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.

Grindstone Lake Fishing Reports


Recommended Posts

I'm heading back to The Grind on Monday. I'm hoping to get there before first light and get that sunrise pic. Not to mention a few 'bows and another crack at the "what ever it was" that I hooked.

Any water level / fishing reports between now and sunday night would be greatly appreciated. As well as a location to bag a few smelt. wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i will let you know before monday plus if i get into anything. i put on brand new line for the bass and pike. i dont know how deep your downrigger was but i still think your monster was a brown, laker, or pike. i hope you get that other chance at it. i will try for trout for awhile but the guy's i'm bringing up there want to basicly fish for bass and pike. later in the day i may see if the crappies are active for a meal. i have 0 fillets at home. as far as smelt, the only time i fish for them is on hard water. they are easy to locate at that time and fairly easy to catch as well. that's the time to stock up on them. the smaller ones for deep frying and the bigger one's to brine and smoke. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

sunday i went out on the grind with a couple of "young guns" who wanted to fish bass. we had luck early in the day and spinnerbaits is what they wanted. yellow was the color of the day. a variety of baits were used but spinnerbaits seemed to do the trick. action slowed down in the middle of the day and things picked up again in the afternoon. lost some nice ones by the boat and one large fish just wanted to go in one direction in about 8 feet of water with the spinnerbait getting loose on the run. must have been lightly hooked. seen two large pike in 3 feet of water just lazily swimming and not interested in anything we had. seen plenty of fish suspended over deep water and clouds of smelt as well. lot of panfish in the shallows. i know next year during the summer i will have two downriggers on my boat and spend a good portion of the day trolling for suspended fish. sunday was a day for bass, for that's what the young guns wanted. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

reinhard, you have my curiousity pinged. i love clearwater bass & pike. would you say grindstone is a numbers lake with a chance at a big 'un or lower density with a bigger average? also, did you try any plastics for the smallies? i would think that lake is a prime candidate for deep-water plastics...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

that is an interesting question. it would be easy for me to say both numbers and size are present which i believe is true. i try to be as honest as i can about this lake and not give anyone an overy optimistic view of this lake at the same time.

first of all i will say we tried spinnerbaits [yellow head,yellow skirt and a chartruse plastic addition] crankbaits, mepps spinners with bucktail, and wacky worm presentations. spinnerbaits just like the last trip seemed to do better and was more consistant.

as far as smallmouth, i have a picture of my daughter sitting on my lap holding a 4 pound smallie when she was 6 years old. she is now 36. there used to be a campground on the west end many years ago. i have cought smallies over the years anchored in the shade in the west end [escaping the hot sun] simply using a slip sinker and air injected crawler. smallmouth are numerous in my opinion and i know personaly of two 6 pounders taken from there [and released]. also if you look at earlier threads a diver who contacted me about the lake seen the biggest smallie of his life near one of the cribs located in the lake.

smallies were never stocked in the lake and are doing just fine in my opinion. i lost my personal best there the last time out with my wife. i'm not the best bass fisherman around and catch more by accident than on purpose. the last two outings, one with my wife and sunday with the young guns were the only time i spent the entire day [most of it] on bass. all game fish in that lake has numbers of large fish in there. the key is the plentiful forage in the lake and especialy the smelt.

there was a time when the dnr actualy tried to net large pike and transfer them to different waters by setting traps where the stream and small creek come in early in the year. they gave that up for a number of reasons including the cost. there are spear shack on the lake every year. sometimes it may be a good idea to talk to one of those guys when your on hard water there. they also see large trout including the pike.

i could tell you some stories about the pike i have seen there and lost but it would just be a fish story with no proof. i fish this lake because it has become an addiction for me. the challenge is there, the fish are there, but many anglers come there once and give up. sunday i saw maby 5 boats and two of those were people enjoying the lake water skiing who live on the lake and locals enjoying the lakes south end swimming oppertunities.

this is not a lake where you just go out and have fantastic results. i have had those days for i fished this lake for over 40 years. i have been skunked and frustrated many times. if you think your the best fisherman around you may be surprised at having some new learning experiences comming your way in this lake.

this is a deep lake with much forage.

