Grindstone Lake Fishing Reports

[JEH_FISH]

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.

Wow. Sorry, didn't mean to be the cause of so many people fishing your lake...

I, too, am all about helping other fisherman. In this case the technique and tip I shared was use a certain small jig, and try some waxies (I had plenty, gave up a few). It sounds like it worked, and I helped make someones day. I guess I was wrong in doing so?

I can understand the frustration you may have. I didn't find grindstone by the internet, first fished it well before this site was around. There are more people fishing it now, thats just the way it is.

Again, sorry I'm ruining the lake that you wish you had all to yourself.

[mille lacs muskie bum]

JB haha no i didnt see you find that banana peel but i bet it was comical, i had a few close calls walkin out in the morning with the water just under the crust. i did get one brown about 17 inches just north of where i seen you. that was some crazy structure in them holes i drilled south of you that you checked. never seen fish in them tho. did you have any come thru there?

[Barbelboy]

There are lots of things I worry about in life, but all the trout being fished out of grindstone isn't one of 'em.

I've had awesome days out there, but most of the time you have to work pretty hard for your fish. That's why I don't worry about the lake. How many people are going to drive a long way to not catch many fish?

Like all other fisheries, there are peak times. In the case of grindstone this is an extreme example. You have very limited time frames to effectively target the species that reside in the "grind".

As for catching lake trout. Hmmmm, you've got me there. I've caught 'em in 10' and I've caught 'em in 140'. I would suggest drilling lots of holes on different structure or even over nothing at all. Hole hop. Look for smelt and you'll catch lakers chasing them. I've caught the silly things all over the lake, so try a variety of tactics. Heck, I even caught a crappie in 65' of water over 100' one time. Poor bugger's eyes were bugged out of his head.

As for access during the winter. This has been hashed out on this forum before. But here is the the truth, the whole truth so help me God.

The entire lake (except a sliver of land by the public landing) is private property. If you haven't asked permission to cross private property you are doing what?

So the last thing I'm going to say is this. Be courteous, act like you would like others to act and would like other to treat YOUR property. Heck, maybe even ask permission? Who knows, you might make a friend!

Good luck out there everybody. Set the hook for me!

[leech~~]

God hope the person that owns the Red Barn land lives forever!

Or we may not get on through the sometimes bad landing area!

[JBMasterAngler]

mille lacs, the brown trout I lost was out of one of my holes. The rainbow I lost was out of one of your holes. The perch I caught were in the hole I drilled that was about 30 ft deep. I plan on hitting the same area this weekend, but hopefully get to drill more holes. I really didn't do much sight fishing, but my vexilar didn't pick up anything except the smelt and perch in the deep holes.

[UncoChu]

Planning to head there this weekend. I was wondering if anyone has been actively fishing for smelt and how you guys are doing?

[Tullies]

I think smelt can be found throughout the lake at 30'-40' fow. They are more active towards early evenings. Have fun.

[247outdoors]

To all that's planning on fishing this week, especially on the north end....plan on just walking. Last Sunday, a truck almost went thru by the "thin ice" sign, but luckily got out by a tow truck.

[leech~~]

I will be there Friday at light-30 with a sled and porty going out of the boat launch. Where's the thin ice sign?

[UncoChu]

To all that's planning on fishing this week, especially on the north end....plan on just walking. Last Sunday, a truck almost went thru by the "thin ice" sign, but luckily got out by a tow truck.

Oh yikes, thanks for the warning. Are you seeing any ATV's at the smelt hole? We are bringing an ATV and trailer, but rather be safe and just walk. Any idea on how thick the ice is out at the smelt hole?

[247outdoors]

The sign is right off the launch area, we measured 6 inches of ice on 20-80 FOW. Smelts are there, but hard to get them to bite. Let me know how you do and be safe.

[fish_4_fun]

now for the smelt I have been hearing that sometimes they bite at night only. sometimes I hear that they bite during the day only. what is the better time to fish for them, day or night?

