Prairie Pothole Lakes

[UMDSportsman]

I just moved down to the area right at christmas time and spent the last two weeks hopping around ice fishing. I tried various lakes and hopped around trying different areas on the lakes I did fish on. My question is: what is the best way to attack these types of lakes. I know they are pretty shallow, 5-10 ft max, and that walking around can make noise and scare fish. Is it best to just pull up, drill a couple holes and give it 5,10,20,30 minutes, or does it help to drill 15 holes and hop around them holes looking for fish. I am also wondering what types of "structure" are best to hit, ie. are the fish just out cruising the middle of the lake, or would they hold more to shoreline breaks/points? I have had limited success in various places, open lake/shoreline/points/rock piles, etc. I am not looking for lake names and where the hot bite is, just what a good approach is.

I am also curious about the rough fish. i threw my camera down at one lake and saw a bunch of carp swimming around. is this a sign that a person should move?

These prarie potholes are a new challenge. thanks in advance for any help/pointers.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Welcome to SW MN. Big change from what you're used to, eh?

People laugh at me when I get to talking about our little potholes. However, they hold some real nice fish and finding them is not easy.

My best advice is to make some friends and go fishing with them. We've fished together and you should know that you are ALWAYS welcome in my fish house.

Potholes offer a whole new group of challenges. A 4" bump can mean everything. Yup, 4 stinkin inches. The lakes really arn't mapped out that well, and you really have 2 options when fishing these lakes. Option 1, hook up with some local guys and go fishing. This is fun. Option 2, get out and drill holes. This to me is more fun. Keep a journal of what you saw/caught during a particular time of year. That will help you a a ton.

To answer some of your specific questions....the rough fish are everywhere. They have no real rhyme or reason in the winter time to be in any specific spot. If you see them, fear not, they are just wandering.

The run and gun vs sit and wait is a long stretched debate. I've always found run and gun to be more productive. Drill, drill, drill, and drill...then wait a tad. Let the spooked fish calm down and become active again.

[Learning2Fish]

Which lakes did you hit in the area?

During the day you probably can move around more and find the active fish. From 4-7pm range if fishing for walleyes i would try to find that deeper hole ledge where they maybe moving in/out of to feed. The ones in the shallower are your more active fish as you know.

But the key areas would be to try and locate the rock piles, fallen trees, deeper holes, sharp points and change in the bottom such as mud to sand.

If there is alot of traffic already on that lake then the fish won't be so spooked to the drilling as to a remote pond that barely gets any activity.

[riverrat56]

I would key on any transition areas, sand to mud, rock to sand, weedlines, or the all important; no fish to fish.

Other than that just keep on drilling, I have caught fish out roaming in shallow lakes that have no rhyme or reason to be there.

[muc33]

I would key on any transition areas, sand to mud, rock to sand, weedlines, or the all important; no fish to fish.

Other than that just keep on drilling, I have caught fish out roaming in shallow lakes that have no rhyme or reason to be there.

Or the normal SW Mn transition of mud to mud, that one seems to do the best. hehehehehe.

River Rat, option two works best!

[UMDSportsman]

I have to start a fishing log, i have the file, just need to find it and start it. A couple of the lakes I have tried are Sara, shetek, round, graham, kinbrae, okabena, and at least two or three others that i can't remember right now. I acutally found one good transition area, 3-4' rock pile that droped off to 7-8' and transitioned to sand. Decent walleye action at prime time, but all small. A majority of the walleyes i found were small, ie 8-13", is that pretty commmon around here? If it matters I also like to target other fish besides walleyes, i also love to catch perch, crappies, sunfish, northern, well, just about anything that pulls on the line.

[Team Otter]

First and foremost, don't set your expectations too high during your first official hard water season in southern MN. It's takes A LOT of time and effort to pull together a pattern around here and just when you think you have your arms around something, the pattern changes. So, you need quite a few back-up plans. Ha! And do most of your scouting and game-planning in the summer. You can cover a lot more ground in a boat than you can with an auger.

Transition areas, food and cover rule the roost in the southern heartland. If you go with BG, add PBR to that list.

