This Weeks Show

Episode 11

Danny Herbeck’s Ice Opener

Show Date: March 14, 2026

Location: Vermilion Bay, Ontario, Canada

Guide: Danny Herbeck [807-216-8866]

Accommodations: Andy Myers Lodge, Vermilion Bay [https://www.andymyerslodge.com | 888-727-5865]

As the ice season begins to wind down across much of the Upper Midwest, things are just getting started farther north in Vermilion Bay. That’s where longtime guide Danny Herbeck begins his ice guiding season each year in mid-March, once conditions are perfect on the big water. Before his clients arrive, Danny invited us along for a couple of reconnaissance days to see what kind of fishing might be in store.

Joining the trip are Rob Manthei and his buddy Eric, along with Humminbird’s Jeff Kolodzinski and his friend Noah. With two full days to fish, we hit the ice just as a cold front begins moving through the area — never ideal conditions, but Danny knows these waters well and quickly gets us set up on a proven walleye spot.

It doesn’t take long to realize that the area is holding fish — and even more importantly, there’s a “spot on the spot.” Rob quickly finds the sweet spot and starts putting walleye after walleye on the ice as the morning unfolds.

The action keeps rolling through the late morning, and just as we throw some Johnsonville brats on the grill, the Beaver Dam tip-ups begin springing to life. Suddenly everyone is sprinting across the ice to chase flags, and before long we’re pulling up some exceptional northern pike — including several fish topping the 40-inch mark.

The first day turns out to be so productive that we simply can’t fit all the action into one episode. Day two brought even more excitement, and that extended footage will be available on our YouTube channel.

If our recon trip is any indication, Danny’s guide clients are in for an incredible stretch of fishing in the weeks ahead.