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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Ice fishing in the rain!! No good today. Nephew was being a pain on the way out. I do not know what his issue was. He was good once he got in the house. I did not get to the deeper ledge because he stopping walking out. We caught some gills but mostly tiny ones. Seen some bass, walleyes, and pike. O well I knew I should have went by myself, but I can't say no to a nephew.

Best things today was the bite was so light that the camera paid off huge for my nephew and he thinks it is awesome to out fish me.

I have the house in the garage drying out and all my gear. I was hoping the big gills would have been on bite today. They may have been on the deeper ledge. I still like seeing my nephew smile when he pulls up a gill. full-12169-51983-jordan2014_2.jpg

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I went out and had an amazing 2 hours on the ice. The fish were fired up and smashing my baits. I was using a pug bug jig with a maki mino plastic. The jig was white and orange with a white and red flaked maki mino. This jig falls fast but not to fast and the fish were screaming up to hit it. The crappies were on fire and so were the some of the better gills of the season for me. I caught some gills up to 9.25 inches today. I know I do not have photo of them but that was because I enjoying catching these fish that were so fired up. My wife wanted to have a fish fry for her cousin and husband along with a friend who is here from England. I hope everyone else gets out and on a bite like this because it is truly amazing to witness. All gills over 8 inches are still swimming 7-8 inchers where not so lucky today. The crappies where 9-11 inches.

Good Luck

full-12169-52014-amazingday_1.jpg

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I knew this Quest was going to difficult, but seeing I have only broke 9 inches a couple times this year. More 8-9 inchers than I can count. I am not complaining but I thought just thought I had some of these big gills figured out. HAHA they sure got me fooled for now. I will keep working at it. I am trying to get more photos of the bigger gills I catch. I have a couple trips planned for targeting big gills coming up so I hope to show off some big gills to you all and give you some tips to what is working.

Posted

I'm trying to be realistic here nothing else. I am not so sure there are very many (very, very rare?)bluegills around these parts over say 9.25-9.5. I haven't caught any bigger than 9.25 and haven't heard of anyone that has caught one bigger than that in this part of the state. Maybe, you have some more information, in which would be interesting. I have caught bigger gills being 9.5-10.25 around the Park Rapids part of the state. I will say if you can hit a 9 inch Bluegill, that is a really nice fish. I'd be quite happy with that!

Posted

I know a couple of really good bluegill and crappie lakes...Park Rapids Area.....Big Toad/Little Toad....both are 8 miles west of Osage (Straight Lake is another good Bluegill lake in Osage) on 34 out of Park Rapids. You will get 10 inch bluegill from little toad on the west shore line areas, south side sunken islands. Good Luck!

Posted

By the way, I have 3 of them on my wall out of little toad total weight was 3.75 lbs, one was a pumpkinseed sunfish. I also have a crappie mount out of there 3 that went 6 lbs total....Those lakes won't disappoint you...

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I broke the 10 inch mark around here last winter and there are some lakes that have them and few times each winter before. I am happy with any gills, but I wanted to set a higher goal for this winter. I normally get my biggest gills come late ice, but that is not stopping me from trying now. I know other parts of the state offer a better chance at gills over 10 inches, but a 10 gill around here is a trophy. Last winter I got 4 gills over 10 inches the biggest hitting 10 3/8ths. 3 came from the same lake and one came from different one. It can be done if you do your homework and get away from the masses.

Posted

Fascinating info guys! If I'm real lucky I'll get a weekend up to Park Rapids this next spring/summer.

If I ever get another 10+ gill I'd like to have it mounted, if I caught a 10 inch Pumpinseed I'd probably rip my face with that smile!

Posted

Measure the big sunny and release them ... anything over 9" ... they are very old and produce bigger sunnies in lake's. very very important for sun fish growth!

Bob

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

Man I haven't been targeted gills yet this year, I'm slipping, great post and good luck!

Posted

Well Dreams crushed here. A trip I took to Disney in Fl. one year and we stayed at their resort and I saw the bluegills in their lake had to be 12" or close to that. Well the following year we went back I brought a fly rod with, only to find out the fishing in that lake closed a week earlier. When you drive into Disney they have a big sign over the road that says "Where Your Dreams Come True". Except mine I guess.:(

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

bummer !

Posted

I eclipsed the 9" mark at my cabin this weekend for the first time this season. I also found a bunch in the 8" range stacked up. It was a fun weekend of targeting Gills!

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Nice work MNBassfisher. What were you using to make them gills bite?

