Hey everyone! Good news! Today, 1/12/23 Ben and Jim have been on the ice plowing from the end of our snow blown path in Waconia Bay to Pillsbury Reef. They plowed with our Blue Chevy Diesel with v-plow and Red F-250 with Boss plow. They marked a path they could open up that still is bumpy and slushy in areas, but doable to get to Pillsbury. From this road you can get the existing network of trails people have been using to the Center Reef area. Of course, with the extreme amount of snow the banks on the sides of the road are exceedingly high. Getting off the road will not be easy and will require work if you plan to get out there with a fish house.
What does that mean? It means we are opening up our access tomorrow (Friday 1/13/23) to those who wish to drive vehicles with single-axle wheel houses out on the lake. Thickness on the snow blown road to Waconia Bay is between 15 to 17 inches as it has been able to freeze thicker since we’ve been keeping it clear of snow for a while. Thickness on the road beyond Waconia Bay to Pillsbury Reef will vary just like the ice everywhere on the lake in the range of 11 to 15 inches. If you choose to bring a fish house out, be prepared with equipment to shovel yourself out or have a buddy that has what you need to clear a spot for your house. We will not be individually clearing spots for fish houses to go off road at this time. Keep in mind, if you are in an area there isn’t slush under the snow, there likely will be once you drill a hole. Bring 4x4s to block up your house as it will save you in the long run.
Life isn’t easy on the lake this ice fishing season, but we are doing what we can to get people out from our access as safely as possible. As always, we can never guarantee ice as it is never 100% safe. We are a pay access, so fees for regular Mondays through Thursdays are $3 and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays are $5 to drive a car, truck, ATV, side-by-side or snowmobile through us. If you choose to park and walk out from our marina, that is $2 everyday per person 16 years and older. If you’d like to purchase a winter season pass, that is $35.
