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Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports
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monstermoose78, in Forest Lake-Cambridge-Elk River-Hinckley-Lindstrom-Rush City Fishing Reports - Hunting - Events
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By monstermoose78
So if you are like me and have a jig addiction please help. I am looking for 3 mm sized jigs with bigger hooks. Why you ask I have been fishing lakes with big gills, but also have big crappies. Those tiny hooks on the 3 mm jigs just don’t seem to hold those crappies as well. I found the clam xl jigs but they are between 3.75-5 bucks jig. Anyone know where to find some small jigs with bigger hooks please let me know. Would you all be interested in finding jigs like this as well. Thanks
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By Rick
Some of the shallowest panfish we catch each winter happen in March during late ice on many fisheries. Fun sight fishing patterns often emerge. Fish can sometimes be found in a few feet of water under the ice. Shallow weed patterns often come alive at late ice. Many anglers assume that aquatic vegetation has to be green and vibrant in order to hold fish. While still green weeds do hold fish, dead stands of weeds will also hold fish if the weeds provide cover and there is good oxygen. When the ice begins to rot along the shorelines and water begins to seep into the lake along the shorelines, shallow water can be extremely productive.
One of my absolute favorite locations for looking for shallow water bluegills at late ice is really shallow pencil reeds. Pencil reed beds are common on many lakes and often hold big fish. In many cases… depending on the thickness of the ice, we might only be fishing in two to three feet of water under the ice.
These pencil reed locations can really vary in size and profile. Some dish bowl lakes might simply see pencil reeds lining the rim of the lake where there is the right sand bottom composition. Other locations might be prominent reefs and bars that might be several acres. My favorite type of location features pencil reeds that are growing out into five or six feet of water with a little bit of a roll to the contour where there is a sharper break running along the outside edge of the reeds.
There are many strategies to fishing these reed beds but there is one overriding challenge. You have to drill several holes to really figure out the nuances of the location but drilling a lot of holes over these shallow locations seems to push the fish off.
Can’t prove this but it seems like electric augers and smaller bits seem less intrusive. Six and four inch augers shine for cutting enough holes to really figure out these locations. On the flip side, these smaller holes are terrible for sight fishing. If you are planning on strictly sight fishing, use an eight or ten inch auger to give you a bigger window and let everything settle down after you drill your holes. Another tip is to not drive vehicles over the location or drag anything on the ice. When initially figuring out a location, we typically drill a lot of holes for simply learning the spot.
You can walk from hole to hole and fish but what we so often find is that we catch a lot more fish by recognizing the sweet spots and waiting out fish. The sweet spots are often open lanes and cuts, troughs and dips in the bottom that funnel fish movements. Once you recognize and locate these spots, you can sit and let everything settle down. Seen it happen often where you drill your holes and it takes five to ten minutes for fish to come back underneath you.
You can definitely fish too aggressive and move too much in this type of situation because the reality is that fish might be scooting ten to twenty feet away from each step you take. Have also seen situations where fish wouldn’t swim underneath a shelter or sled. As a rule of thumb, you can get away with much more noise and presence if you are alone and on the spot first. As angling pressure increases over multiple days however, it seems like fish become more sensitive to everything. The more you fish a location and learn the spot on the spots however the less holes you have to drill and the less intrusive you can be.
Big bull bluegills in pencil reeds can be a handful. These fish can wrap you up and break you off. Because this can often be combat fishing, I often opt for heavier line like the Frost Four Pound Mono. This isn’t finesse fishing. Because four pound test can lack sensitivity, I often use tungsten jigs even in this often shallow water just because the added weight of tungsten improves the performance of heavier lines.
These patterns are notorious for producing big bluegills and this is fun fishing. Much like trying to pull a heavy bass from out underneath a dock or laydown, there is an element of drama when fighting big fish in heavy cover. Focus on the troughs, holes and bowls or any sharp outside edge that is in tight proximity to high dense stands of rushes and you will typically find big bluegills at late ice.
Just remember, shallow pencil reed patterns can often provide some exciting fishing opportunities for big bluegills at late ice.
http://fishingminnesota.com/top-stories/the-skinny-on-bulls-late-season-panfish-ice-fishing-adjustments/
by Jason MItchell
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By Sunset Lodge
Hello from the NW Angle!
Fishing has picked up significantly this week. Minnesota fishermen can be selective of fish kept, as they have had no problem filling Walleye limits. 17-19 feet will produce late in the day with 21-25 feet being most productive away from structure during mid day. Pink, white and gold have been most productive all around. Glow or UV have also had success during cloudy conditions if charged often.
Canada continues to give up Crappies between 25 and 32ft, still with a light setup and electronics. Many tulibee and the ocassional whitefish are being caught while crappie fishing. Walleye in Canada on points and reefs remain easy to catch.
We still have plenty of ice on the Minnesota and Canadian side and trails are still being groomed.
March is a great time for a last minute trip to the Angle!
