Red Door Resort
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From the shores of Red Door, walking on water is not a good plan these days. Hopefully, that will change soon!
Ice? Yesterday (Friday the 28th) there were at least 8 boats fishing muskies between Garrison and Malmo. Most of the north shore has ice against the shores and boat ramps but the Pike Point access was open as of yesterday. Open water was visible from Wealthwood as far as the eye could see. Today as the sun rises, a thin sheet of ice across the whole lake is reflecting the pretty sunrise but dark blue patches of waves are also still in the picture too. Hopefully, the long range forecast will change but right now it looks pretty mild through the 10th of December. Let's just hope the main lake stays ice free until a major artic blast floats in so the ice gets thick fast. A thin sheet of slow forming ice only invites an insulating snow that will do no one any good. Until calm single digit temps/nights hit, waves are a good thing!
So...in the meantime, fish houses, bridges and plows are all getting TLC. The new cabins are looking better each day too!
If you're in the area, stop and take a look see.
Keep a tight line.....
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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By noon Saturday the 29th, open water as far as the eye could see in any direction from Wealthwood shores. But no boats in sight as the Garrison ramp was iced in.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Yesterday, Sunday the 30th, the view from Red Door was open water as far as the eye could see in any direction again.
The good news is that the 10 day forecast is getting colder and is now at ice-making levels if the wind stays down. If the forecast holds, it is possible we could have a handful of inches of ice by the 8th or 10th for sure--maybe even sooner. NO SNOW! NO WIND!
AccuWeather Report
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Big north winds kept the north sections of the lake ice free for the most part Monday(yesterday). After howling south winds subside today, the cold front coming in for the end of the week should finally make it a done deal. NO SNOW will be very key for at least the next 10 days.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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As usual, Tuesday morning dawned with a skin of ice on the north end as far as the 'eyes could see. And unlike past days, this time the ice was still intact at the end of the day. It stood the test of big SW winds. If it doesn't pull away from shore and open up today as big NW winds blow, it might be there now until next April. Ice making temps tonight and the next few days could build 4- 6 inches by early next week or sooner. All dependant on what the wind does today to the ice. The ice does have room to move as open water was visible from Izatys and north for several miles in the SW corner. As long as there is open water stretches anywhere around the lake, the main sheet can move with off shore winds and create unplanned boat rides.
NO SNOW!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Bob Carlson
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the main sheet can move with off shore winds and create unplanned boat rides.....oh yes,
I'll wait!!! I can remeber back in 1991 when Hook and I had a group of anglers that nearly needed a boat ride to get off the lake..........our group managed to follow the floating ice sheet some 3 miles to the north and found a means to get across the crack. It's no fun to find yourself on the otherside..we had white caps between us and shore...
Thanks for the updates from the northend.
As of this morning I can see ice out front and pockets of open water north and to the west.....its still moving around. Might have to wait a few hours b4 I go out this am....strong NW winds and 13 deg's!!!
Making ice!!!
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Bob "Bobber" Carlson
You can tell how big a person is, by what it takes to discourage them!
"Hooks"
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Fisheyes925
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 Thanks for the update. Now I'm starting to get excited with the cold temps forcast over the next several days. I better get over and get old #62 (fishouse) ready. Maybe Fred will let me put it on that big pontoon boat of his. 
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Red Door Resort
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Looking out from The Red Door as the sun set yesterday(Wednesday the 3rd), miles of big, dark blue, cold waves dominated the horizon in every direction. No ice in sight to the south, east and west! In some stretches, several 100 yds. of ice was still hooked up with shore but for the most part, the lake was wide open as strong NW winds blew out the early morning skin of ice in a hurry.
But--we're better off than last year at this time. 3-4 inches of ice was covered with over a foot of fresh snow a year ago! It took 5 weeks or more to grow the next foot of ice. Again, if the temp forecast holds true, we could have walking/ATV ice by the 8-10th. High winds and or snow could hurt that though. NO SNOW!!! NO WIND!!!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Mike W
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Thanks for the updates. Keep them coming.
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Mike Westman - www.HomeTownplumbing.net
Your twin cities plumbing experts!
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Red Door Resort
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Thursday the 4th dawned with one big sheet of glass ice reflecting the red sunrise onto The Red Door! And when the same sun set....that same ice was thicker! Yes, today the ice as far the 'eyes can see, withstood the wrath of a big NW wind. If it hangs in there through the in-coming Alberta Clipper tonight, it should be a done deal. "If" is the key word.
So....as earlier projected....the whine of augers within hearing range of The Red Door should be real sometime next week and surely by the weekend of the 12th.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/05/08 05:21 AM)
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Where's Waldo?
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Quote:
If it hangs in there through the in-coming Alberta Clipper tonight, it should be a done deal.
Denny told me it was a "Calcutta Clipper." 
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Looking for one to put on the wall.
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Red Door Resort
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Stay tuned! We will tip-toe out onto the "new" ice later today and report on thickness.
Surely, the main lake ice, being only 48 hours old or less in some places, is NOT safely ready yet for any form of travel.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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As of noon today, Saturday the 6th, we checked the "new" ice in 3 locations along the north shore, within a mile of The Red Door. This should be considered "main lake" ice. It is new since early Thursday morning, the 4th.
How thick? We cut 12 x 12 blocks out of the ice and split them in two. The cross section measurements ranged from 2.75 inches to 3 inches. It is very consistent, bare, clear ice. By Monday or Tuesday, it should be 5-6 inches and barring any major snows, next weekend (the 13th), safe foot and ATV traffice is possible.
NO safe ice along the north shores in fishable waters as of today!!! Not yet...
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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We didn't go out on the ice to check yesterday(Sunday) knowing things would have not have changed enough in one day. It snowed and blew hard from the south all day, adding up to about 2 inches of fluffy light snow. The lake is "pin drifted" all over. About half is bare ice and half the pin drifts. So no problem in making more ice.
Stayed tuned as we will check ice thickness today. 2 days? From 3 inches to 5 inches? We'll report back later today.
Don't be fooled by ice thickness along shore. In some places, you will find 6-8 inches as far out as 2-300 yds. from shore. But the new ice is out there and thinner! We watched 2 guys check the ice in one of these areas yesterday morning. After several checks with the chisel, they loaded a 4 wheeler and the 2 headed out with a portable in tow. They headed out onto the new ice, assuming it was the same as the first 200 yds. To say the least, they did not stay long when they got to their spot over a 1/4 mile from shore. They luckily didn't break through that 3-4 inches before creeping off back to shore.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Average thickness of the "new" ice in The Red Door area is now 6 inches. The snow on the ice is not a factor so far. Winds have the snow drifted and therefore about half the ice surface is exposed to the ice-making temps. We're missing the majority of the snow coming through MN. and look forward to sub-zero temps tomorrow night.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/08/08 06:46 PM)
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fish_4_fun
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have you guys at the red door been fishing yet...
