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

For the past 5 days or so, I've been targeting walleyes and I must admit, it's been a struggle. Like many have already mentioned, each bite has required a work-out and the bites were not coming regularly for me. In fact, much of this report could tell you where not to fish. But today the "rubber met the road" and I ran into a large school of 'eyes ranging from 13 - 20" that were more than hungry. grin.gif

First and foremost, I have put on a lot of miles and have been fishing bodies of water in the area less traveled. Until today, I was focusing on mid-lake structure with cover, mud to sand shoreline transitions and cover on flats in 4 - 15' of water. Although I was getting fish, it wasn't what I was looking for because of a couple things; 1) the feeding window was too short and 2) lack of size was typical. Today, I switched gears and went to main lake points, steep drop-offs, and gravel to mud transitions. During the day, I was hopping from hole to hole with #3 Salmo Chubby Darters and my Arctic Armor just trying to mark fish, get a look at a lure, anything. I also picked an area to set-up my house and then let it settle down before I hunkered in ~3:30 pm. While I was hole-hopping a transition area, I had several fish come racing into the presentation but then just "knick" it and I could not connect. However, this gave me the feeling that there were fish in the area and my chances would be fair when the sun hit the trees. Wow, was that the case! The walleyes absolutely went nuts from 4:15 pm until I packed up at 6:00 pm. In fact, when I was packing up, I still had fish on my FL-20 and I released two 19" fish on my dead-stick rod. grin.gif While the sun was still up, aggressive jigging took all the fish but when the sun set, then they just wanted the presentation "glowed" and laying almost flat on the bottom. I kept 6 between 14 - 18" for an early lunch tomorrow before heading back to the lake and the rest were released. grin.gif

I'm definitely not going to jump the gun and call this a "pattern" but I'm going to fish this area for 3 - 4 more days and see what unfolds. More details to follow... grin.gif

Here are a few samples of what several looked like...

Bullied by a Buck Shot tongue.gif

winter002fg5.jpg

Looks like dinner grin.gif

winter003py9.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Perfect eaters.Big question is if you looked down the hole and did your famous walleye inhale grin.gifNow that would be another camcorder moment grin.gifWay to go...Great job TO

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jamison,

Great report. This week I hope to get back out, and your report (plus pics) is like throwing gasoline on an open flame. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I took the AA off and turned on the heater while in The Den. Well, when I stepped outside for a couple of quick photos, I was reminded it was winter outside. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spoken like a true "Boy Scout". grin.gif

Good luck in your hunt. It's been an endurance race for me but finally...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fishing continues to be good in the area I located on Friday but I think the fish are starting to figure me out. grin.gif Also, the change in weather and increased recreational traffic on the weekend probably isn't helping either. I have watched the size decline to a 15"er being tyical and they are now almost "belly to the bottom". However, the action is still good and 15 fish can easily be put on the ice if you're on your A-game. I had Ken (FM-Hawkeye43) with me tonight and we put 8 fish on the ice 15 minutes before sun-down and then things slowed to a fish here and there until we packed up at 6:00 pm. Ken kept a handful for a dinner and that's where it ended. Everything else was released for someone else's enjoyment.

Most of the fish were taken on glow Rattlin' Varmints manufactured by JB Lure's, a FM sponsor. These jigging spoons are great. Take a look at them at http://outdoorprostore.com/jb-lures.html, along with many other items sold right here in our very own on-line store.

I think I'm going to fish the area one more time tomorrow unless something else comes up and then "get out of Dodge" and hunt down another area bite. This has been a fun one indeed!

Thanks for coming along tonight Ken. As always, a good time.

Fish, Oil, Batter, Smile

morewinter001fr6.jpg

Two 15"ers count as a 30"er, right? grin.gif

morewinter002yz7.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Change in plans; leaving Spot A and heading to Spot B. Solid tip from some fellow FM'ers. grin.gif

Details to follow...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TO. With the ones we got and the few Matt had I made a quick trip up to that guy I was telling you about. You should have seen the smile on his face, Priceless. cool.gifcool.gifHe wanted to know all details, sorry I spilled my guts to him. shocked.gif I hope that isn't the last walleyes I can get there. I on a mission, now, talk later. blush.gifcool.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When it's for a good cause, go ahead. grin.gif

Nothin' better than happy endings. Give him my best.

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.