Any suggesions for ice-fishing around Belle Plaine

[Warhead66]

I am from the northwest side of the cities. I was going to pick my 11 year old nephew up on Wednesday to go fishing and was hoping to find a lake near Belle Plaine that is producing fish, do not know the lakes in that area. Size is not a concern but would be nice. Any suggestions. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] if you do not want to post for everyone to see.

Thanks

[kilkercal615]

Prior Lake is only about 15 min from belle plain.

[Warhead66]

thanks for the suggestion kilkercal615, never fish the lake any ideas were to start?

[169Sportsman]

Plenty of 5 inch crappies to be had on Cedar Lake by New Prague if you dont car about size.

[DTro]

Since it takes 20 minutes to get to Prior Lake from Jordan here, I'm thinking more like 30-35 from Belle Plaine, but maybe I'm just a slow driver though.

I would recommend:

South-->German/Jefferson/Washington

North-->Hydes/Waconia

West-->Silver

East-->Cedar/O'Dowds

[highlife4me]

DTRO, I see you mentioned Silver Lake. Pretty sure you are referring to the one between Arlington and Henderson, do you know of anybody fishing that lake lately? I know it was pretty hot a number of years ago but haven't heard of anybody fishing it lately. Don't know if they even bother putting the aerator in anymore or not. If anybody knows otherwise let us know.

[pureinsanity]

Plenty of 5 inch crappies to be had on Cedar Lake by New Prague if you dont car about size.

+1

Ive gone out there numerous times and caught well over 50 fish a piece. Even a couple walleyes in the mix! Everything was CPR'd.

The crappies are rather small but its still fun! I was fishing in 6ft of water and they seemed to be biting at about 3ft.

North east corner of the lake by the old access is where I usually fish.

[ihc1]

I spent a afternoon on silver lake by arlington last winter and could not find a fish. I drilled as many holes as you can on a tank of fuel, well maybe not quite a tank but at least 85 holes all over that lake and got nothing but a sore back. I would not go there if you want to catch anything unless you know something I don't. Good Luck!

[DTro]

Yeah sorry about that. Once upon a time I remember a decent bite on Silver, but maybe nothing lately...

[Warhead66]

Thanks for the suggestions above. Currious does anyone know anything about Fish Lake east of Balle Plaineand south of Prior Lake?

[Warhead66]

Went out yesterday with my nephew to Cedar. We caught as lot of fish. You were right about the size though. He had fun and wants to go again. Thanks for the suggestions it made for a successful trip and another kid intersted in fishing

[jblabsnduck]

Fish lake can be good. Just have to know where to find them.

I fish there a lot and do pretty good every now and then.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

The last 2 years when I've gone to Cedar we've had no problems pulling up fish as fast as we can get our lines down. I don't think I've seen one bigger than 5".

[aanderud]

Will those tiny Cedar Lake crappies bite on minnows? I ask because as soon as we get enough ice to drive my pickup on, I need to get my 3 year old out, and he's definitely not going to do the finicky euro-larvae jigging thing. I need to get him on a school of craps that will actually pull the bobber under, give a guy like 10 seconds to set the hook, etc. Last time I was out I think we got 50 fish of various sizes (mostly small), but of those only maybe 5 came on minnows.

[Warhead66]

Bit on either minnows or waxies. Although waxies were better. The day we went out they were biting hard, taking the bobber under.

[aanderud]

Thanks. The bobber down action is what the 3 year old needs, for sure.