Grindstone Lake Fishing Reports

[JBMasterAngler]

I might take advantage of the longer trout season this year and make a late march treck up there if ice conditions allow for it. Hmmmm, monster perch/crappies out of mille lacs or 14 inch lakers from grindstone? Keep your fingers crossed that I can make time for both.

[KG243]

I will be going up during the week, just picked up a Ice-55 and a new laker rod!

[KG243]

Anyone been up there latley? Ice Conditions?

[MuntzAngling]

anybody?

[KG243]

I was up there last friday and saw over 2 dozen streamers on the camera but none would bight!!! No luck on the lakers, but did talk to an old timer that caught 8 in the morning ten feet under the ice, he had two nice 3 to 4 pounders in his pail. I measured 19" of clear ice in bothe places we where. There was about 3 to 6 inches of snow on the lake when we got there but when we left it was a big slosh hole!

[KG243]

Anyone up there lately?

[Leaddog]

Anyone been on Grindstone this week or planning for the weekend? Still got the Laker itch. Boarder water action was good last weekend but I think the dog team is dry docked now. I'd like a shot at one more but need some of the weekend to prepare for the gobbler opener! Any update on ice would be great. Thanks

[fishfearme]

Im heading up there in the morning. Im sure the ice will be fine for walking out. the slush froze back up on Mille Lacs so it sould be fine out there.

[jason22]

Does anyone catch lake trout in this lake in the summer?

[MuntzAngling]

Yes Jason, small ones. Was hard to get a pattern that works hour after hour. Mixed trout bag last time. Caught about 7 trout, kept 3 last year after a sunrise to 6pm day. Tried ultralight longlining with metal baits, planers and dipseys. Adjusted depths often enough too. Hope you like the sound of your motor!

[Buckslayer08]

I'm looking at trying the lake for the first time probably within the next week or so. Any suggestions for some serious laker action? I'm bringing the kids and hoping they get hooked on fishing!

Thanks.

[Will]

My biggest suggestions would be -

wait until jan 15 ( trout opens )

start at the mid-lake humps

check ice conditions

this lake is deep and does not freeze like others

airplane jigs

tube jigs

spoons

[Buckslayer08]

Thanks Will for the info. When I do go I'll have a 2 of my kids with me in hopes of getting them hooked on other types of fish instead of just panfish and walleyes.

[KG243]

Just prepare your kids for a slow day of fishing. Trout will not fly out of the whole like crappies so maybe bring something for the kidos to do. I have spent many hours on that lake last year with not much sucsess, but then again maybe that is me! I caught browns all winter long with no rainbows or lakers in sight!

[JBMasterAngler]

As already said, trout season is closed, so you can't fish for them. So panfish will be about the only thing you can target. So my advice to you is either wait until the 15th, or pick a nearby lake that has better fishing for panfish.

[walleye365]

anyone have an ice report on there thanks

[Buckslayer08]

Its looking like we'll be going on the 16th. As far as getting ready for a slow day goes, its been super slow already for the walleyes anyways so I think the kids have the patience for no fish thing down already. lol

The local lakes (Metro) are really low on water making things a little different than they used to be, and with me spending a lot of time over the last 7 years in Iraq everything seems to be a bit different everywhere I used to fish.

I hope I figure out the fish pattern soon for the kids.

[KG243]

Buckslayer, if you have a chance try West Rush for some crappies as I always have great luck out there. My only advice is go out during the week and fish the edge of the crowds. Would be a fun trip for the kids, I know because I took my 4 year old out there last year and she is hooked now!

[JBMasterAngler]

Well, given that will be opening weekend the best advice I can give is stay away from everyone! It will be very busy out there.

Try shallow for rainbows. Go anywhere from 20 to 80 ft for lakers, and jig the entire water column. I like blue and white bucktail or airplane jigs. I've caught smaller ones on orange or red swedish pimples tipped with euros in shallower water.

There's also the possibility a school of smelt will come through...could catch a bunch, but they're very small. Something different anyway.

[Buckslayer08]

Sweet! Thanks a LOT for all of the advice KG243 and JBMasterAngler. Maybe I'll try west Rush this week. I have nothing but time during the week as I am on school break till the 11th. Maybe I'll head out there tomorrow?!

[walleye365]

wondering what depth to target browns in are they similar to lakers thanks for any info.

[JBMasterAngler]

I'm thinking the browns will be in shallow water...if you can find perch or smelt, you'll probably find some browns (and lakers).

[KG243]

I caught my browns in any where from 30 fow to 60 fow all though most were in 30 fow right on the bottom. I must note that I did not have any electronics but a camera at the time.

[KG243]

I think we will be making some good ice for the next ten days! I hope it will be drivable by the 15th!

[knoppers]

lakers usually will relate to structure, so humps or steep drops in depth are good. like said, work the whole water colomn, top to bottom. good baits are spoons or tube baits. and hang on to your rod, when they hit, they will hit very hard. lakers are more agressive in winter.

[walleye365]

thanks for the info guys.

[Buckslayer08]

Anyone driving out there yet? How thick is the ice?

Thanks everyone.

[KG243]

You would be crazy to drive on it, I have not been up there since the middle of December and it was still open then. A very deep lake with deep thermal pockets. I doubt we will be able to drive out on opener.

[walleye365]

whats out there for ice about 8to10 inches.

[KG243]

I talked to a guy that said there was 10"-11" of ice. I will be out there Friday for some lakers!