Posted

The bite was hot on Friday with almost all lookers inhaling the jig but Saturday the bite was a little different. Lots of fish and a few big ones would come peck at the eurolarve but not inhale the whole jig. Still managed to catch about 50% of the lookers though. I was using a few different tungsten jigs from 2.5mm to 4mm tipped with a few red/white euro's.

Posted

Mm, think I had your gil this am, bigger than any crappie ive caught but got away at the hole wrapped around ducer cable

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

grrrr! lol

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Mm, think I had your gil this am, bigger than any crappie ive caught but got away at the hole wrapped around ducer cable

So what you are saying is I still got a chance!!

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Hit a nice gill darn close to 9.5 inches today but forgot to put the SD card in the camera when I left the house. Not many gills today, but I am looking forward to some warmer weather so I can chase down these big gills.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Got many 7-8 inchers today. I went to a lighter pug bug thinking this would allow the gills to suck it in easier. I was right. Maki Mino by Clam was great again in white with red flakes. I went through like 20 mino's today. Here is the one of the bigger gills I caught. full-12169-52262-1_17_2015_1.jpg

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

Nice gill!

I noticed the Clam-Maki plastics are very soft and I go through more of them than some other plastics. But they still last a lot longer than live bait and catch fish.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I have only played with the impulse nymph. had for me to get away from the waxies and euors.

Posted

mm78,

I too am after big gills. You provide alot of useful info, so thanks. I've been getting some nice ones around chisago area this year,biggest a touch over 9. What i'm wondering is if you have tried Custom jigs and spins "majmun". Very small tungsten ball offset on the hook shank. It has become my go-to jig, and I've had the chance to do alot of comparing. I usually hole hop with 2 rods - a jig and plastic (micro nuggie is fav) and majmun with euro's, hot orange best color. I like the longer hook, very few missed fish.

Check em out

rascal

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

mm78,

I too am after big gills. You provide alot of useful info, so thanks. I've been getting some nice ones around chisago area this year,biggest a touch over 9. What i'm wondering is if you have tried Custom jigs and spins "majmun". Very small tungsten ball offset on the hook shank. It has become my go-to jig, and I've had the chance to do alot of comparing. I usually hole hop with 2 rods - a jig and plastic (micro nuggie is fav) and majmun with euro's, hot orange best color. I like the longer hook, very few missed fish.

Check em out

rascal

You were able to find sunnies in the Chisago area bigger than 5 inches? confused Very nice! I haven't really tried those lakes lately, but kudos for finding some nice ones smile
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

This is my newest piece to help aid in the quest for a Monster Blue Gill. full-12169-52388-board.jpg

This will allow me to put the gill on it and get a better measurement and then allow for a great photo. Just like Eyeguy does with his big fish.

I was out fishing today and the big gills went IMA. I will have to try and talk to that a friend rumor has it he broke the 10 inch mark from a local lake. I did get couple gills only one photo. Just after this gill I lost my 1/64th oz Pug Bug with a Maki Plastic to a pesky pike. I know I should have more than one of every jig but I lost the other one to a pike as well. I will be making a few stops tomorrow to restock my jig box. Sorry for the blurry photo the gill was flopping around. full-12169-52390-1_26_2015_5.jpg

Seeing it is middle of winter now. The gills will start moving away from the weed beds to the deeper water. Look for soft bottom areas where they might find some bug hatches to feed on. This time of the year can be hard for some anglers, because they stay in the early season areas. Yes some fish will be caught there, but most of the Monster Gills make there way to where the food is. Fishing these areas can require more drilling of holes and constantly moving to stay on active fish. At this time of year it is not uncommon to find gills in 20-30 feet of water if that lake has it. Remember when you hook these fish to take your time bringing them up. I have caught gill in over 30 feet of water many times in other areas of the state, but seeing we do not have many lakes around over 30 feet deep check the deepest areas. Please release Big Bluegills and keep the smaller ones under 8 inches. Thank you and Good Luck

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

get that gill on there dude! smile I am still on the hunt. smile

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Eyeguy congrats on your huge BlueGills!! I will try and get on the board tomorrow afternoon. I have a meeting in St. Cloud in the morning for internship.

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

good luck!

Posted

I will try and get on the board tomorrow afternoon. I have a meeting in St. Cloud in the morning for internship.

