Eagan/ S. Metro pond fishing?

[Crawlerman]

I'm sure the ice is safe on these after the few days of cold weather we've have. I STILL see TONS of people going out on the little pond behind the courthouse in IGH. 1. isn't that thing fished out by now? and 2. 6-8" Walleyes? why worth it? I remeber the ice being a little sketchy on that pond last year as well..

I was thinking Fish lake in Eagan. It's about the only one I can think of in the area that still has some decent sized bluegills left in it, and doesn't generally get pressured that much. I remeber that there is an aerator near the boat launch for reasons unknown, as it certainly doesn't need it; but I was wondering if the ice on the main lake past the fishing dock would be good enough? Also anyone here ever do Fish through the ice or have any other suggestions? I really didn't get to do the pond hopping I had hoped to last year due to the wacky weahter, and hope to make up for it this year. I plan to be heading there tommorow.

Anyone know anything more about the ice conditions on Fish and/or would be willing to meet me there or something?

[Skyndalive]

Hi Crawlerman,
I live in IGH and I can not place Fish Lake.....Where is it?.
Thank you.

[hawgTime]

Hey Crawler

Where you gonna be tomorrow, and what time? I might stop bye, I live in eagan also--itchin' to get out.

hT

[Crawlerman]

I'm planning on hitting Fish Lake in Eagan for starters, if the ice is good. It's the largest of the ponds, and is prally the most stocked. It does not receive a lot of pressure either. It's right off of Pilot knob rd-- you can see it from there; but the acess is on the other side. Hmm... lets see-- theirs a little street right across from the Wendy's on Pilot Knob (just across 35 E)-- Crestridge Ln. Take a left on that, then a right on Denmark ave. Follow that around for a little ways and Fish Lake park will be on your right side.

The main acess/boat launch has an aerator by it, so there may be thin ice right there. Go up the path that leads into the woods, that will lead you up the acess to the fishing pier, thats where I plan to put in. I plan to be there by 10am, maybe eralier depending on what time I get up. Hopefully the ice will be good. I drive a lil silver GMC crew cab with a FM sticker on the rear windshield and a stuffed bass on the dash. Can't miss it!

[Skyndalive]

Oh yeah, It's all coming back to me now......Was eyeballing that little lake last winter, but never did go out and try it. I'm going to have to get out there soon .
Not tomorrow, though.....Going to "Sno-Cross" at the Target Center.
Thanks for the info Crawlerman!

[Crawlerman]

K. Yeah I'll get back on how I do and how the ice conditions are. If they aren't what I want, I'm prally going to try one of the smaller ponds in the area. But I plan to check Fish first. I've caught a number of hammerhandle to medium sized northerns from the dock in the summer, just casting out mepps. I bet it would be a fun lake to set up tip-ups on.

[FI Guide]

how did you do out on fish today i spent my whole day out on holland

FI

[CarlSpackler]

You were out on Holland FI? Were you catching Rainbows? I was there with a buddy in the afternoon Sunday and that's all we caught along with a few crappies and a pike. It's pretty messy out there. Do high school kids party there or something? I couldn't believe how much garbage was on the ice.

[walleyeking]

What are the regs on trout right now? Is the season open? Are there any size to the rainbows? Where were you fishing for them and what were using if you don't mind me asking? So many questions...

[TG]

Can you keep rainbows? What were you catching them on? Has anyone gone out on fish lake? I fished it last year had pretty good luck. Need a ice report on fish lake.

[SpikeRoberts]

Hey guys all you've got to do is read the regulation booklet that came with your license. The Trout Season is from Jan. 17, 2004- March 15, 2004. You may not fish designated trout waters AT ALL out of season. Holland is not a designated trout lake, so yo can fish it now but you may not target species out of season.

Anglers need a trout stamp validation and a
fishing or sports license when fishing in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes, and Lake Superior, and when in possession of trout or salmon" The last provison would apply to Holland -- if you keep trout, you need a stamp.

[Crawlerman]

I didn't do so hot on Fish yesterday; but there was a good soild 8" of ice on it. Just a few dinky little sunnies. The only other people out there were a pair of older ethnic folk. I went to one of the various "pond X's" afterwards and did pretty well however. 8 decent crappies (9-10" ), a bluegill and a 12" bass. I don't reveal it's location since it's as small if not smaller than the courthouse pond in IGH and no wheres near as deep. It'd be fished out in a few weeks. But just keep in mind some of those small ponds do have some nice fish in them, stocked by residents. The pond I'm talking about is mostly park/public acess as well; but I was the amongst the first to tread on it. Same pond I caught 9" sunnies out of last summer.

I was allways curious about the Trout in Holland. Might be worth hooking up with some folks come this Feb, and seeing if we can't find some. I've been meaning to get into trout fishing more, and will try to make it a point to get to Trout day next year.

See some of you on Linwood this Sat.

