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Bluegills

lunkerlover
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lunkerlover Rookie

lunkerlover

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Since I just got back from a fun fishing trip in Wisconsin where we were catching 9" Gills, I am looking to try something different around the Faribault Lakes than Crappie and Walleye fishing. Any suggestions of lakes to try or places to start looking would be much appreciated!

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harvey lee Grand Master

harvey lee

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If your looking for a different specie that fights hard, TeTonka has some very nice white bass. Few years ago at the GTG, I caught a nice bunch and the largest was pushing 20".

Caught them on the west end in about 18-20ft on a steep breakline jigging for eyes.

I would also not overlook Washington. Every year I get into the nicest gills of the year that I catch on this lake. I do not belkieve there are the numbers there use to be but yes, they can be had. Last spring and early summer I got into some of the nicest gills I have caught in quite some time but it did take some time to find them.

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pikerliker Mentor

pikerliker

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Also if you can find them I've caught some nice ones on Madison. Again you have to do some searching. I used to LOVE Washington for nice gills but I have had a hard time finding them like I used to there the last couple of winters.

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rangerforme Rising Star

rangerforme

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Luckycrank and I did some exploring on a one of the popular lakes down there and found a nice pod of fish. Most in that 8.5in range with a few 9s sprinkled in. They were right where the sand/hard bottom turns into the mud. This is the second year in a row we've found them on this pattern. It takes a little work(we drilled and drilled) but if you pay close attention to your vexilar you can see the bottom changes pretty clearly. We even found a few 11 inch crappies we released with them. Was fun. About 17 feet but they were right on that transition line. The regular baits all work, small tungsten with a small nuggie or a few euros. Hope this helps.

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simple1 Collaborator

simple1

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Since I just got back from a fun fishing trip in Wisconsin where we were catching 9" Gills, I am looking to try something different around the Faribault Lakes than Crappie and Walleye fishing. Any suggestions of lakes to try or places to start looking would be much appreciated!

I second shields lake. This year it has been great Gill fishing. I was unable to find them the last time I was out, but it was a bad day fishing overall. Just get a lake map and you will be able to find and fish the break lines.

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harvey lee Grand Master

harvey lee

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Also if you can find them I've caught some nice ones on Madison. Again you have to do some searching. I used to LOVE Washington for nice gills but I have had a hard time finding them like I used to there the last couple of winters.

I agree that it is tougher to find the nicer gills on Washington but they are there.

Just not like they use to be for numbers.

I have 3 locations that I almost always find them in late May to early June right after they are done spawning. They are dandies.

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luckycrank Mentor

luckycrank

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RFM , A little sore from all the drilling over the weekend , but I had a blast.

The bluegill Wisperer showed us how to get it done..LOL!

Iced a nice eye that fell to a frostee and spikes on sunday

I suspect there was more in the area because I marked some big fish that wouldn't bite. hard to say but next time I will set up a tip-up while in the that area, If im going to spend some time bouncing from hole to hole.

A buddie is headed out after the crappies mid week so i'll have a updated report but those gills are still beetween me you and the "wisperer"

I wanna run over there in the spring and SI that hard/mud transition.

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luckycrank Mentor

luckycrank

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RFM ,

We should get together and burn some hole in sheilds used to be my favorite lake but cant seem to connect with the bigger gills. besides youd could use a good challenge a new lake with good structure. should be right up your alley

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dan z Veteran

dan z

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I give wash a thumbs up too for the nicer gills. dont catch them very often but when you get some you cant fit your hand around its hard not to try and find them

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Eric_Kruger Proficient

Eric_Kruger

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There is a ton of small lakes around the area that have good sized gills. Get to know the lakefinder, stocking, netting info and you should be able to find some lakes that you will have all to yourself.

Shields used to give up some awesome gills later in the season for us but we havent fished it in a few years. Definitely dont overlook washington, and tetonka is another.

Shoot me a PM I wont give you my spots but I can send you in the right direction.

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