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

Posted

This is the first season I have used the public access on Medicine Lake. I cannot believe how horrible that launch is. Has the launch always been so shallow? The lake seems to be very low this year. What have previous seasons been like? Is this normal for Medicine Lake?

Posted

I never used it till this year either. It is very low, but I have seen some big bass boats with big motors use it. I noticed the sign says shallow launch and it looks like its been there a while. i would think its always been shallow but low water levels have made it worse. yeah its a bear to launch even my 17 foot boat on a bunk trailer. i usually end up using my net as a push pole to get it to float off the trailer, cuz i dont want to back my truck in anymore.

Posted

it's a bad access and most of the boaters have no respect for others as you will see if you go out there much

Posted

yeah about respect. the first time i went there. i had to wait 20 minutes for a old couple to unload there inflatable raft thing with a 10 horse on it. then get the mooring bouy for his sailboat in the thing. then drag it to the launch side of the dock. then his wife pulled forward about 10 feet got out. and helped him figure out a life jacket and get rope from the truck for the mooring bouy. all while i sat patiently waiting without saying a word. it would of been fine but they launched in the middle of a 2 spot launch. I forgot to mention that i was there when they pulled up, just finsihing getting my stuff in order before using the launch and they pulled in front of me without asking. I can launch my boat by myself in about a minute or 2 and be out of the way for the next guy. so this really erked me. just cuz you live on the lake doesnt mean your entitle to a three rivers park acces for as long as you feel necesary. I normally could care less if people take a bit to get there boat in the water. I understand that people are new to boating or backing trailers or they just arent that great at it. i get it. it takes practice, but this stuff can be avoided. Just a long rant, sorry. happy fishing

Posted

The thing to remember is there is only one launch on the second biggest launch in hennepin county. If you go on any weekend you have to wait about 30 minutes. Not fun. Try a weeknight, it's not as bad. As far as the quality of the ramp, not good. It is way to shallow for the majority of the boats that launch. Most people have to walk there boats out to the weedline before the can start their engine.

Posted

I lived in some apartments on the lake 3 years ago. The launch was shallow then, but it was possible to launch your boat. The bigger problem, at least then, was how shallow it got about 30-40 feet from shore. You could see pencil grass, so you knew it was shallow, but you had to be careful not to get stuck.

Posted

If it weren't for power loaders, there wouldn't be ANY water at that access! winklaugh

Sorry, couldn't resist. smile

  • 6 months later...
Posted

any one know where to catch crappies or wallys on medican lake. i tryed fishing there for a bit tonight but no luck. that was my first time. i was just wondering if anyone had any tips or good spots ya know of. any tips would be great. thanks

Posted

Just follow the houses. I was out there on Saturday for an hour, took my 3yr old son out since it was nice. Got 3 little crappies (that's the only size you'll find on the lake) out from the main point on the west side of the lake, straight out from the access. Marked alotta fish. Just hop around checking every hole that's already been drilled, you'll find fish.

Walleyes, I know they get a few out from the beach on the south side of the lake. Also try some of the sunken islands out in the main part of the lake. Not sure on depth

Posted

I have been doing ok during the day on the base of the drop off surrounding structure. Depending on where your at it could be anywhere from 20-30 feet.

Otherwise, if you can get on the edge of a weedline there is a good bite there too. This is a better bet for the evening.

Posted

I have never fished walleyes on Medicine but I have tipup fished for northerns and spent countless hours chasing bluegills and crappies.

Stop at Harty's, buy some bait and take a look at his lake map. You'll see a few real deep holes that always have crappies stacked in them. Joe is also very free with his recommendations. The houses are usually a dead giveaway but there are a couple of slightly shallower holes that usually don't have any permanents on them.

I was out yesterday for the first time this winter and had 10 crappies in the bucket in fairly short order. I wish they had been a bit larger but 4 of them were real nice so not too bad. I caught the biggest on a crappie minnow but that was the only bite on the bobber rod. Everything else including a bunch of throwbacks came on spring bobber rods with wax worms. Electronics really help as you typically want to fish the top fish in the stack as they are more aggressive. Yesterday, my better fish came from lower in the column but I love to watch those crappies come racing up at the bait.

