Reports from around the region indicate that ice is building fast on lakes. Here's a roundup of ice conditions as of midweek:
"This is the best ice we've had in years," said Billy Dougherty, whose family runs Rainy Lake Houseboats on Rainy Lake near International Falls. "The ice is clear, and there's no snow. I'd guess we have 10 to 12 inches, even on the main lake."
Already, anglers there have caught several big walleyes, said Dougherty, who has guided summer fishing on the lake for 43 years.
Ice is good in the Ely area, said Jim Blauch of Moose Track Adventures on Farm Lake.
"Everything is frozen up solid," Blauch said. "All the smaller lakes -- people are out fishing on 'em. On the lakes I've been on, there's 4 to 7 inches, plenty to walk on. I haven't seen any sleds, but I'd say by this weekend snowmobiles will be out.
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"Now all we need is some snow."
He didn't know about Burntside Lake, a deeper lake that usually freezes later than most other lakes.
Kim Leonhardt of High Banks Resort on Lake Winnibigoshish said, "As of Monday, we had 7 inches of good, clear ice out in front of our resort. [Anglers] are going out a quarter-mile with snowmobiles and four-wheelers. There's minimal snow cover, which is helping the ice formation."
Along the Gunflint Trail, things are beginning to seal up, but it's been so cold that not many people are out. Poplar Lake is making ice, said Vince Ekroot of Windigo Lodge.
"Nobody's been out on it yet, but as cold as it's been, I can't believe there isn't plenty of ice. There's no snow on it," he said.
Fish Lake north of Duluth has about 6 inches of ice, and people are out on foot fishing, said Shelly Pauna of Eagle's Nest Resort.
Superior gets more help for Arrowhead Pier
More help is on the way to pay for the replacement of the Arrowhead Pier on the St. Louis River in Superior. The pier was demolished this year, but bids that came in higher than expected delayed city plans to reconstruct the recreational site on the St. Louis River.
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On Dec. 11, the city of Superior learned that the state Waterways Commission approved a recommendation to provide Superior with an additional $68,462 to enable completion of the Arrowhead Pier project.
The Waterways Commission grant becomes the fourth state grant awarded to Superior for the reconstruction project. City officials said they hoped to begin work on the project in the spring.
Search is on for Minnesota DNR fisheries chief
Dave Schad, director of the Fish and Wildlife Division of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said today he hopes to name a new fisheries chief by the end of January. Ron Payer, the former chief, retired in early November.
"We have undertaken a nationwide search for that position," Schad said in a teleconference with the media this morning. "It closes on the 22nd [of December]. At that point, we'll know who our candidates are. We're looking to do the interviewing and selection process in mid-January."
Superior DNR office will reduce hours
Hours of service will be reduced beginning in January at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Service Center at 1401 Tower Ave. in Superior.
As of Jan. 4, counter service will be offered from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
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People who have questions for the DNR may call the agency toll-free from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week (888) 936-7463.
