havent fished area much an taking two children out fri any help

[mike8481]

Plan on taking my stepson and daughter out on Friday but have never really fished much aroundd here would like to get on some sunnies or crappies to keep them interested any suggestions where I could start. Wouldn't mind being near a possible walleye if things are going well. Thanks for any help.

[one'smylimit]

Depending on the kids ages (keeping their interest) there are lots of good panfish lakes around the Clearlake area. One would be Julia on the Briggs chain. Another is Camp lake off Hwy.10. Very nice sunfish in that lake & the occasional bass.

[CalamityJohn]

Mike, Upper or Lower Spunk would be another option close to St. Cloud with decent numbers of sunnies and crappies. The panfish in the immediate St. Cloud area are generally on the smaller side, but there's enough of them to keep the kids entertained. A tip up set for pike is always a hit with kids. There are some walleyes to be had out there, but they're a bit more sparse.

On Upper there are a couple bars between the access and the grass island where sunfish hang out. Find some weeds in those areas and you'll find panfish.

[mike8481]

Thanks guys think I've been on Briggs a couple time in the summer few years back. Where is a bit shop near there. I heard of the spunks before but not sure on location what are they near? Kids are both 9 and like summer fishing but haven't been ice fishing.

[Rick G]

mike8481, welcome to HSO!

Like others have mentioned the Briggs chain "Palmer/ Clear lake area" or the Spunk Chain "Avon area" will provide some decent action for the kids and give you a shot at a walleye or two.

Couple other lake you might want to check out are Grand, Pleasant or Pearl "Rockville area" they all have good populations of panfish and also kick out the walleyes from time to time.

Beaver lake off Hwy 15 just south of town would be a great lake for the kids as well, lots of fish in there, most are small but provide some good action.

[one'smylimit]

Bait shops near Briggs chain would be Palmer on north side of Briggs lake, or the BP gas station on Hwy. 10 in Clearlake. Both have live bait. Please be sure to check the ice before venturing too far. It is thickening up good, but there are still some "iffy" spots.

[mike8481]

Anybody no how little rock is used to fish that some many years ago?

[dewoutdoor70]

not bad some nice crappies in there if ya can find them and walleyes

[Borch]

Little Rock also has some sunfish and at times decent perch. The are some dandy pike in there as well.

I'll add Big Lake west of Richmond to the list will lots of panfish and a chance at a walleye or pike to book.

[Pallansch]

Ok, Ill give up my little secret lake/pond. It's in Sartell, Take a Left on to 2 1/2 St N(coming from Blue Line), Go to the T take a left (19 Ave N), Go straight across Co Rd 133, Go down that road a 1/4 mile or so and on the right is a development called "DAYBREAK". Turn into there, there is a nice size pond. Looking at it stay to the left side and fish. A friend of mine owned that for the longest time and finally sold it to a Builder that i build houses for. I have fish that for about 6 years and there is a TON of sunfish in there. I have filled out there in less than 20 min before. Its a great place for kids. Please take care of it. Use the google maps on satellite to see it. Enjoy!

[Guest]

Like Rick said, Beaver lake is a great place for the kids. Fish about 9 to 13 feet on the east side of the lake. A spot that I have already fished this year is holding a mix of crappie and gills. go down the side of the lake that the road is on towards the reeds. there is an opening that has a broken tree in the middle. you will see my old holes drilled there on the right side of that stump. you will get them all day. Not alot of biggins but a great time for the kids. My holes or only 1o or 20 yards from the reeds.

[mike8481]

Thanks guys gonna check out Briggs

[Stick in Mud]

What everyone else said.

There are also the lakes out by SJU. Lots of panfish and pike, though (like most other lakes) size will be an issue.

[jgfish320]

hi there i tried to send you a pm but it said you were over your limit. just had a question for you!

[mike8481]

Well we checked out Briggs marked fish but 'real finicky very light bite cou lent get them on a bobber but kids had fun realn in the ones I got jiggn managed a real nice bass an half dozen crappier. Thanks for the tips

[mike8481]

Checked my messages an don't have any not sure y it would say that

[LundProAngler]

Ok, Ill give up my little secret lake/pond. It's in Sartell, Take a Left on to 2 1/2 St N(coming from Blue Line), Go to the T take a left (19 Ave N), Go straight across Co Rd 133, Go down that road a 1/4 mile or so and on the right is a development called "DAYBREAK". Turn into there, there is a nice size pond. Looking at it stay to the left side and fish. A friend of mine owned that for the longest time and finally sold it to a Builder that i build houses for. I have fish that for about 6 years and there is a TON of sunfish in there. I have filled out there in less than 20 min before. Its a great place for kids. Please take care of it. Use the google maps on satellite to see it. Enjoy!

Drove by there and there were a few fish houses there on the pond.

What I noticed was two signs that say "No tresspassing" and "NO fishing".

Would like to take my son there, but I do not want to trespass or break any laws.

Can someone confirm this, tried to PM Pallansch, but it says he is over his message limit.

[Pallansch]

There are two lots that are owned and the others are owned by Dave Werschay (Werschay Homes). He doesn't mind if you cross threw them. I frame houses for him and that's what one of his workers told me. He bought that development I think a year ago or so. It was owned by the farmer next to the development. He dug that pond.

[Roger N]

Drive past this pond every time I go to work never thought there would be fish in it. Went out this morning seen those no trespassing signs but seen a trail on a different lot so went out there surprised to find 17 fow. Caught bass crappie and like pallansch said tons of gills. very interesting fishery for being under 5 acres. read an article in an outdoors paper talkin about these smaller underestimated ponds holding many fish but sometimes being over populated creating stunted growth. Gets me thinkin of checkin other small ponds.

[Roger N]

Also when I got there, there was nobody there when I left 2 houses came out and a third was comin out. So I don't know if people knew of this pond before or if it was all people viewing this forum, but I suppose if its people viewing this forum then the secret is out.

[Pallansch]

I don't mind sharing a couple spots, but please take care of this one. My intent was to help someone to let there kids catch fish. I know it's not my lake but please respect it. Thanks I have kids and they love going there!!!

[Roger N]

Sure thing and no problem.

[Pallansch]

Fished the Secret lake this morning [video:youtube]http://youtu.be/ILGBEKuv3Us with my LX-9!!

[jgfish320]

i drove past it the other day and i was wondering if i could bring my kids down there with me?

[Jared_P]

Where is Secret Lake? I can't find it on the DNR website anywhere

JP

[Pallansch]

That's why it's a secret;) yeah for sure bring your kids down there. They will have a blast I fished it for about 45 minutes this morning and I would say I caught 50-60 sunnies. Taking the short ones down there tommarow.

[JwP1]

Put my house out on little rock today caught about 150 perch today in four hours between three of us. Some werent bad either. 15fow.

[Rick G]

Welcome to HSO and the St Cloud forum JwP1!

[JwP1]

Thanks Rick. I worked out of state the last two years and my old e-mail expired so did my account on here did as well. Good to be back in the area. I sure missed being on the ice. I got a cat spot nobody is ever on behind my parents old place on the chain. Im hoping to hit in the next week or so. Always welcome to join in on the fun.

[Borch]

Welcome back JwP1!