Moved to my favorite bluegill spot and caught an additional 5 crappies that I would have loved to have in the bucket. They were whites (stacked fish tend to be blacks)and were larger than a few in the bucket but back they went. Only managed to coax a couple of good bluegills into the bucket and called it a pretty successful day for the maiden voyage of the year.

Posted

Sounds like you had a pretty decent trip out there.

Joe is definitely a great person to ask. After all hes on the lake probably more than anyone else.

Posted

Hey Tripleplay, Thanks for the report. I haven't been out to Medicine for a couple years now. Sounds like Medicine is still providing some decent action. I may have to make a trip out there. Did you happen to run into Derrick?

Tightlines

Posted

Where is Harty's located??

Posted

SE corner of the lake, just off 169.

Posted

Hit the lake after work last night. Very slow bite. we marked fish in 30ft all night but only caught a few. All caught came on glow forage minnows tipped with minnow heads.

Posted

Dropper rig and a waxie is the way to go for the crappies usually.

Posted

Tripleplay, I have been fishing medicine for 5 years now and have yet to get a white out of there. Caught probably 500 black crappie but not a single whitie yet. What depth are you getting them at? Are they suspended? I always have my flasher with and keep an eye out higher in the water column.

Posted

I've caught a few white crappies out of Medicine and they have been about double the size of all the little black crappies. Ive always caught mine in 30fow suspended right with the black crappies. Thats about as specific as I want to get. wink

Posted

I'm not an expert but the ones I was catching shallower definitely looked lighter and different than the deeper water, suspended ones. My best crappie on Medicine came out of a shallower, bluegill spot and was definitely a white. That stated with the numbers of crappies suspending I can't imagine that there isn't a mix of some whites in with all of the blacks.

This was in about 20-22 ft and they weren't suspended but more related to the bottom with the bluegills.

Metrojoe----I did not see Derrick but I have to admit I was pretty focused on fishing. I had a limited amount of time and I hadn't been on the ice yet so there was an itch that definitely needed scratchin!

Posted

Tripleplay, I have been fishing medicine for 5 years now and have yet to get a white out of there. Caught probably 500 black crappie but not a single whitie yet. What depth are you getting them at? Are they suspended? I always have my flasher with and keep an eye out higher in the water column.

The ones I've caught have been on shallower, weedy humps as opposed to deep, rock or mud humps. If you do manage to catch one they are twice the size of the black crappies.

Posted

That's what I've always heard. I guess I pretty much gave up on the lake after first ice last year. Pretty much the only time I go now is if I'm after pike or bass or if my 3 yr old son wants to go. I got sick of catching cookie-cutter crappies. 3 years ago I use to be able to get some 9-10"ers mixed in with the little guys, but not so the last few years. Guess I'll have to give it an honest effort again one of these days.

Posted

whats the ice like am i safe to drive my suburban around out there?

Posted

Absolutely. You'll probably see another 20 suburbans out there with ya.

Posted

Out today-

Nothing worthwhile but a ton of action! Medicine Lake Perch galore! everything was very small but I'd say I caught around 40 perch right off the bottom in about 15 FOW today in 2 hrs!

Posted

i made it out didnt get anything water was pretty clear but nothing moving

Posted

out yesterday in 34 fow, action was pretty slow until sunset then pick up nonstop for an hour. all were crappies and were very small.

Posted

Anyone going to the fishing contest this weekend?

Posted

Hey metrojoe, shoot me an email when you get a chance.

