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St Cloud Fishing Reports


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It's been the best fall bite for walleyes I've seen in years. The weather patterns we have had, lined up perfectly this month. Sandwiched in between have been both the full and dark moon phases. Been a lot of fun following active fish up the steep breaks from 50' - 15' feet during daylight hours.

Big minnows are really putting the smack down on all species, especially large eyes. Although not from the St. Cloud area, here's just a few from last weeks dark moon phase. These fish wanted steak (chubs) and not just chips (fatheads).

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Please remember to practice selective harvest and release the big girls to spawn and for others to enjoy.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Nice report Tom, I bet I could get them on a chip with some of my dip. wink

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Oh they are still biting around St Cloud based on reports I've been getting. Day bite has been pretty good with midday really shining. Unfortunately I haven't been able to participate with my schedule.

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It's been the best fall bite for walleyes I've seen in years.

That's been my experience, too. Heck, I even got 'em on Mille Lacs last week (well, one night I did....the other night I got skunked). smile

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Has anyone been catching eyes bigger than 14" on the chain lately? I can't seem to find the big ones...caught a couple nice ones pulling cranks...but it gas been SUPER SLOW...anyone have any strategies working for bigger eyes?
caught & released a 27" Walleye on the chain last weekend, slowly twitched jerkbait was the ticket...
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Went out early evening for a while. The lake was like glass it was so calm. Went to my early ice walleye spot. I brought out my marcum and my short rod. Caught a nice crappie and some eyes. They were in their winter spots and right on schedule time wise. Felt like ice fishing except it was a little colder since I was outdoors. Was fun.

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Went out with JC yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours and we caught a few norther and walleyes. While fishin with jigs and fat heads one northern slammed my jig, almost tore my rod out of my hand and I felt like he was trying to snap my wrist. The walleyes on the other hand were just dead weight bites. I think we both got bit off a least once by the northern though. Cold and windy, still had a good time in about 10 - 12 feet of water. The walleye were 15 to 16 inches. Didn't bring any home.

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I'm going to hit the river one last time this open water season with the boat tomorrow. I got some new baits I really want to test out. Hopefully I can bare the temps for a bit. Then it's time to put the boat away and get ready for ice season.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Went out and hit the ice yesterday before the rain came. Had a good solid 4.5- 5 inches of Ice. Did well,My co-worker got a nice big northern on the tip up and we brought home a limit of crappies and a few nice sunnies. full-46894-51455-attach0_5(1).jpgfull-46894-51456-photo.jpg

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

That looks like it will be taste dinner!! Good job and finding some fish.

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Been a great ice fishing season so far. I already have more walleye's than all of last year, which was my worst season ever. Love this early ice. The Wallys are quite aggressive.

Put out my new permanent portable house that I designed and is an 8x8 but breaks down into a space that is 8 ft by 4 ft by 30 inches(no tools needed). If you see it, stop on by its name is the snap shack and it is labeled and probably the only house on Horseshoe.

Don

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Its painted dark green now.

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The Snap Shack, Pretty cool idea I might have to check it out this winter. Did you see the thread on wheel house mods? All the stuff they do to some of them I wonder if this even fish.

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Got into them a little last night, caught two limits of keeper sized fish, a couple dinks, and as usual for me lost or missed half a dozen. Fun night, the six I brought home were between 13" and 19.5". Had to let a few between 14-16" go after I already had my 6 on the ice. Nothing better than early ice walleyes. full-34707-51568-img_1402.jpg

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Anyone know if it's enough ice on pearl for a wheeler or sled? I haven't been out yet and planning for the am. Need advice don't want to walk lol

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Nice eyes good job! Looks like some good eats when's the fish fry smile

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Not all the ice is the same but lakes i've been on so far this winter this is what i'm seeing. Rice 5-7 inches water very dirty, Big 5-6 inches water clear, Koronis 3-5 inches and last the chain but it will very a lot on this system but lakes I have fished Horseshoe and cedar island 4-7 inches water is somewhat cloudy.

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