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Orchard Lake


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Went over to Orchard yesterday for the first time. Was moderately impressed.

Saw a fellow FMer's vehicle and trailer in the parking lot. Maroon SUV with a big a** Fishing Minnesota.com decal on the door. Too bad I didn't know which boat you were in. I would have came over and said hello.

Got on the water about 10:30 am and left about 2:30pm.

In the 4 hours caught:
4 Pike
2 Muskies
6 Bass
4 Sunnies
1 Crappie

The pike were about 3-4 lbs (They went back in the lake to grow some more).
The Muskies were 5-6 lbs (They went back in the lake to grow some more)
Bass were in the 1-2 lb range (Still swimming)
The sunnies and crappie were small (Still swimming)

Good first impression though. Was a fun 4 hours. I will definately go back again as it is only about 15 minutes from where I live.

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  • Beef46

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  • buzzsaw

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  • Crawlerman

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  • Timmeye

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What boat were you in? I was in a Gray and White Crestliner Superhawk. 115 Johnson (White motor, not many of them)

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Fished Orchard today looking for some Tiger action. Had one follow (about30ish) and my 16 year old son got a 20 inch walleye. Went to take out the rig and notice some A-Hole hit my trailer with damage. Left tail Light smashed to pieces and a bent taillight frame. The person didn't leave a note. I hope this person never catches a fish again!!!!!!!

Brian(AKA muskieschaef)

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Walleyes in that lake huh? I saw a lot of fish on my finder in 21-23 fow that looked like they could be walleyes.

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I'm on Orchard all the time, usually about twice a week.

I have a white Expedition in the parking lot and a tracker tournament V out on the water.

Motor up and say hi next time if I'm out!

I always have a lot of fun on Orchard, there are great fish in the lake, and generally from what I've seen it doesn't get pressured hard (aside from one story on another post I did). With it's small size, most people C&R on it. One of the cool things is the health of the predator population. Keeps the sunnies nice and above average. It's also the one place a non-pro like me can hunt muskies with at least some level of confidence...

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I live in Apple Valley and have run over to Orchard a couple times. I usually find the bass and northern around the two main-lake weed beds, but where does one find the muskies? The DNR web site said they were in there, but I've yet to see one in there. Thanks!

John

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I caught two muskies on Monday. Both in 12-15 FOW.


Slyster,

I'll send you another e-mail after my meeting at work with some info.

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The DNR has been stocking walleyes in Orchard for the past 2 years. I was very happy to see that the walleyes are growing nice in this lake. I only fish Orchard in June and October for Muskies. Tigers(Big girls) are hard to catch when the water temps get into the 70's. For Orchard muskies work bewteen the 12-18 FT breaklines and throw crankbaits and 3/4 spinnerbaits. Orange seems to be the color of choice!!! Every year I catch a legal from this lake. In 2000 I caught and released a 46 incher and 2002 I caught and release a 39" pike. Please C.P.R your muskies that you catch in this lake!!! This lake is small and this lake depends on C.P.R. If you guys is a green AlumacraftMag175CS come over and say HI and we will compair notes.!!!

Brian(AKAmuskieschaef)

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Thanks Beef and Brian for the great muskie info. I'm excited to try my luck!

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Does Orchard Lake have a Peir or any shore fishing? I would like to fish it, since I live so close to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
fishhollwood

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I live in the back SW corner of the lake and have found it to be a little gem in the short time that I've been fishing it. Look for me in a tan & black Crestliner sportfish w/pewter colored Tahoe and say hello! I have not yet tried for the muskies out there but have had success with crappie and Bass out there. It's kinda nice that there is only so many parking spots at the landing, it keeps the amount of pressure down. What does anybody know about the Walleye population in here? I've heard there are a few but not many and now I read that the DNR is stocking them out there.

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Had a good time on Ochard this morning. I not only caught a few fish but also enjoyed watching others catching too. At one point, all three boats in the little area caught fish at the same time, someting I have not seen happen in too long. I left after catching a few realy nice bass and some good sized sunnies.

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I'll be out there Sunday morning early from 6-9ish and will report back in on Monday.... Saturday has Lake Minnetonka written all over it.

Da Saw

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Buzzsaw,

How big were the Crappies you were catching? The one I caught was about 6".

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Beefy, The largest was a 13 inch and two 11 inchers... go to the small grass island that is now grown up and work around it and towards the point that comes out to the east of this area....

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Buzzsaw,

shocked.gif

Thanks. I know where you are talking about.

Would you mind shooting me an e-mail? I have a question for you.

[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Beef46 (edited 06-18-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Beef46 (edited 06-18-2004).]

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PS.

When I was there on Monday I saw a Tiger floating belly up over by the point on the east side of the lake. I am guessing it went 8-10 lbs. Poor guy.

I hate seeing that.

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Taking my wife out there tomorrow. She is still mad at me for having her on the St. Croix for 7 hrs and not catching anything.

It was her first time out. I violated the number one rule in taking newbies fishing and it cost me dearly. "Make it brief, only a few hours." I thought 7 seemed like a few.

She told me she would go if I promised her she would catch fish.

Orchard won't let me down.

I'll also be out there Thursday by myself.

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Beef,

You mean you couldn't even get her to land a sheepie? Man.. that was tough! I was out there over the weekend & sheepie's were all over. A fish is a fish...

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fishermanAndy,

There were four of us in the boat. One gal with us caught 2 sheepie and 1 sauger. Noone else caught anything. We fished from Kinni down to Prescott. Tried everything.

It was real tough. The Saturday after opener.

Orchard will redeem me tomorrow though.

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Beef,
That will be nice having your wife out with you. I'm sure your wife will outfish you and finaly get some fish in your boat for ya. That seems to happen to me more times then not. I can tell my wife the fishing is not that good and I will let her pick a lure out of my tackle box. She does and catches all kinds of fish. The next day I will go out and use the same lure that she had and not get a thing!!
How does that work?

------------------
Get the Net!!

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That's because you try to swim around in a lake with a net to catch fish. Next time try a rod and reel. It works wonders. wink.gif

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.....Sorry. Hit the wrong button.

[This message has been edited by Beef46 (edited 06-21-2004).]

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Took the wife out last nite and she had a good time. We basically just fished for Pannies. (Her choice) Nothing of major size but we did find some crappies. She caught a few that were in the 8-9" range. They are still swimming this morning. While she was fishing I hooked into a nice bass that decided he wanted to take me under the motor 3 times before he came up. (The wife was mad she didn't catch that one) That bass seemed so determined to stay down in the weeds I let him go back to his home.

She really enjoyed watching the sunnies spawning and splashing around the main weed bed in the middle of the lake. Thought that was pretty cool.

I will be out Thursday by myself to do some serious fishing.

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