[UncoChu]

The sign is right off the launch area, we measured 6 inches of ice on 20-80 FOW. Smelts are there, but hard to get them to bite. Let me know how you do and be safe.

Thanks for the info! We will be going tonight and fishing till the morning. Will come back with updates.

[UncoChu]

now for the smelt I have been hearing that sometimes they bite at night only. sometimes I hear that they bite during the day only. what is the better time to fish for them, day or night?

The first time I went out we went at night around 10pm and fished till morning. Heck of a good time and we did very well.

[catchnothing]

Any snow on the ice?

[NowthenJoe]

Thinking about heading up there tomorrow before the cold comes in. I have never fished this lake before, but have been wanting to get out for a while.

From the sounds of it, people are still walking out? I have been to public access and plan on going out from there, but I have also heard there are some other places to get on the lake. Any recommendations?

I will be looking for crappies and also probably bring a tip up or two to setup for pike. I would love to get into some trout, but my experience with trout fishing is pretty limited.

Any advice for my first time ice fishing out here? Certain places to look? The lake has some much structure that it is a bit daunting looking at trying to find a good place to start.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Joe

[rough_rider]

from the recent posts:

-driving not recommended at the moment, it's an extremely deep lake that freezes at diff. rate than others (someone quoted 6" recently)

-far better places for crappies than Grind

-public access on north end should be accessible due to poor snow yaer

-red-barn-enter-at-own-discretion-access located NW shore.

[247outdoors]

Measured 10-14 inches this morning...fishing was ok.

[Littlefish1597]

rainbows shallow like 5 to 10 feet. last week i got one on a spoon, but we have got em on worms, or tipups with a fluoro leader and crappie minnow. I got my first trout on a tipup like that.

[fish_4_fun]

was out there on saturday, measured 13 inches at the north end of the lake and at the south end. did not venture out into the main lake. one thing that I did notice is that while attempting to drive from the north to the south I saw lots of trees and shrubs sticking out of the ice. I assume they were markers for locals. I than decided it would be best not to drive along the shore line anymore because you dont know where it gets thin. while on the road I did see that a creek that entered the lake was still wide open and running. could make some thin ice.

[KG243]

The brush is marking where someone had cute a spearing hole.

[Sherman]

Yea KG is right. Brushes are there from spear house. Heard from a guy fishing last wknd. He also reported he limit on trout in shallow w/ minnow.

[Archerysniper]

one thing that I did notice is that while attempting to drive from the north to the south I saw lots of trees and shrubs sticking out of the ice. I assume they were markers for locals.

Those were probably marking either spear holes or bigger holes people use to sight fish.

[fish_4_fun]

wow thats a lot of spearing holes. on the north end close to the shore in shallow water they are everywhere. does this lake have that many pikes?

[247outdoors]

wow thats a lot of spearing holes. on the north end close to the shore in shallow water they are everywhere. does this lake have that many pikes?

Yes there are...that's how one of my buddy fell in last year hole hopping/wondering around instead of fishing at night time, luckily only on 5ft of water.

[leech~~]

wow thats a lot of spearing holes. on the north end close to the shore in shallow water they are everywhere. does this lake have that many pikes?

I was up there last weekend as well and yes, all the limbs sticking up in the ice are from spear houses that have moved. Glad they are taking the time to mark their holes for us.

[Tullies]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be going there this Saturday hoping to get into some trout early morning and than move to the smelt hole later in the day.

[Archerysniper]

Was anyone else out today and have a odd visit with a lady? After she left us she drove to every occupied house on the north end.

[247outdoors]

Was anyone else out today and have a odd visit with a lady? After she left us she drove to every occupied house on the north end.

Once in a while she'll pop out telling people to get out of her SMELT hole, especially during the evenings

[leech~~]

I have been out there a few times a year and never met this person. What does she talk to you about? Is she friendly or just tells you to get the heck off?