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

When a person talks perch fishing, typically the conversation involves lakes such as Mille Lacs, Winnie, Leech, URL and Lake of the Woods. Folks, I'm here to tell you we have the same quality perch fishing right in our back yard. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of one of the best late-ice perch bites I've ever seen for the better part of 3 weeks now. And, finally, I can safely say that a pattern has been established. A lot of time and effort has gone into this bite through a handful of us and now we have just been having fun catching beautiful perch. I can easily look past crappies and 'gills for these perch. The action is phenomenal, as well as the quality of fish and the company. You all have probably read my previous reports on this bite, so let me get to "the meat" of what I have seen take place over the course of the last few weeks.

This pattern involves several different items but I think the #1 factor is knowing and understanding where perch spawn, whether that be when the ice is still on the lake or just off. Right now, the male perch we're catching are milting, so the spawn is right around the corner. Another factor is staying in and around bottom content that is as hard as concrete. Whether that be sand or gravel, it doesn't matter, but the harder the bottom the better. We found fish over mud that were suspended and very active but also very skiddish and not as concentrated as those fish on the sand and gravel. Mobility has been a key too. 5 minutes is about the maximum amount of time I am spending in a hole. If nothing is happening, move on. Sometimes, a move means 10' while other times it may mean 100 yards. You need to be ready to stay on top of the fish. Presentation has been small, vertical jigs gobbed with spikes that drop quickly but also have a tight twitch to them. The fish are not smashing the bait unless you get on the right school but for the most part, it takes some work to entice them. 21 - 28' of water has been the predominant depth and most of the quality fish are between 2 - 6' off the bottom. Today, we actually had some really nice 'gills and crappies in the mix, which was a pleasent surprise. Water clarity is also playing a role in our success. Over mud, the water is crystal-clear down to 20' while the visibility in the sand and gravel areas is 6'.

If you do happen to cash in on this late-ice perch action, please be sure to practice selective harvest and/or catch and release. This is a resource that needs to be protected, just like anything else.

By the way, Eric, I'm glad you remembered your camera. Pictures will be coming soon!

2 Da Gills, nice to meet you. I hope you got into some fish this afternoon/evening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a gorgeous day to be out on the ice! Gettin' a sunburn before we even get to spring! cool.gif

The fish were predominantly timid today, although the bigger bruisers were more aggressive. Just to add to TO's post/comments.....TO was nailing the fish using a Fiskas jig while I was picking up a fish here and there with a marmooska. Lime green/orange/white were the predominant colors tipped with colored spikes. And yes, the water clarity difference was amazing!

Anyway, as promised, here are a few pics from today's outing.

TO with a sumo perch!

p3170063ff0.jpg

TO with a couple more colorful bruisers.

p3170062fo5.jpg

Your's truly with a couple more dandys.

p3170065fk3.jpg

And two of the healthy 'gills we got today.

p3170064fh9.jpg

As TO mentioned, it was nice to meet you today 2 DA Gills. Hope your day went well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great photos Eric. They sure turned out nice. Again, it was great spending the day on the ice with you. We need to do more of that. Enjoy the fish!

Ken, we missed you. smirk.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are you going to be out running around there in the a.m? I will be out there around 8:00 or so. Did you drive out .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually, I may take tomorrow off. If I go, it's going to be late in the afternoon. I've been out 7 out of the last 10 days, so I think it's time to hang with my wife and daughter a bit. smirk.gif

We drove out but the drive in was not pretty. I would recommend walking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, that wouldn't have been pretty if I had needed to call my wife and ask her to pull me out of the lake. blush.gifshocked.gifgrin.gif Not sure how I'd explain that one. tongue.gif "Uhhh....honey....guess what I did today?" blush.giflaugh.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will give you report tomorrow night, we are going to try the spot were Ken was talking to use last weekend and go from there. I would like to get in to a few pannies later on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TO that spot has been great for me for the last 5 or 6 years the crappies move in there just days before the ice goes out big and fast good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great to see you got a shot with my house in the backround. I just knew I should have stayed, but what can a man do.I can't be in two places at the same time and only so many hours of daylight. Eric you need to trust me it only gets better. Waders and boards are alot of fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I just knew I should have stayed, but what can a man do


One word....RETIRE! grin.gif J/K! smile.gif

We'll see how the rest of the season goes. I got some honey-do stuff tomorrow and next weekend. And, by the weekend after that I might be headed out to South Dakota, or the lakes might be open.

Regardless of what the weather and ice does, I'll be back again as soon as my schedule allows. wink.gif

Was good to see you again Ken.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ken I will see you in the A.M? My uncle and I will be out there with the ranger. Go Gophers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The crappies were there today just not in the numbers that will be to come. Perch are still ruling the roost. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was there for a bit in the morning and then had to go buy "work stuff".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was thinking about what the IRS would say about a wilcraft for work dedution wink.gif.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would say it will work Ken as you need it to get across those muddy fields. I would bet that Tom would be willing to cut you a fairly good deal this time of the year. You wouldnt have to worry about early or late ice for sure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It will be afternoon the soonest, need to put some time in working at a turkey dinner in town.

T.O. I will talk at you in the morning. wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bite started really good and then when the cold front came in they just shut right down, but we managed a few.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TO and Basscather it was nice to meet both of you as well. Saturday I did some exploring for a good part of the afternoon. I was mainly looking for the bluegills, but did come across some perch. I caught one 9 incher and few smaller perch as well. No big numbers for me. After some considerable searching I did find some quality bluegills. It was late in the day when I finally found them.

I was able to get clearance to head out again Sunday afternoon and thought it may be slow with the weather. I actually caught bluegills steady until heading home at 5:30 pm. The bite was mainly light, but with the drop technique I was able to detect bites when the line went slack. Most the bluegills on Sunday were in the 7 to 8 inche range with a some just shy of 9 inches. I also found that if I dropped to less then 1 foot off the bottom and then raised the bait, the activite and larger fish would follow. I would then dropped my jig extremely slow until I had a taker. It was a fun afternoon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How was the ice? Can I get a wheeler onto the ice still? Thinking of heading out tommorow. Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would go now, the days are numbered now if we get rain its over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had to use them tonight. I would have wet feet without them. frown.gif The part of the lake that froze last has a real dark blue color to it. Still has 14" of ice, just looks freaky shocked.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • 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.        
    • smurfy
      got mine done........for the cabin.....ready for summer festivities!!!!!!   there was still frost in the ground...........but good gawd are the lakes low!!!!!
    • CigarGuy
      Just 1, 50" muskie🫣
×
×
  • 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.