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.

Lake McCarron


Recommended Posts

I live around the corner from this lake and have never caught anything other 'gills and an occasional dinkie bass. DNR lake finder says its been stocked with wallies for years and I have rarely seen anyone out there fishing for 'em. Sounds like there should be some decent sizers in there by now. I haven't even tried, but am thinking about giving it a shot. AFTER THE OPENER.

Just wondering if anyone has given 'er a shot and if they had any luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Johnny Da Der,

I saw that you go to grad school at the U, are you at the St. Paul campus? My better half is currently halfway through there.

I just moved 2 blocks away to the Northwest of this lake, and finally got my boat parked in the garage last night.

I read that the DNR's walleye program was deemed unsuccessful and they have stopped the walleye stocking on this lake.

I'd be interested in trying it for some gators/bass on this lake sometime-it looks pretty featureless.

Where have you tried fishing on the lake? Any spots worth checking?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have pretty much tried the entire shoreline from a canoe or a float boat. Most of the time though, I just wade out into the shallows from the southern side of the dock. 99% of the time I target little sunnies with a light weight fly rod.

I tried through the ice in 20' range off that rounded point with the house on the southern edge and caught a few tiny perch.

I talked to a guy last year buzzing topwater stuff over the weeds on the western edge. He says there are muskie in there and there is a muskie sign at the boat launch. Also saw people catch a handful of northern, a couple pretty good sizers.

I used to catch a few decent bass when targeting the sunnies, but a couple summers ago some guy on the dock brought home a bass or two, literally everyday. Haven't caught anything but dinkie-dinks since then.

I don't know. But I do know that that lake has pretty much no pressure, other than the worm wad and giant bobber crew off the dock.

Yes, I do go to the SP campus at the U of M. I study environmental microbiology, specifically, I try to figure out what animals are contributing to fecal contamination of our lakes and rivers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've got a really funny story about that lake too:

Last summer I waded out from the southern edge of that dock and moved towards this fallen tree on the shore put to my stuff down. I kinda climbed back into the little wooded area over there a bit to take a leak. I saw a pair of shoes laying there, then I noticed those shoes were connected to a pair of jeans. Then I saw that whatever was above those jeans was all wrapped up with a sheet. I moved up a little closer and realized that there was a body wrapped up in a sheet laying face down on top of all this brush, rocks and saplings. The head was all wrapped up in the sheet too. And it stunk. Like rotting stuff stinks. It was right up against this 5-6' wall off with the sidewalk and street above. I thought, Holy @$#%, somebody tossed this dead body off from the sidewalk above into this little wooded area. My heart was beating so fast and hard I could hear it in my ears.

I think that some sort of 12 year old boy instinct took over me, I can't explain my following actions: I took a big stick and poked it right into the sheet where I thought the neck would be.

And then.......

This homeless guy springs up and is says, "what the @$##, man, i am trying to take a nap here!"

I had to go home and change my underwear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This little lake a a few surprises left up in store. But you need to do alot of fishing on it to catch that surprise. The DNR no longer stocks it with eyes as far as I know. You can fish it all day and catch potatoe chips, occasional bass or pike.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HAHAHA! Hilarious story! By any chance did you get that on Youtube? hahaha j/k

Ive fished Mccarron once, Ive never been back since there was an Ecoli breakout on that lake I believe 2 years ago? Ive never caught anything, but talkin to a few locals I saw I hear they catch decent size northerns.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

unfortunately i didn't get that on youtube.

there was an E. coli outbreak there last summer. August, I think. They closed down the beach for a couple weeks. That lake is pretty clean most of time. Probably geese or a leaky diaper in the swim area. I sampled that lake two days before it got closed down and the levels were way below the standard for closing the beach. They were back down a few weeks later too.

I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Used to be a secret jewel...

Walleyes on the beach, Bass in the slop, big ones in the lilly's and bulls too.

