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Grindstone Lake Fishing Reports


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Mine is just a 14 footer, so I laugh at the faces of shallow launches smile However, the plunge hole at the end of the ramp is deep enough for just about any boat to launch. But with bigger boats, you might have to walk the boat out of the channel, as it's only shin deep all the way out.

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As long as it's deep enough to get off the trailer I'm more than happy to walk it out, wouldn't be the first time... I'm going to give it a go tomorrow if it's not too windy. Thanks for the report!

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Went out earlier this week and could not find the trout anywhere on the lake. Tried outside of one of the weedlines for crappies and found them in 14 feet of water along with some nice smallies. Fishing was relatively slow throughout the day and I had some difficulty getting in and out of the landing. Water is lower than the picture a couple of posts above. If I can figure out how to get pictures on here, I'll upload a new tire gauge photo...

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thanks for the update. yes there are some dandy smallmouth in that lake. i think the big pike will move in soon as well. next month toward the end the DNR will stock some more rainbows for the winter season. i also believe there is plenty of carry over in the lake with rainbows and browns of larger sizes. fishing pressure is very light during summer months and fall. i'll be there in Jauary through March. good luck.

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  • 2 months later...

Drove around grindstone this morning. One portable about 20 yards out on west side of lake not to far south of boat access. Another one on south end by the beach. He was out maybe 30 yards. Didn't check how thick the ice was but it should be getting there.

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Is it totally iced over?

I know there was open water last year on the trout opener. I know I fished 20 feet from it. Almost decided to make a cast!

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Steady boys. Just a little more time! wink

01/12/13 - 03/31/13

Lake and Stream Trout - Winter (outside or partly outside the BWCA)-2013 season

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lol....not looking for the trout and lakers. what im after is deep fried smelt. planning on a monday trip. just wanting to know ice conditions so i can be prepared to deal with it. thanks.

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8" of ice as of Sunday night...might be more now. Just be prepare to walk, it's much safer! That lake is iffy, if you know what I mean. Fishing was slow...managed I crop, as for smelts... nothing, but maybe you'll have better luck than me...good luck and be safe!

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So how safe is it to drive along the shoreline? I have never fished Grindstone before but I'd rather not do the metro trout opener sh*t show deal. Cheek to cheek on courthouse is getting old. I am hoping the drive leaves most behind. Is it safe to drive out of the access or is there current over there? Not sure but the map looks like it. Any help would be appreciated.

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With the way the water level was this fall, the access is probably frozen to the bottom. I've never been to grindstone on the winter opener before, but my guess is alot of people are there, but the lake is much bigger, so it'll be far from shoulder to shoulder. I'll be there to see for sure this year though smile

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thnx...johnsville. that was the plan. park and walk. and i usually like the north end in about 60-80 fow. have done decent in the past up in the north corner.

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Was there Sunday afternoon to check ice thickness. It was about 8-10" by the north end. No cars or trucks drive in lake yet. Most people parked by the public access and by the west side of the lake only so if anyone is venturing out this week be careful especially with the warmer climate we will be getting. Talked to couple of the fishermans but most of them are targetting trout.

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Talked to couple of the fishermans but most of them are targetting trout.

Doesn't trout open this coming Saturday? Jan 12?

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I heard from a buddy who went out last weekend that there was still open water on the lake. is there any truth to that? he was not quite sure because he did not go on the lake, but from what he can tell its open water.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
I heard from a buddy who went out last weekend that there was still open water on the lake. is there any truth to that? he was not quite sure because he did not go on the lake, but from what he can tell its open water.
About the only place that maybe is on the South end where the creek runs out? Not sure where else it could be? There is a little spring running also on the North east side right by shore that may keep the ice a little thin there but not sure it would be open water? confused
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Lookin forward to the weekend out there!

Hoping to find a decent laker and some rainbows. I like on lighter line 10 ft down and fish the bottom on the second out deep say 35-90 FOW. FYI trout newbies, last year it worked for me pretty well. Jiggin spoon with minnow head.

Anyone got a read on where a consistent smelt cloud can be found?

Minner

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If you go in the north area...stay away from the middle...open water! Measured 5-8 inches of ice in the 30-40 feet of water.

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thanks for the warning, and a question for all you trout expert, is there any specific type of structure that the rainbows and lakers like? and about what time of the day do they bite the best?

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I think generally, the rainbows will be in shallow, 10' or less. Mornings have always been best for me.

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Don't drive too close to shore unless you have to. There are lots of creeks and springs in the lake.

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  • 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
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