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

Might have bring the little guy out after his nap instead of before.

He will be able to last last longer once he gets older wink Still, he was holding his own desipe it being as windy as it was. You and silverbullet jr. are welcome to fish with me anytime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Kind of figured they would turn on later butthe curiousity of what kind of bite I could get on the otherside got the best of me! grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Ice travel has really improved the last couple days. Was out today and moveing around diffreent parts of the lakes with a 4x4 was quite easy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was a bit further West today, found travel to be getting better with each passing day. Some of the access points will go to heck before the lakes are unsafe to drive on by the looks of things.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Might have to bring the ladder with in case that's needed to get on the ice in a week or so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On April 8th-10th il be painting a house 15 min from Briggs.Never been in that area,Anyone want to meet up around that time and bag up some sunnies? That is if it's safe

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Avon/St J.ohn's area.....Fishing was good today We caught lots of Sunnies kept most .One in particular was a nice pig.We each caught a little northern too.We were in 8' -12' shallow areas and Sunnies were a foot or two under ice.I moved back and forth between two spots.The ice seemed pretty good and solid.Had a nice fish fry when we were done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made it out for a few hours this afternoon, fishing was slow for most of the day untill prime time. Ended up keeping a few fish for tommorow nights dinner.

On days when the bite is slow, it realy helps to have good people around you to keep you motivated, and if nothing else, they are usaly good company wink

Had a blast talking with you, I will be back there tomorrow and Sat. Swing on out if you have some more free time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah Rick,It is nice to have company when your out there not catching much.I find when your celebrating someone else's success it makes life better.The two of us went to a lake we only tried once before for some sun fish.Hung out in 10'-14' deep areas.Nice day out for fishing.Caught fish till 5:30.The ice was slushy and access is barely drivable.Walked the sleds instead.I Tried to fish for crappies later on but without a flasher it was hard to locate them.Caught plenty of Sunnies for the two of us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Made it out to a few local lakes this weekend. Saturday was spent on a couple of the smaller lakes West of town, on the first bodie of water it was clear there hadn't been much activity in recent days as the access looked good enough to drive out still, we opted to go by foot though. Since I hadn't been on this lake in a half dozen years I wasn't realy sure where to start, so we drilled holes through out the deepest part of the basin up into a shallow weed flat. We didn't mark anything deep, the fish were holding to a well established weedline. It became clear after icing a whole mess of tiny 4-6in crappies this lake needs a few more years to to produce some bigger fish. Off to lake no. 2

Our second lake was a bit Bigger in size smile. I have been out to this lake a few times this winter, and had a pretty good idea where the fish would be from past years. We found some thick schools of fish locatd midway betwen their winter location and their ice out haunts over 18-26ft of water. We worked this school pretty hard for a hour or so, only getting a handfull of short bites.

Our second location on this same lake was a shallow inside turn in the weeds, theese shallow fish were quite a bit more active than the fish in the first spot. We got a mix of crappies, gills and even a bass now and then. Never got into big numbers, or anything of size large enough to brag about, but it was fun anyway.

Today myself and the gang hit Clearwater, the ice was pretty good when we came out,as the afternoon wore on the ice got real wet and slushy, hit some pretty big holes with the wheeler going from spot to spot. By the time we left the access was in rough shape, I don't think you can get a wheeler out of Bj's anymore, but Bob's bay should be ok for another day or two if we don't get too much rain tonight. As for the bite, it was one for the books, bulls and slabs were shallow, and super hungry winkgrin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rick,

I may have to take the boat out there once the ice is off and hit up some of those shallow areas. I would imagine they will still be there at ice out. I plan to pull the boat out of the shed tommorrow and put the batteries and other stuff back in it for the year and then sit back and wait for the lakes to open up. any idea when the chain will be ice free and a person could put a boat in at the access on the river going into the shoe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rick,

I may have to take the boat out there once the ice is off and hit up some of those shallow areas. I would imagine they will still be there at ice out. I plan to pull the boat out of the shed tommorrow and put the batteries and other stuff back in it for the year and then sit back and wait for the lakes to open up. any idea when the chain will be ice free and a person could put a boat in at the access on the river going into the shoe.

