st cloud St Cloud Fishing Reports

[Naturboy]

I saw a sign on Grand lake to release walleyes over 18", do they spawn in that lake ? I didn't think so, is that just so people have a shot at a larger fish?

[Stick in Mud]

C'mon now, we're fisherman.....not need for secrets and lies.    Or is that exactly why we have secrets and lies?  

Sorry, guys.  I truly, deeply am.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

 

 

 

Beauteous walleye Carl

[Coleman]

I went out yesterday.  Fishing was much slower then it was a day before.  I believe the small mouth are starting to move deeper, and the weather change didn't help much.  I worked some rock piles again, with not much success, so I decided what the hell I'll work the bank some more.  Had a couple fish on a spinnerbait.  One fish miss my bait...looked to be a pike or muskie.  But the highlight of the day was a dandy of a smallmouth.  19.5" and a little over 5.  It was released, and is still swimming.  Then worked the ever popular deep hole, found a few smallmouth, small walleye and a few rock bass.  These warmer days could push the fish back shallow again, but I won't be able to test that theory until Monday.  Here's a few pictures.  

Finally caught a smallmouth on my "smallmouth" series rod.  It's been a walleye rod for a while.  

 

[eyeguy 54]

nice piggy

 

[Naturboy]

I was out on a local lake yesterday and the crappie were schooling in the deep water off the weed edges. Beautiful afternoon out there. 

[Stick in Mud]

Well, maybe the only thing I hate more than a cool-down in the spring is a big warm-up in the fall.  I did get out Saturday, and the bites I've been on had mostly disappeared.  We did find a few fish pulling spinners on--you guessed it--steep breaks, but the fish were few and far between.  I didn't even head out today.  Of course, a buddy who asked me to come along ended up going with someone else and he sent me a few photos of some nice fish he caught.  Figures.   

Water temps on the lakes I've been fishing went from about 57/58 up to 63--and that was only by Saturday afternoon. I'm guessing some are higher than that.  I'll give it a bit before I head back out again....Maybe now I can actually get some work done!!

[Team Bobberdown]

Went and hit a spot and got out fished by the better half. All I got were some northern and she pulled in a few eater eye's. That's my girl. good job Amy..

[Horseshoe_Don]

Had friends up this weekend and we decided to fish for and keep a few cats along with other fish off the dock.    We caught 3 cats over 6 pounds and nothing smaller than 2.5 pounds which is larger than normal.   Even caught one of the big cats on a large sucker.  

   I also filet one of them as instructed by the channel marine thing earlier this spring and fried it and it was actually pretty good even though they should taste like crap this time of the year,

 

Don

[Naturboy]

Went and hit a spot and got out fished by the better half. All I got were some northern and she pulled in a few eater eye's. That's my girl. good job Amy..

Someone has to keep you fed

[Team Bobberdown]

Went and hit the river before church and pick up a few walleye. The biggest was 20 1/2 and one was 17 just use fatheads  and a jighead. It was a beautiful morning.

[Stick in Mud]

Nice reports, Nick.  Good to see you're still getting out and finding some fish. 

I've been getting our three or four days a week....I can't really stay on a consistent bite.  One day we'll whack 'em, the next day struggle to find much of anything.  I've found biters anywhere from 70 ft deep to super-shallow (as in, less than 3 ft).  They're here today, gone tomorrow...and sometimes it's gone today, too.   I'm hoping to get out for some late-night trolling this week; 'tis the season.  

[Coleman]

Kinda slow around here lately.  I got out today.  The weather wasn't the best for fishing, but I made due with what I was given.  It seems all the smallies are now deep.  I started working rock piles that I've marked on my depth finder, and all were holding bass.  I only used a jig and a minnow all day, and it worked pretty well all day.  I just tried to stay as vertical as I could over the rock piles...but still achieving a very slow drift down river.  Ended up catching quite a few smallies, I believe 15....none were dinks either.  Every fish was over 15", and of course put up a great fight.  I found a few walleyes, but of course they were small.  The walleyes seemed to be down river from the rock piles on sandy basins.  Each walleye I caught was in over 22FOW.  I'm sure the smallies just push out every walleye that tries to join the party.  

So, fishing is still pretty dang good on the river, despite the wind.  Gotta take advantage of this while I can...who knows when winter will show it face for good.  

[Stick in Mud]

I haven't been out on the river in a while, though 'tis the season for big bass schooled up deep.  For me it's been a mix of largie fishing in local lakes and chasing walleyes and (don't tell anyone) crappies.  

I still can't get on a consistent bite.  Best has been the windy days (not surprising), but it gets tough sitting out there with 20 mph NW winds. Best walleye and crappie bites have been on Jig Raps lately, mainly because the days I've made it out fishing have made casting live bait nearly impossible.  

[Coleman]

I went out on the river today. Just a heads up, the dock has been removed at the dnr landing on the east side.

