Medicine Lake Fishing Reports

[Mr2slim]

Went out for about three hours yesterday and caught about two dozen sunnies. Could of kept maybe 4 but didn't feel like cleaning only a few. Was in about 6-7 feet

[Mr2slim]

Got out again yesterday and couldn't catch any sunnies in every spot we tried. I managed to hit a dead sunny with the auger that was frozen in the ice and it stunk up the whole house and had to move. Also managed to get stuck for about two hours even with four wheel drive but a guy helped us out eventually and I thank him for that. Did catch about 30 crappies later in about 30-32 feet.

[Radar Randy]

Any size to the crappie? Been catchin 7-9 inchers myself. Weather may make things interesting out there this weekend.

[Radar Randy]

[Mr2slim]

Pretty much just the same as you. Nice pic though!

[Radar Randy]

Hows the bite been out there ? Going on Sunday with the kids and hope to catch some crops or sunny. THANKS !!!

[mrklean]

Any reports off Medicine, anyone catching any bass out there? Are the weeds thick along all the shorelines again?

[mojoputter]

Any type of no wake zoning out there..?

[mrklean]

Didnt see anything out there yesterday

[mojoputter]

Made it out there on Friday to do a little prefishing, it seems like that lake is pretty weed choked. Couldn't fish any docks weeds were to thick. Even some of the spots that I caught bass last year were choked with weeds. Been a year since I've been on that lake, but it appears the weeds are taken over. Those stinking bass are hiding in those weeds you can't get to.

[MNMUSKIE50]

Punch threw with heavy weight on a drop shot, always works for me!

[mojoputter]

Don't you end up dragging up a bunch of weeds with that setup..?

[MNMUSKIE50]

There is the weed mat on top, but only stocks below. You dont want to move the wieght once it hits bottom, just feel for bites.. After a min, if nothing bites, recast to another spot. works better the more vertical you are. rig the bait weedless. Youtube dropshot if you've never tried it.

[mojoputter]

I've been resistent to trying it, but I may have to just for something different.

[Skhots]

Was out there a a month ago, came home with 12 or so crappies and released a 10" largemouth. Caught the crappies near the shoreline and bass on the northern channel area. Have yet to see any walleye though.

[Radar Randy]

Getting ready to head out on medicine after this cold snap. Anyone else thinking the same? Should have great ice for a 4 wheeler if we dont get slammed with to much snow! We've done well the last few years early ice,Crappie and walleye. I'll report back....BE SAFE EVERYONE AND HAVE A FISHFILLING YEAR!!!

[Metro ice guy]

Randy I'm heading out Sunday should be a decent bite with the "warm" front moving in. I'm thinking of hitting the hole by the south west ramp for crappies or the north west end for pike. I'll post results, hoping the blood red frostee spoon tipped with a minnow head does as well as last year.

[BrandonJ]

How's the ice been holding up this week? Anybody been out there?

[djt311]

Wondering the same thing, any reports would be appreciated.

[EBass]

I called Harty's. He's opening today sometime. As of last week there was 6-7" in front of him and 3-5" in other places. This was before the cold snap. I would think there's a couple more inches by now. No snow on the ice except the east and north shorelines.

Where's Medicine man?

[Joe Harty]

Hey E Bass, thanks for calling today. Walked out in front of the baitshop at sunset and found 9.5" a hundred yards out which is chest deep. A good friend was over off west beach today and he was on 7". The majority of the lake is likely around 5-6". I know there are a couple pockets of new ice along pressure ridges up the East side, and due south of the bull rushes in front of French, ducks kept that open but locked up now and quite thin. Caution as always with this early ice, plus all that snow did mess up the surface ice and that is 2" of the milky grey colored stuff on top of the good ice. Will try to cover a little more ground with the wheeler this weekend. Yes the baitshop is open.

Joe Harty

[dangnear]

Hey Joe

Dave at North Country Canvas

Just sending you a note that we repair canvas fishhouses. tears,burn holes,mouse holes,zippers, cracked windows so you know where to send your customers with these needed repairs

Stay Warm

[Joe Harty]

Great, thanks Dave ! On site repairs ? Kiddin !

See you at the lake sometime.

[Joe Harty]

I went around with the 4-wheeler and found 8 to 10" around the main lake, north arm, west beach and there is just a bit more in areas out in front of the bait shop, while south shore is full of drifts and very wet under the snow. Confidence increased the more holes I drilled elsewhere, keeping in mind that all that snow we just got melted right into the top layer of ice. Having been through the 60s and 70s and have seen the "old days" winters where we saw thick early ice like this, this looks and feels like one of those throw back years. In those days, we did not have the media technology available like today, which allows me to pop in and report what I find. Remember this fact, we can't see what is going on underneath the ice sheet, unless we are scuba diving, our visual is up on top. My reports are only what i find and can see, and not necessarily what appears to be game on conditions. Caution and common sense is all we can go by so please adhere to your common sense values always. Be safe, be smart, and have fun. It sure does look good right now.

[Curtis SRT]

Thanks for the detailed report Joe. I will be heading out this week sometime. See you then.

[cavalierowner]

Thanks so much for the report Joe! What's your general rule of thumb for when you open your access gate?

I sure do remember those "good old days" of lots of early ice. I used to take off the week between Christmas and New Years and fish every day. I had a 1973 IH Scout and was always able to drive out on the lakes.

[Metro ice guy]

Crappie bite was great yesterday, especially on the red euro larvae. Unfortunately everything I caught was exactly 8". Might try a different hole next weekend and hope for some monsters, well medicine monsters....

[Crappieman2x]

I am new to the area and have fished the Mankato area lakes the past few years but haven't ice fished Medicine yet. I'm mainly searching for crappies and sunfish and any tips would be helpful to get off on the right foot. What lures/colors to try? Depths or part of the lake to focus on? Any bad areas on Medicine to avoid such as springs? Anything at all would be helpful. Thanks.

[Joe Harty]

Just got back from ice check. 9-11" was what I found. Drilled several holes down the middle, banana bar, peninsula. Banana bar had the least at 9", everything else was 10-11". I will be opening my gate on a limited basis this weekend. By that I mean I will let a certain number on to park on shore. It does freeze to the bottom there but I want to be sure. West beach is a little different due to the deeper water, so that remains to be seen what the City does. They do not work weekends so no one is there to monitor how the weight is affecting things. Pressure ridges have popped up at French and Harty's accesses. I will be pick axing mine later this week. Small drifts dot the main lake, about 2-4" with about 1" general snow cover with fairly decent traction if on foot, but bring cleats and ice picks. 4 wheeler type traffic should be fine. See you at the lake.

[mrklean]

how is water clarity this year Joe?