christmas lake

[fishgutz]

How's the ice on christmas lake? Drivable? I've heard alot of good things about this lake and want to give it a try. Any info would be appreciated.....

Good luck and good fishin'
fishgutz

[HuskersRule]

Where is this lake?

[schr0563]

Christmas Lake is located south of Highway 7 on the west side of Excelsior. Last Thursday there was roughly 8 inches of ice on the lake. This can vary greatly however, so be careful if venturing across the lake. It should be fine for parking near the edges however, which becomes important when the boat landing fills up. As far as the fishing goes, I got several sunnies and crappies on Thursday. It was very slow however and due to the lack of snow and clear water, the fish are EXTREMELY spooky. I bet I watched two dozen crappies swim through my hole before one even looked at my jig. Most people I talked to didn't even get a bite. Once it snows, the fish will start moving around more and be much easier to catch.

[Fergus Mor McErc]

I fished Christmas Lake last Friday. The ice was four to six inches out in the middle. Not sure how much was up by shore. From what I could tell, the lake was nowhere near drivable last weekend. Even with this cold I'd think twice about driving on it for a week or so. Christmas Lake is right off of Hwy. 7 at the intersection of Hwy. 7 and Christmas Lake Rd., just before Excelsior as you're traveling west.

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Fergus Mor McErc
O Tempora! O Mores!

[fishhollwood]

Was at Xmas Last Friday from 2-5pm and did very well. Caught between 30-40 sunnies and 15-20 Crappies. I saw one of the biggest Bass I've ever seen. I know the water distorts the fish, making it look bigger, but this was huge. It came in a bit my jig tipped with a wax worm, but spitted it out right away. I thought it would come back and hit it again, but she just looked at it for a minute and passed it up. I was so bummed. I know I couldn't of kept it but a picture would of been great.
Word to the wise, stay off the ice with your cars and trucks, atleast for the next week or two. The boat lauch is ok, but it gets very thin in the deeper parts of the lake. Good luck guys, might be out there on Sunday.

[Doonbuggy]

Hollwood - thanks for the nice report. Were the panfish around certain structure or depth of water?

Have never icefished a clear lake like xmas....

Xmas is one of the last lakes to freeze so I'd be wary of driving out there, even after this cold snap.

DB

[schr0563]

fishhollwood,
I was fishing the shallow bay on the west end of the lake on Friday. It is always slow at the beginning of the season, but the rare giant crappie that comes in there keeps me coming back. Did you get any big crappies (over 14 inches)? I have a pretty good idea of where you caught your fish but I won't post it here, to avoid large crowds moving in on you. The spot I am thinking of has roaming schools of big sunnies, with crappies moving in right at dark. In the past however, it hasn't produced any giant crappies for me, and I am still in search of the elusive 2 pounder.

Can't wait for the trout season!

[Mr. Pike1]

For those of you who know and fish thsi lake I have always had a question I never asked. I know that there are motor restrictions on this body of water. Can you still launch on the lake with a large motor if you only use the trolling motor?

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

No one follows the restriction on the lake, It is a 35 hp limit I believe, but as you see all the ski boats on the lake and the boats that are at people's docks looks like no one takes it seriously. (I've been out there a couple of time with my 50 horse, was scared to fire it up until i saw a couple people tubing right past me)

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To be the man you have to beat the man....Wooooooooo

[Renneberg]

There's no motor restriction to x-mas lake that I know of.

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"Study to be quiet"

[wmn luv me walleye fearme]

There is a sign at the launch that says 35 hp restriction (at least as of last summer), and the dnr map book (at least the copy that i have which is 4 years old has it on it as well) but the dnr site doesn't say a restriction so they probabaly had one at one time and just never changed the sign?
Obviously to post this quick again work is a little slow tonight

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To be the man you have to beat the man....Wooooooooo

[Fisher Dave]

There is no motor restriction at X-mas lake. Years back there was a 25 hp restriction... but the homeowners on the lake refused to abide by it and eventually the limit was lifted...

[Fisher03]

I am thinking about going fishing on this lake on Saturday. I have never gone out to this lake before. I want to get some nice panfish but I dont know where to go on the lake. Ive looked at maps and its deep everywhere, so are most of the fish near shoreline or all over? Any tips on depth or what region would be great.

Also is the ice safe everywhere? And where is the boat launch you guys are talking about. I looked at the dnr maps but there no launch pictured.

Its either this lake or Bush lake that I might head out to.

Thanks,
Peter

[This message has been edited by Fisher03 (edited 01-06-2004).]

[schr0563]

Fisher03

To get to the public access on Christmas Lake, go west on Highway 7 to Christmas Lake Road. Turn left (south), and then take your immediate left (east) onto the frontage road behind the big cement wall. Then take your first right (south again) and follow that straight into the landing (about a half a block). Goodluck, and don't get frustrated if you aren't seeing/getting fish right away. They are in there, you just need to take the time to understand their patterns and habits.

[fishhollwood]

Thanks for not listing the spot, and yes I have seen some of those 2lb come in. One snapped my line last friday. If anyone catches a huge crappie with a green hook tipped with a waxies, please return the fish and hook to me!

As for advise, I would tell you to stay in one place and be very quite. Some people continue to move from hole to hole, all that does is scare the fish and spook them even more. The fish in xmas are leary of everything! So be very still and wait them out. Once you drill a hole and start to fish it's not uncommon to fish there 20-30 minutes without seeing a fish, but if you stick in out, you will be rewarded. I would try to fish between 4-8 feet of water.
Good luck,
jeff

[Fisher03]

Thanks guys, I will try and check out this weekend.

