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.

Recommended Posts

Nice job Nate! I've tried the changing it up routine too, but I need to add to my arsenal of things to change to!! I had my tackle box and several years of aquired jigs, etc. walk away from a landing that I set it down on a few years back and have been slowly building back my supplies!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Local Faribault lake yesterday. Hunted until 25 fow. Had lots of action , especially midday. Crappies and a number of jumbo perch. The interesting thing was the bite was best 11:00-2:00. This year is stranger and stranger!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finally got out for the first time this ice season. Took my daughter out for panfish. Tried from 7ft out to 27ft with not a thing to show for our efforts. Not even a marked fish. Decided to make a move even shallower and was able to find real good bluegill action in about 5.5-6ft of water. Iced one nice crappie, daughter fought a 10lb +\- pike for about 10 minutes before it broke off. Snapped off on a couple sumo bass too. All in all a beauty of a day on the ice!! Did all of our catching from 2:00 - 4:00pm, then it shut off like a light switch.

Hope others got out and enjoyed the day!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice job searching out the fish eyepatrol! I got out a couple times but didn't have your success. Caught a few nice Crappies last night but missed at least 6-7 that were taking my bobber line down nice and slow at least a foot and when I'd set the hook I'd pull up a jig with out a minnow. Frustrating!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, wish we would have found the fish a little earlier, but glad we found them. Funny thing is, when we tried in 7ft of water, we were only a couple hundred feet from where we actually got into them. I'm guessing our move in to that 5.5-6 foot depth range got us in closer to some weeds. Getting in that shallow, it's fun being able to look down the hole & watch the fish hit! Hard on the 'ol back, but fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another awesome day out on the ice with my daughter! Got out around 2:30 this afternoon (different lake this time) and started fishing for 'eyes in 7fow, but only saw 1 pike for the 1.5hrs we tried this spot. So, decided to move out deeper to 10fow and almost immediately lost a nice fish at the bottom of the ice. Shortly after, we iced a nice crappie. And for the next 1.5 hours we had small schools of crappies move through & were able to pick one off on each flurry.

In the end we ended up with 10 dandies ranging from just over 10" to just over 12". All caught on fatheads that we bought for walleyes. Half came on a set line & the other half on a 1/8oz red glow buckshot rattle spoon tipped with a head. The fish were SUPER aggressive & absolutely crushed it! Even the whole fatheads on the set line ended up well down the crappie's mouths!

Great weather & great time with my daughter! Even though we didn't get a keeper 'eye, we got on my daughter's favorite specie of fish!

As always, hope others made it out & enjoyed the day!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I was out last Thursday morning the 23rd on Cedar in Rice County. Lake temps were 44 to 46 when I first got on the lake. It was up to 49 in the shallow bays by the afternoon when I left. Caught a few eaters but nothing fantastic yet. I didn't expect much though after the 5 days of cold windy weather before that though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Well how did everyone do?  Seemed like a lot of boats out and about. I fished Saturday and managed a limit of 15-19" walleyes and threw back 5 smaller ones.  The day started slow but once the water warmed a few degrees the bite turned on and I caught walleyes, as well as several other species. Best bite for me was 11 am til 1 pm with #4 shad raps.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

thought we did alright went to a small lake  and trolled #4 shad raps had 20+ eyes most 12 to14 but a few bigger ones.5 pike 3 bowfin 2 crappies and a sunnie.   we got on the lake at 4:30 and left at 8. 

lake got way to busy than

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My opener was terrible.  Fished a lake in Meeker county with my dad bro in law and young nephew (who complained endlessly).  Pulled spinners for a while, tried pulling cranks for a while.  Not a single bite.  I wasn't the only one on this lake having tough luck though.  Talked to guys in 3 other boats coming off.  No walleye between all of us.  So much for the "fantastic opener" that was predicted 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My opener was terrible.  Fished a lake in Meeker county with my dad bro in law and young nephew (who complained endlessly).  Pulled spinners for a while, tried pulling cranks for a while.  Not a single bite.  I wasn't the only one on this lake having tough luck though.  Talked to guys in 3 other boats coming off.  No walleye between all of us.  So much for the "fantastic opener" that was predicted 

Hmm, maybe that was me you talked to! (Probably not, tho). I met two friends up in meeker county and we had tough luck as well. 

We ended upgetting two pike on spoons over some sand flats in the afternoon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I have found success in deeper water vertical jigging, I think the eyes were out there resting up for a big time binge once the shallow weeds take off.

