Lake Ida

[Barnster56]

Just wondering if anyones been out on the lake and how they did?

Was thinking of heading out these evening.

[Barnster56]

Well, Went out this evening and fished the north west bay. Not much to report, catch a few small sunnies and one 2 lb northern.

I talk to a few guys out there that had tip ups out and they too only managed a few small northerns.At least it was nice to get on a lake were there was a lot of traffic.

[fishgutz77]

The crappies have been going from sunset to 10 at night but are very scattered and holding in the good weeds that are still there in 10 and 12 fow. you can pick off a few but schools are small and scattered. If you want bigger northerns check out the big bar in the middle of the lake. use a camera or vex to find the weed line and set right on it. there are still some 10lb+ fish in the lake with an occasional one over 15# I live on the lake and have only caught 1 walleye it was 27 in. about 10 yrs ago.

[Barnster56]

WoW Thanks fishgutz, I heard there were pike in Ida, but not that big. I work nights so I only get out in the AM. Hey, just down the road is Birch Lake. I seen a couple Houses and trucks out there too ... any reports??

[bassphish2005]

If you bring a big scoop shovel,get some of them sunchip size sunfish out of the lake,[kidding about the shovel] I have fished Ida for 20+ years and love the clear water and interesting weedlines,it is a pretty little lake.

[Beeker]

Hey, I'm new to this area and have fished Ida a few times in the summer and once during early ice. I setup on the south side of the sunken island and was able to catch a few 22" northerns and 1 13" bass. I had to leave before sundown though so I missed out on the possible crappie bite.

I finally convinced my wife to come out with me this Saturday and try it but I want a pretty good chance to get her on some crappie. I was thinking about the east side of that sunken island in about 15 feet of water. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help.

[Dog_Fish]

I was on Ida Saturday night caught about 12 crappies in 5 or 6 hours, all but 2 fish were betwen 9 and 11 inches. The fish were on the finder all night just tight lipped. I was in 18 FOW about 200 yards SW of access.

[Capt'nMorgan]

I was out there last winter and saw all kinds of little pike, no size to them, what are the chances of catching a desent one?

[fishgutz77]

two years ago I saw 2 just over 10 lbs and one that was 12.5 lbs speared and caught on the last saturday of the season. the two speared were on the north side and the 12+ was on the big bar in the middle. the big pike are there they just go very early or late or at night because the water is so clear and they can be fussy cause there's no shortage of food. same with the crappies they always seem to be light biters in the clear water. The crappies are just starting to come back due to a beating they took about 6 years ago. I was speed trolling in the summer and craned one up to the pontoon that was 38"(northern) I wish people would keep a few of the 20-22' pike the lake has a few to many of these in it. as for the sunnies running small they do but the big ones are in there they are shy and deep 18-30 fow. the big sunnies even nest deep I've seen beds 12' deep. last spring I spotted a small school of crappies that all were over 12" and some much larger on beds but wouldn't touch a jig. Dick Bakke holds the lake record at 17"s for crappie that I know of. If your going to get into the big ones it most likely will be a late night bite 10-12pm small crappie minnows and pink jigs work best for me. remember the lake is still on the rebound so be a good sportman and it will produce for years. good luck

[bassphish2005]

I have seen the potential of this lake over the many years I have been fishing it,all litttle more C&R on the larger fish is the best thing too do.