[Learning2Fish]

sara is a ok walleye lake, perch and crappie it holds unsure of numbers or size. graham is decent with lots of little walleyes in both east and west and do hold some really nice ones. Kinbrae i hear hold alot of perch, few northerns and unsure of crappie. Okabena holds lots of walleye, perch and crappie. Alot of the walleyes and perch that are biting right now reach the 8-10 inch range. The crappie were small handsize. But i know there are lots of large walleyes held in the lake and produces several ten pounders a year. Indian lake would be a lake to check for crappie and they are usually a big handsize. Ocheada and bella can produce some crappie/perch. Some nice northerns can be caught and the walleye every once in great while, but those two can be a big hit or miss.

[landscaper]

well said by everyone! i have to agree any drop offs, rocks to sand/mud anything and everything....fishing theses lakes is not easy!! and like said above the lake maps dont show anything close to what there is out there!

good luck!

[Learning2Fish]

talcot is another good lake for walleyes. The last time we were out there we picked up alot of little ones, but on the opener you'll see it packed rain or shine every year. Winter not many houses out there and watchout if you drive on that lake. There are some nice crappies but low numbers.

Lake wilson is known for its jumbo perch 12-15inch fishing, but so far its been pretty slow that i've heard.

Boot lake there are perch and northerns in there. You'll have to sort through alot of perch i think to finally get some to keep.

Loon lake is known for crappie fishing. I can't tell you the size of them this year. When i went this summer for crappies ended up getting alot of walleyes about 15 inches and too many bullheads.

If you buy a iowa license then your best bet would be to hit boji for some nice panfish that come out of the bays. Of course some really nice walleyes and northerns as a added bonus.

Can anyone say whats all in Clear lake over by jackson?

Clear lake up by talcot they were catching perch up there. unsure of what else is in it.

What does windom have to offer?

For shetek did you try over by the inlet?

Also since the water clarity isn't that clear you probably wanna try maybe a red/orange color then also something that rattles for a jig.

Trying to think of what other lakes around that you can try and what they may hold for fish.

After they turn on the aeration systems to a lake that will also change any pattern you might of setup before that.

Good luck and have fun

[Eric Wettschreck]

Lime lake in Avoca has a decent perch, very nice pike, and amazing crappie population. Disclaimer, just cuz I said the crappies are in the lake doesn't mean I guarantee you will catch them. They are very difficult to find. This time of the year (I call winters dog days from mid Jan to mid Feb) I spend a lot of time smack dab in the middle of the lake.

Correbelle outside of Iona has decent perch.

Buffalo, near Dovrey had so-so perch.

Fox lake near Shetek has very nice perch.

Yes, the Shetek inlet is a good place to fish. However, if you plan on driving near the inlet I advise using caution. There is moving water there and it has a reputation for thin ice next to thick ice.

The Windom area has Cottonwood, Timber, Eagle, and Bingham Lake. Last time I fished Bingham, for a couple of different reasons, I promised myself I wouldn't be returning for a few years.

[88fan]

UMD I considered myself to be a very good icefisherman until this winter, so far this has been my worst winter in memory. On many of the SW MN lakes I usually do quite well on the shoreline structure (points,drops, etc). On a lake that maxes at 6 feet or so you often will find me within 20 yards of shore, and you may get a few furry visitors in that close (muskrats!). If you can find a sharp dropping ledge down here park on it, they will come, even if it is only a few inches. Had I not talked to you and Boilerguy on Sarah that Friday I most likely would have setup close to his house or closer to shore. On the "cereal bowl" lakes (without points or any other real structure) I seem to do the best in the middle of the lake. Trust us there are some big walleyes around here. Good luck!

[Learning2Fish]

Thanks boilerguy, i total forgot about lime, corebella, fox,Cottonwood, Timber, Eagle, and Bingham Lake.

I haven't fished perch or crappie for a long time so i kinda totally overlook those lakes. The last time i fished lime for northerns all i ended up with was a snapping turtle.

My favorite lake though would be okabena. Just mainly due to the walleye fishing. Granted this year i've been struggling to figure out the patterns.

[UMDSportsman]

wow, that is a lot of info on a lot of lakes. Wish i had more time to explore more lakes. I am now reduced to a weekend warrior (started new job yesterday). Thanks for all the info guys.

TO- I know what you mean about scouting in the summer, i spent a week down here at the end of the summer (before school started) and found a couple good spots, one rock pile, and one small hole. Man i wish i had a GPS when i found them. both kind of in the middle of no where.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'll be out fishing this weekend. Drop me a line if you want to tag along. I have no idea what lake I'll be attacking, tho.

