Shoreview Fishing

[ToddyP5]

Guys.

I'm a new resident of Shoreview and looking for advice on any good lakes in the area for Ice Fishing.

I see portables on Snail Lake but have heard its a tough lake to fish?

Obviously WBL and Bald Eagle are close, but crowded.

Anyways thought I would seek some advice, thanks all!

[lotsofish]

Turtle Lake has some nice bluegills and crappies if you can find the bigger ones. Lots of little ones too of course.

[iceAngler651]

I've never had much luck on Snail Lake, but I would agree with the previous poster about Turtle Lake. If you find a good hole you can have a great time. I've given up on White Bear, but I'd still would recommend Bald Eagle for the crappies.

[JBMasterAngler]

Owasso can be good for numbers of crappies later in the season. It's also full of tiny walleyes.

[guitarcher]

Lake Johanna - reports of a few small walleyes. There are some nice northerns and muskies as well.

[quickfish6]

Turtle..

[ToddyP5]

Thanks boys, I am gonna give Turtle a whirl on Saturday if the flu passes, I appreciate it.

[skogie34]

I live about 10 minutes away from Turtle. Never thought about it for ice fishing. I drive by it everyday for work. But since I drive on Hodgson, I can't see if there are people out on the lake. I may try this one this weekend as well.

Thanks guys!

[UofMBASS]

Also don't be tricked by other people and their pods of portables huddled together on Turtle. The key is to just stick to the weedline and try to find an irregularity. Spreading out and staying mobile is key on that lake.

[madmodifier]

Any idea on the depth of the weed line? I drilled a dozen holes out there on Saturday but did not have much luck. from 10-17 fow

[Grum]

What is the ice like on Turtle?

[Baitchaser]

UofM is right, it pays to stay away from others on Turtle. I grew up a block from the lake and still fish it pretty regularly. I always start on the weedlines on the north end in the winter and make my way down the west side of the lake if I need to move. Take a look at a contour map and you'll be able to find some good weedlines to hit. Make a plan and test it out! I have not been out there since first ice so I cannot comment on ice conditions as of now. It's a good multi-species lake, just remember that all bass have to me immediately released. Good luck!

[madmodifier]

People are out with wheelers and perm shacks. It was a good 8" 12/29.

[UofMBASS]

The weedline on Turtle runs from way up shallow by the docks to normally 10-11 feet. Many areas of the lake have scattered milfoil patches in deeper water (12-14) about 10 feet off the actual weed edge itself. Good luck!

[that_guy]

What is the ice like on Turtle?

I was out on Turtle Saturday, I didn't put tape on it, but measured with my ice scoop. I'd put it right at 11-12in. All looked pretty solid to me, lots of black ice.

If it helps at all, about half the people on the lake drove, the other half walked. One guy was doing donuts in his jimmy. Seemed solid to me. I will most likely drive out next week unless the daytime temps get too high.

[Grum]

Thanks for the report that_guy.

[Lundguy21]

I was out fishing turtle on Saturday and had 14'' of ice. I drove my f150 out.

On a side note, I fish this lake heavy during open water, and do well for bass and pike We were out for 4 hours fishing on the sandbar side of the lake, near the couple sunken islands and we got 1 pike the whole time....with tip-ups at 10ft and 20 ft we saw no flags. The pike came on a crappie minnow on a plain hook.

I was marking fish from time to time, but no biters. Does anyone have tips for me chasing eyes on this lake? Like I said, I have it dialed in for open water bassing, but I've gotten skunked twice on my two hard water trips! People seem to be set up in the middle of the main basin...seems pretty featureless to me unless I've missed something.

[UofMBASS]

I grew up fishing on that lake and have a few pointers if you really want to try chasing some eyes. Forewarning, it can be difficult as there aren't a ton of walleyes to begin with, combined with a lack of true structure on the lake.

Minnetonka or Bald Eagle might be better options for numbers.

Nevertheless, PM me if you're interested.

[CommonSense Guy]

Dont forget your bait aerator. Makes all the difference.

[Lundguy21]

PM Sent, U Of M.

[hunter322]

Anyone fish turtle in the last couple of days? Was thinking about trying it out this weekend. Whats the ice like? Any springs or thin spots to watch for? Thanks for the info! Hey UofM pm me.

[jjdouvier]

I've been fishing Snail lately without much luck but I think I'm going to head out and try Turtle on Friday. Just probably doing some day fishing. Any hints for some panfish?

[Baitchaser]

I was out on Turtle Sunday. Fished from 11-6. The bite really didnt turn on until about 4-430. Found the best luck in 15-20ft near weeds. Tried mid-lake structure but only found perch out there (no size). Ice was around 19" and trucks/cars all over the lake, just keep your speed down. Crappie bite was good for about an hour or two. few gills, and a couple snakes. I might head out again soon, I'm tempted to try shallower.

[metroslayer]

Ive never fished this lake. I'm interested' do you guys catch walleyes out there. Is there decent size crappies in this lake's its funny ive fished every like in the area but this one

[Big Nick]

I was out on Turtle Sunday night, I stayed around 18' and that produced just one nice crappie in the evening. Today I tried earlier and deeper and didn't catch anything. There were a bunch of people in the NE corner of the lake, but I haven't been over that way yet. The map shows some drastic contour changes...might have to give it a go later this week.

[OnAFly]

Thanks to the guy who stopped and pulled my out of the snow yesterday on Turtle. I couldn't believe how hard packed it was on top!

As for the fishing, I think my GPS was off or the map I have was off because I never did find my 12ft hump I was looking for. I got a lot of chasing perch, but that was about it.