Why does everyone advertise dinky honeyholes on this forum?

[Clayburn]

These lakes are to be left to those who have done there homework and have busted their backs to find good little holes.
Let's be a little moore careful about which lakes are being advetised on this site. I've been on some small lakes this year that someone advertised on this forum that never got fished in the past and now you can't even find a spot!
All that rookie fisherman have to do is look on this site to find good lakes instead of tredding ice,snow,and water
to find it out for themselfs!

[StPaulParkFisherman]

I kind of feel the same way BUT i feel like i am doing some thing good.I dont see pepole on my lakes that i talked about.Maybe you are the new comer and you are going to all of are spots.KEEP THEM COMING GUYS!

[goose89]

amen. buy a map. do some research on the lake (dnr lakefinder). buy a decent flasher, maybe a camera and good bait and go put in some time and effort instead of begging for something a few have probably worked hard at (and therefor enjoy) finding for themselves. you will learn so much more and become better fisherman by putting in some effort, and in the long run is much more fun and rewarding than asking where the best local "fish pond" is this year and having half the metro pound it to death in a year. my2cents.

[IcePro]

I had nice honey hole that became destroyed by over fishing. Four years ago I could catch multiple bull blugills that were between 10 1/2" - 11" and crappies 12"+.

When I fished this lake you would hardly see anybody on the lake.

Now you are lucky to catch a 9" bluegill and you see 30+ people on the lake.

Remember to CPR. To many big fish are being brought home for the frying pan.

[fishhollwood]

I understand the viewpoints of the previous posts, however, I will take the other approach. This website is designed to help fishermen of all skill level and age. If I go out and do very well on a lake, I'm the kind of person who would like others to feel the enjoyment I felt. Especially if my information will help a parent bring the enjoyment of fishing to their kids. If you don't like posting specific information, don't!
I think people are getting a little to worked up over something so small.
Good luck to everyone who will hit the lakes over the holiday weekend.
fishhollwood

[DoctorB]

I couldn't agree more and we had a similar discussion on another forum a while back. I have no idea why someone would mention a quality panfish bite in any lake because it's just a matter of mere hours before the inevitable will happen. I've seen it firsthand twice from this site and too many times in general to count. Both times that were talked up here occurred last winter on smaller, relatively limited pressured and accessible lakes that were somewhere within the state. One had an outstanding population of large bluegills (10-11"), the other had a sizable population of gigantic crappies (14-15"+). In both instances the pressure went from me and an occasional other person to 10-15 groups of people on the ice. The people were nice, and most that I talked to let me know that they heard about the lakes here. That's how I found out about the site. But the problem was that virtually everyone kept whatever they could catch. It was sickening to have these lakes that I (and others) had fished for years (catch and release only) virtually emptied over several weekends. When you take big bluegills and crappies from small waters they don't easily return. People just don't seem to get it.

I literally try dozens of lakes before I find one with nicer panfish and then swear anyone to secrecy that I bring there. I cringe to think of the day that some of these lakes are mentioned on here because the result will be predictable and rather swift.

Interestingly, if you look at most (not all) of the smaller lakes mentioned, the hot bite or best fishing was several years ago. So there is still some hope for those that do their own work and strike out on their own versus following the crowd.

Look at the pictures of the big crappies Matt posted lately. If he told the name of the lake there would be so many people running to get to that lake it would make your head spin. Unfortunately, that is the reality that we must all live with.

[StPaulParkFisherman]

matt told you where he got it on bald egale.

[Matt Johnson]

Larger lakes with more pressure are less important, but smaller lakes can be fished out rather quickly. I'm not saying that larger lakes don't need to be focused on as well, its just that smaller lakes need more attention. The main thing is to practice catch and release on larger fish. Keep some of the small to medium fish and let the rest go if you choose to eat a few. And don't go out every night and bring home a limit.

I know I'm guilty of sharing a few spots that I shouldn't have and I apologize if I offended anyone in the past. Knowing the fish are there isn't the problem though, its the over harvesting and taking of fish that should be released.

Telling someone you caught nice fish on a 1,000 acre lake is different from telling someone you caught fish on a 200 acre lake. The 1,000 acre lake is less open to change as is the 200 acre lake. 50 fishermen can wipe out that 200 acre lake after a few days of fishing, but the 1,000 acre lake can with hold heavy pressure and bounce back year after year. But it all comes down to catch and release. Whether its 10 acres or 10,000 acres, catch and release can help maintain a solid future in fishing. I'm not saying that you should never bring any fish fish home to eat, I take fish home from time to time, but what I'm saying is that selective harvesting is important to maintain the quiality fisheries for the future.

Whether a lake has 1 person fishing it or 1,000, selective harvest will keep the quality and quantity of fishing in that lake for years to come.

Sorry for the ranting, but I feel thats its important for everyone to understand.

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

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Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait
MarCum

[This message has been edited by Matt Johnson (edited 12-18-2003).]

