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

As you stated it used to get pretty tough to catch a walleye after June so I'd usually go and cast for bass just to get some action. Had 3 or 4 spots where I could usually get something, even if it was just catching and throwing back small bass and northerns. One afternoon by the narrows had some of the best fishing ever catching and releasing bass. I kept thinking in a couple years there should be some pretty good fish in here with all the small ones I'm releasing. Wrong! Also had a pretty good spot on the south side for crappies and sunfish. Can't seem to get anything there anymore either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The spill test is July 14th along hwy 82 by the outlet from Chistina. The test will actually take place on the water of Pelican in the bay between Ashby resort & the outlet.

If any of you are seeking sunfish, try fishing under your dock & lift. I found a mess of them right under my feet. I actually pull the dock panels up 1 at a time and let the jog drift under. I fish this way with my rod / reel for ice fishing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was 2 years ago in the fall. The DNR was spraying Christina to kill off the fish and splash went the helicopter in the NW corner of Christina.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

We spent the last week at the cabin. Since we now have a 6 month old child, my fishing time is reduced. The time I did spend on the water was fairly productive. Each 2 hour stretch I was out I landed 2-3 pike. In one outing, I got 2 5lb fish. I did not see one Walleye though, but that is often the case when trolling cranks in the areas I was in. Our pontoon does not have a trolling motor to get the slow presentation going for the live bait bite. There was also a good bite going on with the panfish under our dock. I can not stress enough to the folks looking for panfish to fish the cover (shade on hot days). Seriously, pull up the panels on your dock, cast under the boat lift, etc. They are there in good numbers.

The one thing I was disapointed in was the water clarity. At the Assoc meeting this spring, it was said that the clear water was heading across the lake. Not in our bay off Big Island point. One day it was downright nasty. This leads me to a question. If the "clear" water is comming out of Christina, wouldn't that same clear water move right out of the lake at Melby park without the rest of the lake getting benefit? Perhaps there is another outlet? I'm confused on that subject.

All in all, I think the status of fishing this lake is alright. Yes, it could be better, but also keep in mind that it could be much worse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

This weekend, we had the best panfish action since we bought our place 4 years ago. I am not pulling anyones leg when I say we caught hundreds of sunnies. Some were small, but most were around the 8" mark. I cleaned 17 of them for a family meal. I have struggled for many years to find the panfish on Pelican. It's really nice to see so many biting. I feel a lot better about this fishery after this weekend. Now, if anyone could tell me where the Walleye's are, I'd be even more happy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Camped the past two weekends out on Pelican, no walleyes, in the past we caught them pulling spinners & minows but early & late. Didn't see very many boats fishing the south side and those that were seemed to be just running & gunning, no one working any particular area so I'm assuming no large numbers of fish were caught. Weather permitting and a generous boss, I'll be back out there Labor day weekend, for a cast & blast weekend. Headed to the east coast on Wednesday, might get in some stripers & blues action.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like I'm going to have to try it over on your side of the lake (fishings always better on the other side anyway.) I can catch sunnies off the dock but they're all fairly small.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

How has the fishing been guys? With the cooler weather, I am started to get excited for duck season smile.gif my next time up to Pelican. Will do a bit of afternoon walleye fishing usually is weather is nice.

Hope you guys have a nice end to your summer, and the fish cooperate!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nothing much for fishing going on, time to break out the waders soon though. Will be out Labor day weekend and give them a try during the day. Going to try for geese too, cast and blast weekend. cool.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finally off work, loading up the camper on Thursday a.m. headed to the lake. Don't have to be back to work until Tuesday next week will be on the south shore the whole time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone else see all of the dead crappies this weekend? There were some really nice ones too along with a bunch in the 5" - 6" range.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With the strong wind out of the south east on Saturday, the dead crappies were really coming into the west side. I could see 3 or 4 at a time floating by. A lot were probably 6 to 8 inches, measured one that was 11" and one 13". We drove up to the north end and took a look at the shoreline by the outlet. There were quite a few washed up on the sand.

