We are planning to check the river tomorrow after the snow is done that is coming our way this afternoon. Sorry for the delay.

After a 3' increase in level, the Manitou had receded the 3 feet. If any ice was forming, it would have been broken up from the level increase. We will check conditions tomorrow and post pictures for you. There is a reported 4" of ice at Vidas, which is 1 mile East of Clementson. Usually at this time of year, there is at least 2' to 3' of ice, if not more.

Limits remain 4 walleye, 2 sauger through February. We will be able to accommodate you soon. Getting ready to open up for those who want to open water fish in February. Stay tuned, we'll update tomorrow and get a date set.

Our earliest spring opening was February 20th and fishing was good. If the lake is not producing, possibly the walleyes will be in cleaner water in the river.

Back to winter this past week, in the single digit below zero overnight. 10 day forecast looks for warmer temperatures. Looking at the link for the Manitou Rapids, it shows an increase of 3 feet in level. This should only ensure the "early" spring season. Open areas of water West of Clementson remain. Haven't been East lately, maybe we'll check it out tomorrow! I know I'm getting excited.

Heard they are fishing in boats out of Birchdale. No information on water temperature, although I did hear they are catching fish. The ramp is not plowed, and I wouldn't expect the county to schedule it at this time. Hope to get some reports for you. I did update our availability calendar for spring, with the optimism that we will be booking for February. I might have to add January to the calendar! Keep checking back.

River is getting slushy at the Vidas Ramp. Weather for the upcoming 7 days looks above normal, with cooler weather coming in early next week. We will keep you updated!

The way it looks, the river could be open to Clementson my mid-week. River is slushy in areas and a report is, it is open near Pinewood. We now have some open areas near Clementson. We will keep you updated.

This will seem like the "Twilight Zone" report, although our pictures give you the reality. The river is open to Frontier. Yep, I looked again at the calendar, it's the 3rd of January. The river is basically open shore to shore almost to Frontier. The Sheriff's department or the county, at some point, placed the yellow tape at the Vidas ramp to keep people from accessing the river. I would imagine there is very little ice.

This is the first time we have seen this in the 11+ years we have been here. What does it mean? Well, maybe have your boat ready earlier this year. We are still in the winter season and the river will more than likely freeze up at some point. Only time will tell, but I believe it will be an early, early spring.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season! Reports coming in, there is alot of open water near Frontier, and we can still see open water between Clementson and Silver Creek. There are alot of houses now sitting near the river in the Baudette Bay. So there is good ice in some places. Word is CAUTION! Maybe we'll run up to Frontier and take some pictures tomorrow! Only good thing I can say, is early ice-out?? Never heard of so many areas of open water at this time of the year. Remember, the river was not completely frozen over when we got snow, and I-Falls released more water to increase the water levels during the "freeze-up" time.