[DoctorB]

I'm not talking about the one on Bald Eagle, and besides, catching a big crappie out of there now and then is nothing unusual, especially if you fish it in the spring.

[Duffman]

I'll say it again, for every one guy or gal that posts, there are hundreds just checking in to see where the bite is going down. If you don't want to have your spot overun by fisherman, shut up and keep it to yourself. If you want to help out some people, keep the info to e-mails, or personally meet someone from online and show them the spot yourself. There are too many greedy and disrespectful people out there, that's just how it is.

[Havin' Fun]

Or....how about put the effort in to teacher others about catch-n-release. Yes, divulging small lakes on here is dangerous, but it's not the giving of the information that is dangerous, it's what the people do with it that dangerous. Remember that!!!

[Pig_sticka]

The way I see it,
I wont post a secret spot i have discovered, but i might email to someone in need. those spots i take friends and family too and just hope they dont tell people, but atleast people are enjoying the fishing.
If everyone used catch and release and kept the trash off the ice, and used good ice judgement, i would probably post most the spots.
For the most part I will just post public spots, and i believe most people only post the public spots on this site, unless it is said in private posts.
if your spot is ruined, go find another.
and about big crappies in bald eagle if we get a couple thousand people out there everynight maybe they can keep those 7-8 inch crappies and help out the fishery. I haven't seen one bigger in all my years of fishing the lake.

[DoctorB]

PigSticka - That's why most of the crappies are 7-8 inches in the Eagle, Green Lake, or many others in the cities. Once they get bigger than that people keep them. Put your email in your profile so I can tell you how to catch some bigger crappies out of there. The bait store by 61 and J used to have pictures of 3 pound plus fish from there. There are still nice ones in there, but you will not find schools of them, in my opinion.

[Fisher Dave]

I used to post a lot of detailed info on metro waters .. location, presentation, bite times, etc.... the only reason I stopped .. I dont live in the metro anymore.

I personaly don't have a problem sharing some of my spots with a couple other anglers on occasion.

I take it offensively when I receive the occasional email from a person who occasionaly fishes a lake and blatently tells me to quit giving info about lakes because they fish it. I'm sorry, none of us own the water, and everyone has the same right to fish a body of water.

Panfish anglers seem to be the most aggresive upon finding new lakes. If you have a lake with quality panfish, I would highly recommend keeping it quiet, as for every other specie, it seem that if others don't witness a good bite the 1st time they are there, most dont come back.

People sharing good information is one of the things that make this site so unique. Everyone that comes here has the ability to gather some good information because people are willing to contribute.

[Kodiak]

perfect

[howwedoin]

I learned everything I know from this site! Thanks to honest and giving people I am able to go out on a lake with confidence and even get through the ice to try and catch a fish. From what I know I don't remember anyone saying where their "honey Hole" is! I read a couple threads back where they were talking about trying new spots. Well last Saturday I went about 50 yards away from the usual clump of houses that accumulate every year. Someone that works for ice team came out and told me there were weeds in that area and was kind enough to let me use some holes he cut with his power auger and even checked the depths/told me what was down there. This is my second full year of ice fishing and I appreciate the people that help us little people out! I'll tell you where my honey hole is! It's on a lake! Where my auger starts to turn.

THANKS!!!!!

[Matt Johnson]

I understand where Clayburn is coming from, and I don't think his intentions were to start an arguement so I'm going to address this before anything happens (not saying that it will but I don't want to see it go down that path). Clayburn just shared his opinion on things, and that should be respected. I believe his main concern is that some of the lakes that he spent time on to figure out successful patterns have been over harvested. Most of the lakes talked about on the Metro forum are open to the public and can be found in map books and from the DNR, so they are no secrets for anyone who is looking. But there are spots on these lakes where fishing can be really good and for some it took time to find those areas, and those are the secrets, everyone has some. I'm sure everyone knows what I'm talking about and can understand a little bit of the frustration that Clayburn feels, I have little spots that I don't even tell my dad about . I've never met Clayburn and I'm not taking any sides, I just want to keep things positive and productive here in the forums. Everyone is here with the same goal which is to enjoy the sport of fishing and learn a thing or two on the way. I agree with Harmonica Bear and the rest of you, taking in the information is only a small part, what you do with it is what counts. Sharing tips, techniques, depths, reports, or whatever is what this site is for. That doesn't mean everyone has to be tightlipped, the purpose of this site is to share information and have a good time doing it. If e-mailing someone off the site is how you get the secret then so be it, I'm sure everyone understands. But lets keep things positive and continue what we all do best...the sport of fishing!

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

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First Choice Guide Service

[email protected]
Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait
MarCum

[Guest]

The lakes we're talking about are not privately owned, they are for all to enjoy. My philosophy is share and share alike. Besides the Holidays are here, be Happy and good luck to all.
p.s. Anyone know of a good lake for crappies in the Western Suburbs (aside from Mtka.)?

[Duffman]

Dave Nelson....
Parley used to be a great little crappie lake until the word got out.

