Christmas lake?

[wildfan8]

I would like to try and catch some trout and was just wondering if this lake is pressured at all in the winter? does anyone have any reports for this lake?

[Sonicrunch]

people say its tough to catch, but when you do they are huge.

[Tator2k]

That's what I would say.

[MayneStreet]

I fish Christmas quite a bit in the summer, but I've never tried ice fishing for Rainbows before, but from what I've read, it looks like they hang out in the shallow flats in the winter.

The South end of the lake is pretty good fishing in the summer, on the edge of the weed line. In the SW corner of the lake, there's an old wood viewing tower. A small creek runs into the lake there. You could try near that area as they might feed there.

Another option would be to try the sunken island. There are actually two sunken islands out there, one at 14 feet and the other at 25 feet. I'd try the one at 14 feet. Check out the lake map on the DNR site to see where the islands are (http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/data/lakemaps/c0967010.pdf). Last weekend there was someone on that spot though.

I've seen other people ice fish just off the two points separating the back bays from the "main lake". Finally, I'd think about trying the area near the underground canal running to Minnetonka.

The water clarity is very good out there, so you'll have to wait a while after drilling your hole for the fish to settle down. I've hooked a few rainbows in the spring off our dock with a slip bobber and a wax worm. Great size (usually about 3 pounds)! I had a 26 incher that was 5.5 pounds. Hope this helps! Would like to hear your results if you head out there.

[wildfan8]

Thank you for all that info... I will for sure try that shallower island as it seems like a great place to start! I will be out tomorrow and I will report back my results.

[Far-I]

Probably be a good idea to wait until Saturday to fish for trout

[wildfan8]

don't know why but I thought it was the 15th tomorrow. oh well, the plans changed anyway, My buddy talked me into Bone lake for some crappie and pike action. Im for sure tryin christmas on saturday. stoked to try for rainbows! hopefully theres some good sunny or crappie fishing to fall back on.

[MayneStreet]

There are crappies, sunnies, and northern to be had in Christmas Lake. Not sure how well they bite in the winter. I've heard a lot of people say they can see the fish, just can't get them to bite. Good Luck!!

[Matt S.]

Thanks for the info Mayne, where's the underground canal at?

Are there spring areas to avoid for thin ice?

I picked up a trout stamp this year and would love to use it!

[MayneStreet]

Matt - take a look at my post above with the link to the DNR map. In the NW corner of the lake, you'll see the canal that runs to St. Alban's Bay.

The lake is divided into the "back bays" and the "main lake" (The "back bays" are filled with milfoil in the summer, so all the good fishing is on the "main lake"). The "main lake" area is VERY deep, so I wouldn't venture too far away from the shore. There have been cars out on the lake for the past few weeks, so the ice has to be pretty thick. Unfortunately, I don't know where the springs are on the lake.

As a side note, there are a few people that bow fish carp on the lake in the summers. Since the water is so clear, it's a good lake for that. I tend to prefer the spear though.

[MayneStreet]

Anyone try Christmas Lake this weekend? Any luck?

[09ultra]

I was out over the weekend very tough bite.

[masoct3]

The lake is divided into the "back bays" and the "main lake" (The "back bays" are filled with milfoil in the summer, so all the good fishing is on the "main lake").

Fish love milfoil.