Is the ice safe all around? The access is right near a dam right,in the northwest bay of the lake? I would prolly just stick around in that bay. Maybe ill see someone else out there too. Hope I get somethin.

[This message has been edited by Fisher03 (edited 01-06-2004).]

[Mr. Pike1]

So it appears the concensous is that there is no motor restriction on X-mas lake. I may drop the boat in their this spring and give it a shot. This lake is right on the way to one of my favorite bodies of water.

[schr0563]

Fishhollwood, that is interesting what you said about the big crappies. Since I set a goal to get a 2+ pound crappie a few years ago, I have been scouring Christmas but have only been able to come within 3 ounces of my goal. If you want to discuss some of the spots in greater detail, drop me an email at [email protected] I feel like I know the lake well, but there is always something more to be learned.

[fishgutz]

Hey dudes, thanks for all the info. You'll have a new partner out on the lake. I used to hang out with a girl awhile ago that lived near the lake so thats when I heard good stuff about it. Thanks for all the info guys, sounds like I finally found a decent panfishing lake in the metro.....Oh yeah guys I won't steal your 2lber's....
Good luck and good fishin'
fishgutz

[Jens]

I grew up on X-mass. The motor Restriction was from a deal from the DNR. X-mass was a Closed Lake no Public access. DNR bought some land for a public access the Home owners went nuts. So they came to an agreement. 5 years of 25 hp limit then No restriction. The 25 hp ended a while ago.

I'll tell you what.... Big Trout in that lake... I caught a 13 lbs 2 years ago... I love targeting them in the spring and summer..

Jens

[SportFishin']

Any recent reports? Went out there to check Ice thickness FYI 14" Near first bay yeasterday. Saw a bunch of guys fishing out in the main lake & NW bay. Any FM'rs out there this weekend?

Later Chris

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"Fishing is an addiction, Anybody got some more?"

[This message has been edited by SportFishin' (edited 01-12-2004).]

[schr0563]

I am leary about posting, because I know what can happen to a lake when word gets out. My dad and I brought home 15 gills and 13 crappies on Sunday afternoon. There was consistent action the entire time we were there. As far as size goes, the crappies averaged 8 ounces where the sunnies were a strong 6 ounces each. I weighed em!

[troutman]

you don't seem too leary to me...

[This message has been edited by troutman (edited 01-12-2004).]

[SportFishin']

Thanks schr0563,

I know what you mean! You don't have to post results due to other viewers & this Lake cannot handle alot of pressure.

I haven't Ice fished it for years now. All info would be between me & the wall if you know what I mean. schr0563
my e-mail is [email protected] if you want to keep things private & talk about the action over the next few weeks.

I will see you on the water this weekend if your out there.

P.S. PEOPLE
TIP #1
"The key to success is to BE QUIET on Christmas & Don't crowd others."

Later & Thanks again
Chris

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"Fishing is an addiction, Anybody got some more?"

[schr0563]

My biggest reason for not sharing info on Christmas would be to not anger other anglers. You guys have a point about the lake's size and vulnerability to heavy pressure. This has kept me from posting in the past, but when it comes down to it, they are only fish, and I want other people to be able to catch some too. I guess I figure if I share what I am catching, others might be more inclined to share their success.

[mudman]

Hey Fishgutz I think everyone knows
"The Girl" on X-mas lake;-) HAHAHA

[fishgutz]

Awww man.. You too Mudman??? She seemed sweet and innocent. I'll be out there this week....

good luck boys
fishgutz

[Iceboy]

Well, I was out there both Saturday and Sunday and didn't do well at all. We just set up on a weed edge in around 8 ft of water to do some sight fishing. We only saw a few small northerns and bluegills a day, with no biters (well, one of the small northerns tried, but I jerked my bait away). Don't know where the crappies are, but never saw any. We did see some big trout lounging around on a hump in the middle of the lake - pretty cool. I'm thinking we will try shallower next time - any hints would be nice.

The best part was that we got setup and within an hour there were 3 other groups of people around us. We had no clue where to go, but of course everyone else assumes that you do so they piled in. Irritating...

[fishhollwood]

I was out there on Sunday between 11-4pm, wish I could of stayed until dark but I ran out of waxies. We did pretty well, we kept 5 crappies and around 20 sunnies. We caught a lot but only kept what we would eat. Did see a bullhead which I thought was pretty odd, but nothing to out of the ordinary. Ice looked to be around 15 inches in the bays.
FYI... if you see someone is catching fish, that does not give you permission to drill holes 5 feet from them! That is what happen to me on Sunday! What happen to those unwriten rules of fishing?

I can't express this enough about Xmas lake, stay away from others, it will increase your chances of catching fish. The fish in this lake are so spooky, to much bait in the water, in a small area, makes them leary.

Good luck everyone, and keep the feedback coming!

fhw

[schr0563]

Iceboy, that was cool that you saw some trout. If you want some advice about the panfish, drop me an email at [email protected] For a little info on the trout I can put you on some nice sunnies and crappies.

Fishhollwood, I know how frustrating it can be to have people disturb you when you are fishing. But have you noticed that the spookiness of the fish can actually work in your favor. Many times when someone walks near you they will push the fish right to you. And even if they clear them out for awhile, after 5 minutes they come right back in.