Gull Lake Reports!

[Sportland_Bait]

The ice conditions are improving by the day. We are now starting to venture out on some of the bigger lakes like Gull, Pelican, and North Long Lake. Some of the slushy pockets are starting to freeze up so travel is becoming a bit easier. Ice depths are ranging from 5-10 inches in most areas. I would still advise using caution out there since it is a little inconsistent yet. The fishing has been pretty good now that we are starting to reach some of the honey holes. On Gull the best bite has been on jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head in 16-24 feet of water. Most anglers have been fishing the north end of the lake but some nice fish have been caught on the south end as well. The crappies are biting well too on the smaller lakes like Upper Gull, Roy, Margaret, and the bays of Pelican. Crappie minnows on small glow jigs have worked for some nice slab crappies in the evenings. We haven’t heard a whole lot on the pike action but that should all change as more anglers start getting out on the lakes. Merry Christmas from everyone here at Dave’s Sportland Bait, and Nisswa Guide Service.

Jason Erlandson

[Traxxx]

Fished the north end of Gull tonight. Two of us caught five between 4:30pm and 5pm, lost a few more. Then no bites til' 6:30, caught seven more til 9:30. We were in 15' fow on the weedline. Bobber lines with shiners and fatheads produced. Jigging the setlines with the Vex worked better than just letting it sit there.

[Sportland_Bait]

Nice report Traxx! Glad to see the minnows worked out for you guys. Sounds like the bite is going pretty decent out there.

Jason Erlandson

[Sportland_Bait]

Went out on Gull again last night. After hearing a few reports from some of guides I just had to get out there. They had been really pounding on some nice fish, but last night was a little slower. I managed a few perch one smaller walleye and a couple of 15 inchers. The fish seemed real finicky last night. I think it was just an off night. The bite has been great out there though. Limits have been fairly common in the morning or evening. The best bite has been along the weedlines or near the top edge of the dropoff. 13-16 feet seems to be the magic numbers this week. The ice conditions have improved dramatically. Most of the snow has dropped down so atv travel is pretty easy now. It should be a great weekend for puting out houses and doing a little fishing. 6-7 inches of ice was the norm out where I was. I would still check as you go. We just got in a new shipment of the Lindy Rattling Flyers. I've tried them out and they are deadly. Good luck this weekend!

Jason Erlandson

[JConrad]

Thanks for the report Jason... Glad you were able to get out...

I was also out yesterday from 3:30 until 5... Ran out of propane for my lantern so I had to quit early (no light)... Really dumb.. I did pick up 5 nice fish from 17" to 20". Also a number of smaller ones.. 16 ft of water on a weed line.. Monday evening I caught 4 with three of them being 19"... Really nice eating size fish.. Size seems to be better this year! Last year lots of small fish.. Pink jigging spoon is really working for me...

Hopefully this bite will continue for awhile...

Still need to be careful on the ice although it is improving.

Any reports on the ice conditions at the Government Landing near the dam? Is is safe to go out from there with an ATV? Thinking about pulling my house out soon...

[thefishRmine]

I walked out of Government Landing last weekend and there were plenty of wheelers running around by the landing. I walked out about a half mile towards Clumps Point. Surprised at the lack of snow but made pulling the house a lot easier. Lots of bare spots with only a couple inches in some areas. Ran into a little slushy area when walking back, but able to walk around. Saw two wheelers go south of me from the point towards the landing on Saturday along with some snowmobiles going around the area.

About 7" or so of ice where I set up. Caught them between 4:00 and 5:00, but could not pick up any nice ones. Saturday deadstick or jigging didn't matter, but on Sunday preferred jigging.

Does the north end look about the same as far as snow cover? Want to venture to some spots up there and have to pull the house and would like to not have to drag through the snow. Thanks in advance.

[Sportland_Bait]

I set up last night near one of the rental fish houses and I had about 2-4 inches of snow on top of about 7 inches of ice. I think most of the snow has absorbed the water and froze. So the top layer is now pretty solid. I have not been to the south end of the lake but I am guessing that it is not too far behind. But it is still ice, you just never can be positive. Keep up the good fishing!

Jason Erlandson

[JConrad]

I missed going out last night but did get out at prime time this evening.... Pretty slow... one small eye and one 17" decent fish.. Only saw one other on the graph that would not bite.. Light rain and freezing rain...the weather change may be the reason for the slow bite..

May try early tomorrow morning since I have not tried a morning yet...

The cold weather coming next week should really help the ice conditions.. I hope to get my fish house out sometime next week if the ice is ok...

[Sportland_Bait]

I made out on the south end yesterday morning. My first trip this winter to that end of the lake. It was more of an exploratory trip than anything. I tried three new spots and one really seemed to be a winner. I set up before sunrise on the edge of a rock point that has a history of producing some nice walleyes. Within ten minutes I had some activity on the Vexilar. I started my jigging sequence right above the nice red marks. Tap and miss, I quickly baited up again for another tap and miss. Third time's a charm, wouldn't you know it a nice crappie. Certainly not what I was expecting. I realized that all I had with me was my walleye gear so I continued to catch a couple of more dandy crappies with jigging spoons and minnow heads. By about 8:15 the crappies were all gone. I started hole hopping looking for more active fish. About 8:30 I ended up back in my original hole when moments later a nice red mark showed up. It didn't take long and the battle was on. After ripping my drag numerous times I got her started up the hole. It was a beautiful golden 25 inch walleye. I was thrilled, after admiring it for a few seconds she swam away to get a little bigger. I ended the day with a couple of nice perch. Although I was hoping for a little more walleye action I can't complain. I think that it'll be a tremendous evening spot for me. Staying close to the weed edges has been the key to success thus far this season. That could change as more traffic hits the lakes. I had between 5-7 inches of ice on the south end of the lake. Most of the snow has dropped down. At most about 4 inches of snow cover, travel is getting pretty easy out there. I would still use much caution if using an atv or snowmobile. Fishing has been pretty good all week but the last couple of days the bite has been a little spotty. Should be a great Christmas break. If you would like to get out there and give it a try give us a call. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Jason Erlandson

[fadal]

Was thinking of hitting gull friday all day any pointers what areas to try and what to use? Thanks

[waterwolff]

How is the acsess on Hole in the day. How about the ice thickness.

