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.

Recommended Posts

45 minutes ago, smurfy said:

I went up to see Mike89. drove around the west side of the lake. man oh man where there a pile of houses an people out in front of head of the lakes resort.

Its been incredibly busy this winter, thats for sure

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've only been on that lake twice that I remember. Both in late fall and I don't remember where actually. What I found odd was the further to the West end of the lake the less activity there was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN
2 hours ago, smurfy said:

I've only been on that lake twice that I remember. Both in late fall and I don't remember where actually. What I found odd was the further to the West end of the lake the less activity there was.

Smurfy that N end is always busy in winter very productive area easy access. Been like that for over 30 plus years that I've fished it. Pretty consistent bite in the N bay every year unless they go on a freshwater shrimp kick then they can be tough to entice at times ? A bunch of untapped water on that S end but a few guys venture out there and find fish. Town bay area is generally a good spot as Millers bay. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went on Friday very slow bite moved around quite a bit on the north end. A little hard to get around with our little suv not being stuck but just trying to get where you wanted to.  Wife and I got 10 or so sunfish nice ones though 8-9 inches. used freshwater shrimp for the first time and worms a good time. 

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

thinking about trying Osakis on Saturday. Can any one tell me how the shorelines are. We will be walking out but around here some of the landings are getting bad and are tough to get portables on them. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Shorelines are still intact I drove my Truck out last Friday from battle point. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out off Battle Point two days ago. I don't drive my truck out anymore but the shore at the launch was fine. There was a slushy pool of water on the ice but it could be easily avoided.

 

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Ice is fading fast on Osakis.  Losing about an inch or so each day.  I would say it's down to 15-17" with 5-6 inches soft and water logged ice on top.  Some accesses are still good while others will require an 8' plank to get to the ice.

 

Bite has been fair to good for panfish.  They have started to make their shallow push but there are still guys fishing basin areas for crappies.

 

With the forecasted rain and wind tomorrow its gonna get iffy quick.  Be safe out there.  Think I might be done fishing until softwater starts.  Time will tell I guess.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

If I'm looking to catch some bluegills right now, what types of areas should I be looking for? My dad hasn't fished for them in years and I would really like to show him a good time. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, nulmer10 said:

Are they in the pencil reeds or just off the edges? 

Try both.

 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Although super old school to some and completely underestimated is cane pole fishing in the reeds for bluegills. It works really well 

  • Wow, ❤ 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Looking for a walleye report. I heard osakis was one of the best lakes in the area, but it seems like most of the things I read are panfish related. Any advice for a middle of August first time on the lake? I’m not opposed to fishing panfish during the day, but would prefer to target walleyes low light... does anyone fish them suspended in the summer?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't been out for while but one thing I find that brings a little success, especially in late summer, is long line speed trolling with crankbaits over shallow water. By speed trolling I'm talking about 3 to 5 mph and by shallow water I'm talking about 10' or less. I've found success doing this while breaking all the rules. For example, one day I connected with a few 20"+ eyes over 8' of water around 1:00 in the afternoon on a calm, bright sunny day. The water was like a sheet of glass. 

 

The challenge for you will be to find those areas where you can troll cranks so they bang the bottom, which means locating those areas under 15' that are virtually weedless. I won't give you the exact coordinates but consider the south town bay area for one. Have fun!

Edited by BobT
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I sent fish them suspended in the basin areas.  Do get a few any off bottom near weed edges and suspending near flats that drop sharply.  Like Bobt I have had good results trolling cranks over and around weeds.   Also, midlake humps with spinner rigs/crawler or jigging raps can be very good.

 

Panfish can be awesome.   However I had trouble pinning down many nice ones today.  So even they are not a guarantee.  Maybe I will have a better report soon as I will be up through Thursday evening. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I've been looking for how to target crappies now, I've been getting bluegills in 8-10 around weeds but have been really struggling to find crappies. Anyone having any luck with crappies?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

So anyone hear anything about finding an ice castle type house on the bottom of Osakis?? Supposedly found it with side imaging sonar in 40 ft of water. Stolen house????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

Is anyone having any luck on walleye right now? I'm having fun getting into the bluegills but am not having much luck with the walleyes.  How about bass as well? What types of areas to target or is it all pencil reeds?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 10 months later...

How has the walleye and bass bite been going for everyone? I've been doing very well on the bluegills in 8-10 feet in the thicker weeds but can't seem to get bit by walleye.  I've tried a lot of trolling in the 15-20' depths with spinners or lindy rigs but seem to only get small perch.  The only bass I've been able to find are in a couple areas right in the pencil reeds but nowhere else.  What should I be doing differently?

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/30/2022 at 8:47 PM, nulmer10 said:

How has the walleye and bass bite been going for everyone? I've been doing very well on the bluegills in 8-10 feet in the thicker weeds but can't seem to get bit by walleye.  I've tried a lot of trolling in the 15-20' depths with spinners or lindy rigs but seem to only get small perch.  The only bass I've been able to find are in a couple areas right in the pencil reeds but nowhere else.  What should I be doing differently?

I spent the morning on Osakis on Friday. I was using jigs with fathead minnows. I could see clusters of bait fish suspended about 4'-5' off the bottom with fish arches below but I couldn't get a bite from them. Finally (about 11:30 am) got some action from walleye and perch in about 30' of water on a transition between sand and soft bottom with jigs. In that half hour (had to leave at noon) nothing of any size was caught but it was fairly steady. I found that I had to let the jigs lay on the bottom and just lift and fall occasionally. I suspect they were chasing crustaceans and other bugs in the mud and when my jigs fell to the dirt and stirred it up, it got their attention. If I had leeches or crawlers it might have been better. I did not try any deeper because I will not fish beyond that depth as it is more likely to kill the fish that are brought to the surface. 

Edited by BobT
  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

How's fishing been going so far this open water season? I've been doing pretty well for bluegills in town bay in the heavy weeds.  I've had some luck on walleye but not great and most have been below 15".  I've been lindy rigging anywhere from 12-20' finding weed edges.  Not looking for spots but what kinds of things should I be trying? Is the north end better for walleye sizes? 

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 :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.