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Lakes to try now


Jackson Fisher

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Not sure where else is good ice, I tried Johanna this morning and the ice was pretty sketchy once you get out a ways, extremly soft in alot of areas. i barely was able to wet a line in the area i wanted to try before i decided itd be best just to leave. I then went to White bear. i was able to catch a few jumbo perch, a northern and a walleye after an entire day of fishing there ( 7 AM- 7PM) and over 2 miles worth of treking through deep ass snow. not sure where i should try tommorow afternoon. any good ice anywhere else with a minimal walk? i dont mind any species at this point after today haha. 

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I live in Falcon heights. so almost dead center metro area, right east of Minneapolis, west of St. Paul. I dont mind a bit of a drive if the prospects of catching good fish are high! I was considering fishing the saddle in the middle of lake phalen for walleye but hope to hear some other options as well!

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I don't know how the ice is but clear lake just south of forest lake for northern and walleye

there is special regulations for walleye if that doesn't bother you

(Harvest of Walleye is limited to fish over 17 inches. Daily limit for Walleye is 3 (only 1 can be over 30".)

 

West rush lake a short walk out from the public access you will find your limit of crappies but that is like a 50 min drive for you.

 

 

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I've considered in the past to try Twin Lakes in Robbinsdale/Crystal since they are just down the road from my place, but I've heard from neighbors that they wouldn't recommend eating any fish out of these lakes.  Anyone know anything about this?

 

Otherwise, been thinking about trying Medicine even though it sounds like the panfish are usually on the small size.

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Update: i gave Phalen a whorl today, good ice about 6-8 inches, minimal slush. it was a fun day! ended with 2 walleye and a few large perch. wish i coulda got a few more eyes but cant complain. Didnt get any Northerns on my tip up which i was a bit surprised about maybe the area i was at doesnt hold northerns? i was there for the eyes anyhow. 

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Bulldog, there was a plant of some sort next to one of those lakes that allegedly dumped waste runoff into the ground or lake and I've heard from many people also that wouldn't keep anything from those lakes.

Medicine will give you a fun afternoon if you're able to beat the crowds to the right spots but you'll only find the 7-9" medicine lake special crappies. 

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Thanks grimmz.  Yea, I have spot I want to try on Medicine a coworker told me about so I'll probably try that after my trip to Vermilion and Alexanderia next week.  Does Medicine usually get hit pretty hard early and not worth the attempt as the season moves along?

 

Josh

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Medicine gets hit hard the whole season. Its the nature of a metro lake with decent numbers and easy access. 

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
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