lake alexander Lake Alexander Fishing Report

[TrueNorth]

It's been a tough year so far on Alex.  Anyone have any luck?  I'm getting a lot of small fish but can't seem to locate the bigger species.  LM, SM, Northern and Walleye have all been off.  I'm hearing the same thing about FishTrap and Sham.  

I continue to see clouds of bait fish on my sonar.  Maybe it's just too easy to find a meal?  I've noticed the same thing on a few other lakes so maybe those clouds of bait balls are normal and technology is getting better.  

[ThunderLund78]

I can echo the Fish Trap experience.  The fish are out there, but something's different this year and I personally just can't pin them down.  Even pike seem to be fewer.  Lots of forage in those lakes for sure, lots of natural competition to your lure.  But these are the doggiest dog days I've had in a long time up there. Wish I could help you.

[shamalex72]

We haven't been getting much for size on alex either, lots of small bass and pike. 

[TrueNorth]

Thanks.  I haven't picked up much of a thermocline yet either which is weird.  I was out floating around with the family a few weekends ago and was marking larger fish in deeper water (+30 feet).   I'm going to think a bit outside the box this coming weekend.  I'll report back.....

[Trout26]

Problem I see is there isn't any good weeds in the lakes anymore. Dnr and lake association to busy poisoning them out fish have gone else were. 

[smallie_hawgin]

Problem I see is there isn't any good weeds in the lakes anymore. Dnr and lake association to busy poisoning them out fish have gone else were. 

Trout, 

DNR only permits the activity of plant removal or application of chemical to control nuisance or invasive plants... The DNR does not actually "poison" the vegetation. On an encouraging note, some of the areas on Alexander that used to have Eurasian Milfoil are now starting to grow more native vegetation. 

Food availability will certainly affect catch rates for anglers. See attached summary of the Alexander sampling history through 2014. By all accounts things are looking very good out there. Let me know if you have questions or concerns. 

Alexander_history_2014_Summary.pdf

[TrueNorth]

Smallie, 

Thanks for the info.  Those populations look pretty good which gives me confidence about how the lake has been managed.  Good stuff.  

 

[LuckyBuck]

The bite has been on a steady decline for many years now.  It just so happens to coincide with the DNR plan to stock Muskie in the lake.  Milfoil showed up the year after Alex was named a "top 10 Muskie lake" in the state.  20 years ago walleye were abundant, 15-20" smallies were all over, and there were no invasive species in the lake.  Thanks DNR, way to ruin another lake.

Keep stocking those Muskies!!!!!!

[ANYFISH2]

The bite has been on a steady decline for many years now.  It just so happens to coincide with the DNR plan to stock Muskie in the lake.  Milfoil showed up the year after Alex was named a "top 10 Muskie lake" in the state.  20 years ago walleye were abundant, 15-20" smallies were all over, and there were no invasive species in the lake.  Thanks DNR, way to ruin another lake.

Keep stocking those Muskies!!!!!!

wow, point fingers much?

20 years ago there where already 40" muskies In alex, I was there to measure it along the gold coast.

Smallmouth are more numerous now if you ask me.

Walleyes are more numerous now however smaller than 20 years ago my opinion.

Lucky buck, if you haven't noticed, you can not fit one more fish house in the througfare in winter any more.  A popular stop 20 years ago had 10 houses now there's 20+.

Have noticed the rise in boats in summer.  Things change over 20 years no suprise.

I will say it must be the dnr fault that our panfish populations and size have improved a ton in the last 20 years here in Morrison county.

 

 

Edited September 4, 2015 by ANYFISH2

[dfv87]

Anyone got a lake temp, weed status update for somebody to run cranks at night?

[hoppe56307]

I am thinking of heading out there this weekend to give it a whirl. 

[dfv87]

Hoppe did you get out? what are the temps like?

[hoppe56307]

No I did not.

[dfv87]

OK Thx...

 

Anybody been out? Looking to run some cranks at night for Eyes and was wondering about weeds and water temp to help me decide... Any info is helpful... PM if you don't want to post. Thanks

[jigginjim]

Has anyone tried using the snap raps to find walleyes?Or maybe a deep water snap jigging.

[trebby01]

any new reports on Alex? ice thickness, and fish biting?

[Sander v.]

Christmas day I walked out from shore and drilled holes as I traveled.  The ice looked good and clear for the most part. found 3-5 somewhat close to shore.  Snow came and I didn't good out and chance it.

[Bobber_Down2]

Taking the family up to the cabin this weekend.  Wondering if anyone had any updated ice conditions for Shamineau or Fish Trap?  

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I was on Shamineau last weekend.  There was about 11" of ice when we left on Sunday morning.  I would imagine several more inches by the weekend.  Fishing was beyond terrible.