Platte Lake Ice Out Prediction for 2021

It's that time of year for me to pick an ice-out date for Platte Lake. We have pretty good ice cover on the lakes right now and a moderate amount of snow cover. It looks like by this time next week the snow will be mostly gone.  I don't think there is much hope of beating last year's ice-out date of April 8th.  It does look like we are going to be starting March warmer than last year which makes me optimistic it won't be a late ice-out this year. 

I predict the ice will be off Platte Lake on April 13th, 2021

2020 Prediction April 8th, Nailed it! 

2019 Prediction May 9th Ice Off Date April 20th 

2018 Prediciton April 22nd Ice Off Date May 2nd 

2017 Prediction March 29th Ice Off Date April 1st 

2015 Prediction April 20th Ice Out Date April 3rd

2021 When Will I See My Driveway #1

Not today obviously. Other than where the cars sit there is no bear dry ground. I think we have about a 4-inch base layer over most of the driveway right now. I don't think it will get quite warm enough to turn it to slush until Thursday. A lot of melting this week. Pretty sure it will be ice-free by next Wednesday.

Congrats To Gussy!

 Affable Canadian Pro Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson won the Blue Trophy at the Tennessee River this past Sunday. He did it with smallmouth. The only guy in the field to figure them out.

March Will Be Getting Off To A Warm Start

I will start the "When Will I See My Driveway?" Series for 2021. Pretty sure it will be snow and ice-free by early next week.
 

2021 Fishing Goals

 

Fishing Buddies: 

1. Fish with Dad
2. Fish with Mike Thompson
3. Fish with Jim Bonin
4. Fish with  Mike "Spike" Miller
5. Fish with Jeff and Renee
6. Fish with Todd, Isabelle, and Mallory
7.  Fish with Kane Phongsavat
8. Fish with Jaimen Abrahamson
9. Fish with Dave Lindmark
10. Fish with Steve and Devin
11. Take Corey Hicks frog fishing.
12. Fish with Jamar at Eddy's
13. Fish with Eric Aske
14. Fish with Pete
15. Fish With Josh Abrahamson & Ashley Just

Dream Fishing Buddies:
1. Fish with Josh Douglas
2. Fish with Al Lindner
3. Fish With Nattie Up North

Bass Snatcher Goals: (Same Goals as 2020)

1.  Win my 1st tournament. 9/26/21 (My best finish to date is 2nd Place.)
2. Get "Wood" in at least one tournament. (1st-3rd Place Finish or Lunker or Co-Angler Challenge) 

3. Get "Lunker" in a tournament.   (Preferably one over 5-8 to win the revolving big bass pot.)
4. Get paired with Chuck Fields.  (He usually only fishes a couple of tournaments a year, so chances of it ever happening are not very good.  I may look into bribing Dennis)
5. Finish in the Top 10 at the end of the year. 
6. Catch a limit at every tournament of the year.  (I've done this twice, but in 2012 I only fished 4 out of the 6 tournaments due to a bad back.)
7. Pre-fish with at least 3 boaters.
8. List the Rods I'm bringing for each tournament before the tournament.
9.  Win the Co-Angler Challenge at least twice
10. Make the Challenge Cup Team

Technique & Tackle Goals:
1. Win something in Fantasy Fishing or Facebook giveaways/contests.
2. Officially Open the Tackle Warehouse this year.
3. Catch Fish On 100 different Lures (94 Lures in 2020)
4. Catch 25 fish on a Frenzy Popper
5. Catch 25 fish on a Stanley Phantom

6. Get A Hat Sponsorship

7. Catch bass cranking deep in Sullivan Lake

8. Keep a Lures Lost List

Lures Lost In 2021:

