Big Sandy first timer

[powerworm]

Looking at going to Big Sandy for the first time this weekend 7/28 and I will definitely be there 8/8 thru 8/12 for a family camping trip. We'll be staying at the corp of engineers campground. I'm looking for any advice I can get. From what I understand Big Sandy is more of a walleye and northern lake. Any info on chasing either of these species on this lake would be appreciated. Also from what I understand there is a channel between Big Sandy and Aitkin Lake. Is this channel navicable with a 17 foot v-hull fishing boat? I've heard that Aitkin Lake is a good bass lake. Any thoughts on Aitkin Lake would also be appreciated.

[Bigbartguy]

Power, you should be able to get thru to Aitkin Lake w/ your boat, lots of panfish and bass.

I'm at a loss for main lake fishing, I've never done well but I know there are fish in there.

[palisade1kid]

Finding pike is a breeze.Just troll in 5-10 fOW.

The eyes are tougher to find this time of year.

Get a lake maps,find the humps & then work around them with a slip bobber & a leech in 10 FOW or so.

[solocam]

Hi Power,

I grew up on the NE end of the lake. We always had great luck fishing pike along the south shore of Waban Bay just to the right of the access. The only time that we hit the eyes at this time of year was out in the middle of main lake. Drift over the structure and you should pick up a couple.

This was 20+ years ago.

[palisade1kid]

Actually that whole shoreline all the way around to the bouy's in front of the prairie has given up fish for me.

[eyebjim]

Just out past the peninsula (from the corps of engineers campgrounds) and into the larger bay on the main lake you will find humps all over. If you have a H20 with lm map chip it is quite accurate on big sandy (3 ft contours). Find one of these humps and fish 7 to 12 feet deep. I usually use a rig with plain hook and small leach. some time around this time of year the creyfish moult and the fish target them. When that is happening use a orange sinker to simulate the orange creyfish. You will know if they are moulting if you catch any keepable fish. Last year my livewell was full of half digested orange creyfish from a few fish. Most of the fish you catch will be small (9 to 11 inch). There are the occasional 14 to 20 inch but you will have to weed thru the smaller ones. Please let the little ones grow up.

[solocam]

Are the crayfish still thick under the Prairie bridge?

[Big_Jman]

I fished Big Sandy all of last week. The walleyes were tricky, but very catchable. I found them on most points and islands. The tricky part was they were positioned right on the edge of the first drop off. I would drop a lindy rig with a leach, worm, or minnow on the shallow flat. I would then slowly back troll to the edge. It would be common for me to look down at my depth finder and be at eight feet of water, feel a bite and when I looked at the depth finder the boat would be in twelve feet of water. They were positioned right on the edge.

Go slow and keep great boat control and you can limit out in a half day.

good luck

[palisade1kid]

That's a very good tip Big JMan!

[Matt C]

CK - you going to be around BSL Aug 3rd or 4th? I'll be up and have plenty of room in my boat. I'd be happy show ya my Aitkin lake hot spot...if I can make it through the channel :/

[palisade1kid]

I'm always close by I live up here in Palisade.

going out would be fun.

I have been putting the hurt to some nice gators lately and the guys that I've taken there are sorta hooked.

Going there thurs.&sat.

As to next weekend ,no plans have been made yet so it's a possibility.

These fatties are what my spidy sences are dialed into.

That water level is getting low,the river may be a slow go with the motor trimmed high.

What would you be after ? Bass?,Gills?

[Matt C]

If I can make to Aitkin - Bass and Crappies. I have an 18.5 foot Deep V - so if the waters that low....I'm screwed ;( If im stuck on the dead sea...whatever I can find. I've got a few 'flats' to try marked on my GPS for the eyes, and the usual spots for northern. With the water as warm as it is, I may just stay at the bars and drink. At least I can catch bottle bass that way.

We are staying at the corps of engineers campground, we stay there the first weekend in August every year.

My grandma used to have a place at Ole's, so I've been fishing BSL for 20 some odd years.

[powerworm]

Thanks so much for all the info. I'll let you know what happens. Sounds like the walleyes might not be a total lost cause.

[palisade1kid]

No they are there ,but you'll need to work to catch them.

[jb426]

All good advice. Don't forget the red hooks, they are a must!

[Matt C]

Everyone of my poles carries a red hook. How'd we ever fish with out them before.

[eric anderson]

hey ck

whats your trick for cathing the bigger pike on Big Sandy? i usuaully just catch the 3 to 4 pounders. i use rapalas/spoons by the weededge? thanks for any advice

my email is [email protected]

[palisade1kid]

Big baits for big fish.

Fish like you mean it!