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

I recently bought a (new?) Sportsman's Connections map book for the Detroit Lakes & Otter Tail area, 2007 edition. I noticed that quite a bit of the information in the book seamed sort of old. The fish counts and that sort of thing of course are based on what's available but a lot of the commentary just seams out of date. As an example for Boyer Lake they say, "access is a problem. You can get in via a ditch off Highway 10 on the North shore. A property owner on the South shore also lets folks use an unimproved launch from there". WHAT! I have been back in the area ten years now and there has been a decent access in front of the nursing home at least that long. About 5 years ago it was improved and is about as good an access as you will find. It also says Boyer is "rebounding from a kill". If that information is as old as the launch info, what good is it? The cover also advertises GPS grids. I don't see them on the maps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In it's day that book was hard to beat. Today, however is a different story, with lakemaster bathymetric data charts for your GPS, internet access anywhere you get a cell phone signal, etc... The fact that you can get the latest survey info for the lake your fishing on, off of the DNR website on your cell phone browser, while on the lake, is nothing short of astonishing. It would be nice if some of the data was updated in the newer additions. I've got the new copy as well, but to be honest, it collects dust, as I rely on the DNR lakefinder website and my 2007 MN lakemaster SD card for most all of my information.

the book probably has a place with anglers who do not utilize GPS/electronics or the internet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally don't rely on the book to much for accurate information. I agree it is frustrating but at the same time even if it were updated how much can we beleive in those books. I use my all the time for searching out a lake ahead of time. It is not uncommon for us to fish 1-3 different lakes in a day so having a map book is handy in addition to the lakemaster chip in my GPS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end... Lake of the Woods ice fishing is still going strong.  Ice trails and ice roads are doing well.  Some anglers report slush when going off of the roads and creating their own trails.  Good idea to work through your favorite resort and outfitter this time of year.  Ice fishing is still readily available if you want to get out. Both day houses and sleeper houses are out and can be through March 31st.  The forecast ahead has high 30's during the day and teens at night.  Work through a resort or outfitter as they monitor conditions closely on their ice roads. The walleye and sauger season extends through April 14 and the pike season never closes.  Perch, eelpout, tullibees and crappies are also in season. A good week of fishing for some, mixed for others.  Walleyes seem to be moving this time of year.  If you are on them, it is normally good.  The combo of the jigging line and deadstick is working well.  One day they want it moving, the other, the deadstick is the ticket.   Huge pike continue to be active with good reports this week.  Setting up in 5 - 15 feet of water is the depth most anglers are targeting. On the Rainy River...   The morning / evening bite has been best for walleye anglers.  This time of year, extra caution is needed if fishing around moving water.     No open water fishing to report as of yet.  On the Rainy River, ice can go out quickly, only Mother Nature knows.  We will keep you posted. Remember, on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River, catch and release only for walleyes and saugers through April 14th.  The big lake is still open for harvesting walleyes and saugers through April 14th.  Up at the NW Angle... Good walleye and pike reports by anglers this week up at the Angle.   Like the south end, a plain hook or small glow jig with a live minnow has been working well.  Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, big pike and eelpout in the mix. Crappies continue being caught on the Ontario side of the lake amongst the islands.  We recommend using a guide as ice conditions amongst the islands with current and neck down areas, etc.   For those looking to access the NW Angle while avoiding customs, snowmobiling across the lake on the marked trails are in good shape or utilizing the Lake of the Woods Passenger (bombardier) Service keeps you in Minnesota.  During the open water months, boating across or charter boat service is available keeps you out of Canada.  
    • Hookmaster
      Drove out again on Tonka yesterday late afternoon and fished sundown. Six other vehicles on the bay. Ice in great shape. Lost a lot of snow since last Wednesday. Snow melt starting to drain down the access so that'll go first. My hot spot was  still hot but not as many bigger crappie. Had to coax them a little to bite. Still got a 12 (inhaled the jigging spoon), a couple 11s and several 9-10. They were 80-90 feet away from where I caught them last week in 20-22' instead of 18-20' maybe because of the bright sun. Gotta love LiveScope for helping to find them. At 4:24 pm (spring solstice) I thought the fish might start jumping out of the holes or at least go on a ravenous bite, but nothing changed. When all that bit were little bluegill I went looking for the crappie and didn't find them. I did find 2 schools of sunfish. One in 15' that had 7" fish and one in 18' on a ridge between shoreline and a hump that separates 2 deeper holes. Those were 8" average.
    • Wanderer
      I rarely buy live bait in the summer also, with the exception of leeches.  But all of it needs to be kept cool and oxygenated so the bait coolers do prove their value.   You might want to shop around for bait prices though.  Maybe out of the 7 county metro you could call ahead.  I found decoy suckers for $3 each over the winter.
    • gimruis
      Part of my issue with live bait is that it generally results in a higher hooking mortality than artificial does, especially in the heat of summer.  95% of what I catch is intended to be released, so in order to maximize that, it helps to avoid using live bait.  I'm not saying you can't accidentally kill a fish with artificial that is deep hooked, because you certainly can.  But as a general rule, they are more often hooked in the mouth with artificial.   The cost is also ridiculous for some live bait too.  Crappie minnows and waxies aren't bad, but when you start talking shiners, jumbo leeches, and decoy suckers...it gets out of hand quickly.  The last time I bought a big decoy sucker for muskie fishing years ago, they were $14 each.  15 bucks for a dozen shiners and half of them are dead by the time you get to the lake?  Take my left arm too why don't ya.
    • Bloatlord
      End of April is my guess for lakes along the I90 corridor.
    • Rick
      A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.Discuss below - to view set the hook here.
    • leech~~
      Great.  Have to swing by soon to see what they have, then over to Petti Bros for some jerky and sticks!  
    • Dash 1
      Great news. They opened last Wednesday. Sounds like it’s about twice as big. Looking forward to checking it out soon. 
    • Luv2BowHunt
      It was dismissed before court via email correction from enforcement officer Robert Gorecki.
    • Luv2BowHunt
      It was dismissed before court via email correction from enforcement officer Robert Gorecki. 
×
×
  • 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.