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Ice Team University 2019 a Success

Ice Team University, Arnesen's Rocky Point, 2019If you like to ice fish, imagine this.   Ice Team University.  An event where you ice fish with other ice fishing nuts and pros, eat and drink like Kings and Queens and at night, take in ice fishing seminars by some of the top names in ice fishing.

After arriving at Arnesen’s Rocky Point on Lake of the Woods Thursday afternoon, guests checked in at the well organized 2019 Ice Team University check in table.  After receiving instructions and a blue Clam ice fishing bucket with lures and swag, participants hung out and grabbed their favorite beverage with others from across the ice belt who share your same passion.  With an opening dinner of prime rib amongst about 125 ice fishing gurus, life is good, right?  It got even better.  After dinner each night of the 3 night, 2 day event, Clam pros shared their knowledge about ice fishing through seminars.  This format combined with two days of ice fishing on Lake of the Woods alongside Clam pros, let’s just say, Ice Team University was a success!

Conditions on Lake of the Woods were dicey in some areas, meaning the heavy snow has been pushing the ice down causing water to come on top of the ice creating many areas of slush.  These slushy areas are tough to navigate.  At most Ice Team University events, anglers use a variety of transportation on the ice.  Trucks, snowmobiles and side by sides with tracks are the norm with collapsible fish houses.  This year, with the conditions on the ice along with a forecast of 8-12″ of snow and strong winds, the plan was tweaked just a bit.

With some of the ice road opportunities looking like they might be in trouble for the weekend with the snow forecast, the mode of transportation shifted to Arnesen’s track rigs.  As it turned out, the snow never came like was predicted.  With that being said, participants were communicated with earlier in the week and were ready to be transported via track rigs.Loading track rigs, Arnesen's Rocky Point, Lake of the Woods

Having equipment to deal with a variety of tough ice conditions from year to year is vital when you have a fleet of fish houses across the ice with your visitors wanting to fish.  A combination of the right equipment, packed down trails on the lake from running all winter and the deep understanding of Arnesen’s staff of ice and snow conditions and how to deal with them can turn challenging conditions on the lake into a wonderful experience of ice fishing.

With two days of ice fishing, participants were teamed up into small groups which included a few pros to fish alongside and who could lend some good ideas from time to time.  Day one was calm in the morning but a stiff wind came up as the morning went on and you could see some of the more hearty anglers take shelter into the flip over and hub style houses.  Some of the participants actually elected to just fish in a resort house for the two day event which made life easy for the few who chose that route.

Dan Stefanich, Clam Outdoors, Lake of the Woods MNFishing was good.  It wasn’t a slam dunk as reports were coming in from we caught a lot of little fish and some nice keepers to we hammered them!  One thing that was consistent was the huge number of small walleyes being caught, really across the entire lake.  There must have been one incredible hatch as those 6-8″ walleyes are all over in big numbers.  The future looks bright.

And yes, there were some real trophies caught.  Pike over 40″.  Walleyes over 28″.  Good numbers of saugers, tulibees, and eelpout were caught with some nice jumbo perch in the mix.

The Ice Team University weekend was about more than ice fishing.  It was about education, conservation, friendships, meeting new friends, camaraderie and celebrating a sport that have evolved and gained great popularity.  Each year, Ice Team University travels to a different body of water.  Next year on the list is Lake Mille Lacs.

A big “Thank You” to everyone who made this past weekend’s Ice Team University a success.  Memories were made to last a lifetime!

 

To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.

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