Lake Joseph opener

This was the busiest opener I've ever seen. With alot of things closed I guess ice fishing has become a very popular hobby. Got to the lake at 7am and there was no parking so we headed to second spot to access the lake. Got the Yamaha Grizzly stuck just trying to get onto the lake. Once on the lake we made it about a 100 yards before coming to a halt. ATV was doing really good towing my clam through the slush but once we hit snow it started to plow. Standing there trying to figure out if we should just turn around a gentleman in an argo pulled up and offered a tow. So we hooked up the hut to his argo and the atv was fine aslong as it wasn't pulling the hut. He took us to the main lake where we could hook the hut back to the atv and go down the sled trail. Heading north we found that there was less snow and could go anywhere up there. First spot I landed 2 lakers about 1lbers. We moved and I caught 2 more a little bigger right away . Tried 2 more spots with no fish. So we headed south and I got 2 more on the last spot. Kept 1 laker and headed back. The way back wasnt as bad only got stuck in a 100 yard section of deep snow. A little pushing and we got off the lake. Ice was 8.5 inches of solid black ice on main basin. North it had a crust you could drive on with only 4-5 inches black ice underneath. South of main basin it was almost all slush and snow about a foot deep.

Laker I took home

City on ice. Fishing must of been good in that spot

Looks like you had a decent opener. Generous of the guy to help tow you out, love hearing stories like that! I usually pick up walkers on my sled ride back in. I remember how it would make my day as a walker.

Sadly it'll only get busier with how many people keep openly naming it on forums. I'm surprised the forum even allows naming it tbh.

I agree, not a small lake but not big either. If it was stocked then go nuts but if it’s so special mnr keeps it closed till family day to protect the natural population then maybe it shouldn’t be a free for all on the forum either!

Very nice fish i can't believe all the people on the lake .

It's a great story about your adventures and your successes but I also agree that a fishing report does not require the name of a lake to be mentioned.

The story stays the same no matter what.

You can call it Lake X .

Nobodies business where you were.

Great report.
Keep it up.

By the way, the ever increasing number of people on that lake is partially due to lake names being mentioned on the internet.
Look at the number of views and compare it to the replies.

LURKERS..... this forum is full of them.

My two cents

X2 lurkers I like lakes as x y or z not enough people joining and contributing in a positive productive manner. P.M s arw the way to go word of mouth should be quiet.

yeah that's nuts

...nice report Guru

Yeah they are just lurking as if people are giving out fishing info and naming specific lakes and excess points.

some of the lurkers are people that are watching the fishermen to see if they can access their work. the fishermen usual let workers know how much ice there is so workers have an idea if they can haul their material out to the islands.

Works the other way around too

Me naming the lake in my title is a fisherman helping other fisherman with info on ice, snow and slush conditions. It's no secret there's lakers in the 3 biggest muskoka lakes. Just check fish online.

Well done!
Well said!
Thank you for the report.

Nice laker! Didn't mean to stir the pot. I was/have lurked myself and my negativity wasnt directed in the right manner. I wish more people would join and post.
They are larger lakes with lots of fish. Lots of honey holes to be had. Enjoy the lakes and treat each other with respect.
Sorry for the accusation towards people lurking . Let's moove past this.