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Red Door Resort
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fish_4_ fun,
If one wants to fish, than don't own a resort! lol So--no we have not been fishing. It's only been about 24 hours that a handful of brave locals have been out and they ain't talkin'!
We did go out today and check the "new" ice thickness. It grew 2 inches in 24 hours! It is now at least a solid 8 inches every where we have checked. The ice has about 2-3 inches of snow on the surface now, as the drifts have leveled out due to various wind direction switches. BUT! The cold temps have, as usual, created a fairly wide crack between the shore and most fishing grounds. Today it was about 2 ft. wide and will grow wider with on-coming sub-zero temps. Without bridging of sorts, ATV wheels will drop through. Snow machines can go across without a bridge. That said, warming temps this coming weekend will close up the crack and probably create a ridge. Just normal Mille Lacs conditions. General snow machine riding is great right now. It's a fast track and just enough snow to lube the slides.
We surely will be open to fishing at The Red Door this coming weekend. We'll have an ATV bridge in place if need be. NO cars and or the like will be allowed lake access. Just ATV's, snow machines or just plain hoofs. (we do not charge lake access fees until we have plowed roads established)
We'll try to pry some reports out of the locals in the next day or two!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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There is still only a handful of portables out on the north end but by the weekend that should change. The ice on Wednesday (yesterday the 10th) was 9-9.5 inches on the main lake "new" ice. The crack that was 2 ft. wide Tuesday came together with the warm temps yesterday in typical earth quake fashion. Sub-zero tonight will pull it apart again and then warm temps on the weekend should bring it together so ya just never know and for that reason always try to cross it on a bridge or the like. We will have the ATV bridge in place this weekend. Speaking of the weekend, although temps are predictd to be warmer, heavy south winds are in the forecast also. So be prepared to deal with the wrath of the cold winds! And maybe a "substantial snow event" coming in late in the weekend. We don't need that....
Fishing reports? The locals still ain't talkin'. You'all better come up find out! That could be a good sign when they ain't talkin'!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/11/08 05:48 AM)
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door Resort now has an ATV bridge in place for the weekend. The main lake ice seems to be a consistent 9 inches and growing. No other/larger vehicle traffic is recommended at this point--such as cars and trucks of ANY size. It's early! Be smart and patient...as ice conditions can and most likely will change from day to day and even hour to hour. For that reason alone, it is only smart to get the very latest info at our office before heading out. And of course, info on the access etc.
Fishing reports? We threatend one locals life today if he wouldn't tell us how the bite is. To say the least....it was a mute subject. So---go figure. Our guess is it has been so good he was willing to die before he'd give the secret depth/spot and technique.
See you this weekend!!!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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This mornings temp is hovering in the 10 below range!!
As said in the post late yesterday, we do have the ATV bridge in place. With these cold temps, the entire lake has a crack that could be as wide as 2ft. Perfect for dropping 4 wheelers into. Some areas on the lake the crack could be a mile or more from shore yet other areas, such as the north shore, it varies from being right along shore to 300 yds. out from shore. Snow machines can usually cross without the bridge without issues. So--just be smart! No need to make headlines...
More nosing around among the locals last night, who are the only ones fishing to this point in The Red Door area, makes it sounds like the early mornings and late afternoons have been good for walleyes of all sizes. 10 to 14ft. during those times is best. No one has been in sight from our viewpoint on the "Frostbite" flats. But surely, once you cross the crack, the deeper areas are fair game.
Again, we are NOT recommending/ nor allowing driving of any size cars and or any size of trucks on the north end out from The Red Door. 9-11 inches is simply a gamble. And not a good one! Note that driving on that ice will lead to calling "9-11".
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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As stated within another Red Door post, the fishing reports today (first ones from fishermen other than the cagey locals), were fairly good. Sounded like everyone caught some fish and left the ice happy. Depths ranged all over the place as usual. One group went to one of the in close flats and the rest fished shoreline stuff from 12' to 22'.
Now here is the harsh reality about the 2nd half of this weekend: "THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM SATURDAY TO 4 AM CST MONDAY.
HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG WINDS GUSTING TO 40 MPH OR MORE FROM THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA EASTWARD TO THE SAINT CROIX VALLEY. THIS STORM WILL RESULT IN NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITONS FROM LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEKEND AND THROUGH EARLY MONDAY MORNING. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS MAY RANGE FROM A FOOT TO OVER A FOOT AND A HALF."
That is from the Garrison area forecast....
In other words, the middle of no where on mighty Mille Lacs is not gonna be a smart place to be Saturday night and all of Sunday! It's a looooonnnnng winter so be smart and be patient.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Lake conditions? To say the least...it ain't pretty. Here's the latest local forecast--with this weekends fishing reports at The Red Door to follow, so stay tuned:
"SNOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE REGION THIS MORNING AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY. AS THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE APPROACHES EASTERN MINNESOTA THIS AFTERNOON... GUSTY WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RANGE FROM 8 TO 13 INCHES. TEMPERATURES WILL FALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS COLDER AIR IS PULLED INTO THE SYSTEM. DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED BY THIS EVENING. PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR THE CHANGES IN THE WEATHER ACROSS THE REGION TODAY AND TONIGHT. SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE NECESSITY OF TRAVEL DURING THE STORM."
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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James Holst
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This is quite an impressive front. Here in MPLS the temps are 36 degrees with rain. By tomorrow the high temps aren't expected to break single digits.
The image I've attached is for Garrison. You guys are going to need an extra log on the fire tonight. 
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James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host
IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
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Chris Tuckner
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That's what you call a "3 dog night." When two dogs laying on your feet aren't enough to keep you warm.
And no stupid comments about my girlfriends please! 
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JLDII
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Quote:
That's what you call a "3 dog night." When two dogs laying on your feet aren't enough to keep you warm.
And no stupid comments about my girlfriends please!
Not even the dogs would admit to being your girlfriends!
Guess that leaves you with just Kooty!! 
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Free speech is only a freedom if no nobody censor's it.
