Grindstone Lake Fishing Reports

[JBMasterAngler]

Got out there at about 8 AM and was able to last until 1 or so. I walked across the lake to get away from everyone else, the only problem with that was, it put me right in the wind Was kinda' spooky crossing the lake at 1st because the standing water had not frozen solid yet, so I kept thinking I was on very thin ice My auger died after just 1 hole. Luckily I also brought my hand auger, but after 2 holes I was ready to pass out. So needless to say, I didn't cover anywhere near as much ground as I wanted.

Caught 2 dink perch right off the bat. Lost a brown trout when my hook got stuck on the bottom of the ice. Then I lost a really nice rainbow right before I was able to get him out of the water. No more action after that. Tried for lakers for the last hour, but was only marking smelt.

[KG243]

How much ice did you have?

[JBMasterAngler]

Was about 12 inches of solid good ice, even in the middle. And it was really cracking and booming while I was out there. Hopefully I'll get my auger situation figured out and give it another go next saturday.

[JEH_FISH]

We walked across that half-froze standing water as well! A little hair raising the first time you crash through to the real ice!

[mille lacs muskie bum]

JB i was the one that came and fished on either side of you also tryin to get away from the crowd, and also havin auger issues. i scratched out my limit throughout the day but its so tough on the first wknd.

[leech~~]

Did any of you guys see open water like was reported? It may have been hard to notice I guess with all the water on top? I was going to head up there, had the sled, porty and all gear packed and just didn't want to chance the icy roads and fight the wind all day.

Went to the Motorcycle show instead. I think I will be giving it a try next weekend.

[JEH_FISH]

I fished from the center, to the southern part of the lake. No open water that I could see anywhere!

[fish_4_fun]

first time ever fishing trout opener, got there at 7 and did not catch a single trout until 1. I met a couple of guys who were awesome, they are the definition of great fishermen. They shared some wax worms with me and showed me some structures when we were not catching anything. the key is white sand. me and my buddy moved like 10 ft away from where we originally started in the morning and immediately saw results. at the end of the day we caught our limit of rainbows, nothing over 14" and one laker that was lost at the hole.

[MuntzAngling]

A few of us went out to 80 FOW and we ran into active smelt early both days. The schooling smelt in the upper part of the column were the most agressive, but there were consistent stragglers near the bottom. Day 1 missed 1 rainbow just below the ice and at 445 pm I though I was setting into a smelt until it ran to the bottom. 20 minutes later I caught a 26" laker on my lightest rig with 4 lb test. Then it was dark.

[JEH_FISH]

first time ever fishing trout opener, got there at 7 and did not catch a single trout until 1. I met a couple of guys who were awesome, they are the definition of great fishermen. They shared some wax worms with me and showed me some structures when we were not catching anything. the key is white sand. me and my buddy moved like 10 ft away from where we originally started in the morning and immediately saw results. at the end of the day we caught our limit of rainbows, nothing over 14" and one laker that was lost at the hole.

Hmm, I may have been the guy next to you early AM...? I did share a small handfull of worms with someone, glad to hear that you got into some trout!!!

[leech~~]

A few of us went out to 80 FOW and we ran into active smelt early both days. The schooling smelt in the upper part of the column were the most agressive, but there were consistent stragglers near the bottom. Day 1 missed 1 rainbow just below the ice and at 445 pm I though I was setting into a smelt until it ran to the bottom. 20 minutes later I caught a 26" laker on my lightest rig with 4 lb test. Then it was dark.

SS, good to hear you tied into a nice one. Were you still in 80' when he hit? Also how far under the ice were you when your Rainbow hit? I keep hearing people say they get them right under the ice out deep and I have tried a few times but have never gotton one in deep water right under the ice?

[JBMasterAngler]

mille lacs muskie bum...nice, I ended up fishing a few of your holes then. Did you happen to see me slip and get some hang time while running after my dead stick (rainbow trout)? I was laughing at myself for about 20 minutes on that one.

