year when walleye closed the business defintly slowed down a bit even though there were crappies to be caught. Because they are a little harder to find most are very hush hush when they catch them which makes no sense to me. I guess they want them all to themselfs?We will again be targetting crappies with walleye as a bonus fish. I do have some guys that are coming just for waleye though.The pike are a different story. They are a few that like to fish for them but it seems most want a little fish to eat .When I first started fishing thats what I always wanted to catch but spending most of my fishing time with my partner he was more of a pan fishermen.With walleye  a secondary fish. He never wanted to fish for bass or pike. He is a big meat eater and to this day still preferrs panfish.

[jigglestick]

Cookie, I would expect that I will make it up a few times anyway.
probably flying low if you know what I mean.
lotta bullets zinging around on the north side of the lake
the red carpet treatment and threats, angler harassment have taken a lot of the fun out of going up there.
when going somewhere stops being fun, its hard to get all excited about going.
not to worry, I am sure I sold my soul to the crappie gods somewhere along the line, I gotta go back
I'll look you up.

[JohnWester]

hey cookie, i'll be up with the kids again here this winter.  i'll give you a shout when the days approach.

[TMT]

Welcome Scott (WestWindResort).
I look forward to hearing all the reports from you, and hopefully I will be able to make it up there a couple times this year to fish.

[WestWindResort]

I got a question for you......

These days what are most ice anglers in search of on red? Are they looking for big pike? Walleyes? or are they searching for the famous red lake crappie?

I made the trip two years ago...what a great time!!!

Most guy that are out fishing on red say thay want crappies. Most will actually fish walleye and hope to find the crappies too. Walleye are much easier to target cause their everywhere. There are also plenty of anglers that setup tipups for the pike and for good reason, I've seen some big ones pulled through the ice. But again the majority are walleye and crappie fisherman.

[jigglestick]

I agree, on Red lake, Crappie is KING!!
we can catch two pound walleyes anywhere.
two pound crappies are VERY special

[repoman]

welcome to mno wwr (scott) ill definitly look you up when we make our trip in feb up to red