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

Finally got out for the 1st time sat. afternoon and got my first walleyes of the season. 4 total, a 15" and a 17 1/2", with 2 smaller ones that went back. Marked a few others and had one more bigger one on for an instant, but it got off. Felt good to get out again! Anyone else have any luck? The ice where I was at was nearly 10".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah we had 10 inches of ice where we were at too! We all so did real good on the eyes last night too! We caught 11 eyes from 14" up to almost 23". We took 6 of the smaller keeper ones home to eat. All and all a pretty good night of fishing for 3 guy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Delta, you had a much better day than I. But walleyes is walleyes, no matter how many, right? I was on the east end. With the cold fronts and lows moving thru the last few days I figured I try a little deeper than the norm. Between 9' and 10'. Got 2 the smaller ones in the first 20 minutes, then waited a long time with out a bite or marking anything. Just about ready to move, then I missed one of pretty good size. So I decided to stick it out where I was at. Got the 2 keepers right before it was to dark to see. All I had along was my head lamp, forgot the lantern at home, so I picked up arounf 5:30. Heading out again this afternoon. Think I will hit the same area. Not alot of houses. If your out on the east end, stop by. I have a fish trap guide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your right about that, eyes are eyes! We did end up fishing a little deeper than I usually do. We found some new structure that we are going to try for a while unless people start to pour in on us! We were fishing 6-9 fow and the bit didn't really start until 530 and last eye caught was around 1030. I'm going to stay home and watch the vikes today but looking to get out there sometime this week and then on Friday!! Got plans with the wife and kids this weekend, so I'm going to have to give the eyes a break this weekend!! Good luck this afternoon!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Delta, not as good sunday. Marked a few, but they didn't want what I was giving them. Thru several different things at them, but they said NO!

I'm thinking of putting the new perm house out later this week or the weekend. Not sure exactly where out there yet thou. May just stay on the east end, away from the crowd on the west. Looked like a zoo when I drove by sunday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't always catch'em. Where exactly are you fising on the east end? I really don't fish down in the SE area of the lake. I mainly fishing the long narrow part from the beach up to and past gieger landing. The lures that have been working pretty good have been pink moon glows and fat boy with a red glow. Size really hasn't been a factor. I would love to help you out on where a good spot to put your house but like I said I really don't fish that area a whole lot! But if you choose to change to the narrow part of the lake let me know and hopefully I can help you out a little! Otherwise just shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been fishing near the landing by the dam/spillway so far this year. In the past have had good luck there and up both shores from the south landing. And on the points across from the co. park as well.

I have fished the west end a few times, but have not spent alot of time over there. I just like to stay away from the crowds. And it can get crowded over there.

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Always open to learning more about that lake and catching more fish!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only thing with the NW end is that there are a lot people in those area's, but most of them are right near the landings. Just think about that for once and think about how much water or ice is untouched due to the fact that people hate to change their ways and stay to the usual spots! Now that the ice is almost ready to drive on, sense I don't have a wheeler or sled. I'm not sure you have one of those or not. But what I would do is go out early in the morning, on a nicer day, and pick an area and drill holes. Find the dredge line and follow it or start by some of the other points on the lake and drill a bunch of holes and try to make a mental picture of what the bottom lookes like. It doesn't take a whole lot of change in a dredge line for the eyes to focus in on a spot! Right there in its self is why I feel I have been successful on hanksa. Just trying different area's that I usually don't see any house at!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Delta, I wish there was a lake map of the west half of the lake. Atleast then a person could narrow ones focus a bit. I do have a copy of an old map of the east end. I believe it was the guide map for the dredge, so I don't know how accurately it was followed. But it is reasonably close. It is not complete thou. It does not have any of the dredged areas west of the channel by the co park. If you want, I can get you a copy.