One neighbor said they had come up to the lake on Tuesday and had been seeing dead ones every day.

Is this a common occurence-a big fish dieoff like this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I fished the lake for the first time on Sunday and there were dead crappies everywhere. I've heard about die offs like this down by the twin cites before and if I remember right it was some sort of chemical kill; I would assume that is the case here seeing it's only crappies that were killed?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was not worried when GRA came over to our place on Sat to introduce himself. However, as the weekend went on, we saw more & more Crappies. There were a (Contact Us Please) ton on our shore Mon morning. One was well over 2 lbs and bigger than the 15" Crappie in my freezer. Indian Mounds was saving a few big & small fish to give to the DNR. I am leaning towards it being an oxygen issue. The water went from 80+ degrees to under 70 degrees in a short time. If the fish were already oxygen deprived, the sudden temp change probably shocked them to death. If & when I hear from the resort on their findings, I'll post here. BTW, Indian Mounds may be under new ownership as of Oct 15th. I guess they have a purchase agreement signed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know exactly how the O2 thing would work? Wouldn't all the fish be affected or does the O2 level just affect certain areas/structures? And why only crappies? I didn't see any sunfish, walleyes, carp, etc washed up on the south side. On a side note my 9 y/o did take out a couple of flying carp on Sat morning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

KSAX just had Dean Beck from Glenwood fisheries on and it was a bacterial infection of some sort and only affected crappies from what I could understand in the interview.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Too bad it was not an infection that only effected Bullheads!

Oh well, what do you do.

Stop going to your favorite place in the world?

I think not.

I'll settle for the good Sunfish action at the end of my dock thank you very much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No kidding, is bad news for sure. It sure was fun catching those biguns early this year. Hopefully there will be still be plenty left to get the population back up as quick as it can.

Will be up next for duck opener, staying at Ashby Resort.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Did anyone get out on the water to try for Walleye's in Oct?

I'm wondering if the fall bite ever kicked in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Nothing but duck hunters that I have seen. I'm sure some fished, but no reports. fair amount of shooting on the lake this weekend. I can see Christina and a little of pelican from my stand. so I get the benefit of hearing the shots while Im watching for whatever it is that I watch for from there!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Happy Thanksgiving Pelican Lake folks! smile.gif

I ended up getting a decent (not huge) 8 point buck within hearing range of Pelican. Could have shot goldeneye out of my stand! ha!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bay the Ashby Resort is in was ice covered this weekend. We even saw 2 brave souls out in the middle ice fishing Sat afternoon. I thought we would be hearing about them in the news today. I'm as anxious as anyone, but it's not worth it. In contrast, there was a boat & trailer at the launch yesterday & today. From the launch East, it's wide open.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People fishing on pelican, bout 3 inches of ice. Haven't heard any reports. I'm heading for Christina next saturday, Wonder if there's anything in there? Brent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know if the big part of the lake froze good before the snowfall? When we were up there Thanksgiving weekend, it was pretty much open from the public launch in the West to Indian Mounds in the East. Also, I'm looking to rent a hard sided house over the weekend before New Years. Are there any resorts in the area that provide this service? It does not have to be on Pelican & could be as far away as Ottertail. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

None of the lakes froze over well enough to hold up to the snow we have in the area. With the amount of snow on the ice, flooding is happening even on small bodies of water. Aproximately 7 inches of ice where I was today, and lots of flooding. Portables were flooded, and even just drilling a hole produced lots of water on the ice. I don't see a great deal of excellent ice this winter. Hope I'm wrong, but not tooo optimistic for getting the hard wall out any time soon. Brent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is starting to sound like I'll need to find myself a plow driver to get into our cabin in a few weeks. Has anyone been out on Pelican? If so, what's it been like? Who plows up there? I may need someone I can call for a $20-$30 plow upon request.

