bald eagle Bald Eagle Lake Fishing Reports

[Tom7227]

In case you haven't been out yet this year be prepared for some great changes in the water.  Last summer an alum treatment was applied to tie down the phosphorous in the lake sediments.  The result has been an incredible increase in water clarity.  A few weeks ago a secchi disk reading of over 15 feet was reported.

Weeds are now thick and nearly surfacing in 8-9 feet of water.  The weed line was around 8 feet in the past, this year 10-12 is common.

I haven't fished much so I don't know what changes are taking place with the clear water.  Maybe some others can report their observations.

[NBK14]

Ice season was so/so with a bunch of small fish caught. So far this open water season I've only shore fished during prime time hours and it's been poor. There have plenty of evenings fished, but not many hours. Granted I'm not working good spots and have no expectations but wish it could be better. I drive by the lake a lot and boy I'll tell ya there's tons of traffic so maybe the bite is superb & folks are being tight lipped. Maybe the bite sucks and guys just go there cause it close, IDK. The water is nice and clear though, and hopefully someone else will chime in with something better than I got. 

I wondered how the treatment would impact fishing also, good question & topic, Thanks Tom. 

[mrklean]

Great report Tom I was very curious to see how that treatment would affect the lake

[NBK14]

Here's a question, was the catching better when she looked like pea soup?

One thing that is for sure, I'd love the clear water if chucking for muskies. Spotting spooky follows is a big plus, I'll bet the muskie chuckers think this new BE is the best thing since sliced bread!

[Tom7227]

Well I don't have enough experience to know whether things are better now than before.

What I have seen though is fewer people fishing from shore at the spot on the west side of the lake north of County Rd. H2.  That could be because the weeds are so thick there that it makes it difficult to have any success.

It seems as though there are fewer boats out fishing but that's a pretty subjective conclusion. 

[LegattoAD]

What I have seen though is fewer people fishing from shore at the spot on the west side of the lake north of County Rd. H2.  That could be because the weeds are so thick there that it makes it difficult to have any success.

It seems as though there are fewer boats out fishing but that's a pretty subjective conclusion. 

​They certainly seem to be deeper than they were the year before last - that milk run of docks? Not working anymore.

As far as catching..?  Just adjust for the change in conditions and you'll find them.

Last thing I'll say is that milfoil is thick.  And as a basshead, I'm lovin' it!

[Tom7227]

​Last thing I'll say is that milfoil is thick.  And as a basshead, I'm lovin' it!

​Some native milfoil but not the invasive, at least as far as I know.  The coontail is very thick in many areas of the lake, particularly in places of 4 feet of water or so.

The other thing I forgot to mention was that there are no bass beds near our dock.  In the past there were beds very 6 feet of so.  I don't know if it is the clear water or what but there aren't any at all to be seen.

[Juan Grande]

I'm heading out to Bald Eagle on Thursday evening to hopefully C&R some bass.  Should I target deeper coontail and/or milfoil weedlines then?  How deep are the weedlines with the increased water clarity?  

[Tom7227]

weed are out to at least 10 feet.  the south basin is quite weedy and a lot of folks are having trouble just getting out to the point where they can boat without having to stop every few minutes.

[Tom7227]

Last night (9-13)  the water temp registered 70-71 degrees.  On Labor Day the temp registered 78 degrees.  That seems like a pretty significant change in temp over a pretty short period of time.  Yesterday there was a decent amount of wind so the lake was getting churned up and I remember that on Labor Day there wasn't much wind at all.  But still, a large change in temp.

 

[MN BassFisher]

Hows the bite been lately Tom? It's been a while since I've been out there.

[Tom7227]

I haven't fished in over a month.

[jigginjim]

I'm wondering what the water temp is this week.

[Tom7227]

59 degrees on Saturday afternoon. 10-12-15

[Tom7227]

Lots of boats out on Sunday.  We worked for about an hour and only got one bite.  Headed in to beat the rush at the launch.  The parking lot was full at sunset.  Anyone have better luck?

Edited November 16, 2015 by Tom7227

[drscholl14]

That water clarity going to stick around for ice fishing Tom?

[Tom7227]

Water clarity is great.  The lake skimmed over on 11-28 but I suspect that any amount of wind and certainly the snow predicted on Monday is going to screw things up pretty fast.

[Tom7227]

The lake is opening back up.  My guess is that there won't be any fishing on it for several weeks at the earliest.

 

[NBK14]

Probably for the best, gotta let them crappie grow a bit. By February they should be slabs! When it comes watch out, the extended itch drives folks nuts & seems like there's a lot of envelope pushing. Safety first, that water is cold even though the ice is thin in January.

[Tom7227]

Today, December 8, there were two guys out fishing in a boat.  The middle of the lake is open and i would guess that the launch also has to be ice free. 

[Tom7227]

December 11 and the lake is totally open.  Three boats out today around noon.

 

[drscholl14]

Looked like the lake was almost locked up yesterday when I drove by. White Bear is also about 80% covered. Hopefully the temps stay down lower than the forecast like they did today the next couple days.

[Weathertite]

I think that is wishful thinking , but I hope it works out. Just please be safe and check the ice often as you go out. Don't take any risks as the ice will eventually come if you are patient. Stay safe and fish well!!

[drscholl14]

I'm not going out there. Just saying they are almost locked up. 

[Tom7227]

Well before Wednesday's rain and snow there was a lot open water north of the island and lots of cracks that showed water coming up and coating the light cover of snow (Tuesday).  Forget trying to go out for quite a while yet.

[Weathertite]

Thank you for the Update Tom , Please keep us informed.

[drscholl14]

Saw two guys on the rock bar and a few guys out from the east public launch today. Looked like they were out almost to the reed island.

[Tom7227]

I wouldn't chance it.  Sunday there was still open water north and south of the island.  A neighbor was trying to plow off a skating rink on the west side and the ATV broke through the ice.  With the snow that is forecast for today I don't know when the ice will be safe.  12-28-15.

 

[drscholl14]

I think we can all agree that drivingan atv on 3-4 inches of ice is a bad idea. Walking on that however is not. Bring a spud bar and punch out to wherever you are going. Just be safe. I'm going to see how the ice is off of the launch where people are fishing this afternoon before the snownami hits.

Edited December 28, 2015 by drscholl14

[Tom7227]

There are some adventurous souls out on Bald Eagle near the rock pile.  I don't know how they are getting there but I know I wouldn't risk it for quite a while.