Lake Harriet

[fishlikemike]

I was gonna try Harriet for the first time. I heard there are some nice eyes in there if someone could give me a idea of where to try it would be greatly appreciated Thanks. Mike

[Lunker]

There is a lot of bottom structure in Harriet, so it is an advantage to have a vex or something. I caught a ton of perch and an eye last year out from the access, but I would try the major point on the lake. That would be my best bet.

[Minaki Lord]

I was just wondering which of the three lakes(Harriet, Calhoun, Nokomis) are more consistant for a walleye bite. I am not to familiar with the area, do you guys have any tips for fishing for walleyes on those lakes?

------------------
MINAKI

[fishlikemike]

Thanks for the info guys just a couple more things, is morning or evening better, and should I access the lake at the bota launch, thanks again. Mike

[Lunker]

Nokomis is the most consistent as far as my experience. I caught eyes every time I went to Nokomis last winter(about 6-8 times i believe).
Fish towards dusk, I never have much luck during the day. Don't fish too deep when dusk hits, about 10-12 feet produces often. The north side of the point that the big beach is a good place to start. Never had much luck on the other point that is across the lake from the big beach for eyes. Best bait has always been small dark jig and minnow. Only problem with this lake, like harriet, is there are a lot of small fish to deal with, but I've seen a couple fish over 6lbs in there and many other nice ones. The av. used to be over 20" until recent stocking success. Good luck

[Lunker]

Mike, evening has been best for me, although ive caught some fish in the middle of the day on harriet. I would access from the launch, since there is parking and the whole lake is surrounded by one ways with limited parking. Good luck

[fishlikemike]

Thanks Lunker, you seem like you know the city lakes pretty good, I've fished Calhoun but never got anything but perch,My neighbor did land a 35" Muskie through the ice though. I think I will have to hit Harriet probally Sundayif it as nice as they say Thanks again. Mike

[Guest]

Harriet was completely open as of yesterday. It was a little too dark to get a good look at it this morning as I drove by, but I'll check tonight. Don't get your hopes up for this weekend. Harriet and Calhoun take forever to freeze up.

Anyone know the status of Lake of the Isles' ice?

[Minaki Lord]

Thanks Alot Lunker! I appreciate the advice!

------------------
MINAKI

[Big_D]

Like Lunker said last year most of the walleyes were taken from 10-12 feet. I caught them on everything from a slip bobber to swedish pimple tipped with the head of a minnow.
Had most of my success south of the boat landing not far from shore, maybe 20-30 feet if that. Also fished the point across from the big beach but with no success for walleyes, tons of perch but no walleyes. Havent had a chance to fish under the bridge but gonna gice that a shot this year.
As far as Harriet and Calhoun are concerned Harriet has been a much better lake for me as far as walleyes go. Havent gotten a chance to fish these two as much as I have wanted but hope to get more time in on both this year.
As far as time of day I would say that evening has been much better to me, maybe cuz I havent fished the morning as much but I would stilll suggest evening over morning.

------------------
Big D

[jwilli7122]

As of 5:15 today, harriet appears to be completely (or at least mostly) frozen over. Ice about 1/2 inch.

as of 5:05 calhoun was still mostly open but it appeared to be on its way to icing over. i bet by tomorrow morning.

[jwilli7122]

what is the ice status on nokomis?

[Maximum12]

Mike, like Lunker said, a depth finder is pretty handy on Harriet. There are a lot of eyes in the lake, but me (and a lot of other people) caught mostly little guys last winter, 8 - 11 inches. There's a goodly amount of crappies and perch too.

The two most popular patches I saw last year were the points on the east & west sides of the lake. But there's plenty of places to fish, I wouldn't limit yourself to these two spots (I've found better).

[Lunker]

jwilli, last thursday had ice 3-4 inches off the access, and i would assume it has increased with all this cold weather, but be careful.
Also, as far as the bridge goes, stay away from it until the rest of the lake is about a foot thick. The ice there freezes late and not clear or strong, but can be good fishing. I was fishing in the middle of winter here last winter and catching eyes consitently right at the first pillars, in as little as 6-8 feet. There is also a lot of structure there because of the old bridge pieces. This is also the only spot on the lake that I have caught gills regularly, but of no size.