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.

Medicine Lake Fishing Reports


notsogoodfisherman

Recommended Posts

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

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!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

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.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • 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.