Bear Trax Glow Demon: |||

T.H.E. Jig: ||

Craw Tube: |||| |||| |||| ||||

X-Rap 10: ||

Ultimate Jerk Shad: |

2" Storm Swim Shad: ||

eBay Chatterjig: |||

Berkley Frenzy Popper: |
Hack Attack Jig: ||

Bobby's Perfect: |||| |

Terminator Jr.: |

R2S Rover: |

All Terrain A.T. Jig: |

Terminator Frog: ||
R2S Bubble Walker: |

LiveTarget Frog: |

9. Catch a bass on every frog in my arsenal 

1. Bobby's Perfect 🗹
2. Ish's  🗹
3. Ish's Poppin  🗹
4. Snag Proof Kicker🗹
5. Snag Proof Moss Master 🗹
6. Snag Proof Pro Tournament 🗹
7. Terminator 🗹
8. Terminator Jr. 🗹
9. Terminator Popper 🗹
10. Teckel Sprinker  🗹
11. Teckel Whacker🗹
12. Spro King Daddy 🗹
13. Spro Bronzeye  🗹
14. Spro Popper 🗹
15. Spro Sprinker KO 🗹
16. Spro Shad Sprinker KO🗹
17. R2S Bully Wa 🗹
18. R2S Bully Wa 2 🗹
19. TT Mad Max 🗹
20. LiveTarget Frog
21. Booyah Pad Crasher  🗹
22. Booyah Toad Runner  🗹
23. BD Frog🗹
24. BD Frog (big)  🗹
25. Evergreen Soft Shell  🗹
26. Blitz Frog  🗹
27. Sumo Frog🗹
28. Teckel Maracker 🗹
29. ScumDog Walker 🗹
30. SnagProof Frogzilla  🗹
31. Scum Frog Trophy   🗹
32. Snag Proof Jr.r 🗹
33.  Paycheck Baits Transporter 🗹
34. LunkerHunt Lunker Frog 🗹

Blogging:

1. Blog about anytime I reach a goal.
2. Record all fishing trips at Fish Swami
3. Fish at least 200 days and blog about them

Fish Goals:
1. Catch* 4,000 Fish (3,051 caught in 2020)
2. Average 5 fish caught per hour. (3.92 in 2020, 4.40 in 2019, 4.07 in 2018, 3.99 in 2017, 4.08 in 2016, 3.62 in 2015, 3.55 in 2014, 4.41 in 2013, 4.31 in 2012, 2.77 in 2011)
3. Have a 100 fish day.

4. Catch Devin's Birthday Bullhead On May 20th
5. Catch A Fish Every Month
🗹January

🗹February

🗹March

🗹April

🗹May

🗹June

🗹July

🗹 August

🗹 September
🗹 October
🗹 November

🗹 December

Crappie:

1. Catch a new personal best. (Currently 14.25")
2. Catch* over 600 this year. (Caught 217 in 2020)

3. Catch my personal best number of crappies.

Dogfish:
1. Win my 3rd Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Championship
2. Catch an MN State Record fish. (11-4  or 35" x 20")
3. Catch a new personal best.
4. Get the Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Championship stuff done in a timely manner this year.

Pike:
1. Catch* over 1,000 this year. (Caught 927 in 2020)
2. Catch a 38" or over/personal best.

Bass: 
1. Catch a 21plus inch or 6lb Largemouth (6.5lbs/21" PB)
2. Catch a 21plus inch or 6lb Smallmouth (20.5" PB)
3. Catch* over 1,500 bass this year. (Caught 1,293 in 2020)
4. Catch* at least 25 smallies.  (I caught 4 last year)
5. Catch a 25lb 6 Fish Bag
6. Have a 50 bass day 

7. Catch over 500 bass on Frogs
8. Catch 5 bass over  5lbs/20-inches

9. Catch 25 bass over 4lbs/19-inches
10. Get Steve and Todd at least one 4lber

11. Get Belle, Mallory, and Devin a frog fish.

Walleye:
1. Catch at least 100. (Caught 202 in 2020)
2. Catch 30"/10lber or new personal best. (28.5 is PB)

* Catch is anything I deem it to be, including follows by pike or smallmouth (while pre-fishing), a pike missing my lure, fish viewed on the Aqua View, and fish that get off before I have them in hand that I can positively identify.  And fish caught by people I am guiding or boater during pre-fish.

A goal that I reached is in bold.
New for 2021 in italics.

New Fishing Goals for 2021, Preview #4

I have several new goals in the Bass category this year, they are:

Catch over 500 bass on Frogs
Catch 5 bass over  5lbs/20-inches

Catch 25 bass over 4lbs/19-inches

More from this category tomorrow. 

Fantasy Team For the Tennessee River Elite

 I went with 3 blue-chippers in their respective buckets: Palanuik, Wendlandt, and Auten. Switched out Scott Martin for Card when I saw Brandon's low ownership percentage. Card is originally from the Knoxville area. Just have a feeling about Benton. My feelings got hurt picking Koby Kreiger at St. Johns.

