Medicine Lake report

[Schloogs]

OK, I need some help here. I have a relative who is in the Air Force and is back in town for a few days and would love to go fishing. She is staying in Plymouth with here parents so I figured I would take her to Medicine Lake, she only live about 2 miles from there. The help I need is that I have never fished Medicine Lake before, I live in the SW Metro so spend most of my time in that area. Can anybody give some suggestions on where to be looking for sunnies or crappies on ML? I am not looking for any honey holes, but just to catch something. I will be taking her and my wife out (who gets bored pretty quickly if the fish aren't bitting). Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[fishuhalik]

I mostly ice fish it, never fished it for pans in the spring. I'd say try either the north bay by french park or either of the south bays?

[Schloogs]

Thanks, fishuhalik

[vister]

You're aware of the park permit AND 5 big ones to launch a boat, right?!, payable at the ramp I believe

[MOBY RICHARD*]

according to a fairly reliable source, no longer need the park permit, but do need to pay $5 to park in trailer area. Park closes at dark, they do ticket after that, which is not fair as it is the only trailer access on a large public lake except for Hartys on the East Shore, which is often not open, and very limited parking.

There is an ice fishing access on the west side that is closed during summer, though you could carry in a light craft, but am not sure of the parking restrictions.

It seems they only want the very wealthy shore owners on open water, on a Public Lake, at night. The going rate for lakeshore on Medicine is around $5000.00 a foot, house not included!

[Lee the bonehead]

The French park access has enough parking available to make that lake feel plenty crowded! I do agree that it's a shame you can't stay after dark. I've overnighted a few times on Medicine (sleeping in my 16' fishing boat) and it's REAL quiet after the launch closes. Fishing has never been that good for me at night - much better early morning.

[123fish]

Schloogs did you make it out or is the weather as crappy up there as it is down here? I would try that shallow north end bay and trade in your present wife for one that has more patience.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Hey Lee, when you stayed out at night, where did you launch and park?

I know a guy that got a ticket for staying parked in the lot til 11 pm, even though he paid the five.

[Lee the bonehead]

Launched at French with someone willing to drive the trailer home and pick me up the next day. The park rangers roll through every night before they lock the gate - it's a one way gate so you CAN get out after dark but you'll have a ticket for sure. I didn't say it was convenient, but it's a fun little adventure if the weather's good and the mayflies aren't hatching! Everyone I know who's tried the night fishing (myself included) says don't bother - it's better in the daytime. But you will get some alone time.

I often stay out in the evening 'til just about dark and have never (yet) been ticketed. Usually the fishing dies off before you need your running lights. Beware the nasty lineup getting off the lake when the weather's even sorta nice!

Once again, the parking pass is a DAY pass only, and there are no public options for getting on (or off) the water at night. If you're out there, you're out there for the whole night.

[Timrek]

Any one have any good shore fishing spot suggestions? I have never fished Medicine Lake but always looking for a new place to try.

Thanks!

[vikingmeatwad]

how much is the ticket?

Also..you can pretty much catch sunnies anywhere on the lake. (shallows)

[MOBY RICHARD*]

I think around $45/$55. Way too much to compensate for fishing a couple hours after dark.

[The Grebe]

Went out to Medicine today, took the boat out for a few hours. Been about 20 years since I last fished there, shoreline sure has changed! I think the lake area is looking pretty good.

The wind was up and it kept us off the spots we wanted to fish...danged electric trolling motor wouldn't work either and that complicated things. None the less, we did manage to get a LMbass, a couple of pretty decent sunnies and 2 small walleyes....I'll for sure try it again in the future.