S9E12 – Nunya Lake Late Ice

Mar 6

Season 9 Episode 12 of the Hard Water Fishing Show kicks off in the first week of March as Jeff and Jason dive into late-season ice fishing. With ice conditions changing across Minnesota, the guys talk about recent fishing on Nunya lake and start preparing for an upcoming trip to Lake of the Woods.

Beverage

As always, the show includes the traditional beverage segment. Jason tries an energy drink while Jeff enjoys a Schell’s Dark beer as the guys settle in for the episode.

Patrons

A big thank you to everyone who supports the Hard Water Fishing Show.

Patron of the Show:

Jason R — cheers to you and thanks for helping support the podcast.

Listener News

Because we put our listeners first.

This episode includes listener feedback and emails, including a message from J. Peterson about fleets of ice shacks and fishing activity around the region.

Fishing Report

Jeff shares details from a recent late ice fishing trip to Nunya Lake with Northwoods Dave.

• Early morning fishing

• Fish reacting differently during the full moon

The guys discuss how confidence lures can change throughout the season and how sometimes experimenting with different presentations is the key to getting bites.

They also talk about how unpredictable ice fishing seasons have become, emphasizing that there really is no such thing as a “normal” season anymore.

Current Events

The guys reference recent outdoor news from Steve Carney discussing deadstick fishing and trends in ice fishing presentations.

Topics include:

• Deadstick fishing vs rattle reels

• Fishing under snow drifts and shaded areas on glare ice

• Changing ice fishing tactics throughout the season

Reminder for Minnesota anglers: Don’t forget to renew your fishing license in March.

The guys also mention the recent regulation change allowing year-round bass fishing, although harvest is still restricted. Of course check your regs before you go out, they are complex these days.

Presentations & Tactics

Several fishing techniques are discussed in the episode:

• Glide baits that spin on the lift

• Jig heads tipped with shiners

• Running a second rod with an aggressive jigging spoon to attract fish

• Fishing under snow drifts where shade attracts fish

Gear

The episode also dives into gear discussions including:

• Orange braid fishing line for visibility

• Confidence lures like the Northland Forage Minnow

• Rod durability and affordable rod options

• Transporting rods safely with proper rod cases

Jason also shares plans for transporting gear for an upcoming trip and some trailer repairs he had to make after experiencing bearing and spring issues.

Lake of the Woods Trip Prep

Jason is preparing for a large group trip to Lake of the Woods, which leads to a discussion about sled setups, hauling gear, and managing equipment when multiple anglers are involved.

The guys also talk about newer gear including LED underwater fishing lures that have been producing fish on Lake of the Woods.

Ice Conditions

Ice conditions continue to vary across the state. While many lakes are still fishable, anglers should continue to monitor conditions carefully and use caution as the season moves toward late ice.