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.

Metro Area Minnesota Fishing Reports & Ice Conditions


Recommended Posts

Went out on Tonka last evening and looks like the Crappies are starting to come in shallow... it's about time. Caught 20-30 small to eater size Crappies that we safely released since I didn't want to clean fish on a work night. We didn't catch any monsters though - maybe the bigger ones are yet to come with the soon to be here warm weather... I hope.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Was out on Tonka last night as well with my two boys, lots of numbers in the shallows, but pretty small size. Oh well, at least it was enough to keep my 4 year old interested. My six year old does pretty well even if the bite is poor, but my younger son gets bored fairly quickly.

Some day we'll find size and numbers!!!

I know that from a fisheries biology standpoint, it's best to let the fewer, larger fish go (better genetic stock, more spawning capability, helps size distribution, etc.) So when it comes to panfish, what do all of you generally consider "eater" size? We through back alot of 6-7" sunfish and 7-8" crappies last night...kept one 9" crappie for the kids bedtime snack.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hit Minnetonka yesterday and today. Yesterday, I left the boat at home and hit a shore spot with my buddy that he found a couple days ago. It was a shallow back bay, about 3-5 ft deep in the majority of the bay, with a ton of fallen trees and brush piles, perfect shallow panfish structure. We caught around 150 fish between us yesterday, with about a even mix of crappies to bluegills. Most of the fish were smaller, but we did manage a few nicer ones.

Today, we decided to leave the shore spot behind and search out some larger fish from the boat. Last weekend I did really well on the east end of the lake in Grays and Wayzata Bay. I decided to try the west side of the lake today and try some bays I have never been in before. The wind was nasty out there today and made boat control tricky, but the juice was definitely worth the squeeze. The first spot we fished was a weed edge in 4-8 fow. This spot was more of a "main lake spot", and with the wind rippin, we decided to search for calmer waters. We found a back bay with several docks in about 3-5 fow and did very well. We probably caught around 75 fish today between the 3 of us in the boat. Again, it was a pretty even mix of bluegills and crappies. 1/32 oz chartreuse jig tipped with a Mister Twister Exude Micro Shad has been the ticket. Chartreuse, Pearl White, Pumpkin Pepper, and Chartreuse/Black have all been great colors in the Micro Shad. I have also been using pearl white tubes and having just as much success with the tubes as the Micro Shad.

Tonka is one of those lakes with so much structure that you can fish a new piece of structure every time you are on the water and never run out of new spots to try. I strive to try something new everything I am on the water, and every time I go out on Tonka, it is a learning experience.

The panfish are moving into the shallows and are definitely biting! Get out there if you can and enjoy some really fun fishing! If you have kids, this is definitely the type of fishing that will keep them busy all day long

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Crappies mixed with a few bluegills are biting on Waconia. Mostly small crappies (6 to 8") yet, with a few larger ones mixed in. As the water continues to warm, more big ones should show up in the shallows. Larger crappies, nice bluegills, and countless small bass are in the coves and bays on Prior and biting. Small jigs tipped with small Gulp! or Powerbait grubs, tubes, and minnows hung under a float are working on both lakes. As the fish get more agressive, try small jig spinners tipped with small plastics to cover water faster. When the big crappies come shallow and turn on at Waconia, try small crankbaits like a #4 Shad Rap or Jointed Shad Rap for some real fun. Enjoy the nice weather and the fast action, and take a kid out fishing. Stay safe and have fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you get a chance to get out and fish today you better jump on it. The Bluegills are snapping like crazy. This hot day has pushed the bigger fish in super shallow. Like less then a foot of water. A plain white jighead tipped with Gulp minnows (One inch) or Gulp maggots have them chomping and fighting hard... Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

around the mid 50s last Saturday depending on what bay you were in

I was out on Tuesday and Wednesday and found upper 50's to 65 in some spots. Fish were really going, this is a good time to be out there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

went out on opener did decent on the pannies cold and windy but found some crappie and gills in 3 to 4 fow with some veg on spring lake and also caught alot of 12 to 15in large mouth was using a small pink jig head and a white mister twister tail

Link to comment
Share on other sites

was out on crystal last night for a couple of hours no crappies but caught 7 large mouth and a few gills but did watch a little girl fishing with her dad pull in about a 10 pound tiger!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What was the water temp on Crystal? Did you see any bass on beds? Also, how is the water level?

Good job on the 7 bass! how big were they?

Ill be hitting up Crystal for bass opener

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the graph aint working this year but i seen some big ol bucketmouths up in the beds in that back cove were it was shallow couldnt get the bigger ones to bite yetfull-36366-8846-lgmouth.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

just some smaller ones this was the biggest one abut 2 1/2 lbs not bad seeing how i was going for pannies

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice!!! Im itchin for some fishin now =) Was it the big cove/bay that the lunch is kinda in, southwest cove?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yep thats the one there didnt even gander anywhere else on the lake

Link to comment
Share on other sites

me pretty much anything that bites but i just fish it cause its close to the house but yeah crappie bass pike tigers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cool! I fish that cove alot, I usually have more luck on the north shoreline though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can't target bass yet, is my point. It's pretty evident that's what you're doing. I've already seen COs on two south metro lakes this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i wasent targeting bass i said i saw them and i was out fishing for pannies and if they bite then so be it i was simply sayin i seen them and i was throwing a pink jig head with a mister twister tail for crappie and gills

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and to top it off why would i target bass i only for pannies eyes and pike no bass

Link to comment
Share on other sites

me pretty much anything that bites but i just fish it cause its close to the house but yeah crappie bass pike tigers

Doesn't sound like you are only targeting pannies. Just sayin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out today for about a half hour in the Anoka County area from shore and ended up with a 14 and 18.75 inch walleye. Also lost another fish that felt pretty decent. I caught both of the fish on a jig head with a green twister on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a friend who "Northern" fishes this time of year, too. I don't even go out with him before Memorial Day any more. Basically he's throwing spinners in the weeds and catching huge bass, sometimes on every other cast. when I ask him what he's gonna do when the DNR boats up, he says that he'll just tell him he's fishing for Pike. There's absolutely no challenge in fishing for bass that are defending their nests, plus it's not exactly good for the bass either. Lots of panfish would love to raid a nest as soon as the mother's pulled off it, plus it puts a stress on the spawning fish. Precisely why the season opens two weeks later.

Catchem, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since none of us were there and I've caught plenty of accidental bass on true panfish gear while specifically targeting crappies and sunnies. But when the list of fish you say you were "targeting" includes two species that legally are out-of-season than you should expect these types of responses.

Catching bass this time of year while panfishing is nearly inevitable. If you do get one, try as quick of a release as possible, don't even remove it from the water if you're able to get the hook out boat-side.

Please respect the resource for everyone's sake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to Metro Area Minnesota Fishing Reports & Ice Conditions

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow 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...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very 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.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • 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.