[HateHumminbird]

Crawlerman:

Regarding the courthouse pond.....wasn't that bad this weekend, though we seemed to be doing better than most people (you're right, it was crowded). Not recommended, esp. if the same number of people hit it this year like last year.

Good ice at 7" solid....no slush. Many small sunnies and crappies were caught with few over 6". We had 5 flags for walleyes, but only iced 2, around 10" apiece. Fun, but not large. They kept running, we kept waiting to set the hook.....still only hooked them in the tip of the lip.

I have fished Fish Lake quite a bit in the summer by canoe, with somewhat poor reports. The occasional bass or pike will keep you paying attention, but they're not to be counted on. Most of the pressure then is from the pier, so I thought it would be better than it was if a person would get out onto the main lake. Size of the sunnies is average at best from what we caught.

Maybe we could hook up sometime if interested. Am low tech....no vex, or power-auger....can bring propane and heater. Email [email protected].

Joel

[FI Guide]

Carlspackler: Yeah i was out on holland. Had a huge day. Was fishing in 10ft with tip ups in 5ft above the weeds. Had 15 flags and caught 10 pike also caught an abnornally large number of rainbows. I had about a 20 inch rainbow. But the story of the day my friend catching a monster 25in brown trout on 2 lb test line. This fish was a slobbo when we saw the head coming up through the hole we didnt know where to grab it. This was the biggest trout i have ever seen. To regard your high school parties im in high school but have never heard of any parties on the lake i normally go and clean up the lake during the week people just cant clean up there messes.

Crawlerman: We gotta get out sometime together i know this lake real well and have sucess almost everytime out there i got the trout located and im just waiting until the time.

The slobbo trout was relaesed and will have a replica made of the beast

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When you have a camera you never need one, but when you dont have a camera you always need one

[LOWinEYEin]

FI
Were you using shiners for the Pike/Big Trout? Did you set up for crappies, and did you catch any? Day or night. I have fished this lake a few times but never got into the pike or crappies. I've caught a bew bass in the 4lb range in the back bay, but thats about it.

[FI Guide]

Whatt!: I was using a mix of golden shiners and river shiners but the key was to cut of the tail on the minnow so that they would swim upside down. The trout were all caught on wax worms with a gold jig. I have always been looking for the crappies i have found them only once. Another interesting thing i only caught one sunny when i normally catch about twenty. My friend and i will be out sometime this weekend and we will be looking for the crappies we think we know where they are hiding this time of the year.

FI

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When you have a camera you never need one, but when you dont have a camera you always need one

[Crawlerman]

I know where the crappies are, but have never caught any trout. The crappies can be caught right before dark near the logs in the shallow part of the lake in 8-12 feet of water. I've only caught them about an hour before dark to a half an hour after, then they quit. Nothing too impressive though, most I caught were under 8"

FI- Sounds good.. I'll keep tuned to this site when trout season gets closer

Jnelson- I have a power auger and a somewhat primative, but working Mono flasher. I do not have a shelter at the moment really (just a very cheap one man pull over type that acts more as a windbreaker as it doesn't touch the ground when extended) That may change after Christmas, but I'm not sure. Sounds good-- I'll drop you an e-mail...

[walleyeking]

FI Guide.. It sounds like you fish in the Eagan area.. I have a question for you about an area lake/pond..

Email me at [email protected]

[KSW]

I fished this lake a few times last year and the only fish that we found are crappies and sunnies. We caught them throughout the day in about 10 feet of water along the East shore by the logs.

FI Guide or Crawlerman
I got a question for you guys also on a small pond/lake in Eagan. Send me an email at [email protected]

Thanks, KSW

[TG]

Walleyeking, you have mail! Take your time with Fish lake,it can produce.

[FI Guide]

Went to holland after school today caught 3 trout and a sunny for about an hour of fishing had one flag the pike got off at the hole. Overall not a bad day though

FI

[Guest]

SO ive heard reports from Holland a lot but have no idea where it is. How do i get there from Farmington?. How big are the northerns in there? Suggestion would be appreciated.

[CarlSpackler]

Thanks for the note, Spike. I know the Trout are out of season and were returned to the water accordingly. FI, you guys caught a big Brown, eh? That must have been fun. I caught a big Brown a few years ago when I used to live by there. At the time, I didn't know there were Trout in the lake. What a surprise! We were catching the Rainbows on Spikes with small jigs. Nothing fancy. I'm glad there's a few of us cleaning the lake up. Someone left a bunch of batteries out there Sunday. Thanks for the reply . . .

[FI Guide]

What part of the lake were the batteries on im going out tomorrow after school to fish and clean up the lake.

FI

[CarlSpackler]

The side closest to Cliff where there are usually people fishing. It was remnants from shacks that had been out. I picked up quite a bit of stuff but we left in the afternoon. Those that fish at the other end seem to be much more respectful for some reason as I've never seen anything left on the ice back there. Anyways, good luck this week and thank you for your stewardship.