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Hiya -

So is anyone besides me bass fishing this weekend?

I'm turkey hunting this weekend too so going to split my time the woods and the boat, but I'm looking forward to getting out after the bass at some point. My only dilemma is whether to fish largemouths or smallies. Either way might be kind of tough with the weather looking like it is.

Anyone spent any time fishing smallies on Cormorant? I keep meaning to go check it out but never manage to get around to it...

cheers,

Rob Kimm

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RK, you'll probably spend about 30% of your time in the boat picking off ticks if you're turkey hunting over the weekend!

I'll be up at LOW this weekend, or I'd say I'd try join up with you. However, sounds like the water conditions aren't ideal at the place we've previously talked about. I've done a fair amount of smallie fishing on Big C and can point you in the right direction there. Shoot me an e-mail and I'll get you some details.

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I may get down to the Otter Tail R this weekend and flyfish for smallies. I just have to see if they bump the flows coming out of Orwell after all the rain we got.

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What about Lida RK, it's right next door to you. I've had some good luck there for smallies along with Pelican. Another lake to look at would be Island Lake on the way to Park Rapids. Lots of boulders, and crawfish which = smallies. If you're heading out Largemouth fishing, give Rose lake a try and hit the arm on the west part of the lake. Tons of them, and good size structure. Let us know how you do.

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Hey Fisherdog -

Yeah, I fish Lida quite a bit these days - when I have my boat on the trailer the Lida access is actually closer to my cabin than the Crystal ramp is... Figuring out the smallies in Pelican is definitley on my to-do list. Some horses in there. When you catch them on muskie bucktails, they're big smile.gif I sort of think a lot of them may be weed fish in there though, which makes it a needle in a haystack. I was asking about Cormorant because it's another one on my to-do list and I never seem to make it up there. Stupid...because it's got a lot of potential.

I have fished Island, and it's pretty good. Wish it were closer.

Paul - thanks for reminding me about Franklin. I used to fish it all the time in high school, but I haven't lately. Last time I was there I think the hammerhandles drove me off and I haven't been back, which is stupid...

Scoot - no kidding on the woodticks. I was out scouting last weekend and was covered with the things. Had my 20-month old in the woods with me for a little bit and he thought the things were hilarious. "DADA! BUG! BUG!" Mom wasn't nearly as amused... Good luck on the Woods, and get in touch with me when you get back...

good luck this weekend all.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

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Rob,

Cormorant has a pretty healthy population of smallies right now, but on average they tend to run a little smaller. We've been catching some post sawn largies while fishing for walleyes (Alexandria Area) the last few days, so my guess is most of them are on the tail end of the spawn or done and the smallies should be real close to hitting the beds.

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Rk

the smallies on Pelican are pigs. I have been fishing them for years out there. I caught 3 21" or just over 20" last weekend. It can be hard to target them for a days worth of fishing though. It is a very clear lake and I do my best sight fishing. They are on many of my fall Muskie spots. I just hope I am not disturbing them because it is real easy to catch them right now. Does anyone know if this is harmful. Im not sure if there is a big population out there or not. In past years I barely caught a fish under 4 lbs. Now it seems like I have been catching many more small fish. I asume this is a good thing and that they have been reproducing.

I will be heading out there again saturday. Friday I will be on Potato lake. Many fish but not as many pigs.

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