Where Beauty & Nature intersect

Nine year old, Lee Perrington is a “lifelong” fisherman from the Deer River area. He spends countless hours fishing in the hot, cold, winter, spring, summer and fall. All of these days of fishing paid off on Feb. 7th at the Park Rapids American Legion Ice Fishing Derby when he was able to land a […]

Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store 2/13/15 The cold and wind is back and biting the faces of Ice Castle-less fishermen in the northern half of the state. If you do have a means to fish out of the elements; the fish are biting! Find the very tasty black crappies in 15 to 20 feet […]

Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store – 1/30/2015 Fishermen are putting on extra layers of clothing as the temperatures are falling like a brick. The cold front will trigger the area walleyes to start feeding again as we enter the month of February. Set up shop on frozen water as shallow as 6 feet next […]

With Valentine’s Day and a three-day weekend on February’s calendar, a winter getaway to our beautiful north woods may be the way to win your Valentine’s heart for the first time or all over again. The Polar Vortex is last year’s news. The days grow longer and the quiet, frozen lakes invite wildlife viewing. Eagles […]

The new year begins as a disappointment to snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, but there’s snow in the forecast. Fingers crossed.The ice on area lakes is thick after a string of overnight temperatures well below zero. Some ice houses have been out for weeks. Bait shop owners can tell you where the best spots are to […]

Park Rapids Area Fishing Report and Tournament Guide Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store 1/23/2015Winter has given us a break this year by holding back the snow and frigid temperatures making movement on the ice easy. Watch for the various ice heaves splitting the area lakes as they have swallowed a few vehicles, especially on […]

The New Year has arrived and the ice is getting safer by the minute. Fish Hook Lake now has up to 21” of good, clear ice. Long Lake east has up to 24” of ice although the access at the north end has an ice heave making it impassable for vehicle travel, the access at […]

Park Rapids Area Fishing & Ice Report Submitted by Smokey  Outdoor Store – 12/27/14 Ice conditions are improving by the minute on the Park Rapids area lakes. The ten day forecast predicts below zero overnight temperatures which will add thickness to the ice and make the fish more active. The majority of Fish Hook Lake […]

Park Rapids Area Fishing & Ice Report Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store, 12/18/14 The Northwest winds have finally sent the fog migrating south with the birds; as temperatures are now on par with a regular mid-December Minnesota winter. We are back on track and making ice by the minute. The “hard water” conditions were […]

Park Rapids Area Fishing & Ice Report Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store, 12/09/14 Winter is in full swing on the Park Rapids area lakes. Most lakes have 12 or more inches of good, solid ice. Cars and light trucks have been driving on the “hard water” in front of the Fish Hook Lake public access […]