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Hike-in only, low pressure lakes?


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hey Thunder,

do you have a cabin up near leech/longville area or possibly on Thundder lake?

My bro in laws dad has a cabin on Leech. We go up 1x per year. He usually has a hot spot little puddle scoped out for us to hit. Last year he had one that he was getting really nice crappies out of, but it was bitterly cold and windy, so we just went to the perm they have on leech w/o much luck. I'm not overly familiar with that area as I only get up there 1x per year.

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Thunder, i live in chaska and if i were you i would start scowering the lake finder because there are lots of small lakes that have awesome fisheries around here.

I've seen a few on lakefinder last night and this morning that I would like to maybe try...not sure if they are worth my time though.

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It's rarely clear if they're worth your time until you get out there. I've wasted a few outings sitting on mud-puddles where I think only thing alive under the ice were weeds. smile

Which is also precisely why they can still put out fish. Most people, myself included, are more apt to go where they "know" there are fish than to strike out on their own. I'm more apt to hike into small lakes/ponds in the summer when all I need it a rod & small tackle box. Ice fishing isolated metro, suburban, or rural puddles take more equipment & energy!

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I FREQUENT GLEASON LAKE.... BE CAREFUL OF THE ACCESS. YOU HAVE TO GO IN OFF OF VICKSBURG AND 10TH. PARK AND WALK IN FROM THE LUCE LINE RAILROAD ACCESS. WITH A LOT OF GEAR, THIS CAN BE A HAUL. YOU MAY BE THE ONLY ONE ON THE LAKE ALL DAY! BE CAREFUL OF THE OPEN WATER DUE TO AIR. MUCH OF THE LAKE IS 6' DEEP. I FISH THE NORTH BAY. HAVE CAUGHT MANY 30" PLUS NORTHERNS THERE. I CATCH AND RELEASE DUE TO POOR WATER QUALITY, BUT OFTEN HOOK LARGE NORTHERNS, AND SOME CRAPPIES. THIS LAKE IS DEFINATELY FREE OF "CITY-ITS" (CITY IDIOTS)

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ANOTHER LAKE I FISH QUITE A BIT IS SHADY OAK LAKE OFF OF SHADY OAK ROAD SOUTH OF EXCELSIOR BLVD. THIS LAKE IS A HIDDEN JEM WITH CRAPPIES AND LARGE NORTHERN.... YOU CAN PARK IN THE PARKS PARKING LOT, AND HAVE TO WALK ON. THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS FOR A PICKUP. CRAPPIE FISHING IS GREAT BY THE BEACH AREA, AND NORTHERNS ARE GOOD BY THE BRIDGE IN THE MIDDLE BAY! YOU CAN USUALLY FIND ME HERE, ON GLEASON, OR ON DUTCH!

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This is basically what I dream of. I usually hike 7-9 miles every Saturday and Sunday in the summer, so I figure hiking a mile or two through snow with my equipment is about the same. I know thats not very possible around the metro, but I'll drive 30-50 miles for some hike in pond fun.

If anyone really knows about lakes like this near the metro, send me an email at xsanka[@]gmail[dot]com

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I hit a hike in only lake in Carver Park Reserve this week. About a mile and half hike onto the ice, one way. Spent about 4 hours in varying depths from 25ft to 8ft jigging everything I had at all depths. Didn't get so much as a bite. The DNR report says it's prone to winterkill, so I can only assume that's whats happening now. All the early snow cover can't help.

Got some good exercise anyway.

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I got out last night onto a hike in only lake and did ok. Got a 24" and 14" pike while jigging for crappies. I was the only one out there. The day was too beautiful to pass up on.

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Hey sanka, I know of a lake you may be interested in. Theres no public access, and it might be the one you hiked into even. I tried it once last year and didn't catch anything but if you'd want to try in out I'd be interested in knowing how you did.

[email protected] if your interested

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
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    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
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