i think plastics would work well here. i'm not good at plastics as most bass fishermen are, but one of the young guns had some luck with that wacky worm thing. i stuck with the yellow double colorado blade spinner bait the whole day for i cought two nice smallies early in the day back to back. i think as fall approaches and the watter getting colder as it looks like this week to beging, the shallows will bring more opertunities for a large bass or pike. october is also a good month for trout near the surface and crappies comming in near the weedlines for the fall feeding.

i'm looking forward to hard water which i enjoy the best. but that's another story. one thing i ask everyone to do is realease the large predators, they play an important role in any lake. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks for the info! i dont expect to line em up every time i go out, but i think i have enough tricks in the bag to put a few in the boat most days. and as far as cpr goes, i release all the bass i catch & pike over 7lbs, but if a 4-7lb pike or eater trout comes in the boat its going on the grill!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

grindstone is a put and take trout lake for the most part so it's always nice to take a few home for a meal. the lake trout do have some natural reproduction but it is very limited so they also get stocked as well. i also agree it is a good idea to keep some pike as you say. the grind used to be only stocked once a year with rainbows, but now it's twice a year due to the increased popularity of hard water trout. you would be surprised how many people fish this lake on hard water just for smelt. one area of the lake in the ice season is known as the "smelt Hole" just for that reason. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well... The Grind won this round. My girlfriend and I threw everything we had at them (trout) and got blanked. We had four releases and only one taker which spit the spoon on it's initial run. The only fish IN the boat was a bold little smelt that had quite the attitude by hitting a trout spoon about as big as he was. Should have got a picture!! (as he slaps his forehead!)

Oh yes... They were there. The Humminbird told the tale. Even saw a few of the classic bait cloud with the hunters below. Still... NADA.

The weather was outstanding! Nice sunshine and a half naked G.F. on my casting deck soaking up rays. grin A few more fish... ANY fish would have been a nice touch. All things considered, not a bad way to spend a monday.

We're not done yet folks... There's time left in the season to crack this nut.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well as you can tell sometimes the cards are stacked against you. i'm glad you and the girlfriend got a chance to enjoy a great day in september. i will be back before hard water for sure. the smelt are amazing little fish and a great meal to have as well. october is a good month to be out there when the water cools down and you get a more "fair" playing field. only thing is there wont be much time for taking in the sun in the swim gear grin. thanks for the report. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Looking to head back to Grindstone. Anyone been out lately? How's the water level in the creek? The last time out, it was a bit skinny and my kicker prop has the scuffs to prove it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i haven't been back lately, too many family functions lately. hopefully someone can give you a report soon. Have you tried the electric motor to get out of there? when i went the last time after you did i had the 115 merc in the water just enough to get the water circulating. it took a little more time but made it out no problems. i think now and october will be good out there with the colder water. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have returned! Unfortunately I can not give a water level report anytime soon, I can try and make a few phone calls. I ended up moving back to the north metro for work, have been super busy between the ambulance and how dry it has been with the fall fire season. Next time i hear something I will keep in touch back

Kettle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kettle, you're practicaly my neighbor!!Great news. we will have to hook up for hard water this year if you need a fishing partner. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As of Saturday, the landing was still pretty low. I had a difficult time getting out with my 18' but was finally able to make it. You have to stay to the left on the way out...

Fishing was okay. We got into some pike just outside of some of the weedlines, and had a few smallies hit as well. I also bumped into someone at the landing that swore they had a walleye on that was lost as they got it to the boat. I had heard, maybe on here, that there have been some walleye caught in there. Coming in from the river?

I have a feeling it's going to take quite a bit of rain to get the landing up. Might have been the last time for me out there until hard water hits...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks Hunter, realy appreciate that report. i dont remember if i gave you my number when we had a PM conversation, but if i didn't please PM me and we can talk about upcomming days out there.

i gave a lenghthy post regarding walley's in the grind. in over 40 years of fishing i have never caught one. as i said before i have used every presentation in the book fishing this lake and have never seen one. if one wants they can go back a page or two and read that post. could that person have had a walley on? nothing is imposible in any body of water.

Hunter your learning that landing well. it is a good idea to stay in the middle of the landing at the very beginning but then to steer to the left of center as you exit the lake. there is a small sandy underwater point as you leave the landing prior to getting to the lake on the right side. i also will be there on hard water next time around although october is a good time to be out there. more family activities and firearms prep works ahead this month. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Of all the lakes I have fished in MN, this one is top 10 all time and probably top 5.