New Fishing Goals for 2021, Preview #3

 

Comes from the crappie category and I have already achieved it. Every crappie I catch from now until the end of 2021 will be a new personal best for the number of crappies caught in a year 

Fishing Goals for 2021, Preview #2

 One of my new goals for 2021 is to catch a fish in every month of the year.  I didn't wet a line in January or February in 2020. I didn't catch a fish in four months of 2019. I didn't catch a fish in April of 2018. So 2017 was the last time I caught a fish in all 12 months.

Fishing Goals for 2021 Preview #1

I am planning on publishing my fishing goals for 2021 on March 1st. I think I will preview a few of my new goals for this year before I release them in their entirety next Monday.  I did my first fishing goal list here at Bass Pundit back in 2006. I didn't blog another list of goals until 2016. I have done it every year since always releasing them in March.

Under Technique & Tackle Goals I plan on adding 7 new goals for 2021. Among them are catching fish on at least 100 different lures, catching at least 25 fish on a Berkley Frenzy Popper, and catching a bass deep cranking on Sullivan Lake.  

I have only caught fish on a hundred different lures once in my life; That was in 2017. Every year since 2017 I have caught fish on 90 something different lures. I don't know how many different lures I own, but it's got to be north of 250. I've got at least 30 different hollow body frogs. If I've got 'em I might as well use 'em. The Berkley Frenzy Popper is a lure that fell out of favor with me because it doesn't cast as far as some others and deep cranking fell off my radar after moving north. I think I've tried it only once or twice unsuccessfully on Sullivan.  

 

Strike While The Iron Is Hot

I have been racking up my crappie numbers and fish caught per hour in February.  The idea is to strike while the iron is hot and drive my fish numbers through the roof while I can. I am on track to beat my previous record month for Fish Caught Per Outing which is 34 from January 2017. And it's all but certain I am going to beat my record for crappie caught in a year, which I think is 515 which also came in 2017. The higher I keep my Fish Per Hour in the winter the more likely it will be that I finally break the 5 Fish Per Hour Goal I have been chasing since 2017.   

Hellabass Had The New Elite Champ Brian New On For the First Hour Last Night

 Oklahoma's Worst Angler is on the second hour.

Back On the Ice After 11 Days

 

 

Ice is 20+

8.5" Glow Demon/Minnow

4:30-6:30PM 16' 2021 Hole

-5 to 5℉, MS, 0-3mph S

It was cold out, but the sun was shining and there wasn't much wind so I went fishing. Drove out to my area. Hands got cold while I was drilling holes, had to get the choppers out. Ice was a good 8-inches deeper maybe more. Got set up and it was so warm in the house I eventually took my jacket off. Couldn't get the old Aqua-Vu to work. Wasted at least 20 minutes on that. I did eventually put the Aqua-Vu 5c down, but there were only about 15-minutes of good light for me. Saw a couple of crappies and a perch.  The first crappie took the minnow, but fish were way more active on THE Jig. Got one crip on the Glow Demon Spoon. The bite shut down at about a quarter of 6PM. I got a few stragglers after that. It was cold while packing up.

21 Crip

1 Perch

St. Croix Victory It Is

 

Interesting that they are only releasing 1/3rd of the models, to begin with. 12 of the models will be different from anything from what St. Croix is currently offering apparently.

See current the list of models here.

Winter Should Start To Bugger Off By Next Weekend

 

-6℉ For a High Temp Today

Looks like by this time next weekend the two-plus week streak of well below average temps will be coming to an end. That's what I get for writing off this winter in mid-January with a positive long term outlook that turned out to be dead wrong. Only 4 more weeks until Daylight Saving Time begins.

My 2021 Fantasy Bass Season Starts With A Dumpster Fire

 

                       

I don't think this is the worst ever roster I've ever played, but it might be. Welcher barely made the cut with two guys in the 60's and 90'. Brutal Brewgahgee! It could have been worse. I subbed out Scott Martin for Welcher. 

Yikes! Nowhere To Go But Up

BBC Fantasy Standings

 Getting to 18.5lbs is doable for anybody and that is what I think it's going to take tomorrow. Nowhere to go but up for my squad.
 

