2020 Forest Lake-Hinckley-Lindstrom-Pine City-Rush City Fishing Reports

[tunrevir]

Panfish have been biting nonstop from 15' out to the deep water holes but as always you need to catch a ton to get a few decent ones for the bucket. Walleye activity for me has been slow but I heard some better reports about fish being caught in the 23-27' range. Haven't caught any pike nor heard any reports recently about them.

Tunrevir~

[FishingFL]

Thanks for the report. Its always nice to keep the 7 yr old occupied catching a ton of pannies like we normally do on Forest. With no snow we have to be approcaching 18-20 in of ice now?

[tunrevir]

I'd say we are gonna hit the 20 inch mark by the weekend with the cold we have been having. I am really excited for the little warmup, the full moon and the weekend of fishing!

Tunrevir~

[FishingFL]

Definitely agree on that one. Been camped out all week. We'll be out hopefully both Saturday and Sunday on FL.

[FishingFL]

Was out with Butch343 on Sunday on Forest. Third lake, tried shallow with some tip ups for a while and nothing. Moved to 32ft on sw side and only found perch, no flags either. Guessing the storm approaching wasn't helping.

[Grizzly_lokolman]

Out on Forest Lake today in the village between 1 and 2. 15 FOW Croppies suspened anywhere from Bottom to 5 ft. SMALL though. biggest was 7"- most 5-6". Not too hungry either...a lot of fish, but hardly any bites: tried it all: croppie minnows, minnow heads, waxies, and plastics...didn't see any slimers on the camera... judging by the lack of general interest on the fish's part I suppose the front moving through didn't help either.

[mrscott]

Tough weekend for opener! A little chilly for May 11! I know we aren't the only crew to fish disappointing waters. The water temps remain under 50 degrees, (at least where I checked - Chisago area). I marked some fish in 12-18 feet on the average. Very light bite. Should be a little more fun when the temps warm in the next couple of weeks. We used Fatheads, crappies, crawlers, jigs, spinners, harness, and slip bobs.

[OnAFly]

56F on Forest last night. Caught 3 walleyes with a cumulative length of maybe 26in. One had to be the smallest walleye I've ever caught.

Turnover should be happening soon with the cooler weather the next couple days.

[David Minor]

Well I have been poking around this site most of last year and have finally decided to try and post results from when I go out since I do fish an excessive number of days every winter..

That said was out on Bone yesterday lake was very active fishing 17-22' caught easily 40-50 fish between the myself and buddy. Assortment of Crappie and blue gills about half were ones I would have kept. Didn't have a tape but drove the wheeler out no problems took 3/4 of the auger to get through the ice so I would say 10-12" of ice. Bite literally shut off at sun set everything vanished off the electronics - didn't check the shallows after that.

Crappie minnows and little tiny green/silver jig seemed to work the best.

Heading to either Lake Menomin or Cedar Lake in WI in a while. Hearing reports of nice big panfish on Menomin and roumered eyes on Cedar.

Happy fishing guys!

[DonBo]

Well I have been poking around this site most of last year and have finally decided to try and post results....

Welcome David! Thanks for the report, keep it up. Good luck over in Sconnieville.

[BrandonJ]

Hey hows it goin any ice reports anyone can share from clear and forest lake. Is it expedition safe yet?

[GSP4ME]

Was on forest two weeks ago and there were half ton trucks driving on it so I would think by now you should be fine.

[BrandonJ]

Cool thanks for the reply im out on clear right now and thes 15in with trucks drivin all over. I got here before it got light out so i just pulled my junk out but im grabbin the truck when i leave.

[tunrevir]

Trucks driving all over on Forest now as well. 14 to 16 inches of ice where I have been this past week.

Tunrevir~

[BrandonJ]

Update for clear lake i did find areas with 13in of ice over shallow weedy spots ive been checking today. Just somthin to keep in mind.

[WalleyeBIZ]

Was out on forest last night, 14 inches seemed to be the average thickness! Caught probably 100 crappies all under 8"! No keepers!! Went out tonight and caught the same with a few keeper walleyes, at least we got to keep some fish!!

[Stringerless!]

South Lindstrom today.1 sunny. Saw a couple pike on cam. Otherwise nothing but little sunnies seen.23fow. Late start. Got there at 8. Had to drive to Minnetonka to find out it was too cold to work.:(

[Stringerless!]

5 to 8:30 this morning. One 9 inch crappie thrown back. Lots of marks, just not biting.S Lindstrom.

[Stringerless!]

4 crappies yesterday. Released. 6 kept today.

[DREZLER]

I have a very large 26' salmon boat that I am hoping to dip into a local lake to do a shakedown cruise this weekend.

Can anybody recommend a lake that has a deep access with a long ramp that I do not have to worry about backing off the end of the ramp?

I live in Blaine so anything in Forest Lake or out toward Chisago would be ok.

I usaully do the shakedown cruises in the river but the marina manager told me there is logs floating everywhere in st Paul.

[th64]

Call the DNR, they know, you pay thair salary-Good Luck

[Bandersnatch]

If you don't want to risk tearing your props up, or dropping off the end of the ramps, I would consider a day trip up to Mille Lac to one of the resorts that have a dredged ramp for their launches.

[aanderud]

If you don't want to risk tearing your props up, or dropping off the end of the ramps, I would consider a day trip up to Mille Lac to one of the resorts that have a dredged ramp for their launches.

I'd drive over to bayport or stillwater before I'd go all the way to Mille Lacs. You should be able to get there in about 35-40 minutes tops. Plenty of deep launches all along the st croix. Otherwise, even Minnetonka should have a few deeper water launches for you.

[RuKiddingMe]

^^^ what he said - Beanies launches larger boats then that all day long.

[expl]

You could launch no problems on Tonka.Maxwell Bay, North Arm,Grays Bay would all be fine for your rig.

[Bandersnatch]

I posted Mille Lac because he wanted to stay off of the river in his post.

Tonka is a good idea if he doesn't mind dragging his rig though the city.

[MuskieFever]

How are the channels on forest? Has the rain brought the lake up?

[SteeredStrike]

To address your second question, yes the rain has raised the water level a bit. It doesn't seem to drastic though, just a few inches

[MuskieFever]

Headed to NS center tomorrow. Never fished either, which would be better to start at for bass? Winter kill change your opinion? Thanks.

[tunrevir]

I have found the muskies to be active right now on Forest with 4 hookups yesterday morning and 2 fish boated. These fish hit in 9 fow along remnant weedlines using smaller baits and a slow retrieve. I also found a mixture of bass, pike and walleyes in the same area. Walleyes took gfinish wally divers as well as the pike and bass. The deeper edges of the remaining weeds have had active fish amonst the coontail and cabbage areas in 12-14' and bass have come off fishing plastics along the deeper edges.

Tunrevir~