The weather is supposed to be nice over the weekend and I can't think of a better way to spend a nice winter day than being on the lake.

[Team Otter]

wow, that is a lot of info on a lot of lakes

And that is what FM's all about...

[Eric Wettschreck]

Originally Posted By: UMDSportsman

wow, that is a lot of info on a lot of lakes

And that is what FM's all about...

Yup!!!!

[basssmasher*]

Boiler, you ever fish clear lake just east of Dundee?? We used to hammer jumbo perch there as well but that was a few yrs ago.. I used to live in sanborn and wouldn't mind hitting the ol stomping grounds again.. lemme know if you have some free time , mebbe we can hook up if ya like,, thanks!

TJ

[basssmasher*]

WOW just noticed I'm finally over 1000 posts!! lol

[landscaper]

few questions:

-How/where do you set up around the "aeration systems" ppl say they attract fish and some say it dont matter? whats your opinion?

-How many fish around the Marshall area? (lake names)

-How many have some trouble fishing this winter with all the snow??

[Eric Wettschreck]

Yes I've fished Clear Lake. A few years ago we did real well on big perch, since then it's been small ones. I'm not saying there arn't big ones in there, but I have not caught them in the past couple years.

Myself, I stay away from the airators. I know a lot of guys like to set up next to them, and I understand why. I have a couple theories about airators;

1) they are good for lakes.

2) Lots of guys set up next to them.

3) I like to fish away from crowds so I avoid airators.

4) Thin Ice signs are there for a reason.

5) I believe in creating my own "Hot bite." Yes, there are fish near the airator for obvious reasons. However, I feel there are as many or more fish, catchable sizeable fish, in other areas.

The Marshall area I am admittadly not familiar with.

The snow creates some problems. I'm lucky as I have a plow truck and easy access to a skid loader. So getting on the lake isn't really a problem after a bit of work. I don't have a snowmobile any more, I have a 4 wheeler. Getting around on some area lakes is a bit of a challenge, but it's worth it to me. My feelings are, if it were easy everyone would do it.

[Learning2Fish]

The closest lakes i ever fish near marshall would be sara and shetek which aren't all that close. But benton is another good lake to try or LQP.

The only way i'll fish near areation systems is by foot/portable.

I'm unsure fishing near the areation system is any better or not to be honest.

[muc33]

From Marshall you have the option of heading to LQP, Yankton in Balaton, Hendricks, Lake Benton, Sarah all around half hour or less.

[crothmeier]

I heard Bingham summer killed this past summer. Is that correct?

[TJsnipehunter]

Learning2Fish-"Can anyone say whats all in Clear lake over by jackson?"

Was there a couple weeks ago in not so great weather, did catch a few small walleyes. Nothing to get too excited about. Not sure what else is in there.

Aerators-

Does anyone know if those guys who set up near aerators catch fish? My theory on them is that you want to be a good distance away from them. By moving the water they mix the water column in that area and cool down the bottom. They also create a current that should take the O2 in the water away from the open hole in the ice. I don't think fish in a lake would seek out colder moving water in the winter unless the O2 levels really drop in that body of water. I would rather not prove my theory by fishing near them, although on Mountain Lake I was about 75-100 yards from the opening and noticed no water movement and the ice was thickest there. That place is so shallow I don't know how the aerator affects it. I've seen very noticeable currents in deeper lakes.

btw Years ago I saw a guy and kid walk up to an aerator opening and start to cast. I was sure I was going to see them go in. Thankfully they didn't catch anything and left after only a few casts.

Tim

[TJsnipehunter]

I heard Bingham summer killed this past summer. Is that correct?

I was just going to ask if anyone had tried it this winter.

I think it weed killer killed this summer but have heard some good fish are still in there.

[crothmeier]

I was told there were thousands of fish floating dead back in July, now if thats true or not I dont know.

I stopped out there the beginning of Dec and fished for a little bit, there wasnt anyone else out there, didnt mark a fish or get a bite. They did have the aerator out, but not running. I wouldnt think they would go through the trouble of putting that out if there werent some fish left in it.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Yes, Bingham Lake had a pretty bad kill off this summer. There are many rumors as to why, and I won't get into that. To answer the question tho, yes, Bingham had a bad kill off this summer.

[crothmeier]

that bites, its a close lake to me and usually you could catch a walleye or a perch on a trip down there.

[UMDSportsman]

BG- you have mail