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

I realized this afternoon as I was driving to the lake that it has been awhile since I have posted a report following an outing of my own, besides my weekly website reports. Shame on me but I did have a few bites going over the last few months that just needed to stay silent. Heck, onto today's report...

I headed to Washington today in hopes of being able to walk to some fishable areas without too much effort. Well, it was walkable but it definitely required some effort. If you're looking for some different exercise patterns, the time is now to give manually pulling your gear around the lake a shot. That'll get your heart rate up as will the fishing! With heavy snowfall, comes the challenges of how to handle lack of light penetration, poor water clarity and several other variables that can often work in your favor to catch more fish when light penetration is not an issue. I treated today much like I would as if I was fishing after sun-down. Constantly "glowing up" my presentations, hole-hopping and fishing right under the ice. Home, sweet home for me. After drilling a series of ~30 holes on the top side and inside corner of a steep turn of gravel to mud transition, I began my quest and also found myself on top of fish. The first fish of the day ended up being a trophy! A 10.25" giant 'gill found it's way through my hole and I thought that was a pretty darn cool way to start the day(photo coming soon). After the initial excitement of that and the release, the bite in that particular hole ended and that's how the rest of my outing went. 1 - 3 fish per hole and they would all come very quickly and then vanish. If I hadn't caught a fish in a hole within 5 minutes, something was up and I was on to the next hole. Most of my fish came from 2 - 4' down in 10' of water but I did entice a few off the bottom only to find out they would not bite until they were in that same range of the suspended fish, 2 - 4' down. Coincidence? I think so. These fish are desperate for some light and will do almost anything to find some. In fact, I had a few crappies come right up in the hole chasing my presentation as I rose it up before hitting while I watched. Speaking of hitting, the crappies hit like a Mack truck while the 'gills were a little more tentative. In either case, Ratso's in pink and white or all white tipped with red spikes did the trick. A majority of the crappies were in that typical 9 - 11" range but I did have a few pushing 13" and the 'gills were 7.5" up to that unbelievable bull at 10.25". I kept a handful of 'gills and just a couple crappies for supper and the rest went back in the lake. As for the ice conditions, the ice is solid and in great shape. I didn't measure but I'd say there is at least 18" out there.

Look for this late-ice bite to really explode within the coming weeks. I think I'm going to focus my efforts from here on out on Tetonka unless I catch wind of something else worth checking out. smirk.gif

Good luck and we'll see you on the ice!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TO. Don't mind me asking but were you fishing near the narrows? If you were I was fishing right next to you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good job otter smile.gifand thanks for the report.I went to madison on sunday afternoon the DNR access is impassable there was a guy stuck with a full size 4x4 on the access pulled him out.unloaded my snowmobile and helped pull acouple of houses and mine. fish where reluctant to bite.even the perch shocked.gif high barometer and low light.I fished in 10 fow and the other six guys fished in 20 fow and only 1 perch and a few small crappies between everyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking forward to seeing that picture Jamison! Thats a darn nice gill!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That was me. You should have stuck around. Once I got the pattern dialed in, it was "on".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

MJ,

I sent you the photo last night along with requesting you helping me getting it up on here. Did you not get it?

I'll send it again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wasn't sure if that was you or not, I would have asked ya to drill me a couple holes. Drilling through that much ice and walking out there really takes it out of you. I will have to get out at the end of the week and give it another shot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You certainly could have. I know how to drill holes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TO, just a quick question.... did you graph fish in a hole as soon as you dropped your locater down..or did you have to sit and jig for a minute or two before they came in?? You said you were hole hopping I know...but just curious. Good report by the way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fish were fairly reactive to a fresh "glow" on the jig. I would say, on average, a minute of jigging was about all it took to get a few fish underneath me. But, you really had to be on your A-game because in most cases the fish were gone as fast as they came in.

Glad you enjoyed the report. I hope it helps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out today out of westwood and the fish were down there from 9-11ft but they had a bad case of tight lips, you had to really work to get them to bite at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for putting up the photo Matt. I really wish I wouldn't have been alone for this fish because these types of shots don't always do the size its justice. At any rate, she's still in the lake for someone to catch!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice gill!

If you don't want to miss a good picture opportunity again because you are alone, I would pick up a mini tripod for your camera. I got one at Target a couple years ago and it works great and it is not very expensive. Just make sure your camera has a timer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the comments. I know about the tripod thing but then I think to myself it's just another thing to haul around. Of course, until something like last Sunday happens. smirk.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That 'gill looks round like a dinner plate with a spoon hanging off the side. grin.gif

Nice fish!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that's another way of saying "plump" or "wide". grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, very R-O-U-N-D!!! grin.gif Just like those big brutes typically are. smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • 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.
×
×
  • 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.