The 1 deep hole I drilled (90 ft), I was marking smelt at all kinds of different depths. But they would only attack my big lindy jig with minnow, when I actually targeted them with a small jig and euros, they wouldn't touch it

I would've liked to have stayed out there all day...my mind was willing, but my body just couldn't take the cold anymore I'll be back out there this saturday. Just out of curiosity, did anyone catch any brown trout?

[HillJer2733]

I am all about helping other fisherman, but it usually comes in the form of techniques and tips. I only tell close friends and family lake names. I am posting on this topic because It is really sad to see that a certain fisherman involved in this topic will be the direct result of why this lake that used to be so quiet will now be the "go to" lake for everyone and their grandmother litterally. Thanks for that, but oh well it is not the first time this has happened so "Fish On". In a couple years when you rarely see a trout in this lake you can thank those who started this thread.

[leech~~]

HillJer, Welcome to the HSO forum. If you do a search of Grindstone lake you will see that the cat has been out of the bag for years and many of us have fished it for a long time. I am planing to be up there this Sat since I missed the opener. I only hit it a few times a winter but it is fun to try and get a few of the small Lakers out of it.

[Big Dave2]

I am all about helping other fisherman, but it usually comes in the form of techniques and tips. I only tell close friends and family lake names. I am posting on this topic because It is really sad to see that a certain fisherman involved in this topic will be the direct result of why this lake that used to be so quiet will now be the "go to" lake for everyone and their grandmother litterally. Thanks for that, but oh well it is not the first time this has happened so "Fish On". In a couple years when you rarely see a trout in this lake you can thank those who started this thread.

This thread is like 4 years old already.

[sheephead2]

HillJer2733

Not everybody keeps fish .

I just like catching them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last weekend I did not even do that.

[fish_4_fun]

Hmm, I may have been the guy next to you early AM...? I did share a small handfull of worms with someone, glad to hear that you got into some trout!!!

it might of been, it was me and my cousin, we were in the orange otter, and we moved like ten feet away from where we started to get into the action. either way thanks for helping out each other on the lake.

[rough_rider]

How's the ice thickness or in other words, are people driving out yet?

LOL @ the bitter guy who posted as if Grindstone was this secret lake and it is now doomed because two strangers were nice to each other and exchanged waxworms.

[Tullies]

SSSSH...it is a secret lake. Don't tell anyone. Not even your friends and family. That's how the word got out.

[Barbelboy]

Hmmmm, I posted this a little while ago.

Quote:

Wow.

1070 posts about a single medium sized central minnesota lake.

Upper red lake has 1200 (one of the most dynamic walleye fisheries in the state)

Winnie has 1008 (a fantastic northern mn walleye and perch fishery)

Mille lacs has 2150 (one of MN iconic walleye lakes and virtually 100% developed)

Leech a paltry 427

Vermilion a pitiful 333

(gem of the north, a beautiful rugged canadian shield lake with cabins as far as the eye can see and a walleye and musky fishery that is second to none)

Even the mighty lake of the woods only tops grindstone by 400 at 1493 posts.

Grindstone is an incredible lake. Clear, deep, beautiful and gifted with a unique fishery not found for hundreds miles in any direction. But why so many posts for a single 530 acre lake with a difficult landing and a fishery that at times is a cruel mistress that leaves us scratching our collective heads?

I love this webisite. I spend far too much time here looking at what my wife has dubbed "fish porn". It has been an invaluable source of information to me for many adventures all across the state. But so many posts about this lake makes me wary.

Please don't take this as a "don't come to my lake post!" Because it is not. I simply urge everyone who wants to enjoy this beautiful lake to be respectful while on the lake, don't litter, be very vigilant about invasive species,

To also make a point look at the number of views this thread has. Almost 500,000!