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Chris Tuckner
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Quote:
Quote:
That's what you call a "3 dog night." When two dogs laying on your feet aren't enough to keep you warm.
And no stupid comments about my girlfriends please!
Not even the dogs would admit to being your girlfriends!
Guess that leaves you with just Kooty!!
Somehow the pot and kettle come to mind... 
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Red Door Resort
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As it starts getting daylight in the swamp, we'll start digging out. Looks like we got about 8 inches of snow but the drifting makes it even bigger. The drifts are already getting hard with the sub-zero temps. For the time being, 4 wheelers on the ice might have a tough time with the drifts. It will be a day or two before we can get a clear look at how things are on the main lake. Some slush might become an issue, especially along shore where the heavier snow drifting/piles will weight things down.
Fishing reports from the weekend are hard to come by! Very few of the anglers that passed through The Red Door over the weekend stopped in at the end of their day to report the catches. The reports we did get were "spotty". One pair got 9 walleyes (5 keepers) and a handful of perch as another pair of guys got next to nothing. That seemed to be the norm. Some had luck, some did not. So, it seems they are willing to bite IF you find'em and cook the right meal for them. It's still not getting tested well as most areas have not been fished too hard yet. It's early!
Again, the drifting is deep so be prepared if you plan on venturing out on the big lake.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/ski/local/USMN0283?from=recentsearch
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The sun has been shining on The Red Door all day! The snow and winds have subsided--waiting for the 25-30 below temps tonight.
The crack was flooding in the ATV bridge area today ( water on TOP of the ice was 1 foot deep both sides the crack!) so we pulled it for the time being to let things heal up. Things should be okay by later tomorrow and or Wednesday. As we said earlier today, drifting can be an issue with ATV's now. Running cross country and breaking trail with an ATV is tough for now, especially on a cloudy day as the drifts don't stand out in view. We haven't been out more than a 1/4 mile since the snow but did find a few slightly slushy areas along shore. We will have an accurate ice thickness report again sometime tomorrow--after the BIG cold tonight.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/15/08 04:17 PM)
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door plow trucks ventured out onto the ice for the first time today. We have an active crack about 400 yds. from shore in the ten foot of water area. So the trucks plowed the rough ice areas and cleared the shore drifting, as far out as the crack. The ice is hovering around 12 inches or a hair less. The plowing will allow 3 big slushy areas to freeze and heal up. Then maybe a big bridge can be shoved across the crack soon. Right now the ATV bridge is the only one out there. NO RUSH!
If you don't think driving on ice, especially fast, creates a "wave" under the ice--think again. The ice along the shoreline today had about 6-10 inches of water on it for about the first 10 yds. from the bank. As a plow truck--200 yds. or more was blasting toward shore widening out the road, the water on the ice next to the bank looked like a boat wake! The "wave" under the ice--created by a truck 200 yds. away, was creating the water on TOP of the ice to slosh around as if a boat were being beached. That was driving on 12 inches. THAT was an up close and personal example! Not enough ice yet!
The first fishermen (locals) ventured out today since the blizzard. The 4 wheelers struggled in the drifts but made it pulling portables. Snow machines would surely be better for now. The cold temps have the crack pretty wide, so ATV's need the crack bridged.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/16/08 06:10 PM)
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Chris Tuckner
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Thanks so much for these daily reports! 
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Red Door Resort
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Based on the weekend forecast, The Red Door plows tip-toed back to the tulips today, instead of building ice roads that by Sunday could be gone. Hope the forecast is wrong! No need for more snow and wind.
Mille Lacs Forecast
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The weather forecast seems to have been dead on. Visability on the lake has been less than 1/4 mile all day. One fishing report in today: "We SAW 3 and caught 2 of them. One 16" and one 20."
"Issued by The National Weather Service
Duluth, MN
3:32 pm CST, Sat., Dec. 20, 2008
... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
NEW SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 3 TO 7 INCHES IS EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING ACROSS KOOCHICHING... ITASCA... SAINT LOUIS... CASS... CROW WING... AITKIN... CARLTON AND PINE COUNTIES. THIS WILL RESULT IN STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES BY SUNDAY NIGHT. WINDS ARE EXPECTED STRENGTHEN AND SHIFT OUT OF THE WEST AND NORTHWEST TONIGHT AND SUNDAY. THE BREEZY CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW."
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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"Frostbite Flats". No other words can describe Mille Lacs conditions more accurately today. It derned cold! Yes--derned...as they'd say on the main street of Wealthwwod.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Negative 19 temp this morning. But the wind is down and the eastern horizon is forecasting sun.
We decided not to plow/open the road system before the weekend and are glad we made that choice. 7-9 inches of new fluffy snow and relentless high winds the past two days would have made the effort a waste. So today The Red Door plows will be hard at it. The plan is to have the road system in place for pulling houses starting on Friday and through out the weeekend.
Minus 20 and dropping! "Derned cold"!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/22/08 07:29 AM)
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Mike W
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Mike Westman - www.HomeTownplumbing.net
Your twin cities plumbing experts!
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Lip Ripper
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Thanks for the reports!
They are very much appreciated!
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Lip Ripper (aka Rob Stenger)
GameHide Pro Staff /
Northland Concrete & Masonry
BfishN Tackle /
Stone Construction Inc
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Red Door Resort
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And now more snow!! The Red Door area had about 7-9 inches of new snow today (Tuesday) Add a brisk wind (chill) and it was and is not pretty out there. Whiteout conditions made life on the ice almost impossible. Plows were pulled off the lake around noon. The good thing is at 18 below tonight, the exposed slushy areas should freeze up tight. Under the fresh snow---still potential slush no matter the temps. Extra blocking under your perms should be considered with yet more weight on the ice from the snow. We've found quite a bit of 16" ice and as usual, have the crack to deal with as temps vary making the ice split or move together. So always check in before heading out to keep updated on the road/bridge conditions.
There were a few tough fishermen out today, that disappeared into the whiteout horizon but didn't offer any reports on the way in.
Cold but sunny tomorrow!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door area dawned at minus 22 and bright sun. The roads plowed nicely as more houses hit the ice.
With the latest snow that tipped the ruler over 9 inches, we are not recommending ATV travel off the roads. Snow machines are a much better choice. The hard, thick banks of the roads are next to impossible for an ATV(even hard for 4 wheel drive trucks!) to break through and the the main ice surface is drifted enough that ATV's are stuck more than moving. No matter the means of travel, please pack a shovel!