Long Term Outlook Feb 11th

 Hopefully, we will soon be done with the Arctic Air.

My St. John's Fantasy Bass Roster

 I went with Welcher and DeMarion off of Hellabass intel. Todd Auten is a guy I've had success with in the past. It is setting up for sight fishing which is Kreiger's game. And I'm hoping the Cheesehead rookie Schlapper has a reasonably good debut.

Fantasy Bass Fishing Starts Next Week

B.A.S.S stepped up again this year in the prizes department as did many private parties in groups. First Tournament is on the St. John's River in Florida starting on Thursday of next week. You can register at https://bassmasterfantasy.com/ and be sure to check out Hellabass's tips and pics before every event. There will be 10 events this year if none are canceled. Good Luck Everybody!

February Ice Out Prediction

 

Last year I made a prediction on February 15th that ice would be off Platte Lake by Easter which was April 12th last year. This year Easter is on April 4th. Right now with the arctic blast, we are supposed to get next weekend and no significant warm-up in the long-term forecast ice off by Easter is looking unlikely.  So I predict ice will not be off Platte Lake by Easter this year. I do think it will be off Lake Minnetonka by then. 

Bass Pro Shop Having a $1 Million Team Tournament for Amateurs

 

The purse prize in total will be over $4 million with the million going to the winner of the US Open. Apparently, the catch is you have to have bought a boat from one of Johnny Marine Dealers and it has to be Johnny brand boat.

St. Croix's New Bass Rods Are...

 

...not be named or revealed to the public until February 15th. I saw some speculation that this will be a replacement for the Avid and Avid X, but I don't think that will be the case as those rods aren't bass specific. This new rod will be in the Avid/Avid X price range. It is supposed to be a super light rod in the heavier and longer action rods. It should be interesting.

The Press Release from the 1st.

February Will Be Getting Off To A Cold Start

 I suppose things could change by next weekend. This last cold snap was warmer than predicted on the high end.

St. Croix is Releasing A New Bass Rod on Monday

This should be interesting. I am in the market for a 6 something inch medium-heavy spinning rod for dock fishing. What ya got for me cheeseheads?

Snatcher's 2021 Schedule (Tentative), My Thoughts

I am reasonably pleased with the exception of the first and last tournaments. Whitefish beat out Platte/Sullivan in a close vote. I don't care for blind tournaments because the chance of getting out to pre-fish with my boater is about nill. All the rest of the lakes were in my suggestions. 

Here are my thoughts on the individual lakes:

Whitefish  Chain:  This will be the 6th time I will be fishing a Snatchers Tournament on Whitefish. I've fished with Chuck Steinbauer 6/5/10, Dave Branum 7/15/12, Herman 9/21/14, Mark Munson 9/24/16, and Al Steinbauer 6/1/2019.  Could be a tough one if my boater has smallies on beds and that is all we do. Confidence in catching a limit provided that isn't the case, 100%; Whitefish is a bass factory

North Long: This will be my 6th Snatcher Tournament on North Long (2 of these were Mini-Bucks. I missed the one in 2012 due to back problems. I've never been on the lake this early in the year. Getting as limit shouldn't be an issue I would think.

Fishtrap:  I think there is a high chance Fishtrap won't make the final cut as we only have one away tournament at the moment. I think there is a strong possibility we will go to Pokegama instead. If it does stay on Fishtrap I like the lake. It is a very versatile fishery with good deep and shallow bites. This will be only my second tournament on the lake. I think getting a limit is more likely than not.

Edward: This will be my second tournament on Edward. I was very impressed with the lake in 2018 when we fished it in mid-July. We had 23 limits get caught the last time. I am optimistic about getting a limit.

Leech: This will be my 5th Snatcher Tournament on Leech. This is the time of the year where it could be a wreck fest in the rice and reeds. If that is the case I like my chances of a high finish provided I draw the right boater.

Blind: Possible lakes: Cullen, Alexander, Bordon, Farm Island, Bay, Platte/Sullivan, Pelican, Bay, Gull River, Missippi River/Rice Lake, Rabbit, Mille Lacs, and Fishtrap, if it gets switched out. Having Platte/Sullivan in a blind tournament at this time of the year would be a huge advantage for my boater and I. I have the lake dialed. That doesn't mean they will bite, but I know where the big ones live. Would expect a minimum of a 16lb bag if the wind is favorable.

