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  • CrappiesNCats

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I havent caught an eye in the last four nights out. lastnight I caught a nice cat, but well see what happens. I think this funky weather is messing with the feeding patterns. also now that the spawn is over the walleyes are going to be tougher to catch. I dont think my tactics will work any more. I think that a more finesse presentation will be catching fish. If I get out this weekend im going to try pullling some bottom bouncers with spinners, and poss some cranks

You might want to actually try a different lake in the area other than Albert Lea lake or the channel for the time being, try some trolling.

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im gonna head up to waterville tmrw. im going to chase some pike-well try to. I got some nice suckers and hoping that theyll like em, Im going to try and find some 6-8" shinners if I can and throw them under a cork, and get some color, im lookin kinda ghostly. this morning I pulled some spinners near the point on the main lake,and back by the state park. Threw some cranks around the pillings on the bridge. at 6:15 this morn I got a 22", but as always c+r. off by 9:00 for family time. tmrw fistin day!

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22" is a nice one lunge! I also tried Albert Lea Saturday night with no success, did see 2 walleyes caught while I was out there. Good luck up around waterville

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Have been out there acouple times with limited success. Not like last year by any means. Anyone else catching?

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I have heard a TON of reports regarding that fishery since opener and not 1 has been too impressive. I haven't been able to get out & play anywhere for quite awhile but I keep in close contact with some friends. It sounds like it's been kind of a challenging start of the season. Not only there but many other fisheries too.

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I was out on May 29th from 7:00 to 9:15 and caught 3 fish and lost 2. I would call that a good night.

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ive been out a bunch since open, and cant say ive had much luck- one or to if im lucky, but I have had some good luck with channel cats, ive been using large suckers from maynerds, like 6-8" under a cork, and whammo- and a small pike on a sucker, but in the past 8 times out I think ive caught 7 fish, and many of those days were skunks. Ive been out on the lake in the boat once and picked up a 22" on a crawler harness, but it took all day to catch it- from the looks of it the bullheads are out in full force, down on the shellrock below the dam threre are tons in big schools, along with those pesky [PoorWordUsage]- yesterday I was up in waterville and had an awsome day, plus got my dad out in the boat.

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Have been out about every third day or so with some luck but not like last year.Was out Sunday caught 3(25",15",15")nice fish,big one went back other 2 fed the kids,took the boy last night 7pm or so and took 4 home for the grill(19,17 15,15,),using slip bobber & leeches,raps on bottom bouncers, have had best luck away from the crowds.Will be out there this weekend after kids baseball tourny for some action hopefully,its only gonna get better is my 2 cents,GOOD LUCK!!

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We were fishing last Friday afternoon trolling and were picking up a fish here an there when I noticed my battery voltage getting low. We cruised around for a little while trying to get a charge. Well the electronics went out at about 8.5V. We thought we would fish a little while longer when the engine quit. We quickly switched to the troling motor battery only to find we were out of gas also. There happend to be two guys fishing about 100 yards away and I think they were expecting a hail from us. Anyway they came over right away and we threw them our line just before hitting the shoreline. I would like to thank them again for the help...they saved us a lot of hassle. I have towed people in before...it was kind of hard to do a couple times cause fish were biting. Moral of the story is you never know when YOU are going to need a hand so be kind and help your fellow fisherman. Thanks again guys!!!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

It's mud pit, with no stucture, and fish that are full of heavy metals. I'd rather not fish, than fish that lake no matter how many fry the DNR drop in it each year.

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I like to see posts like this because maybe some people will read it and choose another lake.grin But if you want to know the facts, go look up the DNR lake consumption data and you will see that it is the same as Mille Lac and better than Tetonka and others in S. Minnesota. It also has a State Park on it and scenery that rivals many!

Rather eat walleye than shiny bullheads any day of the week!!!

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Catch and release is always an option, as is choosing a differnt lake. If Albert Lea isn't your lake of choice then don't go there, but others really like the lake and have great sucess on it.

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what do ya mean by the fish being full of "heavy metal" Metallica or what ....lol, I for one like Al Lake and just had a fishfry Sat. Let me tell you.... GOOD EATS !!.....caaaall meeeee

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  • 3 months later...

I am heading to Albert lea lake this weekend with my three boys all under 14yrs if the weather allows us. They (and I) would like to catch some nice eater size walleye. Can anyone tell me any good areas to start and what has been working. I read the post about nightcrawlers and I wondered if it was still pertinent for Albert Lea. Any general or specific spots where we could pick up a few eaters would be appreciated. Thanks

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i'd fish from shore near the dam in town. live bait will get you some with patience, but you are going to sort through a lot of carp/bullheads to get them. there hasn't been quite as many people down there recently, but i'd give it a try.

or find some rip rap shore on fountain or fish the moving water on fountain (road bridges).

good luck. i'd cast raps and salmo hornets, but there should be enough live bait action to keep kids occupied.

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Thanks, if we try the cranks is there any color(s) that have been working? what depth have the walleye been in recently? Thanks

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Thanks, if we try the cranks is there any color(s) that have been working? what depth have the walleye been in recently? Thanks

the lakes max about 8 feet with most water 5-6. the walleyes at the dam have seen everything, the odder the better.

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The max depth of the whole lake is only 8 feet? I have never fished this lake before I had no idea. I live near des moines and i was driving up to fish saturday. I have driven by the lake many times and thought it looked like a nice place to fish. Is there any other lakes that are good walleye lakes close to this area? I have both a MN and IA fishing license. If the lake is a good one to fish walleye I guess even though it is shallow I would give it a try. Thanks

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No, lots of shallow lakes have great walleye populations and bites in the area right now. It just takes a differnt type of fishing to get them!

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I checked the lake out on the lakefinder and it says it's max depth is only 5.5 ft eek

Test nets showed good numbers of walleye and crappie...is this a good lake to hit on early ice? Worth the drive down from the cities?

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IMO No it isn't worth the drive down, tons of pressure usually and while there is definatly fish caught you'd be better off heading elsewhere in the area for early ice.

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Albert Lea Lake is just a little differant than what most are use to.

I personally have enjoyed great action over the last few years.

You just have to adjust your thinking and presentations in a shallow lake.

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