All that swimming killed the lake...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

unfortunately i didn't get that on youtube.

there was an E. coli outbreak there last summer. August, I think. They closed down the beach for a couple weeks. That lake is pretty clean most of time. Probably geese or a leaky diaper in the swim area. I sampled that lake two days before it got closed down and the levels were way below the standard for closing the beach. They were back down a few weeks later too.

I wouldn't be too worried about it.


Im not surprise. I've seen all sorts of garbage in that lake. Diapers, condoms, clothing, cans.

If that doesn't deter you than im sure you'll catch some fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Used to be a secret jewel...

Walleyes on the beach, Bass in the slop, big ones in the lilly's and bulls too.

All that swimming killed the lake...


Nah, I believe it is still an untapped resource in the Metro area... This is no doubt, still one of the best lakes to fish at located in the Metro... I dont know about you guys, but in the early spring time, I catch 7 to 9 inch crappies in that lake... After Pike opener, Im consistently catching pikes..... As for after the bass opener, Im catching 2 to 4 pound bass on a regular basis.... Great lake, no fishing crowd or pressure, and great beach view during the hot summer days ....... I can't ask for anything more!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Quote:

Used to be a secret jewel...

Walleyes on the beach, Bass in the slop, big ones in the lilly's and bulls too.

All that swimming killed the lake...


Nah, I believe it is still an untapped resource in the Metro area... This is no doubt, still one of the best lakes to fish at located in the Metro... I dont know about you guys, but in the early spring time, I catch 7 to 9 inch crappies in that lake... After Pike opener, Im consistently catching pikes..... As for after the bass opener, Im catching 2 to 4 pound bass on a regular basis.... Great lake, no fishing crowd or pressure, and great beach view during the hot summer days ....... I can't ask for anything more!


And coincidentally, by posting all of that information you just did(whether true or not), you can expect more fishing pressure/crowds this year. Not trying to be a jerk by any means, but if it is a lake that is as good as you advertise it to be, then you should be a little more secretive about your experiences at it. I'm sure you'd prefer that it stays the way it is with little to no pressure, correct?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Used to be a secret jewel...

Walleyes on the beach, Bass in the slop, big ones in the lilly's and bulls too.

All that swimming killed the lake...


Nah, I believe it is still an untapped resource in the Metro area... This is no doubt, still one of the best lakes to fish at located in the Metro... I dont know about you guys, but in the early spring time, I catch 7 to 9 inch crappies in that lake... After Pike opener, Im consistently catching pikes..... As for after the bass opener, Im catching 2 to 4 pound bass on a regular basis.... Great lake, no fishing crowd or pressure, and great beach view during the hot summer days ....... I can't ask for anything more!


And coincidentally, by posting all of that information you just did(whether true or not), you can expect more fishing pressure/crowds this year. Not trying to be a jerk by any means, but if it is a lake that is as good as you advertise it to be, then you should be a little more secretive about your experiences at it. I'm sure you'd prefer that it stays the way it is with little to no pressure, correct?


Wow, did I just reveal your secret lake or something? LOL.. Nah, i dont care if people fish there or not. It's a public lake... Sharing is caring!

I thought personal attacks were not allowed in here? confused.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's right fishinrebel, well said. Come on, everyone on here knows that if you tell someone of a hot bite there's gonna be a ton of ppl there, that's why ppl post the name of a lake. Believe it or not some ppl don't mind it when other ppl fish their lake. I'll admit it i'm pretty selfish w/ my honeyholes, but hey, if he doesn't mind sharing, have at it! I'm just really tired of ppl raggin on folks when they tell ppl about spots. He's right, it's a public lake. And it's a public site! I better stop now or i'm gonna get banned from the site

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's right fishinrebel, well said. Come on, everyone on here knows that if you tell someone of a hot bite there's gonna be a ton of ppl there, that's why ppl post the name of a lake. Believe it or not some ppl don't mind it when other ppl fish their lake. I'll admit it i'm pretty selfish w/ my honeyholes, but hey, if he doesn't mind sharing, have at it! I'm just really tired of ppl raggin on folks when they tell ppl about spots. He's right, it's a public lake. And it's a public site! I better stop now or i'm gonna get banned from the site

