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

Was thinking of going to french and try for some walleyes and skies. Was wondering how the fishing is and if the water has turned green yet. thanks

Willie ><((((>

Posted

i have been out there a couple nights the last couple weeks, the water is just starting to get a green look to it. i was casting muskie baits and the green slime was building up on my reel guide and dripping all over the boat.

Hope that gives you a little helpful info...

Kicker

Posted

I fished French this morning from about 6-noon. Had a muskie blow up on my super top raider about 7am and that was about it. That was up near the Northwest area of the lake. I talked to a guy on his dock a bit and he said a guy pulled a 53"er out of there last night. I see in the past two years the public boat launch is just as difficult to lauch now as it was then. And yes the water was very, very green.

Posted

Down to Earth,
Just curious as to what you see as the problem with the boat landing. Not to sound mean but I've been there for 6 years now and haven't had a problem yet. The past 2 weekends the landing and hill coming down to it havebeen full of boats----anything biting?

Posted

Hoy's resort is also on French Lake but I think all their campsites are seasonal. The public access mentioned above is about half way across the lake from Knippels. I know Hoy's also has a launch(probably for a fee) but am not sure if Knippels does. I think the complaint with the landing is the shallowness of the water, but I haven't tried to land there this year so I am not real sure.

Knippels is right on the lake although I think a small road may run betwwen their sites and the water. I know they have some sites but am not sure how booked they are for the summer. Give 'em a call.

Nick

[This message has been edited by bart simpson (edited 06-24-2004).]

Posted

Yes for my trailer at least it is very shallow. I had my truck half way in the water before my boat would even roll off the trailer. Had to crawl through the back of my blazer. Maybe its just my trailer set up, but after I pulled out I saw a guy stuggle for about 5 minutes before he got his boat launched. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad if you had another person in the boat, but with just myself it makes it very difficult to launch a boat(at least mine).

Posted

earth. the landing is a pain if you are by yourself. don't be afraid to ask some one for help. i have offered to back guys rigs in for them so they could launch or load faster.i know it is scary but look around, there are a few of us that do know what we are doing. del

Posted

Was thinking about coming out to French sometime within a month or so, staying at a resort by the name of Knippel's French Lake Resort. I found that out on line listing of resort on French.

Are there any other resorts on the lake? Is Knippel's right on the lake? Can you tell me more about the resort? Do they have lots for pop-up campers? At the boat landing what kind of problems are you talking about? I have a pontoon boat that I'd like to launch when I come out to camp.

I've just bought some muskie lures and am very interested in trying out for those skies.

Any info on where to stay, how much and info on the resort would be greatly appreciated.

mountaindew

Posted

Thanks Del, unfortunately early morning weekdays don't offer too many people at the landing. I asked the guy I saw when I pulled out and he said he was fine. But definately it is a 2 person friendly landing.

Posted

man ! i wish i lived closer !! if i didn't live a 150 mi. away; i would be there every morning too. del

Posted

I'll have to agree with you guys--I was probly a bit too early on my response on the problems--my wife has always helped me with launching and in the fall when we bring boat back in i get wet---I put on a pair of shorts and water shoes and get right in the water-cold or not--If I ever see anyone down there having problems, I'll certaintly offer to help--That's what's it's all about----On a side note did you guys catch anything???

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      When it said. "The foolish man, builds his house upon the sand"? 🫣   Just got back from 10days on the golf of America.  By Panama city Florida.   
    • smurfy
      Venny backstrap and the fixins!
    • SkunkedAgain
      Running on empty at dark on a sled is definitely stress-inducing. Been there, done that. Glad that you made it out.
    • SkunkedAgain
      Eagle swoops are always a hoot to watch.   The snow is mostly gone on the lake. Ice melt made things pretty wet but the ice is obviously still very thick. 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The big question:  "How is the ice up at Lake of the Woods?"  That is for each individual resort or outfitter who operates an ice road or trail to answer, but overall, ice conditions are still very good and ice fishing is going strong!  As always, stay on the marked ice  roads and trails for safety.     Being up on the Canadian border, the colder temps Lake of the Woods enjoys vs much of the region combined with three feet of ice makes a big difference.  Fish houses are allowed unattended overnight through March 31st and it sounds like a good number of resorts will be fishing through the month, but ultimately, Mother Nature will determine that.     Regarding the fishing, overall, very good reports for walleyes, saugers and perch.  There is a strong population of smaller walleyes and saugers in the lake which bodes well for the future, but in the meantime, anglers are sorting through them to catch their keepers.   The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait on the jigging line is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a live minnow a foot off the bottom on a plain red hook or medium sized ice fishing jig is catching a lot of fish.   Using electronics is super helpful.  Many nice walleyes are swimming through suspended, keep an eye out.   Anglers tip-up fishing for pike have had a great week and it should continue to get even better.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom seems to be effective this week.  Most common depths, 9 - 15 feet. On the Rainy River...  The Rain River is still frozen with no signs of open water yet.  Every year can be different, but on average, the Rainy River will start opening up around the third week of March.  The first boat ramp suitable for larger boats is Nelson Park in Birchdale.  We will keep you posted.    As of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.     Make plans now for sturgeon season.  Once the open water appears, the fish are super active.  Here are the seasons...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.  Up at the Northwest Angle...  Fishing remains very good up at the Angle and the ice is in good shape as well.  As on the south end, resorts monitor ice roads and trails daily and there are still some great ice fishing opportunities available.     Walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike are showing up in good numbers.  Those targeting crappies are reporting good numbers of fish.  Work through a NW Angle resort for ice fishing opportunities on this part of the lake. The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. 
    • Wanderer
      Looks like a shallow lake with some potential.  Keepable crappies, decent bluegills and some nice perch according to the last survey (2015). Susan Lake   With a max depth of 10 feet, I’d want to know a little more about it before I’d start drilling holes.  Could be a nice little adventure though.  
    • Brianf.
      Jeff and I fished Saturday and half day Sunday, targeting whitefish, ciscos, crappies, and perch.  The bite was tough for us.  We ecked out a few, but nothing special.  Highlight of the weekend was the sled ride into Wolf Lake and having an eagle swoop in and eat a rock bass we had on the ice.  All in all, not a bad way to waste time.    
    • monstermoose78
    • smurfy
      Smoked polish sausage with some beans!
    • smurfy
      just below the ice???? i was pulling crappies from 30 ft over 43 ft and 23 inches of ice this past weekend.   nice going!!!!!! 👍
×
×
  • 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.