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.

2020 Detroit Lakes-Pelican Rapids Fishing Reports - Lake Conditions


Recommended Posts

Like Hitman said, White Earth was slow. We only picked up a couple walleyes along with a bunch of hammer handles. Water was 44 degrees. We had the most action from 11-16 feet. I heard most people found it to be slow also but there was one group that said they did well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hiya -

Fished Crystal a little bit Saturday. It was spotty at best but the fish I did catch were nice. Only kept one fish Sat AM - the half dozen I caught were all over 20", and all males, oddly enough. Found a couple schools of fish throughout the day, and could pick a fish or two from each one but it was overall pretty slow. Caught some big largemouths in 12-16 feet, which kind of tells me things are behind if they haven't moved in from the breaks yet. Skitterpop - thanks for letting the pike go smile Not too many of those left in Crystal anymore, sadly.

Don't know if it was the weather or the economy, but seemed like very few people were out. Lake was empty for quite a while on Sunday. Heard the same thing from several other parts of the state too. Kind of eerie.

Next weekend will be better if the water warms up a little. Crystal had hardly warmed up at all from the weekend before...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished Island lake saturday morning and came up with nothing. Having the gf with and the weather made for a short outing. Fished the east side of Lida sat. night and the same results, everything we tried came up with short bites and not very many of them. Watched some youngster pull a 20 inch walleye out on a stringer, reminded him of the slot, got laughed at, and he still kept the fish. Very upsetting. To bad we were at the public access and your Durango has license plates. Crappies have been on fire last week until the front, havent tried since. They were in less than five feet of water, in the bays that tend to warm up quicker. I would give the name of the lake but it probally wouldnt handle the pressure that the net might generate. Im waiting a few weeks here to see the awesome pics from "CopterJohn". I have a feeling he will be flying in soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was one of my best openers for size.

Fished Sallie on Saturday from 3pm til 8pm and ended up catching 7 walleyes and 2 pike. Biggest eye was 27.5",ended up also catching a 23.5",21.5", 20.75", and three under 20-inches. Kept the three 14-17" and a 20.75" and released the rest. Should have had one more 14"er but tried to bass flip it into the boat and apparently that doesn't work as well with walleyes...jig popped out mid-air.

Jig and minnow in 14-18 feet. Fished a very light jig, but they were popping it hard when they hit. Found a small pod of fish and just kept working them.

Brett Waldera

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea, I will be up soon. Going to install a perimeter fence around Sallie and Big D to keep all the blossoming muskie guide services away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey... Brian, what's wrong with non-residents?!? LOL grin

Weren't you one, not too long ago? wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey... Brian, what's wrong with non-residents?!? LOL grin

Weren't you one, not too long ago? wink

AND Scoot throws in a good ZINGER! LOL! I have shared a boat with Brian when he was still a Nodaker....glad to see he has moved to a good state. JK.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only bad thing is the hunting!! Fishing is good though!!

Dahitman: Water temp is 53 on Sallie!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had 50.5 degrees on Sallie on Saturday. I noticed the water was dirtier than normal for Sallie. I would guess that is due to the high water.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got out Sat. Two eye's(one cigar and a chubby 22"), a handfull of snotrockets and 10 cold fingers. Spent Sun. with the fam. Tried again Mon. morning for a couple nice Pike and no Walter's. Sounds like we got another front coming today and tomorrow, but things should steady up a little by this weekend and fishing should get better. I also noticed that the lakes were pretty quiet this weekend. I'm thinking it's got to be the weather. Last year gas was $4.50 and the lakes were packed, I can't imagine guys would give up of fishin' because they're 401K's in the tank. It would be a shame if I had the lake all to myself this summer smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our boat got 14 on Sat, and 12 on Sunday. I boated 9, and we boated 9 over 20 inches so the average size was nice. Got fish in 6-20 fow water but the larger ones were in shallower water. Lots of pig largemouth and quite a few slimers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were on Crystal on Saturday as well. Funny, with three reports from Crystal, that means about 1/3 of the boats that were out there are giving a report on this forum. We had about the same results, quite a few smaller slimers and one walleye. We actually kept five small pike and cleaned them. We did land one pike that was close to 30", but let that one go.

Rob - thanks for the advice. I did try from shore after dark, and ended up with some rockbass. The water is at the highest level I've seen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like you guys did pretty good Fdog!!! With the bad weather all week, I have time to catch up on all my household chores and get everything ready for the weekend. Hopefully the weather stabilizes a bit before the weekend, it says rain rain rain, but I don't put my faith in the weatherperson more than 2 days out. I plan on hitting Tulaby the next decent day we have, I see the DNR down there today fixing the landing thank God!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

leechbait, they were working on it yesterday also. Two of us fished Little Bemidji yesterday morning, not a bite. We moved over to South Twin in the afternoon, the northern & large mouths were on the bite, but still no walleye. Temp got up to 51 degrees in the afternoon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am going to cruise over there in a bit, I'll post a pic of how it looks!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well no pics, my camera's batteries were shot when I got to the landing but boy did they fix it up!!!! That awful drop off from the top of the ramp is gone, it's a nice flat angle down to the water!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks leechbait for the update on the landing, it needed some attention. We will be checking it out soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were out on Little Bemidji for opener weekend as well. Found most fish on the primary break and weedline in 6-10 fow pitching 1/8 - 1/16 oz green or chartreuse jigs and shiners. The walleyes we caught smacked them good. I know there were plenty of fish there, but they just werent on the bite an we'd catch the active fish in the pod and move on. One boat in our party went over to Tulaby and they didn't do near as well as we did on Little B Saturday evening, and not may of the boats they spoke with did well either. Things will get better here in the next week or two and the eyes will go on the bite.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Flying my non-resident self up this weekend to open up the cabin we have been paying non-resident taxes on since 1974. Wrong weather pattern, but that will keep me focused on projects. Hopefully at least catch a slimer or two and start to secchi disk readings for the year. Thanks for all the reports!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fisherdog , what kind of boat do you have? We fished saturday morning on little bemidji, but left because we had to keep trolling in and out of other boats. Buddies went out that night to same place and got some eyes. Also went out sunday night and did well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I run a Triton tiller and the other boat in our group was the real loud River Pro run by Dave Genz. Saturday evening was a tad better than the morning but overall it did not compare to last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fisherdog, do you live on south shore drive?? Thats the only Triton tiller I've seen in the area. I go by there a lot!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That would be me, just a couple hundred yards east of the public access on the wrong side of the road (I'm across the street from the lake) frown Next time you drive by, if you see me outside stop in and say hello, that goes for anybody.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I figured that!!! Im about that close to the lake too but on the North side!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I figured that!!! Im about that close to the lake too but on the North side!!
where at, you can't be that far from me
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I run a Triton tiller and the other boat in our group was the real loud River Pro run by Dave Genz. Saturday evening was a tad better than the morning but overall it did not compare to last year.

So you were fishing with Dave Genz?!?!?! Dang, I should have stopped by and had a cool one with you guys!! I live like 10 minutes from Rainbow!

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 :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • 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. 
×
×
  • 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.