PM SENT grin

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

Well I did not break the 10 inch mark with a Bluegill today but I did with many Crappies. full-12169-52453-1_30_2015_6.jpg

full-12169-52454-10_30_2015_2.jpg

full-12169-52455-1_30_2015_5.jpg

They are moving around a lot more than before. I think I need to start using other baits and jigs to try and get some monster bluegills. Maybe a jigging spoon might get them big monster bluegills to bite. The wind made watching my line a chore. I have been using the bring green stuff I do not remember what kind it is, but it is 3 pound test. One of these days I will break that 10.5 inch mark this winter.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • monstermoose78
      Ok the ice was 15-16 inches and less than 2 inches of snow. It’s was -15 this morning and the weekend looks to be cold again. The fish were there but not biting with change in weather. 
    • Dash 1
      I guess the vikings are a lot like fishing.  Very entertaining but frustrating at times. I've probably been cheering the vikings for 50 plus years  that i can remember and once again it's all about (there's always next year).  
    • Dash 1
      I remember Jeno's boxed pizza years ago.  Mom made it every Saturday night while dad and I watched All Star Wrestling.  
    • smurfy
      Chef boyardee box pizza. Good stuff 
    • smurfy
    • leech~~
      Smurf, still trying to get his lure jigging down when using the camera!  🤭   https://www.facebook.com/reel/517510734635573
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore... Ice fishing is going great on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters reporting thickening ice conditions with two feet of ice in some areas.  Many ice roads are now open to 1 ton vehicles pulling a wheelhouse.  Every road has different weight limits, check with each resort for details before traveling up and out on the ice.      Some good fishing this past week.  As a rule, fishing activity is happening in 28 - 32 feet of water.  Resorts do just about everything they can to get customers on fish and this past week, some resorts made some long runs, resetting fish houses in new areas miles off shore.  Most are reporting good fishing as a rule.     It is common to sort through some small walleyes and saugers to get your keepers on LOW.  Naturally, some big fish are showing up, especially in deeper water.  In addition, this has been a very good year for jumbo perch with good numbers being caught.  Other fish in the mix are eelpout (burbot), pike, tullibees and an occasional sturgeon.      Anglers are using the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole. In the jigging hole, a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail in gold / pink, gold / glow red, glow white / pink, or Wonder Bread have worked well.     Especially in the deeper water, some anglers are finding success on rippin raps or using jigging spoons with a rattle as well.     On the deadstick, a small jig with a live minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin set 6 inches - a foot off of the bottom is working well.  One day the jigging line catches most of the fish, the other day a deadstick is hot.     Electronics are very helpful to see suspended fish, know when fish are coming through and adjust your presentation to the mood of each fish.  Most resorts, outfitters and bait shops in the area rent electronics by the day.   On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes and saugers, primarily in the mornings and evenings.  A jig and minnow working well.   Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing continues to be good for those targeting them.  An oversized hole, or three holes drilled together, with nightcrawlers or frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig fished on the bottom are what anglers are using.     Ice conditions on the river can vary significantly due to the current. To stay safe and maximize success, always work with a local resort or outfitter familiar with river conditions.    Up at the NW Angle... Ice fishing continues to be very good up at the Northwest Angle. Resorts have fish houses set up on various pieces of structure as well as adjacent to structure in deep mud.  A consistent mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and tullibees in the mix.     Shallow structure is best right away in the morning and as the sun starts going down in the late afternoon.  Mud is more of a slower bite but all day.   The ice road from Jerry's on the mainland (Angle Inlet, MN) to island resorts (as of this past week) was open to 1 ton vehicles.  Guests drive right to their island resort after picking up a road pass at Jerry's or Point North Services.  Venmo is also available at all resorts.  Work through your resort for specifics.   Ice fishing is in full swing across Lake of the Woods and there are openings for lodging, fish house rentals, sleeper fish house rentals and meal plans across the area.  Ice fishing is extended on LOW with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st, walleye / sauger season open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes.  
    • Brianf.
      From your fingertips to God's ears...  Finally got some snow!   Several inches of new snow fell before and during the weekend.  Sunday eve when we left, the high winds had already begun to create some drifting on the lake.  It was fun riding for sure.  Lots of folks on the lake this past weekend too.  We fueled up the sleds at Shamrock and saw as many people fishing in that area as I've ever seen in the Winter on Lake Vermilion.     Our weekend results were decent.  Jeff and I and a buddy caught probably 50 walleyes between the three of us, mostly fishing a jig/plastics with our three biggest being 24", 25", and 25.5".  We also got one large pike of unknown length.  During the midday on Sunday, we targeted whitefish and Jeff managed one big one.  We released all of our fish, except for three small walleyes that our buddy wanted to bring home for a meal.  Definitely a fun weekend on Lake V!   
    • leech~~
      The Vikings are the Vikings so it's nothing new.  It is kind of sad that Darnold's off season stock is now going to drop like a rock after these last two games. It kind of shows he's not a big game guy.  🤔
    • smurfy
      I'm blaming leech... his food selection has been lacking game days recently  🤣
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