Also! At least for now, the crack closest to shore has healed up(where the bridge is) THAT means there is an "active" crack out further. Our plow guys say it's not to far south from the south end of the Bombeck or just north of the Pantry. As of this morning, it was surely wide enough to swallow the wheels of ANY vehicle other than a snow machine. We expect that scenario to change soon (we hope) and see the crack re-appear closer to shore again--as usual. But until then, be aware of the LIVE crack running east and west, about 1.5 miles out from Knox Point.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (12/31/08 07:38 PM)
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Red Door Resort
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All one can say is "here we go again!!"
... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 6 AM CST SUNDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 6 AM SUNDAY.
SNOW... HEAVY AT TIMES... IS LIKELY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 8 TO 10 INCHES... WITH SOME LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS... ARE EXPECTED BY SUNDAY MORNING ACROSS KOOCHICHING... ITASCA... CASS... CROW WING... AND AITKIN COUNTIES.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Castaway
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Hope you have the plow trucks filled up I suppose you will have to block the houses up another 4 inches too Gonna be a long winter at this rate.I guess I dont have to ask about the snowmobile trails as Im sure they will be in great shape after this one
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Most of the worlds problems can be solved with common sense,the rest may require a little gun powder.
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jtimm
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Why fish Mille Lacs when you can ride snowmobile on the snowiest winter in a long time?
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Baby Mallard
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Because fishing is more fun?
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Castaway
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Nothing like running over a few tip ups with the sled  Just kidding Gonna be some great sledding this year and not much traffic seeing most people traded in their sled for a wheeler.Ill be up there soon
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Most of the worlds problems can be solved with common sense,the rest may require a little gun powder.
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Red Door Resort
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No doubt, this winter will be one of the best snow machine winters in a long time. The groomers have been out and keeping things in tip top shape as the new snow each week allows the drag to fill in the holes and humps that show up after busy weekends on the trails.
The Red Door is very centrally located for ridin' snow machines on the state trails. The state groomed trail adjoins our north property line! So your group can unload the sleds at the cabin/motel and not have to load them to go anywhere until you leave. The trails are leading to many watering holes and grub factories as well. And where better to drag race if ya want, on the endless ice surface of mighty Mille Lacs. Right from your cabin at The Red Door!
Fishin' holes, watering holes, ice roads and snow machine trails. It's like a Super Center for winter fun!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The ice/snow conditions are improving in The Red Door country. The snow is settling and has quite a crust on it now. Maybe not the best for ATV travel yet but getting better. The slushy areas are drying up with fewer new areas of slush developing. The ice roads are holding up well but an active crack is still keeping us from going south with the roads. Another shot at heading to the Resort and Pantry and beyond will take place tomorrow (Thursday). One reminder: the banks along the roads are VERY hard and deep so trying to break through them might get you high centered and SOL for a long hard shoveling ordeal. Check in with the office if you need a driveway plowed....before you get stuck?
The snow machine trails continue to be groomed and are holding up well. The Red Door is a great place for a snow machine club/family to headquarter!
Stay safe!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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As said in another posting from The Red Door, the crew put on a few ice miles yesterday.
First the scouting for potential new roads was done by snow machine. Right now, the snow pack on north Mille Lacs is crusted pretty hard as the sleds ride on top 90 percent of the time. Watching a local on a 6 wheeler ATV trying to go was a drama to say the least. So, although it can be done, ATV's will still require shoveling and a strong back. ATV's are breaking through the crust and into 12"-15" of snow and possible slushy areas. Cross country travel by high riding 4x4 trucks is possible and getting better but still a gamble. Our plow trucks got stuck several times breaking trail yesterday. A tranny cooler is a must!
But it's getting better as the snow settles and wicks up the slushy areas. Surely, another big snowfall is NOT needed.
With over 2 miles of new mudflat drop offs added to The Red Door ice world, there should be plenty of room! Be sure not to try to bust through the hard deep banks on the roads. You will be calling for a tow, no doubt. Check in at the office and have a plow make you a driveway if need be for the wheel-houses etc. It just ain't worth dealing with a high centered truck and house!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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20-40mph winds and light snow with falling temps will make the Mille Lacs ice sheet a dangerous place today--if you're not prepared. Temps are destined to fall into the 20-30 below levels tonight and possibly the next few nights. Highs will struggle to reach zero during the week. That means a long walk back to shore after getting stuck or broke-down could be deadly. Thus, it's smart to travel with at least a pair of snow machines and or ATV's/trucks.
Ice conditions are stable with less new slushy areas showing up and the deep snow drifts settling. Be aware that the snow crust is hard and can high center any wheeled vehicle if things break through in a deeper drift.
PLAN for the cold this week!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Lake conditions? Word on the street in Wealthwood this morning is "it's dern cold!" Minus 27 and falling fast.
The lake only got a skiff of snow yesterday so the winds had little drifting ability. ATV's with chains can now, if ready to drive aggressively to get through the shrinking drifts when the wheels break through the hard packed snow, will navigate cross country in most areas.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Minus 34 dgrees this morning at Wealthwood Shores, AKA The Red Door.
Cold north winds and no new snow has the lake surface harder and is allowing some cross country ATV travel these days. One can still break through the crusted snow into some slushy areas but it's getting better for ALL forms of travel--until the next big snow.
The weekend fishing conditions look pretty good. South winds will make it feel cooler but temps will be 50 degrees higher than they are this morning. The rising temps will make the ice sheet grow so the live main crack will crunch together and jack-knife in many places. If need be, The Red Door bridge(s) will be in place. Surely reason to check in at the office before driving out.
Will the warm weather front turn the bite on? Let us know at The Red Door before you leave this weekend!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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This morning, Red Door country dawned with a skiff of overnight snow being blown/drifted by heavy NW winds. White-out conditions will persist all day. But temps are mild in the mid-teens.
The plows are and will do what they can to keep things moving. If you get confused on directions, wave one of the plow guys down and tell them which flat etc. you'd like to get to. It's always best to ask the plow guys for directions, if you see/find one, rather than via phone to the office. White-out conditons are hard for everyone...
No fishing reports yet but stayed tuned!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (01/17/09 11:23 AM)
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door lake country snow cover is now hard enough to walk on without breaking through in most places. Snow machines are staying right on the top and ATV travel is getting to be fine as well. One could still get into trouble with the ATV so never travel without a shovel. ATV chains is a big plus in the hard pack snow.