I didn't get out for long. Just about 2 hours. Water temps in the mid 40s. Ended up going after smallies again. Caught a bunch using a jig and a tube. Just worked rock piles again. Found the larger fish in 10-12fow and smaller fish seemed like they were deeper, 18-20. The bite was great, the weather is chilly, so it was worth it. I had to cut my day a little short because my motor wasn't liking the cold water temps and idling most of the time. Anyone on a walleye bite at all that cares to share?

[Team Bobberdown]

Been out hitting the rivers in town and doing alright. Bringing home some eaters. All have been caught off of fatheads and a jighead. A lot of snags and lost jigheads but if your going to be around the fish your going to lose some jigheads. Also have been getting a ton of smallies. A few of them had nice size. All in all been doing well. Got a nice limit over this last weekend down by state. Everyone be safe hunting this weekend.

[Team Bobberdown]

While everyone was out trying to string up big bucks I was working on my walleye hunting skills. Had lunch by lunch. Boy I really love a stringer of eaters. Everything was caught on a 1/4 oz jighead and fatheads or 3" gulp minnows.

[Tom Sawyer]

Nicely Done!

[Team Bobberdown]

I also picked up a hairlip bass. 

[Coleman]

I've been still at it up by the Sartell Dam, although things have been a bit frustrating with the GPS on the depth finder.  I did get things worked out on it, but not before I ordered a new unit...so I guess I'll be selling my old unit.  Oh well.

My back has been bothering me and the south winds make a slow drift down river kind of complicated, so I've been trolling cranks a bit...with some pretty good success.  Trolling is not what I consider fun fishing, but at least I'm catching some fish.  It doesn't seem to matter if I'm trolling up or down river, but the key is your standard trolling speed between 2.0-2.4mph. I've been using #7 Flicker Shads to try and keep it down at the 11-13', and trolling in 14-16' FOW.  Of course hanging around those rock piles.  I've mainly gotten smallies, but have nabbed a few walleyes, nothing worth a second thought to keep.  Funny how the fish above the Sartell Dam never seem larger enough to keep, but below the SCSU dam they are plentiful.  Oh well, smallies are fun to catch.  

[Team Bobberdown]

Found a nice little hole on the river and hit them good. Caught about 12-13 fish and had to hand pick a nice little 6 pack for the fry daddy. All the fish were caught south of scsu dam (eastside.)Found a hole full of fish, used just a jighead and minnows. Was out early morning 6-8:30ish and was limited out in an hour or so. Rest of time just fished for fun and trying for a big girl.

[Coleman]

I fished along that east side yesterday....couldn't muster a bite.  Had a couple bites on the west side by the pier.  Then walked along the bank looking for deeper holes....just couldn't find much.  All pretty fast moving water.  I'll have to give it another shot tomorrow, and walk further down river on the east side.  

[Stick in Mud]

Nice to see you guys still getting out.  Seems like water temps are still quite high for mid-November. I haven't been out for a while, been chasing deer instead.  Still have a tag...Looks like I've been making the wrong decision. :) 

[JeremyCampbell]

Wow...nice work guys.

[Team Bobberdown]

On 11/11/2015, 5:20:34, big nick grbich said:

FoundFound a nice little hole on the river and hit them good. Caught about 12-13 fish and had to hand pick a nice little 6 pack for the fry daddy. All the fish were caught south of scsu dam (eastside.)Found a hole full of fish, used just a jighead and minnows. Was out early morning 6-8:30ish and was limited out in an hour or so. Rest of time just fished for fun and trying for a big girl.

Went out and a friend and I found some more of them Walter fellas. Best bite was right at sunrise until about 9:30 . We ended up taking 11 home. A limit for me and 5 for my friend. What a blessing it is to pound fish. Now I get to bless a few seniors from church who don't get out but love fish. God is good. Everyone have a good weekend and FISH ON.

[sartellangler05]

Are you shore fishing? I have a little duck john boat....would it be too dangerous to paddle out south of SCSU dam with the moving water? Boat sits maybe a foot out of the water..

[JeremyCampbell]

You're on fire BigNick!

Great catch brother

 

[Team Bobberdown]

4 hours ago, sartellangler05 said:

Are you shore fishing? I have a little duck john boat....would it be too dangerous to paddle out south of SCSU dam with the moving water? Boat sits maybe a foot out of the water..

I seen people out there the other day in a Jon boat. I have been fishing from shore. Found a few holes that they have been hanging in. Short bite but steady when it's on. Only last like an hour after sunrise but I have been getting limits of fish when I do get them.

[Bryan P]

Nice work on the walleyes Nick! I miss fishing the river down there. Always a great spot this time of year to get some walleye action. I made it up to the chain last couple weekends and did pretty good. Caught tons of small ones but weeded through them and took home a nice limit. Cant wait for ice season... If it ever gets here! 

Here is a recap of my open water season:  https://youtu.be/92JKKaA4BhI

[Team Bobberdown]

Nice video bryan. I love open water fishing but can't wait for some ice time. Went out this morning between the rain and pick up a four pack of eaters