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.

Orchard?


Recommended Posts

Lived in the area for a few years but haven't had a boat until this year so going to 'scratch the itch' and get out today after work to chase some crappies, and thinking I'll head to Orchard as it's pretty close to my house.

Anybody been on it lately, have any tips? Reports?

Thanks for all of the help!

-Cobber

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't been there yet this year. Try the bay in the northwest corner. The water should warm up faster there. I think there is a sunken island south of there in deeper water. Don't remember where exactly though. Most likely someone will be fishing on it. If so, that would be your spot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cobber, this summer when I am home I'll show you the ropes for bass on Orchard if you are interested.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went out on Orchard for crappies for the first time. I caught a couple mid-sized sunfish in 2-5 fow in the north bay. As I trolled back to the landing at about 8 oclock to leave I found a 19 1/2 largemouth bass in the middle of the south side that had been massacred by a tiger muskie within probably 25 minutes of myself finding it. The things gills we're still moving, but it was a goner for sure. I'm making it a goal this summer to catch that muskie cool

Trust me this was no turtle's, prop's, or knife's work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thats pretty rare, I know there's not very many big ones out there. not saying it cant happen but most of the tigers are smaller.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've pulled a couple tigers out of there...they were between 24" and 30" if I remember right. But I wouldnt doubt that there are big ones in there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

90% of the tigers i caught last season were under 40 inches though and about 60% right under 30 inches. i bet theres one out there thats capable of doing that to a bass but not in large numbers whatsoever. often times i see people confuse the northerns and tigers because the tigers are about the same size. As mrfish1991 stated 24-30 inches on average.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my brother and i have both caught one big one in there 40"/41" trolling spinners along the north shore but that was probably 7 years ago...... since then my biggest tiger from orchard has been a skinny 32" two years ago. they are there but few and far between. if i was going to target larger tigers i would go to Ceadar, Nokomis, or Elmo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

yuck what a swap, went out their today to check things out and she's already in midsummer form as far as the weeds and muck go...does anyone know if they treat this lake for weed growth?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went out on Orchard for crappies for the first time. I caught a couple mid-sized sunfish in 2-5 fow in the north bay. As I trolled back to the landing at about 8 oclock to leave I found a 19 1/2 largemouth bass in the middle of the south side that had been massacred by a tiger muskie within probably 25 minutes of myself finding it. The things gills we're still moving, but it was a goner for sure. I'm making it a goal this summer to catch that muskie cool

Trust me this was no turtle's, prop's, or knife's work.

Curious to what made you think it was a Tiger Muskie that did the bass in? That's a pretty big size bass to be done in by even a pike or ski. Somehow im suspecting something else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i caught one out there 2 yrs ago that was well over 40 didnt get a measurement but i would guess in the 44 inch range

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i think it is being treated for muck and other weeds right now. i noticed a bunch of orange milk cartons floating from ropes below today. I assume that is some kind of chemical treatment. my motor got stuck in the weeds in what 3 weeks ago was 8 feet of water. now its surface weeds and muck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weeds everywhere on Orchard already! Only my 3rd year fishing Orchard but I have not seen weeds like this. I was out on Saturday Morning early for 3 hours of fishing. Couple 10" crappies, first crappies I have got there, tiny gills, one 17" large mouth, and a 24" tiger musky to round out my day. All the fish went back in the lake to be caught another day. Lots of fish activity all over. I saw 4 muskies cruising in all depths. Getting the itch to start throwing the big stuff for the ski's.

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 :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.