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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Ice fishing in the rain!! No good today. Nephew was being a pain on the way out. I do not know what his issue was. He was good once he got in the house. I did not get to the deeper ledge because he stopping walking out. We caught some gills but mostly tiny ones. Seen some bass, walleyes, and pike. O well I knew I should have went by myself, but I can't say no to a nephew.

Best things today was the bite was so light that the camera paid off huge for my nephew and he thinks it is awesome to out fish me.

I have the house in the garage drying out and all my gear. I was hoping the big gills would have been on bite today. They may have been on the deeper ledge. I still like seeing my nephew smile when he pulls up a gill. full-12169-51983-jordan2014_2.jpg

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I went out and had an amazing 2 hours on the ice. The fish were fired up and smashing my baits. I was using a pug bug jig with a maki mino plastic. The jig was white and orange with a white and red flaked maki mino. This jig falls fast but not to fast and the fish were screaming up to hit it. The crappies were on fire and so were the some of the better gills of the season for me. I caught some gills up to 9.25 inches today. I know I do not have photo of them but that was because I enjoying catching these fish that were so fired up. My wife wanted to have a fish fry for her cousin and husband along with a friend who is here from England. I hope everyone else gets out and on a bite like this because it is truly amazing to witness. All gills over 8 inches are still swimming 7-8 inchers where not so lucky today. The crappies where 9-11 inches.

Good Luck

full-12169-52014-amazingday_1.jpg

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I knew this Quest was going to difficult, but seeing I have only broke 9 inches a couple times this year. More 8-9 inchers than I can count. I am not complaining but I thought just thought I had some of these big gills figured out. HAHA they sure got me fooled for now. I will keep working at it. I am trying to get more photos of the bigger gills I catch. I have a couple trips planned for targeting big gills coming up so I hope to show off some big gills to you all and give you some tips to what is working.

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I'm trying to be realistic here nothing else. I am not so sure there are very many (very, very rare?)bluegills around these parts over say 9.25-9.5. I haven't caught any bigger than 9.25 and haven't heard of anyone that has caught one bigger than that in this part of the state. Maybe, you have some more information, in which would be interesting. I have caught bigger gills being 9.5-10.25 around the Park Rapids part of the state. I will say if you can hit a 9 inch Bluegill, that is a really nice fish. I'd be quite happy with that!

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I know a couple of really good bluegill and crappie lakes...Park Rapids Area.....Big Toad/Little Toad....both are 8 miles west of Osage (Straight Lake is another good Bluegill lake in Osage) on 34 out of Park Rapids. You will get 10 inch bluegill from little toad on the west shore line areas, south side sunken islands. Good Luck!

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By the way, I have 3 of them on my wall out of little toad total weight was 3.75 lbs, one was a pumpkinseed sunfish. I also have a crappie mount out of there 3 that went 6 lbs total....Those lakes won't disappoint you...

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I broke the 10 inch mark around here last winter and there are some lakes that have them and few times each winter before. I am happy with any gills, but I wanted to set a higher goal for this winter. I normally get my biggest gills come late ice, but that is not stopping me from trying now. I know other parts of the state offer a better chance at gills over 10 inches, but a 10 gill around here is a trophy. Last winter I got 4 gills over 10 inches the biggest hitting 10 3/8ths. 3 came from the same lake and one came from different one. It can be done if you do your homework and get away from the masses.

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Fascinating info guys! If I'm real lucky I'll get a weekend up to Park Rapids this next spring/summer.

If I ever get another 10+ gill I'd like to have it mounted, if I caught a 10 inch Pumpinseed I'd probably rip my face with that smile!

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Measure the big sunny and release them ... anything over 9" ... they are very old and produce bigger sunnies in lake's. very very important for sun fish growth!

Bob

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Man I haven't been targeted gills yet this year, I'm slipping, great post and good luck!

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Well Dreams crushed here. A trip I took to Disney in Fl. one year and we stayed at their resort and I saw the bluegills in their lake had to be 12" or close to that. Well the following year we went back I brought a fly rod with, only to find out the fishing in that lake closed a week earlier. When you drive into Disney they have a big sign over the road that says "Where Your Dreams Come True". Except mine I guess.:(

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I eclipsed the 9" mark at my cabin this weekend for the first time this season. I also found a bunch in the 8" range stacked up. It was a fun weekend of targeting Gills!

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Nice work MNBassfisher. What were you using to make them gills bite?

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The bite was hot on Friday with almost all lookers inhaling the jig but Saturday the bite was a little different. Lots of fish and a few big ones would come peck at the eurolarve but not inhale the whole jig. Still managed to catch about 50% of the lookers though. I was using a few different tungsten jigs from 2.5mm to 4mm tipped with a few red/white euro's.