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.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
      I'm not there, so I can't tell exactly what's going on but it looks like a large area of open water developed in the last day with all of the heavy snow on the east side of wake em up Narrows. These two photos are from my Ring Camera facing north towards Niles Point.  You can see what happened with all of snow that fell in the last three days, though the open water could have been wind driven. Hard to say. .  
    • SkunkedAgain
      Black Bay had great ice before but a few spots near rockpiles where there were spots of open water. It looks like the weight of the snow has created a little lake in the middle of the bay.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Thanks to some cold spring weather, ice fishing continues strong for those still ice fishing.  The bite remains very good.  Most resorts have pulled their fish houses off for the year, however, some still have fish houses out and others are allowing ATV and side by sides.  Check social media or call ahead to your favorite resort for specifics. Reports this week for walleyes and saugers remain excellent.   A nice mix of jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, and an occasional crappie, tullibee or sturgeon being reported by anglers. Jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second line is the way to go.  Green, glow red, pink and gold were good colors this week.     Monster pike are on a tear!  Good number of pike, some reaching over 45 inches long, being caught using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring in 8 - 14' of water.   As always, work through a resort or outfitter for ice road conditions.  Safety first always. Fish houses are allowed on the ice through March 31st, the walleye / sauger season goes through April 14th and the pike season never ends. On the Rainy River...  The river is opened up along the Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale, the Frontier boat ramp and Vidas boat ramp.  This past week, much of the open water skimmed over with the single digit overnight temps.   Areas of the river have popped open again and with temps getting warmer, things are shaping up for the last stretch through the rest of the spring season, which continues through April 14th.   Very good numbers of walleyes are in the river.  Reports this week, even with fewer anglers, have been good.  When temps warm up and the sun shines, things will fire up again.   Jigs with brightly colored plastics or jigs with a frozen emerald shiner have been the desired bait on the river.  Don't overlook slow trolling crankbaits upstream as well.   Good reports of sturgeon being caught on the river as well.  Sturgeon put the feed bag on in the spring.  The bite has been very good.  Most are using a sturgeon rig with a circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers / frozen emerald shiners. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing is winding down up at the Angle.  Walleyes, saugers, and a number of various species in the mix again this week.  The bite is still very good with good numbers of fish.  The one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is working well.   Check with Angle resorts on transport options from Young's Bay.  Call ahead for ice road guidelines.  
    • CigarGuy
      With the drifting, kind of hard to tell for sure, but I'm guessing about a foot and still lightly snowing. Cook end!
    • PSU
      How much snow did you get on Vermilion? 
    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
    • Hookmaster
      A friend who has a cabin between Alex and Fergus said the lake he's on refroze. He texted me a pic from March 12th when it was open and one from 23rd when it wasn't. 🤯
    • SkunkedAgain
      I don't think that there has been any ice melt in the past few weeks on Vermilion. Things looked like a record and then Mother Nature swept in again.   I'll give my revised guess of April 21st
    • leech~~
      As I get older it's really not just about sending bullets down range.  Some of it's just the workmanship of the gun and the wow factor. The other two guns I have really wanted which I'll never have now because of their price, is a 8mm Jap Nambu and 9mm German Luger.   Just thought they always looked cool!  
    • jim curlee
      I had a guy hit me with a lightly used 1969 BAR, he wanted $1650 with an older Leupold scope. More than I think they are worth, I made an offer, he declined end of story.   You know if you look at the old brochures, a grade II BAR sold for $250 in the late 60s, $1650 would be a good return on your investment.    Why would anybody want a 50 year old gun, they are heavy, have wood stocks, and blued metal.  I guess mainly to keep their gun safes glued to the floor. lol   You can probably buy a stainless rifle that you never have to clean, with a synthetic stock you never have to refinish, is as light as a feather, and for half as much money, perfect.   I'm too old for a youth gun, although I've shrunk enough that it would probably fit. lol   No Ruger 10/44s.   Jim      
×
×
  • 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.