Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

No you don't need them because there are catch-able fish close to the surface this time of the year. Once the top water starts warming and you have to deep then they will help.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  Jim,

If ya get out give Frank or me a call on the cellular device.  We can compare notes.  Not much looking forward to it.  Heard there was a winter kill on the pond this year ;)  BC

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, jriegel said:

I have never been out on superior.  Do i need down eiggers this time of year? I may head during the week one day to try it out.  I know i would have to look into coast guard regs to make sure i got all necessary safety equipment.

 

 

Downriggers are not necessary but if you use them this time of year, don't go down  deep. I used to use boards but they were more complicated for others on my boat to use so it's small dipseys off the side or a clean line straight back. Spoons and sticks work well this time of year

 

Shallow and high. One year, I ran DR in the spring with the counter reading 6 feet.

 

Edited by tacklejunkie
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys for the tips looks like 3-4inch stick bright stick baits and bright spoons seem to be the go to.  Anybody ever vertical fish them or live bait? Hope the weather is.good next friday, i have always wanted to get out there and try it.  Bonus is the wife would be happy with some fresh salmon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a novel concept!  Talking fishing on a fishing forum to increase interest and activity.  You may be right, it could work!

 

:Yes:

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

You boys might be on to something 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So how do you guys go about finding fish when you go out...Do you drive around until you mark fish or big schools of smelt then troll that area?? I know I've read about using a site that shows Superiors water temps also....I'm thinking of trying it this weekend if I get the boat ready in time and the weather is ok.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

  Couple tools to get an idea of water temps, wind speed, and wave height are Coast Watch

UMD Bouy Data

If your fishing on top I'm more apt to cruise out till I find the temps or breaks but yeah I'll keep and eye on the sounder because you might end up changing plans from on top to putting stuff down. Fog banks mark sharp temp breaks on top and before the internet thats what I looked for.   Point is once your on the water you have to observe, gather information,  and do what you can to put something together.   A group of boats might mean something is going on but it usually means the flock is lost.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/29/2017 at 1:43 PM, jriegel said:

Thanks guys for the tips looks like 3-4inch stick bright stick baits and bright spoons seem to be the go to.  Anybody ever vertical fish them or live bait? Hope the weather is.good next friday, i have always wanted to get out there and try it.  Bonus is the wife would be happy with some fresh salmon.

 

The stickbait/spoon choices are good.

 

I've tried jigging with some success but trolling will get you on more fish.

 

Good time of year for salmon. But don't pass up a chance for some smoked laker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, tacklejunkie said:

 

The stickbait/spoon choices are good.

 

I've tried jigging with some success but trolling will get you on more fish.

 

Good time of year for salmon. But don't pass up a chance for some smoked laker

Are lakers up high in the water column as well this time of year.  My dad and i use fish lakers in canada but used down riggers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

 There is one temp on Superior that is constant and it's one the Lake Trout use a majority of the day when they aren't hunting .  That is lake bottom and they'll lay on it.   To get them to react you have to get your rig in front of their nose.   Right now you should be thinking about what the smelt are doing.  If there is smelt there will be lake Trout.  In a couple weeks that might be in 2' of water along Park Point or deep. 

 

  Wish I had a good report for Sat.  No fish were caught and it was one of those days.  BC's big and little motors have a cough.  Ran down to Lester set lines, lots of traffic that would have been easier to manage without the skin ice. Lots of rigs at Mcquade but little or no waiting to get in or out.  Well except for the front set of rollers that flipped on BC trailer and put a hole in the boat.  I'd have traded that problem for the other guys aluminum tandem trailer that floats.  Today I'll be tending to a hole and administering cough medicine.

 

 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out of Rice's on Saturday. Launching and avoiding ice chunks were part of the fun but no major problems. Went 3/3 with the first bite being a double. Bright sticks caught 2 and a flasher fly caught the other. Plenty of bait balls out deeper and that was were the fish were as well. Tried shallow first but no hits and skim ice around as well.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those fishing the pond, did you graph a lot of smelt closer into the point. That's. the next thing for me.  Might be an early smelt run with no ice and these warm temps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When is the normal smelt run? Coming up Easter weekend I'm figuring it's still going to be a bit early for "good fishing".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, loadmaster said:

For those fishing the pond, did you graph a lot of smelt closer into the point. That's. the next thing for me.  Might be an early smelt run with no ice and these warm temps.

 

 

They were anywhere from 50 to 100 feet down depending on location on the north shore. Did not venture to the south shore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

 Around the 3rd week in April I'll look in the garage for my waders and seine.  Smelt could be on the beach between then and 1st week of May.  I then pick a calm night followed by a warm day with light NE winds.

 

Jim, good to hear the Harbor is opening up, might put in at Rice's this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks ST. Has anyone herd if any salmon are being caught in canal park just checked and looked like there was 8 guys fishing on the harbor cam. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well i am heading up friday, sounds like the bite has slowed down, but its my first time ou there so i have no expectations. Scenery should be beautiful at the very least.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Have they put the dock in yet at Rice's Landing?  I've been launching more up at McQuade  but haven't been down to Rice's yet 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, tacklejunkie said:

 Have they put the dock in yet at Rice's Landing?  I've been launching more up at McQuade  but haven't been down to Rice's yet 

 

 

I will try to get down there tomorrow to see what the status of the dock. I do know both Saturday and Sunday there was a DNR boat launched out of Rices but more than likely has no bearing on the time table for getting the dock in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well first time ever up.  Went 2 for 3, 2 bites in 55 ft and one in 20 feet out by duluth.  Depth finder was on the fritz, trolling motor was on the fritz so fishing of navionics the whole time i felt lucky to even get a bite.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

We put in at Rice's, even without the dock in boats were getting in and out without any trouble.

Pretty good chop out there Saturday and a lot of traffic along the beach and up to Congdon but spread out enough.

 We ran mostly sticks on top with pink and pink lemonade doing OK.   There were enough targets to run dipsies or riggers down to at 20'. We boated 7 coho and lost a few.

 

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dang 11 guys fishing off the south pier in canal park this morning and one boat out trolling in front of the canal. Must be bitting?!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only 11 guys on the pier??  I have been down there when there were more the 40 guys lining the wall fighting for space 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I know not THAT many but a few just figured id give an update on whats happening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
1 hour ago, LoonASea said:

Only 11 guys on the pier??  I have been down there when there were more the 40 guys lining the wall fighting for space

 

What's on the Menu off the pier this time of year?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • 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.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.