 

Good luck out there, and SHARE your success stories with us on here!

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can second your observations.  I went fishing the other day and the only bites I had were in 28-33 feet of water,

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't caught a walleye in anything deeper than about 12', but I haven't put an effort into the deeper water and have not even tried live bait. I've been catching a lot of fish on shad raps in 3-8' on the shallower, dirtier lakes with better weed growth. The shallow bite has been tougher on the deeper clearer lakes, but that should change once the water warms a few more degrees. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been pounding on the sheephead in 5-12 foot with a nightcrawler. They are smoking up nicely. thats about all i have caught.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wish I had something better to report after the weekend but the walleye bite was tough for me. On Saturday I tried a few different lakes and fished shallow to deep with mostly sheephead to show for it. Sunday afternoon I put a lot of walleyes in the boat casting shad raps shallow but they were all pretty small except one 17".

The water temps are low to mid 60's and weed growth seems to vary a lot from lake to lake.

I've heard a few good reports of sunnies very close to spawning areas but did not target them first hand. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Lexington is putting out numbers of crappies and sunfish.

Edited by Rick
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been getting afew walleyes, sheepshead, northern. Fishing in less than 10 feet. Sunnies and crappies biting in 4 feet I was catching.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

The walleye bite is slowing down some but I'm still finding enough fish to keep me busy.  4-8 feet of water has been best with shad raps in the mornings this weekend.  I marked some fish in the 16-20' range and pulled raps through them with leadcore and picked up some big sunnies, crappies, and sheephead. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Are the little raps still working and how are the weeds and water clarity looking?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Fishing from the pier on German lake this past weekend, I was catching 12" Crappie and 9" Bluegills using crappie minnows.

Hang the minnow about 2-3 feet down and drop the bobber between the clump of weeds.

 

Also, I am new to the area and am looking for some other shore fishing spots to check out, any advice?

 

Edited by Mitch K
p.s.
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Cannon river bridge between Cannon and Wells can be pretty good. The Mill pond is a fun little spot, An under-utilized fishery is the Straight and Cannon rivers. Get some waders and fish it. I've caught everything from Walleyes, to huge pike, smallies, crappies, gills, bullheads and even nice perch believe it or not.

There are other spots and I will let the others from the Faribault area fill you in on their recommendations.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rick pointed out the river spots in the areas.  I would also add that there is a fishing pier near the confluence of the Cannon and Straight rivers in case you don't want to go the route of waders.

I would avoid any of the boat launches on the weekend because they are busy and it just isn't going to be fun for you.  However, each of them is a potential spot if you can try them Monday to Friday. 

There are other fishing piers that I know of at:

  • McCullough Park on Shields Lake
  • Fox Lake, near the public launch
  • Shager Park on Cannon Lake 

I can't give you a fishing report on any of these, but it should be picking up as the days grow shorter.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the advice.

Late update on German lake. I got out there again just before the weather cooled off. A friend took me out in his boat and from around 9-11:30am was non stop action. We kept 14 crappies inthe 10-13" range and a couple big Bluegill's. Also I nabbed a 30" pike on a crappie minnow and my buddy got a 23" pike as well. 

Also I've tried Fox lake twice now with only a small perch to show for it. But I'm not giving up as it looks good on the DNR lake finder.

And I took the girls(8yo twins) out to the Cannon lake pier to try out their new poles. They each got a small walleye 10-12" and I got a 9" perch but I let it go as I didn't plan to dirty a knife for 1 perch.

All 3 were from Tues-Thur last week. I'll be at it again later this week.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

 

All 3 were from Tues-Thur last week. I'll be at it again later this week.

Please keep us updated and Thank you for the reports.

Edited by Rick
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found a couple of 10" eye's on Washington friday along with a few sheephead and perch in 10'. Only found sheephead and perch on Sunday.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm in Austin for work for a bit & have heard some vague stuff about smallies in the Cedar River. Does anyone have any access points I could try in the Austin area? Happy to fish the shore or do some wading, but would love to wet a line while I'm down here. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fishing has been very slow for me all weekend. A lot of soft strikes and stolen minnows.

I've been trying Cannon lake in the morning and evening (morning is definitely better action) and I've caught a few decent sized perch and 1 walleye worth keeping after a lot of sorting.

And I've taken the girls out to German lake again but all we found was small bluegills.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • 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.
    • monstermoose78
      Guys slim creek on burntside is the place to load up on smelt
×
×
  • 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.