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Carls/McMahon Lake


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Thinking of going out there tomorrow. I've seen a few portables but how's the ice?

I've never fished this lake in the winter. Where do folks usually walk out from? I see cars parked by the stocking pond, but not sure if that's legit or not.

Dan

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That state landing is off of Mushtown rd. I assume the reason people park off the pond is to shorten the walk out onto the lake...........

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Was out on Carl's today. Solid 6" of clear strong ice everywhere. A guy was hauling a big camper/perm out with a 4-wheeler. I wouldn't quite do that yet, but he seemed to make it fine.

Covered about a 1/4 of the lake, drilled lots of holes. Fished 6', 12' and everywhere in-between. Barely marked a fish all day, and only got one good bite near the end of the day but did not hook him.

Saw a few small pike come up on tip-ups for some guys next to me. Great afternoon to be out, cant wait to try again.

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Was walking out from the landing so I stayed roughly in the 1/4 of the lake just outside the shallow bay where the access is. Was in a Gray Arctic Shield Pop-up that I was dragging all over the place smile

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I was out this AM at 5;30 and only managed two blue gills and one pike. I expected it to be better but o well stayed till 8 and left..... 9 inches of ice

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I would say maybe 6 feet. Got out with the boy today form 2:00 to 7:00 caught two snakes and some nice gills all C&R

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  • 5 years later...

Was out to McMahon lake for the first time last Friday afternoon from about 3 - 6 pm.  Headed to the shanty town on the east side of the lake since I'm not familiar with the lake and was short on time.  Also my guide book mentioned submerged timber on that side being good.  I didn't see any submerged timber in my spot, but I did have some nice schools of panfish move through.  About 4:30 had 3 nice sized panfish up through my hole and one come off at the hole in about a 10 minute span.  One of them was an 11" perch which is probably my personal best, what a beast!  Saw a few other big fish on my camera that didn't want to bite, include a nice sized LMB.  

Overall a good first visit and I will try to get back sometime and give it a try again either on the ice or open water.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • Rick G
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    • smurfy
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    • monstermoose78
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