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Grindstone Lake Fishing Reports


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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

What was the ice thickness now? I think that we should be able to drive out and park on the ice for the GTG Sat Feb 9th by then, hopefully. smile

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So it begins

Quote:
Yea I was surprise by how much trash left out there already. How hard is it to pick your trash back wit you.

I look forward to all the invasive species to come.

I too am sorry to not see Reinhart on the forum anymore. He was a font of knowledge and was always so willing to share intimate details about the grind.

I see the lake is almost up to 600,000 views. Excellent.

And now we even have a crazy lady "haunting" the lake.

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you should be able to drive on the ice by the g2g. I was out there on the north west end of the lake and drove around the whole north end, didnt venture out south of the barn so I cant say how much ice is out there. The north end of the lake had 15+ inches.

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The northeast side where we were at had 19 inches of good ice drove the 1/2 ton out , but I walked it first though. With the fresh snow I wanted to make sure I knew where the spear shack holes were.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Sounds good, thanks for the update. Any of you guys going to show up on the 9th for lunch at the GTG? smile

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Does any ever use tip-downs/Arctic warriors for the Lakers on Grindstone? Any tips on what to rig up on one of these if I tried it?

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I would just use a Swed pimple or any jigging spoon and a Rainbow chub or small sucker on it. You could use a plan hook with some weight to get it down there as well wink Welcome to HSO!

full-27051-29648-articlepics006.jpg

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Sounds good. thanks for the tip. I hope to get up there within the next couple of weeks to try it out for the first time.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Sounds good. thanks for the tip. I hope to get up there within the next couple of weeks to try it out for the first time.

We are having a HSO Get-to-gether next weekend on the 9th at Grindstone if you want to stop by for lunch and meet some guys. We will be meeting out on the ice a little lift of the Red Barn landing. Just smell for the brats cooking! wink
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Here is my report for my first Time on The lake. We were out by the smelt hole saturday 12-9:30 pm. Caught big smelt as we got there and fished in 72 fow. They were at 24-40 fow. Very light bites and managed a few big ones. Once night time hit our flashers were lit up like christmas lights below the hole to 24 fow and spread out from there to 50 fow. Four times throughout the whole time we were there our flashers looked scary but COOL at the same because it was all red, which lasted for less than 2 mins. It was going nuts and very entertaining. The Flashers Would go Back To a few fish only. It must've been a school of smelt. Awesome experience.storm came so ended the night. Had some for the fryer. Heading back this weekend.

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A strong 2nd here to the Grindstone get together. I hope to be there. Good food, good company and maybe a fish or two? Jim

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

klee, thanks for the report. What was the ice thickness you found and how much snow cover was there? Were people driving trucks all over the lake? If your there this coming Sat the 9th we are getting some people together for a lunch GTG at around noon if you want to stop by. We will be setup on the ice out from the Red Barn. Look for a white truck parked next to a green Saturn Vue with a snowmobile trail behind it and some guys eating brats with a fire going in a fire ring! That's us! Bring something to share chips or anything. Hope to see you and anyone else that wants to stop by! smile

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I didn't measure the ice but it sure was thick and safe to drive on, I'm guessing a foot or more. People in big trucks driving all over. Although, someone must've did something wrong because there was a CO driving back and forth by the smelt hole for an hour. He had stopped some people as we were getting to the red barn and as we were setting up, he kept coming back and leaving. It was our first time there so it made me uncomfortable, but I didn't let it bother me. Anyways, if we come out we'll stop by.

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Can you use minnows on this lake? I thought they were not allowed on trout lakes. I couldn't find any info on dnr about this lake. There was some minnows in the spot we Setup on, so I Was scared that the CO driving around would drive over, see it frozen on the ice and blame us for them.

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I'm unsure of the rule with regards to trout lakes but Grind is *not* a designated trout lake so if such a rule exists, it wouldn't apply anyway.

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I'm unsure of the rule with regards to trout lakes but Grind is *not* a designated trout lake so if such a rule exists, it wouldn't apply anyway.

You're right. It is not a designated trout lake, therefore you can use minnows.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Can you use minnows on this lake? I thought they were not allowed on trout lakes. I couldn't find any info on dnr about this lake. There was some minnows in the spot we Setup on, so I Was scared that the CO driving around would drive over, see it frozen on the ice and blame us for them.

Unlike a designated Trout like you can use live minnows and two fishing lines on Grindstone, Big Watab, Big Trout and others.
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  • 2 weeks later...

There is more snow this weekend compared to last weekend....duh!

Travel off road is recommended with 4x4 only. You can probably get to some spots on the lake without 4x4 but may be pushing it. I measured about 20 inches of good ice where I was at today.

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Any luck yesterday Lipseej? You seem to know where they are!!! Or how to catch them anyway!!!!

Lol. Yesterday I was not able to get to the spots I wanted. So I didn't catch any trout. Only caught enough smelt for a meal then headed to another lake for some crappie action. That's how the grind is. Sometimes you catch some, sometimes you don't.....and I am fine with that. This lake is harder to fish than what most think.

Happy fishing!

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Lol. Yesterday I was not able to get to the spots I wanted. So I didn't catch any trout. Only caught enough smelt for a meal then headed to another lake for some crappie action. That's how the grind is. Sometimes you catch some, sometimes you don't.....and I am fine with that. This lake is harder to fish than what most think.

Happy fishing!

I guess you have to pick up a snowmobile next year so you can hit the spot! Ha. grin
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Lipseej- I asked how much snow was there, not if there was more than last week - DUH

Littlefish,

I didn't measure the snow, but would say there's about 10 inches of snow. If you don't have a 4x4, you're gonna probably be able go to spots that has had a lot of travel. But to roam around the lake, you'd want a 4x4. If you're looking for just smelt, you'll be fine going to the smelt hole without a 4x4. That area is heavily traveled. Bring a shovel in case.

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Im headed to grindestone as a 1st timer this wknd, looking for some tips for smelt and trout, i here there are other fish as well, northerns, crappies? anything would be helpful, hopefully this site is as good as the recomendation i got for it

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Welcome tripod! I hope you can get better up to date info from someone who fishes it more than me, but there's 132 pages of tips and advice here that's worth looking at.

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Welcome tripod! I hope you can get better up to date info from someone who fishes it more than me, but there's 132 pages of tips and advice here that's worth looking at.

x2 cool

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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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