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.

St Cloud Fishing Reports


Recommended Posts

31 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

There was one Big Santa in Red and Black and Three little blue smurfs following all  kneeling with backs in the wind all day :)

Lol, I think I know who the Big santa was:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would it be okay to park by the 22 bridge on horseshoe and access the lake from there? Since I've always parked there during open water fishing. Looking to get out later tonight. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Ice is awfully sketchy there even during normal midwinter ice.  As far as parking goes I'm not sure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Headed out to Schneider this morning for a couple hours. Started out sight fishing in about 10'. Saw several largemouth bass and some smaller gills. Very very tight lipped. I then moved out to 30' and found the crappies all within 5-7' of the bottom. Most were very willing to bite. Had to do quite a bit of sorting to bring the 5 home that I did. The smallest of the 5 was 10 3/4" however. A tungsten Custom Jigs and Spoons jig was the weapon of choice. White bottom with a black top, tipped with wax worms worked very well. Crappies seemed uninterested in anything plastic to go along with the jig. Seemed interesting to me. 

On a side note, fell in love with the Eskimo Evo 2 crossover shelter. Fishing space is really nice!

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Great Report cable guy! I have been looking  hard at the crossover evo 2. It looks like eskimo came up with a winner hear love the room with the compaction of a trap. Plus side the seats are real comfortable. Little curious how it handles the wind.?

Lucas  another great Report! Wow nice batch of Pies looks like some good eats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I finally did some fishing in the St.Cloud area again this weekend (it's not that I haven't been fishing).  Saturday morning I fished a lake south of St.Cloud and was on top of fish right away and caught 20-30 crappies and a half dozen bluegills before noon.  Some fish were fairly aggressive but most were in a very negative mood.  At one point I dropped the camera down and watch bluegills basically hold the waxie or platic against their mouth for 10 seconds before swimming away. That explained why I missed so many up-hits.  

After grabbing some lunch the GF and I went to Koronis and set up camp on one of my Walleye spots.  Unfortunately only a few fish swam under the hole and nothing bit...oh well.

Today I made a trip to the Mankato/Waterville area.  Hit 4 different lakes and drilled 150+ holes with not much to show for it.  We stumbled into a descent school of crappies on the first lake, but left hoping to find an even better bite.

Now I'm watching some football and eating jumbo perch from my trip to SD last weekend :).

Looking forward to the get together next weekend.

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, PiNkSiNkO said:

I finally did some fishing in the St.Cloud area again this weekend (it's not that I haven't been fishing).  Saturday morning I fished a lake south of St.Cloud and was on top of fish right away and caught 20-30 crappies and a half dozen bluegills before noon.  Some fish were fairly aggressive but most were in a very negative mood.  At one point I dropped the camera down and watch bluegills basically hold the waxie or platic against their mouth for 10 seconds before swimming away. That explained why I missed so many up-hits.  

After grabbing some lunch the GF and I went to Koronis and set up camp on one of my Walleye spots.  Unfortunately only a few fish swam under the hole and nothing bit...oh well.

Today I made a trip to the Mankato/Waterville area.  Hit 4 different lakes and drilled 150+ holes with not much to show for it.  We stumbled into a descent school of crappies on the first lake, but left hoping to find an even better bite.

Now I'm watching some football and eating jumbo perch from my trip to SD last weekend :).

Looking forward to the get together next weekend.

May I ask where in SD? I fish SW MN and SD a lot. Wouldn't happen to be Lake Poinsett would it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, ClamITup said:

Anyone know ice thickness of pleasant

12-14"
There were some cars, vans and a couple trucks on it yesterday.

Edited by BuckmasterG
  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like there were ups and downs for most of us who fishedthis weekend.  I met up with a few old friends yesterday. We fished Clearwater lake, started off in a old "can't miss" spot....or atleast it has been for a lot of yrs.... Only one medium sized gill and a bunch of tiny perch here. Spot no2 was much the same, few panfish and lots of small perch. It was story of the day.... few gills, tons of perch. Many  holes drilled, from morning till dusk at least one of us was busy drilling while the rest fished and followed.   Points, humps, weed flats, breaklines and isolated weedbeds, we fished it all. The only thing we didn't do was join in where the crowd was..... maybe should have just fished with the other 100 people on the lake...lol. It was one of the toughest days I have had in sometime. To say we got our butt whooped is an understatment:( 