If you have a wheel house, we still don't suggest off road travel. You simply can not break through the road banks and break trail. So, PLEASE let the office know you need a driveway plowed and if and when a plow can get to you, they will plow you a driveway.
Fishing reports? Slow so far this week. Will the next front, coming in Friday and Saturday, turn things on?
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Another week gone by without any snow added to the surface of the Mille Lacs ice in The Red Door area. Cross country travel seems pretty good for ANY means one chooses. Higher 4x4 pick-ups and ATV'ers should have a shovel a handy anyway. But the hard, cold, wind blown snow cover is hard to break through. High road banks can still be an issue so try and find a low spot to jump over and through if you decide to check out new frontiers.
Weekend temps will almost be up to sun-bathing levels. Hole hopping should be like a walk in the park.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door country/north shore conditions are a ditto of last week. No snow. More cold wind to pack the ice surface even harder and warm temps in the weekend forecast. So cross-country travel by any means is working pretty good. ATV'ers and 4x4 trucks should have a shovel close by but trouble free travel by both is predicted for the weekend.
Snow machine trails north, west and east of The Red Door are in "fast" riding condition. The drag being pulled by the Tucker, even without new snow, fills in the rough spots pretty well. And of course, the shorelines of Mille Lacs are like a snow machine speedway these days. 8-10 minutes from The Red Door to the Blue Goose via the lake??
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Baby Mallard
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I called your resort on the evening of 2/4 and I was told you can not get off the roads with a truck. I was told to park on the road and go from there. According to your report, it says I can get off the road with a truck? After spending the day on the lake yesterday, off road travel looked really tough. I did not see anyone off road with a truck or anyone try it either for that matter. I had the snowmobile to get around.
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chomps
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just need a bigger truck!
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Pete
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Red Door Resort
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For Mille Lacs area! Will it happen? Power outages for several days? Does your fish house need blocking BEFORE the rains come?
... WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
FREEZING RAIN... AND RAIN... WILL SPREAD OVER THE NORTHLAND THROUGH THE DAY MONDAY... PERSISTING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT... THEN MIXING WITH SNOW TUESDAY. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION... AS WELL AS LOCALIZED FLOODING WITH THIS STORM. THE ICE AND RAIN WILL RESULT IN VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS BY MONDAY AFTERNOON ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA. YOU ARE URGED TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR THIS STORM NOW. BE SURE TO HAVE A SURVIVAL KIT AND SEVERAL DAYS WORTH OF FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR HOME IF LONG TERM POWER OUTAGES OCCUR.
THIS WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION OF ICE THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL AND COMMERCE.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The weather outlook is gettin' better! (we hope) Here's the latest for The Red Door country:
... FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 2 PM CST MONDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH HAS ISSUED A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 2 PM CST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
FREEZING RAIN WILL START EARLY MONDAY MORNING ACROSS THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA... AND EAST THROUGH PINE COUNTY... INCLUDING THE INTERSTATE 35 CORRIDOR. ICE ACCUMULATION OF AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH IS POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON... BEFORE THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO TURN TO ALL RAIN. THIS ICE ACCUMULATION WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS ACROSS THE REGION.
A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The rain quit and the boats are now back in the garage. It could have been worse!
The lake surface is quite a mess but will be getting better as temps go down the next few days. Standing water, as deep as a foot in some places, is creating tough travel and fishing conditions for the time being. The guys are out all of today drilling holes to drain the ice surface around the houses, in the driveways and along the main roads. So it will be like a hundred or more toilets flushing for the next few hours in The Red Door country.
The road banks are down quite a bit and in some places gone. So--even for "young ducks"--cross country travel over the frozen slushy ice surface should be pretty good by the weekend if the temps go down as predicted the next few nights. It will be bumpy but managable.
If anyone who has a "perm" out of The Red Door is not planning on coming up the last two weekends, please let us know so we can get the house off the ice--IF it's ready to pull. No rush! Just if you have no plans on coming up the rest of the season let us know asap.
Ice grippers for your boots might be a good bet the next few days as the water freezes and becomes quite slick around the houses.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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CONTRARY TO SOME TWIN CITY TV WEATHER EXPERT OPINIONS, THE ICE IS SAFE AND NOT "UNRELIABLE" DUE TO THE RECENT WARM TEMPS AND RAIN AT MILLE LACS.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Just a quck heads up to all: word on the street(ice) in downtown Wealthood is "there ain't no banking left around any fish houses!"
So---one way to help the wind from freezing holes and blowing through the house is to cut the bottom out of 5 gallon buckets and set them down through the floor around each hole(if the floor cut out is big enough). It's better than nothin' and is easily retrieved--unlike using things such as carpet or the like that will freeze down around the outside of the house.
The ice has drained quite well in most places where holes have been drilled. Where there has not been drain holes cut, 2"-6" of water is still under a crust of what is now an inch of ice. By Saturday that should be solid--we hope. As of now--sleds break through and spin the track. ATV's and 4x4's break through but go quite well while the ice chunks fly. Even after the water on the top of the ice freezes for the weekend, the snow machines will have trouble steering on what is now bare ice and will have zero lube for the slides on the bare ice.
Now you know..."as the world turns" in The Red Door country.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Russ&Judy
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thanks for the updates, your input helps alot of us still deciding what to do this weekend
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Red Door Resort
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Your very welcome Russ and Judy! We try....and you should always feel free to ask if we miss anything or get it wrong.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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For the most part things are fine for travel on and off the roads. However, some places have NOT drained well and have 2"-4" of ice over a handful of inches of water. Some cars today and a couple trucks got hung up in those places after breaking through the top layer and stopping. There is no traction on the bare ice/water mix so if you stop in those type of places it will be tough to get going again as the wheels just spin. So---make sure you stop on "high ground"!!
Weather should be pretty nice! Bring/wear your ice grippers!
Chains on the ATV's??
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The ice surface is snow covered (2"-4")and just fine for the snow machines. If the forecast holds, another 3-6 inches of snow will fall before the weekend with some drifting from predicted heavy northwest winds. All forms of travel should be okay but it wouldn't hurt to have a shovel handy. As the weekend gets closer, if need be, we will update The Red Door
area ice conditions.
The new snow should enhance the snow machine trails as well.
Maybe a good time for one last weekend of trail-riding? The state trails connect directly to The Red Door's north 40--a direct drive from the motel and cabins!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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RedDoorResort
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It's winter again in Red Door Country. Snowfall the past 24 hrs. was about 5-7 inches. Minus 10 this morning.
