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.

East Metro


Recommended Posts

I just moved to St Paul and am looking for some local quick lakes to fish. I have a 17 ft wide deep v (walleye) boat so need a decent ramp.

Not looking for secret spots just the names of some lakes to hit on the east side.

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

White Bear, Bald Eagle, Clear, and Forest should get you started for walleye lakes that will be able to handle your boat. Another very good option would be the St. Croix River.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

St. Croix is awesome, you can put in at the boomsite just north of Stillwater (take 96 east, turn left at the stop, and go up less than a mile). You will need to get there early to get parking spot though, or most weeknights are open in afternoon.

Big Marine is another decent sized lake to try with good fishing.

Welcome to the east side smile have fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bald Eagle was a total zoo yesterday..you know it's gonna be bad when there are 5 boats in line in front of you when your launching at 630AM. Waited an hour to get a spot to park the boat to get the trailer at 1000. Their here........

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pete you were an hour late on both ends wink We drove right up and launched, and pulled out with no lines, and were exactly one hour earlier than you on both ends.

The "pleasure" boaters come out about 9:30-11 all over the metro. We are never on the metro water later than 9:00 anymore. I am glad we left when we did, as I thought it was turning into a zoo BY 9...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too was on Bald Eagle yesterday. Got their late, at 10am. Gone by 1pm. Couple weeks ago I landed a 38" and had a follow that was even bigger later that evening. But nothing yesterday!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How's the walleye bite been in the east metro? Thinking about heading out with some leeches and bobbers this weekend while keeping an eye to the sky.

Thinking battle creek, gervais, or bald eagle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Battle Creek and walleyes dont go together unless you mean Iowa walleyes. I wouldnt send anyone to battle creek unless the wanted to fish for small pike in a weed choked pond.

Like others said if you are going to put in time chasing walleyes in the metro might as well learn the river. Otherwise most the medium to large size lakes will produce if you take the time to learn them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ha, yeah. I always see boats on Battle when I drive by on 94, thought I might check it out sometime. Sounds like it's worth passing on. Maybe some good Bass fishing though?

Will be hitting the St Croix once the rain stops and the water stabilizes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bass, maybe, I dont think so though. Ive fished it growing up and only caught a few bass out of it but never really gave it much effort in a boat though. Mainly pike, biggest Ive caught was low 30s but thats the biggest Ive ever seen/heard of out of it. Id rather fish Tanners for bass but even Tanners is a very lackluster lake too for whatever reason. Tanners has a few walleyes, I have caught them but I dont think the population is very good and the size structure is not going to blow you away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Learn the st. croix river! Using leeches in a metro lake is gonna get you nothing but sunnies! And you'll run out of bait in about 20 minutes. Also, lakes like gervais and bald eagle are overrun with jet skis and water skiers. The croix, while still very busy, offers alot more space, and there's plenty of quiet places to find. And you can easily go there and catch 10 or more different species of fish in a single day. I think my personal record is 10, but over the years I've probably caught 20 or more species total. If that doesn't sound fun, I don't know what does wink

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.