lake nokomis walleyes

[goose89]

i heard some whisperings of decent walleye action on nokomis. overall, what is the concensus on nokomis. just moved from "up north" to the area. i don't need to slaughter them, just want know if a fish or two is possible there now and then. thanks.

[BullsInc]

hey Goose

Welcome to the "Center of the Universe" as we know it or what most people call it the "Metro". The survey for walleyes in Nokomis doesn't look bad but if you're stuck to the inner-metro and want to fish walleyes, you're better off fishing Harriet or Calhoun and if you're not stuck to the inner-metro there are much better walleye lakes to fish if you're willing to drive.

BI

[This message has been edited by BullsInc (edited 12-29-2003).]

[Lunker]

I'd take nokomis over harriet or calhoun any day, but that is in part because I dont have a vex, which is necessary for those to big, full structured lakes. Problem with nokomis these days is all of the eyes being caught are very small. There are bigger in there, but nobody can seem to find them. Caught dozens of eyes there last year but only one of them was over a foot, and he was a few lbs. I've seen good eyes come out of there, but not in the last couple years. I've been out once so far this year, caught 4 eyes, all small.

[Works2Fish]

I would agree with Lunker that all the eyes coming out of Nokomis lately are small. I have yet to hook something decent in that lake in two years of fishing it both summer and winter. (Note that it has not stopped me from continuing to try.)

Of course, I do not have a vex either, so I am in the same boat as Lunker. Call me old fashioned, but there is something more sporting for me personally when I take the time to study a lake, test different areas, and learn from experience, rather than just dropping a load of cash on electronics. Give me a bucket, a tip up, and jigging stick and I am happy. Enough said.

------------------
"The two best times to fish is when it's rainin' and when it ain't."

[Fisher Dave]

Nokomis, Calhoun, and Harriet all have a good population of decent eyes, and big eyes.... The trick is .. to find them. I guarantee you any of them 3 lakes can out-produce many of this states best walleye waters.. IF you can find the fish. The fishing has become more difficult in the last few years due to all the *cigars*. I'm not sure if they stocked these lakes in excess, or if there was a good natural spawning year(or 2) to add to the stocked fish... but for whatever reason, there are tons of these tiny walleyes.

Each of the 3 lakes are entirely different. Nokomis is similar to fishing a reservoir (lots of shallow water), Calhoun has endless structure both deep and shallow, and Harriet is predominantly deep with limited structure anywhere besides the weedline.. but the weedline in many areas is very irregular and creates great ambush points.

The trick on Nokomis is to get away from the people and put some time in. You dont need any type of structure to hold the walleyes, they tend to cruise the flats looking for food... often time creating the *time* your out, more important than the location.

Lake Harriet .. key on the weeds. Look for any substancial imperfection in the weedline away from the crowds, or popular areas. The area near both fishing docks can be good, and also the south side which is relatively untouched territory... but be prepared to walk, or take your gear down a stairway.

Lake Calhoun .. The 1st day I had ever ice fished(20 years ago) I caught a 6# & 8# walleye on sucker minnows off the bar in front of the channel in the day. 2 years ago, I caught a 9 & 10.5 on sucker minnows near the channel in 6' of water in mid day hours. Other than that, I have caught walleyes in 3', and 53' of water, and everywhere between .. but all of my larger fish have been in 20' and less.

[ATM]

I will be hitting nokomis at about noon on the 2nd I will be in a green canvas portable if any fmers want to stop by and say hi. Adam

[Lunker]

ATM, if you are going out for eyes, I would suggest you stay until sundown, that is usaully when the most action is. Good luck!

[ATM]

Lunker, I plan on staying into dark, I have had some luck out there in shallow water just off the bridge after dark, I try to fish the deepest hole before that. Has anyone ventured over by the bridge, usually the last place to freeze solid. Adam

[Lunker]

I havent been there in a few weeks, but the ice under the bridge should be decent, but be careful since the weather had been weird. I was on a different lake with a bridge the other day and the ice was good,so I'd imagine Nokomis would be walkable... That's a spot I like too.

[ATM]

The bite was very slow for me friday night I only managed 2 perch and a small walleye from about 3pm to 6pm. Adam

[Guest]

Use to fish nokomis and calhoun extensively when I lived down there. I think calhoun has the best structure for wallys and an occassional muskie. Fished the west side of the lake. Parked truck on street and pulled my portable out about 200 yds from shore. Was a nice sunken island with deep water around it . Usually got something, I think the wallys tend to be bigger in calhoun. You dont catch alot , but the ones you get can be 5# or better. Also if you put down a large shiner or sucker there is a chance at a muskie. I live north of brainerd now, were spoiled up here, on lake in 10 min. fishing, got numerous lakes within 1/2 hr. Always had fun down there on the metro lakes. Good luck.

[RandyR]

I have not fished the city lakes in a while, but the largest walleye I have personally landed came out of Harriet a number of years ago, 27.5 inches. Caught it ice fishing on Christmas eve on a bar that tops out at about 18 feet in the southwest corner of the lake. Caught a few walleyes on that structure, it is surrounded by deep water and I would imagine it still holds fish. It is in the vicinity of W 45th Street and not shown on maps, but there were always some holes drilled there so it was no secret. By the way, they didn't bite until after dark.

[This message has been edited by RandyR (edited 01-04-2004).]