Hopefully my schedule will mellow out after the first week of November and I will get some ice time in with you guys in Jan for trout. I need to get a portable and a better auger as well but that's what overtime money is for.

If I am around in Jan for the GTG I think I will probably shoot over if no one minds?

Kyle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

please come!!! hey, if you need some holes drilled, you can use my power auger. i also have an extra hand auger to use there. last year i brought up some venison kielbasa which Leech grilled. this year i'm thinking the same but i'm also thinking of making some pulled pork in sauce to go on buns with cole slaw as a topping if anyone wants. we fished most of the day and at noon met to talk and eat then fish some more. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always need a partner for hard water season reinhard, just got an otter two man last year and now the new vexilar along with an underwater camera my dad got. I finally broke down and got a newer truck same as the last one but four wheel drive. I always have 3-4 days off a week so plenty of day trips up to grind and maybe some others up that way and over towards Mille Lacs. Getting excited already

Kettle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i think more people are posting ice fishing stuff than open water. it's getting near. october is still a great month. keep in touch. we will get a lot of ice time on the grind this year. last year i didnt get all the time i wanted on the ice and i'm going to make up for it this year. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I should be back in town next weekend (8th and 9th). Might try to get out on grindstone on Sunday afternoon. Any tips for this time of the year?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i would think with the cooler water the rainbows and browns should be in the top 20 feet of water in the deeper areas of the lake. i have caught a 3 pound brown in 10 feet of water in late september before fishing for pike with creek chubs [which i caught in the small pool by the road by the culvert]. my guess is the lakers are still deep suspended 35 feet or more. you will see the clouds of smelt and that's usualy were they are.

for smallies and pike fish the shorelines all around the lake. the smallmouth were in 5 to 10 feet of water the last time i was out with the pike mixed in. use small spoons or rappalas for the rainbows and twin blade spinnerbaits for smallies and pike. yellow was a good color last time out. nice to have a stinger hook on the spinnerbaits as well. larger crankbaits should do good for pike also. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would love to try to get into the lake trout but have no clue how to even start fishing for them as far as bait and presentation (trolling or jigging). Anyone have any ideas?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to the dnr site to check on seasons last night after I posted and noticed the lake trout season closed on 9/30. Is there an ice season for them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

right now the best way to have a shot at them is to have a downrigger along with you. this way when you mark them on your electronics you can make you lure run in their depth zone. spoons or stickbaits would work with this method. if you dont have one [downrigger] i would find the smelt and vertical jig with a jig heavy enough to maintain the drift over deep water. my brother got a nice laker this way a few years ago. the wind was light and the drifting was perfect over deep water.

it would be nice to have a line-counter type casting reel. this way you know your jig/minnow combo is where the smelt are, and that's where the lakers roam along with some big pike. my brothers friend got a 8 pound brown doing this also 35 feet down. he got that one on a northland hair jig with a stinger on it [silver minnow head with black and white hair desighned for lakers]. this jig is often used for lakers on hard water also.

i would also drift over the "humps" on the north west side that come up to 34 feet. there are two of them. the water may be cold enough for some lakers to roam these humps. also you may want to put on your deepest running crankbait with 3 way swivel with a one ounce weight on to get you down deep and troll the deep water. it may be worth a shot. a crank with the smelt colors [silver/black] would be a good choice. good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hit the grind with my daughter today. A late start only allowed for a few hours on the water. Caught a 15 inch brown trout. I was trolling the east shoreline with a floating minnow when my 3 year old says she wants her PB&J sandwich, so I turn the electric motor off and start digging in the cooler, leaving my line out. It was then I heard my pole slide along the side of the boat. Of course when I pick it up it becomes tangled with my other poles. Landing this fish was a small miracle. Was a nice surprise though, as I wasn't expectingg any brownies today. Also had a follow from a nice sized trout along the south shore. Also seen several trout surfacing down there. Got a couple strikes trolling mepps in the evening by the boat launch, but those could've been anything. Still a nice fun day, maybe if I can sweet talk the wife I'll come back up next week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • 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.