That is part of the reason why I have mainly focused that end. I'm not going in totally blind. I would love to learn and understand the west end more. If you want to continue with more conversation I would be glad to e-mail or meet you for more details.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fishingguy- I would like to see that map that you have, if you can e-mail it to me, that would be great. Cause at that point I could give you a better picture of what is out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Deltahunter, the rest of the lake can be very good, we had a good night out there last weekend after a long walk, also just getting away from the crowds makes a huge differnce. We need to get out there again sometime and hopefully do better than our trip last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is starting to sound like a "date". I've been talking to Josh quite a bit lately about the same thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rat, I know that there are a lot of spots out there that are also good and there are some that aren't even touch! I guess what I was say in my last post was that I wanted to see what the map Fishingguy had. Then if it was different then the ones that I have seen I would like to have gotten a copy. But if wasn't different I was just going to tell him what I know and what has worked for me! That would be great to get out there again with you sometime! I'm heading out there tomorrow morning since I got the day off. I will post results afterwards!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Delta, as I mentioned in my e-mail, and for others wanting a copy. Mitch at twin rivers burned some copies and if you want one you can get it from him. Or let me know and I can get you a copy. Again not sure how pin point accurate it is. I'm guessing that many of the extreme breaks have settled and softened some since the dredging was done, but it is reasonably close.

It looks like sunday is a go, if you still plan on hitting godahl Josh. My 4 wheeler will be ready by them as well, if you want to go on a longer run somewhere. Let me know and I can bring it along. Thanks again!

Riverrat, I have to work sat, morning, but am hoping to get done by 1 or 2. And hit the lake by 3 or so. Was planning on going up the west shore by the dam access, and try a spot with some structure I've had luck on in the past. Will be in a fish trap guide, a few 100 yds up that west shoreline.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Almost forgot. A guy I work with had his perm out on the point accross from the swimmming beach. Moved it to the north side just west of the channel and ran into 2 different spots of slush as he was moving it with his 4 wheeler. Drilled holes, and found only 5" to 6" under the slush. So there still are a few iffy spots out there yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This weekend won't work for me, we are having christmas at my house saterday and sunday I am taking my girlfriend out fishing, still don't know if thats a good idea....anyways,I go on break next week and then have a month to hit the ice, we will need to make something work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well went out this afternoon into tonight. It was a pretty slow night, ended up catch 2 around 15". Mark a far amount of fish but just didn't seem to interested. On Sunday my dad and I are planning on hitting Godahl landing again. We will probably drive out to our spot! Given that tonight everwhere I drilled had good solid clear 12"+ of ice. We did drive out tonight but in a smaller truck. If anyone on here is in the area look for a Black GMC Sierra and a fish trap yukon, that would be us! I noticed tonight that their is alot of truck traffic at gieger landing and some other than me and my buddies traffic at Godahl landing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Delta,Did you happen to auger any holes where the drifts were?I checked Godahl yesterday, thought cool 12 in. until I checked under some of the bigger snow drifts!!Surprise slush and 4 - 5 in. of ice!! Just don't want anyone to get wet or worse.This was near the red v-front off the point!! good luck!! Jigster

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tried it sat. afternoon for a few hours after I got off work. went up the west shore of the south bay. I had found a small piece of structure that I had fished in the past, never really had much for results. But I was running late so I figured I'd try it. Had action on the flasher most of the day. Many came in checked out my bait, then left with out taking it. But I did manage to snag a few, and a mixed bag at that. 3 walleyes, 2 keepers, 2 crappies, a 9" and a 10", a near 11" perch, and a bass about 2lbs that went back. Alot of action so I didn't get bored!

Torn on where to go today, meet Delta or go back and hit that same spot again. I will decide later in te morning. Decisions decisions! hehe! tongue.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out tonight with no eyes caught but did manage to catch acouple of gills. I have been fishing west of Godahl landing and all the ice is 12"-13" even by the drifts, I take that back. There is a drift right by the landing that had some slush around it but that was all that I notice. Alot more house make there way out there at Godahl. Alot more traffic than I like to deal with. But most of the house are within 40yds of the landing with one huge house that looks to be +20ft long. There is one other house that is out in deeper water which is going to have to be moved probably soon, because it is set up in the aerator area! I might just have start looking at make my next move. I would really like to get out there and spend all day out there and spend some time looking for some new structure, but time is becoming hard to find!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.