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Unfortunately I haven't been able to get up there for the last couple of weeks. That is all going to change this weekend though. All the major projects are about done at the cabin so should be able to wet a line Fri. night and then hit her hard all weekend. Ghotierman/others whats the word for eyes around the area? Areas on Ida? Bait? Presentation? Probably will stick to eyes (maybe bass or sunfish during midday) this weekend but I am already beginning to get the Esox fever. It's hitting early this year. Thanks in advance for the always helpful insight. See you on the water.

WW

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Well Charles since it seems everyone is out in their boats and not at the computer I will try my best to answer. I would definately think that it is worth your while to bring the boat along. I can't say really how the bite is going up there. Check out the "Fishing reports in your area" section of this web page. I am going to be spending my time on Ida. I would imagine a live bait rig, 6-8' of snell with a leech or a crawler I will have some shiners with as well but typically I have had better luck this time of year with crawlers or leeches. Low light hrs I will move up as shallow as I can get without getting tangled in the weeds. Midday I will be out checking some midlake structure probably in the 25-35 ft. range. I would imagine smaller lakes are going to be different but I would get a good map and try to locate some of the midlake structures during the day. Try to locate fish with electronics or fish tops down to 35 ft. or so until you can put together a pattern. Low light hrs try the tops of midlake structure or extended shoreline points. At times you can still find eye's up shallow on gravel/sand and catch them trolling/casting floating raps. Anyway, just my $0.02 worth. At any rate it sounds like it is going to be a nice weekend to just be out on the water. Good Luck and if you make it to Ida I will be in a lund Pro V (blue/tan) with a 75 hp 4stroke merc. on the back. Swing on over!

WW

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WW...you've got the pattern down pat...great advice as always. Ida fish have been marking deep...30 feet. Miltona night fishing has been good...

hope you weekend is as nice as the weather!

------------------
Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

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I been promising my son to get up to Alexandria now for the past 3 years. We keep going up to Ely and have had only limited luck with Walleyes (very limited actually). For old times, sake, I am partial to Reno but wondered if the pressure on the lakes is really heavy around the 4th....I can remember nearly having to ask the next boat to pass my fish back to me, people used to fish so close to one another. Would also be interested in ideas on other moderately sized lakes--have small Tracker and 9 horse. Thanks. Mike

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WW,
How was the weekend on Ida? I ended up making a last-minute decision to go up for Father's Day. Actually was only in the area for a total of 25 hrs - way too short, but given the weather and the fishing it was well worth the trip. Only fished Miltona for less than 2 hrs. on Sat. night, but fishing was good. Caught about a dozen (and lost a few) from 8:45 to 10:30PM. We were still working very shallow, 4 to 6 ft. Sizes varied (and all were released - I still have fish from Memorial Weekend). Anyway, hopefully everyone else had a successful weekend too.

Ghotierman, I was hoping to stop into the shop over the weekend but with the short trip never made it into town. I'm looking for some specialties to add to the Esox box...next time! We should also plan that Esox weekend if anyone is still game? I've definitely got the fever but have yet to wet the gear. Heading to Ely this coming weekend, but will definitely head back to Alex. in a couple of weeks. Good fishing everyone.

Scott

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MMS...Reno has gotten plenty of pressure since opener. July 4th should be no different. Lots of other options around here. Mary, of course. Or the Chain, Osakis, Miltona, Ida. With the nine horse, think about some of the other smaller lakes...maybe Andrew, or Mina. Definately will be worth the trip.

------------------
Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

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Sorry for the late response. For the most part it was a good fishing weekend. Then again when isn't time on the water good?? I picked up a 14,16,17 & 22 on Sat. morning. Let the 14 and 22 go back but had to keep the other 2 for lunch, Mmmmm grin.gif. Let 3 other small ones go back and kept one 18 Sat. night. Changed things up in the afternoon and had a blast catching bass with spinnerbaits.

Sunday morning I was up bright and early and got two more eye's 16, 22. Let the 22 go back. So didn't fill the freezer but had some action and a couple of fish to go with Lunch both days.

Most of my fish where off of mid-lake structure (humps, points, inside turns, etc) that had some sort of weedline on it. I would try to "bump" that edge. Also found some right off of the first main drop offs as well. It was a run and gun type of weekend. Run over a spot if you found good weeds but no fish on the sonar I would still stop and fish it. 1-2 passes with a leech and then 1-2 passes with a crawler. If nothing I would move on the next spot and come back to that one later. Some spots the fish you found wanted crawlers some spots where a leech spot. They where fished on a live bait rig. Saw one boat pull in about a 6-7 pounder that (to my delight) they shot a few pictures of and put her back in. Way to go! Might be back up there Thursday night but am headed over to Brainerd to fish Gull Sat. night-Tuesday. I've been going there since I was a kid with my family and haven't missed it since (20+ years). The ol' man is just itching to get out after those walleyes up there. Talk to you guys later. Take Care.

WW

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