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Mm, think I had your gil this am, bigger than any crappie ive caught but got away at the hole wrapped around ducer cable

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Mm, think I had your gil this am, bigger than any crappie ive caught but got away at the hole wrapped around ducer cable

So what you are saying is I still got a chance!!

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Hit a nice gill darn close to 9.5 inches today but forgot to put the SD card in the camera when I left the house. Not many gills today, but I am looking forward to some warmer weather so I can chase down these big gills.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Got many 7-8 inchers today. I went to a lighter pug bug thinking this would allow the gills to suck it in easier. I was right. Maki Mino by Clam was great again in white with red flakes. I went through like 20 mino's today. Here is the one of the bigger gills I caught. full-12169-52262-1_17_2015_1.jpg

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Nice gill!

I noticed the Clam-Maki plastics are very soft and I go through more of them than some other plastics. But they still last a lot longer than live bait and catch fish.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I have only played with the impulse nymph. had for me to get away from the waxies and euors.

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mm78,

I too am after big gills. You provide alot of useful info, so thanks. I've been getting some nice ones around chisago area this year,biggest a touch over 9. What i'm wondering is if you have tried Custom jigs and spins "majmun". Very small tungsten ball offset on the hook shank. It has become my go-to jig, and I've had the chance to do alot of comparing. I usually hole hop with 2 rods - a jig and plastic (micro nuggie is fav) and majmun with euro's, hot orange best color. I like the longer hook, very few missed fish.

Check em out

rascal

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mm78,

I too am after big gills. You provide alot of useful info, so thanks. I've been getting some nice ones around chisago area this year,biggest a touch over 9. What i'm wondering is if you have tried Custom jigs and spins "majmun". Very small tungsten ball offset on the hook shank. It has become my go-to jig, and I've had the chance to do alot of comparing. I usually hole hop with 2 rods - a jig and plastic (micro nuggie is fav) and majmun with euro's, hot orange best color. I like the longer hook, very few missed fish.

Check em out

rascal

You were able to find sunnies in the Chisago area bigger than 5 inches? confused Very nice! I haven't really tried those lakes lately, but kudos for finding some nice ones smile
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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

This is my newest piece to help aid in the quest for a Monster Blue Gill. full-12169-52388-board.jpg

This will allow me to put the gill on it and get a better measurement and then allow for a great photo. Just like Eyeguy does with his big fish.

I was out fishing today and the big gills went IMA. I will have to try and talk to that a friend rumor has it he broke the 10 inch mark from a local lake. I did get couple gills only one photo. Just after this gill I lost my 1/64th oz Pug Bug with a Maki Plastic to a pesky pike. I know I should have more than one of every jig but I lost the other one to a pike as well. I will be making a few stops tomorrow to restock my jig box. Sorry for the blurry photo the gill was flopping around. full-12169-52390-1_26_2015_5.jpg

Seeing it is middle of winter now. The gills will start moving away from the weed beds to the deeper water. Look for soft bottom areas where they might find some bug hatches to feed on. This time of the year can be hard for some anglers, because they stay in the early season areas. Yes some fish will be caught there, but most of the Monster Gills make there way to where the food is. Fishing these areas can require more drilling of holes and constantly moving to stay on active fish. At this time of year it is not uncommon to find gills in 20-30 feet of water if that lake has it. Remember when you hook these fish to take your time bringing them up. I have caught gill in over 30 feet of water many times in other areas of the state, but seeing we do not have many lakes around over 30 feet deep check the deepest areas. Please release Big Bluegills and keep the smaller ones under 8 inches. Thank you and Good Luck

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

get that gill on there dude! smile I am still on the hunt. smile

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Eyeguy congrats on your huge BlueGills!! I will try and get on the board tomorrow afternoon. I have a meeting in St. Cloud in the morning for internship.

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I will try and get on the board tomorrow afternoon. I have a meeting in St. Cloud in the morning for internship.

PM SENT grin

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Well I did not break the 10 inch mark with a Bluegill today but I did with many Crappies. full-12169-52453-1_30_2015_6.jpg

full-12169-52454-10_30_2015_2.jpg

full-12169-52455-1_30_2015_5.jpg

They are moving around a lot more than before. I think I need to start using other baits and jigs to try and get some monster bluegills. Maybe a jigging spoon might get them big monster bluegills to bite. The wind made watching my line a chore. I have been using the bring green stuff I do not remember what kind it is, but it is 3 pound test. One of these days I will break that 10.5 inch mark this winter.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
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