The lake/snow conditions are actually pretty good for travel cross-country. Before the latest snow, the ice was virtually bare of snow--so 4x4 trucks/SUV's, snow machines and ATV's should be just fine for this weekend perch hunting. However, cars are NOT recommended for cross country travel.
The Red Door lake access is open this weekend. The bridge is in place to cross the active crack. There will be no plowed roads as creating banks will just add to deeper drifting. Now the snow depths are easily navigated--including drifts that could be as deep as 12" or a hair more. Bring a shovel along just in case and pay attention to where you stop and all will be just fine.
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The Red Door Resort
866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Ice travel conditions continue to be just fine on The Red Door perch fishing grounds. Cross country travel is fine for all vehicle choices except two wheel drive cars. Old road banks are relatively low and are hard, therefore easily crossed over with 4x4 trucks/SUV's and ATV's. Watch for low spots/less drifting and you're good to go.
Fishing pressure from this week has been slim but reports of good keeper perch catches are common. Perch hunters have been driving south and west from The Red Door--scattering out along the deep flat mucky bottom (22'-30') within a 1/2 mile of shore--up to 2-3 miles west. Just keep moving until you find a patch of them....
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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... WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...
AS THE INTENSIFYING STORM MOVES TOWARDS THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES TUESDAY... LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW AND VERY STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE ONCE AGAIN. MUCH COLDER AIR WILL SWEEP RAPIDLY ACROSS THE REGION TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT. STRONG WINDS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY TEMPERATURES FALLING BELOW ZERO BY WEDNESDAY MORNING. CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW IS LIKELY.
THIS SYSTEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON RESIDENTS OF THE NORTHLAND. ALTHOUGH THE EXACT STORM TRACK IS NOT CERTAIN AT THIS TIME... AN AREA OF SNOWFALL IN EXCESS OF 12 INCHES MAY OCCUR ALONG WITH WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. BLIZZARD CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP DEPENDING ON THE STRENGTH OF THE WIND AND SNOWFALL INTENSITY.
AHEAD OF THE STORM... SNOW BANDS WILL DEVELOP MONDAY... WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES POSSIBLE. THERE WILL BE A LULL IN THE HEAVIER SNOW MONDAY NIGHT WITH AREAS OF FREEZING DRIZZLE POSSIBLE BEFORE THE MAJOR STORM HITS ON TUESDAY.
IF TRAVEL IS PLANNED MONDAY... TUESDAY... AND EARLY WEDNESDAY PLEASE MONITOR THE LATEST WINTER WEATHER MESSAGES FROM THIS OFFICE.
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY SNOW THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL AND COMMERCE.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Here's the latest weather alert for northern Mille Lacs areas. How this effects lake travel for the weekend we won't know until at least Thursday. Stayed tuned...
... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY...
A WINTER STORM WILL ORGANIZE OVER KANSAS THIS MORNING AND TRACK INTO THE GREAT LAKES BY WEDNESDAY. SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE REGION THIS MORNING AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY THIS AFTERNOON. SNOWFALL RATES OF AN INCH PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE AT TIMES. TOTAL SNOW AMOUNTS WILL RANGE FROM 7 TO 10 INCHES NEAR THE BRAINERD LAKES REGION... WITH 10 TO 14 INCHES POSSIBLE NEAR THE BORDERLAND AND IRON RANGE
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE DANGEROUSLY LOW VISIBILITY AND DRIFTING SNOW. SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS... AND DANGEROUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED. DELAY TRAVEL IF POSSIBLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... USE EXTREME CAUTION AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BECOME STRANDED AND THAT IT COULD TAKE MANY HOURS FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. KEEP A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT IN YOUR VEHICLE... INCLUDING A FLASHLIGHT... FOOD... AND WATER. LET SOMEONE KNOW YOUR TRAVEL ROUTE AND EXPECTED ARRIVAL TIME AND HAVE A WORKING CELL PHONE IN CASE YOU BECOME STRANDED.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Once again.....it's "derned cold" in The Red Door country. Early exit polls are saying 5-7 inches of snow fell on the Wealthwood shores area but heavy winds have made it hard to measure among drifts and bare spots. The lake? Is not a good place to be today.......
After the dust settles in the next 24 hrs., we will have a better handle on lake travel conditions. Temps for the weekend look good for perch hunters though. Fishing should be good? Stay tuned!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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-24 degrees as the sun rises on Wealthwood Shores--March 11th!! We should have an ice travel condition report later today. Stay tuned...
BIG warm up for the weeeknd and beyond for perch hunters.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The weekend--both travel on the lake and weather--is looking pretty good.
The Red Door lake access is now and will be open for the coming weekend perch and tulibee hunters. A cold snap earlier this week and also the past 24 hrs. created a fresh crack (a foot wide) a few yards from shore. We have the bridge in place and will monitor the bridge and crack as the temps warm up and most likely create a substantial ice heave over the weekend. As it comes up, we will chop it down so access delays, if any, will be short. Temps in the 40's will expand the ice....no doubt!
Snow from this past couple days shouldn't be a problem for cross country travel with any 4x4 vehicle including SUV's, pick-ups and ATV's. Before the recent 6 inch snowfall, very little snow was on the ice, old road banks were hard and small, so even with the drifting, travel cross country should be fine. Again....just pay attention to where you park or stop regarding drifts etc. The deepest drifts are about foot deep and will settle as the sun and warm temps rise over the next couple days.
Perch fishing predictions? Should be as good or better than the past couple weekends. 24'-30' along shore as far as the eye can see to the east or especially west.
See you at "The Door"!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Russ&Judy
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I just wanted to out guess you on your next report;!
lots of sunshine-- Dog gone wind-- this weekend!! sure didnt see Russ and Judy driving around this weekend--those warm blooded Turkeys!!! hidding at there "Duck Inn" playing Yatee's, spin the bottle!!  Jacks High?? (that means you take off more) 
Im just trying to out guess you report  and having a blast doing it please try to forgive me 
we were actually mowing SOME of the snow off the yard to see some grass,--""Ill try anything once"  -- shoveling 2 ft of snow off the deck, moving deer stands out of the swamp while it is still froze-- "man the tractor floats on top of the bog right now"  -- mumbling under my breath about ""I should have cleaned the termanials on the ATV earlier"" 
OH!! we also got an atv trip in and got "ALMOST RUN OVER BY Reindeer"" yes im talking 12 an even doxen!!!!?? I mean Dozen!!! --
They came out of no where-- Oaks, Swamp, crost an half acre lighty brushed spot--
2 beers later we headed for the Duck Inn just a few miles away to recap the days adventure
OH MY I KINDA GOT SIDE TRACKED DIDNT I
THANKS FOR THE UPDATE
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Red Door Resort
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First and foremost, the perch fishing over the past weekend and the last couple days has held up pretty well. 10-20 keeper perch per angler per day seems common--as we hear and see it. Most or all of the fishing has been done to the west, from Knox Point to the Gun Glub that is west of the Wealthwood public access. From just out from the rocks along the Knox Point area in about 23' out to 30' to the west has been the general "spot"/depth.