Low Water & Lack Of Current=?

Today at the GOMH

 

1/26/2020

It is interesting we had a later ice up this winter and it has been milder, but because of low water and presumably no current the GOMH is frozen up this year. It will be interesting to see how ice-out progresses this year. 

I Am Shocked the Pack Got GOATed @ Lambert

 

I figured the Pack had it made for a trip to the Super Bowl this year. The finally secured home-field advantage and Erin was playing at the top of his game. Well Tom Brady had a vote. Neither QB played particularly inspired football. Congrats to the Buc's and good luck, your going to need it.

Heh!

 

First Trip With The New Trap Legend XL

 

Didn't get skunked!

Mucho Leg Room

5:15-6:15PM Platte Lake Public Access

15℉, MC, 0-3mph NW

I got 3lb Suffix put on the Genz rod and got my stuff in the Kia and headed over to the Lake Place to pick up the Fish Trap at 4:15PM. Got the Trap loaded and then realized I didn't take the keys with me. Fortunately, I left the car running. I went and got the keys. I got to the access a little before 5PM. I ended up setting up out a little deeper than I would have preferred. The Fish Trap is taller than I am. Fits all of my stuff just fine. I am impressed. I started with my jacket off and can put it back on while standing upright inside the Trap. The only thing I don't care for is far up off the ice I am sitting, neck and shoulder strain may be a thing. I think I'll try putting a third five-gallon bucket in the trap and try propping up the Vex on that. I need to switch over the rod holders.    

The bib's cell phone pocket is convenient. The full leg zipper is nice.  

I caught the one small crappie and had a few more sniffers. 

Average Coldest Day Of The Year

Average Temps Start Rising Tomorrow!

 

Josh Douglas On Hellabass LIve

 An interesting show with two MN bass blogging hammers.

Josh Douglas Jersey St. Jude's Ebay Auction

 It ends later today and is for a great cause.

Fishing Goals Achieved (And Not) in 2020

Fishing Goals in 2020

Goals achieved in bold green
Goals not achieved in red
Partly achieved in purple
Commentary in blue

Fishing Buddies: 

1. Fish with Dad
2. Fish with Mike Thompson
3. Fish with Jim Bonin
4. Fish with  Mike "Spike" Miller
5. Fish with Jeff and Renee
6. Fish with Todd, Isabelle, and Mallory
7. Fish with Peter W.
8. Fish with Matt W.
9. Fish with Dave Lindmark
10. Fish with Steve and Devin
11. Take Corey Hicks frog fishing.
12. Fish with Kane Phongsavat
13. Fish with Rick Nichols
14. Fish with Pete
15. Fish with SarahJean Fishing on the river (I discovered my waders leak badly, so I've got an excuse on this one)
16. Fish With Josh Abrahamson & Ashley Just
17. Fish with Eric Aske
18. Fish with Jaimen Abrahamson

Dream Fishing Buddies:
1. Fish with Josh Douglas
2. Fish with Al Lindner
3. Fish With Nattie Up North

Bass Snatcher Goals:  Same Goals as 2019

Bass Snatcher Goals:
1.  Get "Wood" in at least one tournament. (1st-3rd Place Finish or Lunker or Co-Angler Challenge)Missed a great opportunity at Rush Lake.
2. Win my 1st tournament. (My best finish to date is 2nd Place.)
3. Get "Lunker" in a tournament.   (Preferably one over 5-8 to win the revolving big bass pot.)
4. Get paired with Chuck Fields.  (He usually only fishes a couple of tournaments a year so chances of it ever happening are not very good.  I may look into bribing Dennis) Chuck sat out 2020
5. Finish in the Top 10 at the end of the year. (Finished 6th) Only made it because of Snatcher Chuck's health issues.
6. Catch a limit at every tournament of the year.  (I've done this twice, but in 2012 I only fished 4 out of the 6 tournaments due to a bad back.) Missed a limit in a record 3 tournaments in a year and caught my fewest fish in a full season (25).
7. Pre-fish with at least 3 boaters. Pre-fished every tournament for the first time.
8. List the Rods I'm bringing for each tournament before the tournament.
9.  Win the Co-Angler Challenge at least twice Didn't do it once, came in 2nd twice.
10. Make the Challenge Cup Team