Might head out for a couple hrs this afternoon if everything works in my favor.  Hoping for a much better outcome this time.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

yer just paying yer dues Ricky ;)  better luck today! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son has the day off from school and we would like to fish for crappie and sunfish. We have never ice fished Upper Spunk and would like to know if it is safe to drive my 1/4 ton 2wd truck out there today. I do have a 1/2 ton 4wd but i assume it too early for that yet.  Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Thor

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went out to Rock just east of Platte Lake on Saturday. Plenty of ice so we were able to drive out (14-15"). Hit a decent pocket for crappies on the north side, started biting around 10am. Nothing to write home about but had a few 10-12" ones each. Started to get a busy on the little lake around 1:00 right when we left. 

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
On 1/24/2016 at 4:03 PM, LucasMN said:

Went out last night and caught this bad boy in the first pic. Gives me the heebee jeebes.

IMG_20160123_181439.jpg

 

Bullheads are great eating when caught ice fishing. Their skin peals right off. :D 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Rick said:

Bullheads are great eating when caught ice fishing. Their skin peals right off. :D 

I'll send it your way next time. Lol. Bull heads are on my list of things I will never eat. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to Cedar Island with a friend on Saturday (1/23) and we fished from 12-8:30.  I marked several fish near the bottom, they would chase our lures and then take off.  I thought they might be small perch.  The lure style and size did not matter for those ones.  We drilled many holes and checked depths from 8-32 feet off one of the islands.  As the sun went down, we headed into the shack and ended up with one 7 inch 'eye that for sure was released.  I saw around 12 other shacks set up on similar structure as we were and was wondering if anyone else was catching.  Some of those drops seem like they might be to sharp to hold many fish?  I will have to keep trying as I've been up there a few times with little success, but still had fun hanging out with my friends and exploring a new lake. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone know of a lake that would support a 21 ft. ice castle?  Suggested ice is 15".  Looking to take my NY brother in-law on the ice for a real MN experience.  

Went out to Grand on Sunday morning for Walleyes, 12" of ice.  Marked about a half dozen fish that appeared to be walleyes, tried three different presentations and couldn't get them to bite.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Radio21 said:

Anyone know of a lake that would support a 21 ft. ice castle?  Suggested ice is 15".  Looking to take my NY brother in-law on the ice for a real MN experience.  

Went out to Grand on Sunday morning for Walleyes, 12" of ice.  Marked about a half dozen fish that appeared to be walleyes, tried three different presentations and couldn't get them to bite.  

I would think Upper Spunk near Avon or Little Rock, near Rice, would both have at least 15" by now, although I haven't been on either in a few weeks.  I've seen sleeper houses on both.  Hopefully you're not pulling it with a heavy diesel truck.   Maybe someone else will chime in with a more recent ice report.

You should be able to catch some fish on both lakes, but Little Rock would be my first choice, just because the perch should give you plenty of action and you should catch an occasional walleye, northern or crappie.  I wouldn't go exploring off of the beaten path too far because the ice thickness can vary.  Good luck and give us a report.

Nels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the response Nels.  I did hear that Upper Spunk had a solid 14 inches as of today.  I've never fished Upper Spunk or Little Rock but might have to look at them if they are our safest options with the house.  We'll be pulling it out with a 1/2 ton pickup so that part should be OK.  I'll be sure to report back my ice findings and of course if we get into any fish. 

 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was on Long again today and found 16" over most of the traveled areas.  I would definitely break out the auger if you decide to venture off the main paths and stay away from the narrows on the far NE end.  Found closer to 13-14" in the shallows near islands.  Good thing is if it will ever turn cold again we should make ice quickly as most of the snow has melted off.

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Radio, 

Minnewaska has a solid 18" from everyone I've talked to this week.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hoping to get out to Horseshoe tomorrow myself... I'll figure out how to add pics if I have any luck. Time got away from me and I never made it out last weekend. Hopefully not soupy with the warm weather. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I made it out to the Meth hole area right at dark. Seen a few on the flasher but nothing would bite. 27 F.O.W. fish would smell the liver and swim off. I couldn't even get one to get close to the minnow head. I was using a glow red Frostee or a glow red Buckshot. I tried green as well and nothing. Sounds like there was a lot of luck and fun earlier in the day out there. 

Good luck and stay safe. 

  • 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 :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. 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. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   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...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
×
×
  • 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.