[goose89]

well said duffman

[Pig_sticka]

word getting out has different meanings though.
if i had a honey hole and people started fishing i would be happy to see fishing minnesota guys on it or friends and family on it. the one true thing that would make me mad would be to start seeing trash on those spots. or seeing a big bucket of trophy fish waiting to go home in a freezer or to waste. i know some freezer fish go for fish frys though so i can understand that.
maybe if some fisherman would learn to pick up after themselves and treat the lakes/spots with respect not so many people would be so cautious about telling people about them.
everytime i have seen an actual fishing minnesota fisherman they have had the respect and are good guys. so maybe dont attack eachother on fm but attack the ones who dont respect the lakes.

sorry got alot of time on my hands recovering from my appendix surgery. ill be out on the ice soon hopefully. good fishing

[Guest]

OK... I'll give out some info. Walleyes... Mille Lacs... 10-15ft deep. There ya go!

Sorry... just had to do that. Another aspect of sharing information is the fact that some people are just plain lazy. I have shared info in the past regarding time, depth, lure/bait, structure... you name it. To some, that's still not enough. People have even asked me for GPS coords. Point of my story: it's never enough info.

I hold back on my spots, and if other people do, good for them. I will shares tuff I found with certain people, but otherwise, I just don't say much of anything anymore.

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-FNC

"get on the natch"

[John Mickish]

EVERYBODY here has got some information from somebody at sometime and used it to his/her advantage without batting an eye. If you don't want to talk about things then you might as well just shut the darn thing down and go over to quiltingmn.com.

I'm new to the area and have recieved some fantastic information here. I have used some of your information and taken my daughter out and caught some fish. She loved it and I can't thank you people enough. That's what I thought this whole thing was about anyways, was fun.

Let's just police ourselves a little bit, pratice some catch and release on the smaller lakes or larger fish on big lakes. If you want to help somebody out that may be new or taking a special person out maybe give them some general instruction here and if you wanted to give them a secret spot, maybe do it in an email.

Just have fun, lifes to short to be complaining.

[Guest]

I find it funny that people who
hate the fact that too much infomation is given out are the first one to ask the expert at Home Depot or his local garage how to fix his car or house.Or call a friend when their printer wont work.take your own advice and go to school

[mpotter21]

I'd give my two cents, but I dont want to get censored.

[Duffman]

All youse Fisherfolks......
I've been involved with these online fishing message boards for over 5 years. I've seen the best and the worst from people on them. Because of places like FM I've met and made some great friends who I wouldn’t have otherwise. I've absorbed a ton of good info that has been posted over the years and I'm definitely a better fisherman because of it and I'll even say I think I'm a better person because of the different opinions and ideas I have read.

Sure, most of the guys who POST on FM are upstanding members of whichever community they hail from, it's the ones that don't post that should garner your attention. This icefishing stuff has just exploded with popularity over the last few years, but so has the amount of trash that I've seen left on the ice.

I saw in another forum where someone was wondering why the trash on Holland Lake was only near the access spots and not on the other side of the lake. We'll if you're to lazy to huff it to the other side of the lake, does it suprise anyone that these people are to lazy to bend over and pick up the shiat they left behind. These are the types of people that you guys should worry about, the guys that want instant gratification with anything they do. These are the same type of people who troll these boards just to find out where they can get fish without much effort, deplete the resource, trash the lake, and the heck with the rest of ya, cause it's just what that type of person does. Just a reflection of society these days.

So if you guys want to post a lot of detailed info online, go right ahead, but I don't want to hear ya whine about your spots being overfished and trashed up afterwards. I've learned my lesson, and unless you are willing to hook up with me personally, I pretty much zip my lip about spots. O.K. I'll step down now, good luck to you fisherfolk.

[Dennis Steele]

I am still a rookie (always will be)and look to this site for good info on where to find some fish to catch.
Spreading out the fishing pressure is a good thing.
The great thing about this site is that I share a spot with you and you share a spot with me.

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NPAA #863

[wastewaterguru]

Dennis,

I think you even shared a tree along the bank of the river with me! (Oh sure I was driving, but you were supposed to be navigating...)

MMmm that reminds me,I have a hole...I mean spot...I want to show you on the ice on Prior!

[Roosterslayer05]

Yea I had a little Hunny hole in the cities, about a 30 acres lake that was full with 9-10 inch crappies and the same size sunfish. All the sudden all these people started showing up and keeping there limits of crappies everyday. I asked them how they found out about it and they said someone told them and a few said this website. They fished it out in 3 weeks. Why would someone come everyday and keep there limit of 15 crappies everytime on a 30 acre lake. They just dident keep all the fish they also left trash out there.

[Big_D]

The way I figure it Clayburn you either join this site to give out info, or you get info from other people. But if you are not giving out info then you must be taking everyone elses or there wouldnt be a reason for you to be here. So dont be a jack@$$ complaining about people giving out info, some people obviosly care about letting other people get onto some fish more than you.

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Big D