Mike

[Sportland_Bait]

The ice conditions are improving. Areas along the shorelines have about 7-10 inches but there are still some areas that are much less, just be careful out there. The bite has continued to be pretty good on Gull. Some days they want the jigs and some they want set lines and shiner minnows. All the accesses are good to go for sleds or atvs.

Jason Erlandson

[Traxxx]

Anybody catching anything after 5pm? We have been out the last three nights, in two totally different spots, and havn't marked but one pout, between 5pm & 7pm.

[SALMON]

SHE'S DONE!!!

[JConrad]

I have experienced the same thing.... Dead after 5 pm.. I may try a bit shalower after 5 pm... Currently fishing in 18 - 22 ft.. May go up to around 15 ft on the weedline after dark just to see if it helps.. Also jigging with a fat head head is working better than the dead stick with a shiner... at least 4 - 1.

[Traxxx]

We've been up in 14 fow on the weedline. I think it has something to do with the increased traffic & moon phase. Tonight I had a kid, on a snowmobile, doing laps past the fishhouse at primetime. Didn't see any fish when that was going on. Caught a couple nice ones right at 5pm with a

spoon & minnowhead.

[MNUser]

Yea Traxxx, I know what you mean.

We had that a couple of nights ago. The bites was good the day before. I always have to remember what it was like to be a kid. I would have done the same if I had the chance. Somedays I wish I was 12 again!

We caught two little ones tonight. We are on the south side of the lake. The bite has been OK. We are in about 18' right off the weed line.

What part of the lake are you on Traxxx? I heard the north end near Cobins has been good.

[Traxxx]

We are up on the north end by the resort. Just talked to a buddy whos out there right now. They are in 19' fow and still getting them. Quiet spot. Ice is 7" to 8"

[JConrad]

I had the same situation tonight between 3:30 pm and 5 pm... A kid on a snowmobile going back and forth. First evening so far where I did not catch at least one good size walleye..

Being quiet is really key.... Hopefully when school is back in session it will quiet down a bit..

Maybe early mornings will be better since the kiddies are not out on the lake....

[Traxxx]

That must have been the same one. Are you on the north end? East or West of GVL?

[Sportland_Bait]

It has been crazy busy around the bait shop this weekend. It is the same out on Gull. Should quiet down out there this week. It'll be a little colder and school will start up soon. The reports were exceptional pretty much all over the last few days. Hopefully it keeps going.

Jason Erlandson

[MNUser]

They will go back soon and all will be quiet once again.

I have a 10 year old and he LOVES to ride that stupid snowmobile. I would sell them both in a heartbeat and get a four wheeler if he did not enjoy it so much. This would allow me to get a bigger fish house too.

I remember when I dad bought me a Scorpion Whip when I was a kid. I rode that thing all the time. He gave me 5 gallons of gas a week. I remember hooking the syphon hose to the car gas tank to add to my 5 gallons when the riding was good and the gas was short.

The days of being a kid! Young, in shape and no cares.....now I'm out of shape, have a sore back and have too much responsibility!

My kid has been one of those who drives around the lake in the past. If he has pissed anybody off, I apologize!

[JConrad]

Different kid.... I am on the south end of the lake...

[SJS]

Was out Sat. afternoon til 7 two of us missed 5 landed 3 I had a 21,and 14 brother had a nice one bump off at the hole. North end of the lake seemed pretty busy, had lots of snowmobiles running around but not to close to us. Stopped in at Sportland on the way to the lake, best bait shop around. Thanks for your advise.

[BeerMe]

Gull has been good for me as well. c/r a 28,26,25,24,& 22 inch this past week. plus caught a 15.25 inch Crappie on a 3 inch shiner. That Crappie is goin on the wall...dang that thing was thick. Got all those wally's on set lines with shiners in 25'. Nobody else around me. Oh, got all fish well after dark. Good luck all and Happy New Year!!!!

[realtower]

I hope most of those went back down the hole!

[frogtosser]

thats what the c/r means, catch and release

[BeerMe]

Yep they're all still swimmin'...the 28" had like warts on it in a few spots and I didn't know if I should of kept it or not but I still put it back. Any ideas on what these might be? Oh another ? 2 of these fish swallowed the bait all the way and were gut hooked so I just cut the line and let them go. I have heard that this is the best thing to do...I hope this is true. Do they really dissolve the hooks?

[JConrad]

Interesting.... I had a 23 inch fish last week with a big wart on its side... Looked like a Northern had hit it some time ago... Was pretty nasty looking. I also let it go..

Hooks should disolve and not hurt the fish... At least that's what I have been told in the past..

Hopefully this good bite will last for awhile.

[weeds]

Hey, as long as we're discussing catch and release... say you pull up a good sized fish from around 30 ft. and it's air bladder(or guts or whattever it is) is up in it's mouth, what do you do? If released will it live?