Technique & Tackle Goals:
1. Win something in Fantasy Fishing or Facebook giveaways/contests. Bupkis!  Nada! Zili!ch
2. Catch a fish on % of Mystery Tackle Box Lures (Holdover from 2017)
    2a. 1st Box 100% (5 Lures, 2 Lures to go)
    2b. 2nd Box 60% (3 out of 5, only more lure, and I've got this one)
3. Catch a fish on % of Lucky Tackle Box Lures (Holdover from 2017/18)
   3a. 1st Box 100%  (6 Lures, 3 Lures left to go.)
   3b. 2nd Box 100% (6 Lures)
   3c.  3rd Box 75% (4 Lures)
4. Catch a bass on the Salmo Bass Bug (Holdover from 2017) Caught pike on it again. Officaly calling this bait a dud for bass.
5.  Officially Open the Tackle Warehouse this year. (Opened 4/2/2020)
6. Experiment with the Ned Rig to see if it's something for me. (Holdover from 2018) Thumbs up on the Ned Rig.

Blogging:
1. Blog about anytime I reach a goal.
2. Record all fishing trips at Fish Swami I skipped at least a couple of really short skunks
3. Fish at least 150 days and blog about them 230 days in 2020

Fish Goals:
1. Catch* 3,000 Fish (2,945 caught in 2019) Made it just barely.
2. Average 5 fish caught per hour. (4.40 in 2019, 4.07 in 2018, 3.99 in 2017, 4.08 in 2016, 3.62 in 2015, 3.55 in 2014, 4.41 in 2013, 4.31 in 2012, 2.77 in 2011) 3.92 I was in the mid to high 4's for most of the summer.
3. Have a 100 fish day. Came up just short with 94 on May 22nd.

Crappie:
1. Catch a new personal best. (Currently 14.25")
2. Catch* over 50 this year. (Caught 58 in 2019) 217 in 220

Dogfish:
1. Win my 3rd Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Championship
2. Catch an MN State Record fish. (11-4  or 35" x 20")
3. Catch a new personal best.
4. Get the Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Championship stuff done in a timely manner this year. Didn't do anything with MBC it in 2020

Pike:
1. Catch* over 1,000 this year. (Caught 813 in 2019) 927 Pike Caught this year, which is a record amount.
2. Catch a 38" or over/personal best.

Bass: 
1. Catch a 21plus inch or 6lb Largemouth
2. Catch a 21plus inch or 6lb Smallmouth
3. Catch* over 1,500 bass this year. (Caught 1,685 in 2019) Only 1,293
4. Catch* at least 25 smallies.  (I caught 4 last year) Caught 4 Smallies this year
5. Catch a 25lb 6 Fish Bag 23.01 lbs on August 26th
6. Have a 50 bass day (51 Bass May 22nd)

Walleye:
1. Catch at least 50. (Caught 258 in 2018) 202 Eyes in 2020
2. Catch 30"/10lber or new personal best. (28.5 is my current PB)

* Catch is anything I deem it to be including follows by pike or smallmouth (while pre-fishing), a pike missing my lure, fish viewed on the Aqua View, and fish that get off before I have them in hand that I can positively identify.  And fish caught by people I am guiding or boater during pre-fish.

Bass Snatcher Tournament Wishlist Lakes

 Because of COVID, we are submitting our lake choices by email this year and will have a video conference for the first meeting.  We can select 3 lakes per tournament.

1. Platte/Sullivan, Edward, North Long

2. Platte/Sullivan, Edward, NorthLong

3. Woman, Pokegama, Fishhook

4. Platte Sullivan, Edward, Fish Trap

5. Platte Sullivan, Edward, Fish Trap

6. Leech, Pokegama, Fishhook

1st Fish of 2021

8" Glow Demon/Minnow

4:00-6:00PM 13' Platte Lake Access

33℉,  PC, 

Headed straight out from the access. There was one truck off to the East of the access. Didn't mark anything in the first set of holes. Marked stuff in the second set of holes. Couldn't feel the bites or wasn't patient enough. Got one crip on the Demon/minnow. And had the bobber taken down a couple times. I suck. Not enough visibility for the camera.

1 Crip