Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

DNR Ready for Squeezing on Big Sand & Emma


Recommended Posts

I talked a Park Rapids DNR marine bioligist today and they stated that they have a walleye sampling station on the creek between Emma and Big Sand ready to go. It's a little early yet but they have had a few "green" females show up already. So the early ones are getting ready to stage for spawning already. The guess is by next week (or by May 1rst) they will already have some spawning action.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I looked at the 10-day weather forcast for Park Rapids Area...looks like cool weather and rain. That should slow the spawking down for an extra week or so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They don't have the nets set up yet, just the sign. I talked to Doug Kingsley (PR Fisheries Supervisor) this morning. They are going to wait until the ice is off of Emma.

They'll sample eyes that swim through, but strip the suckers to use as food for muskies in the rearing ponds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jason: Is Big Sand a good lake for walleyes opening weekend? I have never tried it except in the fall. Do the mid-lake humps product on opener weekend or are they too deep so a guy shouls stick to the shroeline structure?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Big Sand used to be "THE" lake to fish around opener, or at least the week or two after. The fishery is down quite a bit, but that doesn't mean there isn't good fishing to be had. I'd avoid the steep drops. If you go, head to the north end on the massive flat and use a jumbo leech.

Ten years ago it was hard to find a parking spot at the access around opener, now it's thinned out some because of the decline in both numbers and size. But I'd still recommend it, Big Sand is a dynamic fishery.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the tip. I never would have thought to use leeches on opening weekend. I have always used minnows because I never thought of using leeches or crawlers that earl in the season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

jason thanks for putting up the info on the trap, we are expecting to put the trap in late next week but that is still tenative. As far as where the spawn is at, the walleyes are giving eggs everyday, even with the cold or cooler weather. Sunday some of the nets were fishing around the area but most of the fish were held for the next day. the runs are going good right now with good numbers of quarts being taken each day but we will see what mother nature does with the runs on firday.

if you guys want I can let you know when the trap goes in and maybe post some pics of fish or the trap working

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fur Taker: Any pictures would be great..keep the information coming. It is all really interesting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

we started setting up the trap today and plans are to be fishing it tuesday night after we finish setting it up I will try to take some pics for ya

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any idea day you expect to see peak spawning activity for walleye at the trap?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Wanderer
      Need tips on hitting your own?
    • Kettle
      Friends around Grand Rapids have done pretty well, nothing big regarding bucks though. Further north all I've head are bad reports. Seeing a lot of does when I drive around during the day but have only seen one buck during the day the past few weeks. Have a friend that's a trooper so when I need venison I just get a car hit one. 
    • Wanderer
      Good luck this weekend for those going out.  Smurfy must be dragging a biggun outta da Chippewa this week.   Some are saying the movement kept increasing for them this week but my cams have gone cold the past couple days.  We’ll see how she goes!
    • JerkinLips
      Had 30 feet of ice out from my Stuntz Bay boathouse on Tuesday afternoon.  None inside the boathouse so I was easily able to remove my boat from the lake (just pushed the ice away in reverse and drove forward through it with my 16 foot aluminum boat).  Didn't hook up my battery so I didn't get the lake temp.  Were lots of boat trailers parked at the landing.  Hope they get off the lake easily.  Will be ice fishing in 4 weeks.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  It's deer hunting season in MN and not many are out fishing.  Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.   The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     No surprise, vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is the program for most anglers.  Anglers are going through a lot of frozen emerald shiners as the walleyes and saugers are all mixed sizes.  You will catch small ones and your eaters.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well.    Anglers are also reporting very good numbers of jumbo perch this fall.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      Good numbers of fish are staged in great spots for the upcoming ice fishing season. On the Rainy River...  Good numbers of shiners again in the river this past week. Typically, if there are shiners, there will be walleyes, and there definitely are.     Walleyes are coming from various spots from Four Mile Bay to Wheeler's Point, to Baudette all the way to Birchdale.  With so many anglers taking advantage of the deer hunting season, there are not a lot of boats on the river.      Walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.  The bait and consequently, walleyes, are moving around.  Once you find some fish, you will be rewarded. Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the way to go. Some anglers are also still 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...  For those not in the woods hunting, fall fishing continues to be excellent.  It is areas with structure holding walleyes in this part of the lake.  Points, neck-down areas with current, shoreline breaks, and transition zones from rock to mud are all productive locations for walleye right now.     A nice mixed bag with perch, pike and crappies being caught as well. 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.  
    • monstermoose78
    • Mike89
    • Wanderer
    • ozzie
      Yes.  No lightning strikes in the area on Saturday and a tree was burning.  The squirrel hunters have been a nuisance this year with more activity in our area then we have ever seen.  This was the 3rd fire in the section of woods in the past 2 weeks.  Most definitely not caused by natural events.
    • leech~~
      Stop, trying to make everybody feel bad that not in the woods!   😟  😆
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.