The heat wave has all or most of the snow gone off the lake. Water on the ice is gradually running back through the ice and drying up. The Red Door lake access for trucks etc. is still open but on a "day to day" scenario. If the extreme warm temps continue much longer, the shoreline ice and the ramp area will soften up too much for full size vehicles. ATV travel should hold up for several weeks--we hope.
We will update The Red Door lake access before the weekend.
FYI--Myr Mar has closed it's access.
A note to "Chomps", who we recall brought up The Red Door maple sapping, is that the "sappers" showed up yesterday. They say they will be tapping the trees by the end of this week if the weather holds. Anyone who wants sapping lessons can feel free to stop by the cooker.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Russ&Judy
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my Uncle and Aunt do that every year-- just across the driveway from our Duck Inn driveway-- i think it takes 100 gallons to make a pint? after its boiled down- if anyone wants to come and check our 100 acres out and tap them--its ok with me--r-j-rabbitz@msn.com- ill even toss in some fire wood if the snow ever melt's
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chomps
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yeah, we have about 6 1/2 acres just to the north of the Red Doors fish house park. Do you guys have a big stainless steel kettle? Wood or gas fired? It was the wood fire which got us in a pickle last year and we burnt a batch, looking for something which we can regulate the heat a bit better, Russ how far from the Door are you guys? Just used up our last three pints last weekend. I'd also like to hear if there is any morrells in the area. I think I'm going to order a few spore kits and see what happens. So much to do, so little time!
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Pete
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door lake access is open to all traffic as of now and unless something changes, will be open to all driving over the coming weekend. Main lake ice is fine and not showing any wear from the warmer weather. Snow is gone from the ice surface. Most of the water from the melt has run back through the ice.
Weekend perch hunters should have warm, cloudy weather.
Again....full size trucks and ATV's are good to go for this weekend(unless something changes on the condition of our access along shore). No matter--ATV's will work fine even if things soften up to much for trucks on the access.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The Red Door access is still open to all traffic and should be okay for the coming weekend. Key words being "should be" as there is a chance the warm temps over the weekend and rain could shut it down. (no--you won't be trapped on the lake--no worry there!)
With rain in the forecast and 50's Sunday and beyond, we doubt the ramp area will allow full size vehicle traffic after this weekend. Stayed tuned....but all is fine for this weekend as of now. See ya the "Door"!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Rain and wind for the next 2-3 days will most likely shut The Red Door lake access down to full size vehicles. By Thursday morning and thereafter, when and if the rain is over and things get colder/freezing again, fishing conditions on the main lake will still be fine for ATV's. Main lake ice will most likely be fine for ATV use for a couple weeks yet IF the access holds up. Shoreline ice is always the first to go bad. So....stay tuned. Again...ATV's only from now on out of The Red Door lake access.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Not surprising, the 2 plus inches of rain early this week ended ALL full size vehicle traffic out of The Red Door lake access. However, temps in the teens last night and in the forecast for the next day or two should make ATV use just fine. We have a bridge in place to make the first few yds. off shore usable for ATV's. And walking out for perch hunting should be fine too as the ice surface is hard and snow free. Dragging a loaded sled/portable should be fairly easy and only is about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile hike to the fishing grounds. Weekend weather outlook is fairly decent.
No fishing reports from the past few days during the rains.
This coming week could be the last hoorah for ice travel this year so....see you at the "Door"??
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Russ&Judy
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Man or lady as our Ghost Writer Reporter-- you sure do keep us up todate more than any other place;;
your reports are well needed- honest and puncutal (sp)
just think ?? i was a A+ spelling student in first grade
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Red Door Resort
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Winter prolonged? The Red Door Sugarbush crew ain't gonna be happy!
... WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT.
TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS CASS... CROW WING AND AITKIN COUNTIES BY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL START TO FALL AND ACCUMULATE ON MONDAY... THEN INCREASE IN INTENSITY MONDAY NIGHT. THE SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL ACROSS THE AREA TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT... AND THEN FINALLY START TO LIGHTEN UP DURING THE DAY ON WEDNESDAY.
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION OF SNOW THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL AND COMMERCE.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The winter weather doesn't look to be backing off.
Issued by The National Weather Service
Duluth, MN
3:47 am CDT, Mon., Mar. 30, 2009
... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY...
BANDS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON. 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS EVENING. THERE MAY BE A LULL IN SNOW BEFORE THE MAIN HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED FOR LATE MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS CASS... CROW WING AND AITKIN COUNTIES BY WEDNESDAY MORNING. GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE AT TIMES THROUGH THIS EVENT... WHICH WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING... AND MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS.
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATION IS ANTICIPATED... AND THAT SNOWFALL RATES OF ONE INCH PER HOUR OR GREATER CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES. EXPECT SNOW COVERED ROADS AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. LET SOMEONE KNOW YOUR TRAVEL ROUTE AND EXPECTED ARRIVAL TIME AND HAVE A WORKING CELL PHONE IN CASE YOU BECOME STRANDED. KEEP A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT IN YOUR VEHICLE... INCLUDING A FLASHLIGHT... FOOD... AND WATER. IF YOU CHOOSE TO TRAVEL... BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BECOME STRANDED AND THAT IT MAY TAKE MANY HOURS FOR HELP TO ARRIVE.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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(copied from "Hey Mille Lacs guys")
The snow on the north end Tuesday was relatively, a no show. Maybe 2-3 inches. BUT! We woke up to about 5-6 inches of wet snow today and watched it snow until noon. So maybe 7-8 inches today for a total of about 10 or more. It is settling fast with thawing temps. You should be fine with an ATV on the ice. Your biggest issue will be the shoreline ice. It has been iffy along shore the first 10-20 yds. and also along the old ice ridges. So a bridge along shore might be best? 23 for a low tonight will harden things up for the morning. 17 in the forcast for Friday morning.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The buzz around the lake these days isn't the sound of ice augers, snow machines, mosquitoes or even clouds of fish flies hovering in the tree tops. It's all about "when's the ice going out!" Followed by "will the fish bite?"
