89Bronco R U There

[Neiko]

We are heading up to Franklin next weekend and were wondering if you have been there yet or are going. There are a few lakes we want to try and hit but there are so many to choose from.

[89Bronco]

Sorry, Neiko, I have not been to Franklin for a couple of years now. A group of us hit Marion last winter, and did OK on pike, but nothing on walleyes. I was on Pauline (off the Echo Trail) a couple of times during open water season. Did really well once but nothing the second time.

I've been reading this thread---ice fishing advice---with interest (and envy). I might get a chance to hit those lakes during Christmas break, but no sooner.

[Neiko]

Have you ever fished Echo lake? I checked the netting report done last year and it looks good for walleyes but can't seem to find anyone who ice fishes it.

[89Bronco]

No, never have fished Echo, summer or winter. That's another on my list to try. I've never fished Jeanette either for that matter. So many lakes and so little time!

[ttthunder]

Echo has some good crappie fishing in the summer, but 2 times i tried it on ice ..got the big -0-

[slabbing_10]

Echo is a good ice fishing lake you get some big pike out there and some nice 14+inch slabs try the point before the picket river on the east side of the lake put your tip ups in about 6to8 feet then put your shack out in10-12 and jig for the craps. Not to many people fish it in the winter. If ya don't catch em there talk to tom at trails end resort he's good at giving ya a spot or two.

[Neiko]

Where would a guy go to catch some walleyes on the lake? Also where is the Public Access located?

[slabbing_10]

The public access is on the southeast side of the lake take the echo trail from the buyck end about three miles down take a left can't miss it. As for as the eyes go you will get em off that same point also. But at the north end there's a lot of dead heads submerged hard to find in winter but there in the middle of the lake just before you get into the north bay that's a great spot if you can find the timber.

[89Bronco]

Neiko...How was your trip? Is there a ton of snow up there, or could a guy get around fairly easily. Could you drive down the road to get to Marion/Franklin at all?

[Neiko]

It was ugly. The road was plowed from Crane to the T. Towards Marion it went as far as I could see from there. We headed to Franklin and it stopped at the Snowmobile trail but there was tracks going so it wasn't that bad. Got to the parking spot and the battery on the snowmobile was frozen. My buddy's truck said -22 so we warmed it in the truck for 20-25 minutes. I rode the snowmobile to the lake and my buddy drilled a hole. There was probably 6 inches of good ice then some slush and snow. We set up and I had the camera down there. Had a few perch come in but they were not biting. I had a small northern shoot across the screen and grab my bait. For Franklin we caught maybe 3 perch and that little northern. I think the cold weather shut them down. As for snow amounts there isn't too much where we couldn't get around in a vehicle. You could get a wheeler back there but on the lake it could get dicey with the slush/snow. Our tracks probably froze up so that would help. If they get any decent amount of snow upthere it is really going to limit the ice production. I just hope the big lakes get enough for safe travel with the snowmobile.