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Location, Location, Location,...it's pretty important to catching big fish...but you'd still have to go and catch them...with a little luck and some mad fishing skills.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very well put! Just because people know the lake...doesn't mean they'll know the spots. Most of the shoreline is private except for the parking/beach area. And most people fish the beach or the little shallow dock. A few casts...a few hours...they'll just leave the lake as another dead lake. So...if you know the lake....you wouldn't care if people wanted to try or know. Just don't give them that exact location to the drop off on the xxxx side, by the xxxx. wink.gifgrin.gif GL to all!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Wow, did I just reveal your secret lake or something? LOL.. Nah, i dont care if people fish there or not. It's a public lake... Sharing is caring!

I thought personal attacks were not allowed in here?
confused.gif


No, not in any way was that intended as a personal attack (hence me saying "not to be a jerk or anything"). Furthermore, I've never fished that lake, and don't intend to in the near future. I was just trying to get the point across that if you have your own little "honey hole" that produces good fish, you might want to try to preserve it by not giving out such lofty fish sizes. Sharing lakes is fine and totally welcome, I'm just saying that when you give out too many details, you can attract a huge crowd, or the wrong crowd, depending on who reads about it.

Please don't think I was bashing you or anything of the sort, that wasn't my intent at all. Hopefully you catch a ton more nice fish there this year as well! Good Luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive had best luck on the shoreline with the steep break...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hey! that lake is polluted anyways, that's why you hardly see anybody fishing there! cool.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

not only that,but the trout and salmon taste mushy out of there,unless you can get them ice fishing later in the season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

not only that,but the trout and salmon taste mushy out of there,unless you can get them ice fishing later in the season.


You are joking right??? If so that is the lamest joke I have heard since, "why did the chicken cross the road?".

That lake is polluted, but I kinda doubt it is much worse than Phalen, Keller, or any of the other lakes in the area. I think the pollution problem is people throwing their pop cans and dorito bags in the lake more than a problem with mercury or E. coli.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fish fertilizes the water too...not to mention the ammonia release either...then all those Canadian geese...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I stumbled upon this lake one day on my break from work. I was eating a sandwich at the picnic table and I asked some dudes fishing what they were catching. I personally don't think i'd ever fish this lake again. But IF, there are fish in there, I hope you guys slam em! Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This lake still has some occasional decent fish in it if your just looking to kill some time and have fun. Or take the kids potatoe chip fishing. But I rather would attempt to fish somewhere else if given the option. Again the biggest drawback for me on McCarron is the garbage.

Im surprise this little lake drew this much attention. It's nothing much at all be it at that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I drove by this lake yesterday on my way to Vadnais. There was a giant white speed boat zooming around. Sort of a goofy site for such a small lake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's worse than phalen! I wouldn't eat any fish that comes out of it! Don't believe me, check with DNR! cool.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually, from DNR data, I would say Phalen is worse, or at best neither one of them is better than the other.

At McCarron it says one meal a week for Northern 20-25" and one a month for anything bigger. There is no data for Northern smaller than 20" or any other species.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/fca/report.html?downum=62005400

At Phalen it says one meal a week for walleye less than 15". There is no data for anything bigger or any other species.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/fca/report.html?downum=62001300

You would think, in the case of Phalen, that if the recommendation was one meal a week for 15" walleye, the recommendation for northern wouldn't be much better. And vise versa for McCarron.

Do you have a different source?

*I wouldn't eat anything out of either lake.*

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too am suprised McCarrons is getting this much attention. The lake doesnt get hit hard but is by no means a little gem.

As for eating fish. I dont keep many but Im not concerned about eating a meal of fish out of most metro lakes. They are by no means clean but they're not toxic waste dumps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can we just let this thread end. I think topic about fishing on McCarron is covered. smirk.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      Nope not me.  May want to go nextdoor and ask around?  
    • smurfy
      Looks to me like Leech brought his chair home!!😅😆
    • 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
×
×
  • 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.