Let's be honest. It's not that good of a fishery. If it was like Upper Red and pumped out walleyes I could understand the interest. It also has lousy public access. Often too shallow in the summer for many boats and requiring tresspassing during the winter months. And yes, those of you gaining access by the red barn or the south end of the lake are tresspassing.

So why so many posts and views?

Nobody on this forum can possible think this lake would see this much interest without the internet. So I'll requote what I said above.

"I simply urge everyone who wants to enjoy this beautiful lake to be respectful while on the lake, don't litter, be very vigilant about invasive species"

[rough_rider]

With that....can someone refresh my memory on where to access during hardwater season? I only been there once and can vaguely remember. Going north on W. Grindstone Rd, will this "red barn" access be fairly obvious? Is it on the west or more northwest side of the lake? I'm only interested in the invasive, nonregulated smelt.

[DonBo]

I am all about helping other fisherman, but it usually comes in the form of techniques and tips. I only tell close friends and family lake names. I am posting on this topic because It is really sad to see that a certain fisherman involved in this topic will be the direct result of why this lake that used to be so quiet will now be the "go to" lake for everyone and their grandmother litterally. Thanks for that, but oh well it is not the first time this has happened so "Fish On". In a couple years when you rarely see a trout in this lake you can thank those who started this thread.

This site is based on good up to the minute fishing reports ya know. Isn't that why you're checking here in the first place? If you don't want to know what's happening on any given lake, there's plenty of other sites you can look too.

[blainards]

Speaking of frustrating lake was out there just about all day and couldn't buy a laker. Whats the trick in the winter for these guys? Never had much if a problem with bows buyt the lakers elude me.

[247outdoors]

Speaking of frustrating lake was out there just about all day and couldn't buy a laker. Whats the trick in the winter for these guys? Never had much if a problem with bows buyt the lakers elude me.

Drill lots of holes from 30 feet down to 10 feet, move around and maybe you might be lucky, it works for me.

[HillJer2733]

I admit I was speaking out of frustration and selfishness last night. I know this thread has been around for 4 years now because I started fishing it in 07. 08 and on I started seeing steady traffic coming up year after year. It used to be really good and at times will still have its moments but the size isn't anywhere what it used to be. Again.....it is what it is. There are a lot of other lakes out there and I have already found other trout lakes so like I said before....."Fish On". Have fun and be safe.

[leech~~]

Speaking of frustrating lake was out there just about all day and couldn't buy a laker. Whats the trick in the winter for these guys? Never had much if a problem with bows buyt the lakers elude me.

I have fished this lake during the winter for years. Like others have said. To me it's not that it's that great of a lake for fishing. It's just knowing that there are some other fish in it like the odd Laker that you can't get unless you drive up to Ely or the Gunflint area. I fish for Walleye most of the winter but waste a few weekends a winter trying for that odd Laker or Rainbow.

[HillJer2733]

Don Bo... I looked at this thread because it is a lake I used to fish quite a bit so I was curious, but you are right...from here on out I will be checking other threads. Good Fishing..

[JBMasterAngler]

Well, if it makes anyone who cares feel better, I found out this lake had trout in it, and fished it for the 1st time before the internet was invented The last several times I've fished this lake in the fall, I've just about had the lake to myself. Infact, fishing it on the opener the other day was the only time I've ever seen more than a handful of people on the lake over the last few years.

I'm willing to bet the number of people out there this saturday will be alot less than what was out there last week.

[leech~~]

Well since speaking about people out there. Since Rindhard1 doesn't seem to be around these parts much. Is anyone up for GrindStone GTG this year at all?

I'm not saying I'm setting one up just asking at this point.

[fish_4_fun]

aside from the smelt, these trout are really picky, I dont think you have to worry about anyone fishing them all out. like myself there are many out there who dont know what they are doing. if it was not for the help of some good guys I probably wont even see a single fish. and besides they stock this lake with trout, its not like they naturally spawn anyway, even if they do spawn its very minimal.