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Hi all!

How was the opener? I didn't get a chance to go fishing last weekend. Been busy working on the garden instead.

Will be going to South Turtle Lake over the weekend, leaving tommorow after work from Mankato, (down south) to camp over there.

I was wondering how's the bite for eyes, northern, panfish (sunnies and crappies)

I would appreciate any information on which part of the lake, what presentation, depth or even bait. I'll be bringing my 7 year old son, really want to give him a great time fishing, making it a very memorial weekend for him! smile.gif

Thanks in advance.

Mountaindew

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The water is still quite cool, and VERY clear right now. I checked it with the sechhi disk last Sunday and it was 20 feet.

For panfish, look for some shallow dark bottom areas that are catching some sun, and you should fine some gills and maybe some crappies.

For pike, troll the weedlines and you will catch fish.

For eyes, you may have to troll during the lower light periods with the clear water, possibly some cranks after dark.

Good luck!

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There will typically be an algea bloom in June sometime, and the clarity will diminish some, and then be back around 20 feet in August.

If you are looking for 'eyes, there are better lakes in the area for that, mainly Ottertail. If we get some warmer weather, the bluegill bite should pick up, and you kid will have a blast.

Shiners, fatheads, leeches, they'll all work. The lake has a pretty well defined weedline in the 17 foot range. The topography is pretty much bowl shaped.Troll along the weed break and you should connect sooner or later. Keep working the spots where you connect. Pike will far outnumber the 'eyes, and lots of incidental bass as the water warms up some more (some of which are quite large).

Slip bobbering works also, but you will play hell keeping the bullheads off towards dusk. The spot where west basin funnels toward the public access can be a good spot. Look at a lake map and you will see what I mean.

There are some rock bars off the many points in the lake that may hold fish, but my best luck has been in the weed edges.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by Gissert (edited 05-20-2004).]

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Wow! shocked.gif I didn't realized that it was that clear!

If I fish for eyes in the evenings (dark) what spots would be the best chances? shiners? Leeches? What presentations?

Thanks for the reply!

mountaindew

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I agree with Gissert,
if your going for walleyes your probably heading to the wrong lake. South Turtle is more of a pan fish lake than anything. The walleyes can be down right mind boggling in that lake. (sometimes it seems like all the fish can be hiding in that lake) They have **** near got me going crazy. You might catch one hear and there but never alot in numbers. (Unless the fish gods are really shining down on you.)
There are alot of little northerns and sun fish there should keep you 2 busy. But Don't be shocked if that is all you catch.
I would head to Otter Tail or Battle Lake if I where you. Much better chances on these lakes to catch some nice walleyes. Good Luck

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Gissert,
Sorry I didn't get back to you on friday. Nope I didn't make it out to the lake this weekend. I had a wedding and Graduations to go to. I am hopefully going to make it down this weekend. If the weather is decent. I think it is suppose to be cold and rainy most of this week and weekend.

Aren't they doing anything with the landing there?? (i heard they were putting in a new one). I can get my little 14' boat off it but there is no way I can get my dads 16' lund off in that. It is way to shallow. I think I am just going to have to ask the other resort owner if I can drop it in on his landing. Hopefully it is deeper there.

Well good luck fishing if you get out. I have been to busy.

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Hey Bob-

You did not miss much. Pretty crappy weather all weekend with strong east winds.

I can't vouch for the fishing, as I am still working on the house/yard. If this weather ever clears up, I'll get out sometime this week.

I have not been by the access. I have to run into BL later, so I'll swing by and take a peek.

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Gissert,
I forgot to tell you and all the other fisherman if you are able to get your boats in that shallow landing on ST. Be sure to keep your motors way up way past the cattails. The concrete from the landing from many years ago is up very shallow and out quite a ways.
Right at the end of the cattails is the cement slabs. We broke a prop last year and I know how mad we were when you get pumped for fishing and you break your boat before you even get fishing.

Jees Gissert, you must really be dieing to go fishing. Always working on that house of yours. You must be getting ahead a bit by now. Or have you just started on project after project. That is usually how it goes for me.

Its looking like it is going to be thunderstorms all memorial day weekend. Sucks. I have missed one weekend of fishing, it is going to be really tuff to miss two. I am a fish aholic like most of us on this website probably are. Have to hope for the best. Can't wait for a decent weekend.
Good luck

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Hey Jigging Bob -

I went by the access, and they have put some gravel down, but that's about the extent of it. It does not appear that they have done any work beyond the water's edge.

Yes, the basement project has been long and slow. That has been coupled with cleaning up dead trees etc from the high water.

I'll get fishing when T-Bone gets his stuff in the water.

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Gissert...Be up der Saturday some time after da sheetrock party to take pictures of the yeute drywall hankers.

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Youse take and go fishing wit yer poys, den. Den come ofer for some tater salat and ruparp pie, den. We vill haf some prats on da crill, ya know.

There will be no hangink trywall for youse, I neet youse for plumink, I do.

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I am going to try my ****edest to get there and wet a couple my lines and my throat with a beer. The fish have to be coming around one of these weekends. I might even try some of the smaller lakes around the area if I get time.
I have graduations and birthday parties all weekend. I suppose it is summer time so there will be a event I have to go to every weekend. Fishing is more important than some. Hopefully I will get out there and see you this weekend.

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