I thought you had been sitting back waiting for the ice to thaw for the last month grin

I have no clue as to when the ice will be off the Chain enough to get a boat in, but I will take a guess, and say sometime between April 8 - May 11 grin.

I figure this rain we are to get in the next few days will help things along wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rain or snow? I just heard we are in a weather advisory that stated we could get 6+ inches of snow between tonight and Thursday. I would be ok if they were wrong and we got nothing but rain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rick,

Your right I have been waiting for the open water. I just took the boat of the shed tonight and will be putting everything back in it tommorrow once I get home from work. I think hitting the river for now from shore will help me get over my open water withdrawl. I just hope it doesn't rain for both of the G2G's. the first 2 years I went to this it rain that morning and was colder then heck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made it out to the Chain for a few hours this afternoon. The shoreline ice has realy taken a beating, finding a area to access the lakes can still be done though. Once on the lake the ice is still in pretty decent shape except for slush pockets here and there. We still have well over 2ft of ice yet, the top 6-8in was soft but the rest is still pretty hard, auger made shavings, not ice cubes smile so I'm guessing that if the heavy snow stays away we should still be able to get out this weekend.

Fishing wasn't the greatest, couldn't fish the areas I realy wanted due to the nasty wind we had. I tried to picked an area I knew would provide me some cover but yet held some fish, this was easier said than done crazy wind was still pretty bad where I fished, glad I brought my Ice Armor with today wink Ended up getting on a school of mixed panfish around 5PM, most everything was small, but did get enough quality fish to keep me intrested untill dark.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any current ice reports? We are planning on heading up to the chain in the morning. How did everything fair with this storm?

We just don't want to get up there and find the ice too far off shore.

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to say that I was wondering the same thing. Have had to work the last few days frown just haven't had enough time to make it back out.

I was there early in the week, shore lines were still holding up pretty well, Just not the access points. The things I would be woried about would be old holes that are now covered and water on top the ice from the heavy wet snow we got.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

2 guys out on horseshoe this morning out in mertens bay right off hwy 22.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 guys out on horseshoe this morning out in mertens bay right off hwy 22.

Thanks for the update wink Makes my decision easy for tomorrow grin Might hit some of the smaller lakes around and hit the Chain around primetime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made it out to the Chain today, shoreline ice is starting to go pretty quick, saw a guy fall in up to his waist smirk. The ice is starting to get pretty soft aswell, auger went through pretty fast. River by the summer access is almost wide open when we left tonight, 22 bridge area is also opening pretty quick.

As for fishing, the first couple hours was pretty much non stop action, then the fish moved, to where I never did find out. We picked off one here and one there almost all day, size was pretty good but numbers were low. Got some bonus fish though, seems the bass, walleyes and even a few catfish were hanging in the same area the panfish had been smile

I think I might make one more outing in this area for the year and one more in the PR area then I'm done till ice out. It's been a looooong winter wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Julia was my destination for the day. Needed the 15ft ladder to make it out to good ice, shorelines have pulled away pretty far now but it's tough to tell with all the snow. I would advise anyone else from trying this lake till ice out. There was still about 2ft of ice yet, but the remaning ice is saturated with water from top to bottom. Have some pretty big slush pockets out there too, fell in one that was over a foot deep eek.

It was one of the most uncomfortable days I have had this year, with the freezing rain, blizard like conditions and the 25-30mph wind it made for one cold day frown

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Sounds like a lot of fun Rick! wink

Head north as there is still plenty of good ice if you want to extend your season. Reports of nearly 3 feet of pretty good ice yet with a foot or so of snow on top.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Head north as there is still plenty of good ice if you want to extend your season. Reports of nearly 3 feet of pretty good ice yet with a foot or so of snow on top.

Got one more day around here, either Sugar or Clearwater, then heading North as of next weekend as you suggested wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I made it out on the ice for ANOTHER "last trip of the year." I didn't feel like driving far, so we headed down to Beaver Lake just south of St Cloud. Caught what you'd expect in that lake--small sunfish, a few small crappies, and a "bonus" largemouth and pike, all on 2 lb test and an assortment of plastics.

I also got a little sunburned. smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

no complaining about sunburns with all the clouds we've had!! lol

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 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.