Posted

want to fish the tournament but i might be up north fishing this weekend instead. does anyone know a link to get info on the tournament? thanks

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.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      🤣 not fer some of us!!!!!!!!!!
    • smurfy
      i couldnt find it.....but maybe???
    • leech~~
      Looks great! Thought we started a smoker thread?  🤔
    • leech~~
      Well, that's not getting 10 years old now is it!  🥱🥱
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across Big Traverse Bay, with resorts and outfitters still in full swing offering both day houses and sleeper fish houses. The bite in February has been excellent, with lots of fish being caught and plenty of opportunities for fresh fish fries. Some ice roads are now extending over 20 miles out, keeping anglers on productive schools of walleyes and saugers. Ice conditions continue to build, making this one of the best late-season ice years in recent memory. If you’re fishing on your own, bring an auger extension, as ice thickness is significant. Most fish houses are positioned over deep mud, while some remain on or near structure. As always, expect to sort through some smaller fish, but that’s a good sign of a healthy fishery. With fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th, the extended season on Lake of the Woods offers plenty of time to plan your trip. Pike fishing never closes, and with the thick ice conditions, this year is shaping up to be fantastic for targeting trophy pike. March: The Go-To Month for Trophy Pike March is prime time for big northern pike, as these aggressive predators begin staging for the upcoming spawn. Lake of the Woods is loaded with pike over 40 inches, and tip-up fishing can be lights out this time of year. Anglers targeting pike should set baits under tip-ups in shallow water (6-15 feet) near pre-spawn areas, weedy areas, river mouths, or back bays. Current Fishing Depths & Patterns: Most fish are being caught in 26-32 feet of water. Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout, pike, tullibees, and even some crappies are in the mix. Suspended walleyes are showing up—watch electronics closely. Plenty of limits are being caught, with many anglers taking home bonus perch this season. Best Techniques: Jigging Line: Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head continue to be the top producer. Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap-style lures are also working well for aggressive fish. Lures with built-in lights have been very effective in the stained water (Reminder: In Minnesota, lighted lures are legal as long as the battery is mercury-free and the hook is attached directly to the lure, not on a dropper line). Deadstick: A plain hook or small jig with a live minnow, set 6 inches to a foot off the bottom, continues to catch neutral or less aggressive fish. Time of Day: Bite windows vary daily. Some days, mornings are best; other days, the afternoon bite turns on. Walleyes can move through at any time, so staying patient and watching electronics is key. On the Rainy River...  Mornings and evenings continue to be the best times for targeting walleyes. A jig and minnow or jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head remains the go-to presentation. Sturgeon fishing has been solid, with some giants being iced (Reminder: The current sturgeon season is catch-and-release). Safety Note: Ice conditions on the Rainy River are good, but they can change rapidly due to current. Always check with resorts or outfitters before heading out. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing remains excellent throughout the islands region of Lake of the Woods. Resorts are moving fish houses regularly, keeping guests on active schools of walleyes. Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees. Big crappies continue to be caught just over the border in Canada. If you're interested in targeting crappies, check with a NW Angle resort for guide services and ice conditions. Plan Your Ice Fishing Adventure! Lake of the Woods offers an extended ice fishing season, with:  Fish houses allowed overnight through March 31st  Walleye & sauger season open through April 14th  Pike season never closes—March is prime time for trophies!  Perch and crappie seasons open year-round Whether you’re looking for a day house rental, a sleeper fish house, or comfortable lodging at a resort with or without a meal plan, there’s still time to plan your late-season ice fishing adventure.    
    • smurfy
      Off da smoker!😉
    • smurfy
      At least he's got a shirt on! 😊🤣😜
    • leech~~
      Sounds like a nice last day.  I like how you photoshop a different shirt on that same picture the last few years!  🤣
    • JerkinLips
      Beautiful day on Vermilion Sunday for the last day of walleye season.  Lots of people were fishing in portables, or out in the open.  Was entertaining watching many of the wheel and skid houses being pulled off of the lake.  Checked half a dozen spots where wheel houses were removed and didn't find any trash at all.  Sounds like people are getting the message.  I may go out on the lake when the snow is melted to do a further check and cleanup if needed.   Fishing was average for this time of the year.  Had a decent bite from 2pm to 4pm when I caught my biggest eye (pictured 22 inch).  Decent finish to a good season.  Now on to lake trout fishing.   Hope everyone had an enjoyable and successful ice fishing season.  Going to be a long time before this year's open water season.  
    • smurfy
      Thanks Kettle! I'll bring mine with but won't be until  mid march
×
×
  • 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.