At this stage of the game, the big sheet has yet to move. However, there is now open water from 10ft. out from shore to as much as 200 yds. or more all around the shorelines. The Malmo area, being vey shallow and facing the sun, is open the most. The next wind that blows in the high teens or more will surely slide the big sheet one way or another using the open water as room to move.
So when's it gonna go out? If a couple major rains/cold fronts come through, it could be less than two weeks. If we get calm, very little stormy weather, it could be as much as two weeks or even more. Warms temps help but without major winds, the big mass of Mille Lacs ice can lay there for a long time yet.
Will the fish bite? Find'em, cook up what they wanna eat when they wanna eat it and they will bite. We predict and or hope that the spring bite will be pretty good, especially for the evening bobber bite the first few weeks. Come June--who knows. That's fishing!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Near as we can tell, after a drive around the lake and using the scope, with the exception of a few 100 yds. of ice here and there stuck along shore, the lake is ice free as of today and for sure by tomorrow. That's not "official" but how we see it from the Wealthwood Shores and beyond.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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It is now official! April 24th, 2009 is ice out date on Mille Lacs. The Mille Lacs Messenger is reporting what we observed in the previous posting.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Water levels, as someone asked about earlier, are pretty good this spring. Relative to some of the recent years. Last fall the swamps that adjoin the Mille Lacs water were quite full, creating a good run-off this spring from snow and early rains. So the lake is up a few inches from last fall and about a foot from the low point a couples ago. So, as usual at Mille Lacs, it's shallow along most shorelines but better this spring. Keep the boat at idle leaving the ramps/harbors until you get to at least 4ft. and you should be fine.
Water temps by opener should be in the high 40's and a hair higher on a sunny calm afternoon. As usual...very clear as well unless the wind is howling.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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WADE74
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thanks for the update, I can't wait to get up there, staying at your place this weekend too at my buddies fish house!
Quick question do you serve food or is there places close by?
Thanks
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Red Door Resort
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We serve pizza's in our office/game room area and also have some grocery items on sale also.
The closest food places are Barnacles and Carlsona Beach to the east from 2-4 miles with Myr Mar Marina and various places in Garrison to the west. Garrison is about 9 miles and Myr Mar is about 6 miles.
Looking forward to seeing you!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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WADE74
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thanks same here, can't wait to get up there! 
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Kooty
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Carlsona has really good bar food. The BP gas station to the WEST(oops)makes a good sub for taking out in the boat with you.
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I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
John
Edited by Kooty (05/04/09 05:29 PM)
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Red Door Resort
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Oops! We forgot to mention the "Junction" which, as Kooty says, serves good sandwiches and pizza's as well. BUT! You might want to go WEST from The Red Door instead of "east" to get to the Junction. lol It's about 4 miles to the WEST.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
Edited by Red Door Resort (05/04/09 05:26 PM)
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chomps
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head east! there is a small cafe in Malmo, awesome breakfast, ask for the wild rice sausage...mmmm!
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Pete
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Red Door Resort
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North shore fishermen saw the first big waves of the short season today. What few boats ventured out into the big south blow did well anchored in about 9ft. A few more keepers showed up today as well compared to the low keeper percentage over this past weekend.
Water temps are pushing 50 now even in the mornings and pushing mid 50's by late afternoon. At about 55-56 degrees the good old bug hatch should show up. Maybe in two weeks?
Big winds tomorrow will make for another bobbering day for sure. No waiting at the boat ramp during the week!!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The coming weekend outlook is very similar to last weekend if the forecast holds up. Cold front conditions will have the north shores the calmest on the lake. Brisk north and northwest winds will dominate the weekend making it another long underwear ordeal.
But fishing should be as good or better (just a guess) than last weekend, which wasn't too bad. The bite should again be in the deeper, off the breaks shoreline water in 18' to 25'. That should mean, again, slowly fish long leaders Lindy
Rig style. They should be best with leeches on small hooks. Slower the better.
See you at The Red Door! Bring WARM clothes.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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The weekend forecast for Red Door country is BRISK!
The NW winds, although forecast to be strong, will be coming from off shore at about a 45 degree angle-from NW to SE. That means the lake should not have big waves in the Red Door area. The further east you go, the more and bigger waves you will have. More north to the wind and the lake will have 6 inch ripples and more west to it the lake will have 2' to 3' waves moving parallel to shore. So it should be fine with your 16-17ft.'ers or bigger. The rest of the lake, will be calm on the west side, and VERY rough on the east and south shores.
Your drift will need to be controlled to slow down or as someone suggests, you can anchor and slip-bobber fish. Without good boat control, that could be the best way to fish slowly in those "20 to 30" mile per hour forecasted winds.
Temps Sunday morning, with less wind than Saturday morning, will be nudging the freezing mark. So dress like you are going ice fishing!
Will the fish bite? Yesterday's cold front shut the north end down from what we heard. Last weekend the cold front didn't bother it. Go figure!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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Red Door Resort
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Can you believe it!?? The weather/lake forcast for the weekend is GREAT! Light winds, average temps and sun should lead to a comfortable time on the big lake. Good boat control and the choice of all the areas to fish due to good travel conditions "should" (key word) put lots of fish in the boat.
See ya at The Red Door!
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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wabasha24
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We'll be on the water by 6 this evening! Good luck to all -as always, can't wait!
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JonnyD
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How's the fishing been the last few days up by the Red Door? Are the eyes still around in the sand?
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Red Door Resort
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This past week, inbetween hurricanes, the fishing has been "spotty". Surely, the deeper water off the sand breaks will hold plenty of fish this time of year. Light , long, slowly fished Lindy's with leeches and or crawlers should work. And spinners could too! The rocks put out some fair catches this past week both daytime and especially evenings. 8' to 14'. Bobbers with a 1/32oz. jighead and or colored hooks tipped with leeches and crawlers. Daytime bobbers need some wind/waves. The bobbers could sink at the base of the sand breaks too!
And the mudflats? Nice weather will open them up too. Lindy's out there also--with leeches.
See you at The Red Door! Sharpen the fillet knives, bring the sun screen and HOPE!! Have fun!! And be SAFE.
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Red Door Resort - North Shores of Mighty Mille Lacs
Ph. 866-444-2453
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North Shore Lake conditions