Sunset Lodge
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By Sunset Lodge
Hello from the NW Angle of Lake of the Woods!
The Minnesota side is still kicking out fish between 18-25 feet. Fish are hitting jigging spoons when active; specifically White, Gold or U.V. When activity levels are slow, try the Deadstick 8-10 inches from the bottom. We had numerous Giant Pike this week, all caught on Walleye spoons.
Canadian Walleye fishing is incredible. Fish are slamming aggressive presentations like rip’n raps and spoons tipped with Shiners. Crappie action varies day to day. An ultra-light set up is guaranteed to catch more Crappies than a walleye rod.
Trails are still being manicured and are in overall great condition. The warmer weather is exposing ice chunks off of the snowmobile trail and creating heaves, one near Knight Island deserves attention. Travel cautiously off of marked trails. We have 3+ feet of ice.
See you soon!
Sunset Lodge
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By Sunset Lodge
Hello from the NW Angle!
Minnesota fishing has been most productive in 20-24 feet of water. Guests are bringing home their limits of Walleye and Sauger with the occasional Perch and Northern mixed in. Fish have been most active early and late in the day and the bite has been terrific. The use of electronics continues to be very beneficial with fish taking jigging spoons, jigg’n raps or rattle baits. Snowmobile ttrails on the Minnesota side continue to be maintained and are in great shape. We are still making ice, with most spots at over 30 inches.
North and East of us in Canada, big Crappies are coming in on light tackle setups out of 30 feet. If you are looking for walleye, they are everywhere!
Until next week,
Sunset Lodge
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By Sunset Lodge
Hello from the NW Angle!
Minnesota fishing has been really good this past week with good numbers of slot fish and a 30” walleye. We have been on the move with our houses and it is paying off. Multiple houses producing an all day sauger bite with plenty of walleye mixed in. 20-24 feet is where we have found the most action. Glow and white/gold spoons have been the prefered color as of late.
Our snowmobile and marked trails are in great condition. Thirty inches of ice is common with 24 in higher current areas.
Up in Canada, limits of crappies are still being had in 30’ and deeper water. Ultra light tackle and rod set up can make the difference some days, while other days crappies can be caught on Rip’n Raps and Jigging spoons. Walleye action remains strong on reefs and points in 24-28 feet.
We hope to see you soon!
Sunset Lodge
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By Sunset Lodge
Hello from the NW Angle!
In Minnesota, limits of walleye and sauger are being caught between 22 and 25 feet. Presentation changes daily from deadstick to jigging but not both. Pink and white, or gold and chartreuse have had many slot fish and lost a few BIG ones.
The Canadian side of the lake has seen a lot of northern action, with the biggest closing in on 48.” Walleye are still plentiful off of reefs and points. Crappie action has been sporatic with the changing weather fronts.
We hope to see you soon!
Sunset Lodge
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By Sunset Lodge
Hello from the NW Angle!
Minnesota walleye continue to be caught in 18-21 feet at the bottom of shoreline breaks. Rattle baits and jigging spoons call fish to the holes, while a plain hook and minnow seals the deal. Perch and sauger are consistently found between 25 and 28 feet, walleye can be found there too for a good mid-day bite. The hottest bite this week was within an hour of sundown.
Up in Canada, walleye fishing remains relatively easy, get yourself to a spot that looks like walleye structure and start reeling them in!
Canadian crappies are still filling freezers at 28-32 feet, with small UV colored rip’n raps or a small jig and plastic. Depth finders have proven to be a necessity with finding a pattern in the fish, whether it be rising or falling jigging action.
Until next week,
Sunset Lodge
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By Sunset Lodge
1.22.18 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
Hello from the NW Angle!
Minnesota walleye fishing has been consistent between 18-21 feet. The most effective method is on the dead stick set slightly above the jigging rod. 25-28 feet is also filling buckets with a good walleye and sauger mix, even the occasional jumbo perch. Slender and Tundra spoons have been bringing fish to the house. We have also seen numerous northern pike this week with the largest being over 42.”
Canadian walleye fishing remain excellent, especially along points and reefs. Crappie action has been hit or miss. The bite has been better in the morning with anglers limiting out in the first few hours. Fishing deeper than 28 feet is important to get good action.
Until next week,
Sunset Lodge
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Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)
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By leech~~ · Posted
To bad HSO doesn't have something like this for the Leaders board Top Members contributions. 😕 -
By Borch · Posted
Welcome to the forum. Lots of good options already given. Have some fun! -
By ozzie · Posted
The fish are out there and they go hot and cold on the bite but they are catchable! Anytime you can get the kids out fishing is worth it in my opinion! Take them up and wet a line is about the only way you will find out if they can catch anything or not. The main thing to look for before going to Red is the week leading up to the date you plan on fishing is to watch the wind speed and direction. If blowing from the west for a few days the water stirs up and gets hard to fish. -
By ANYFISH2 · Posted
Welcome TheEyesofanAngler! A ton of good bass lakes around the area. For numbers of 2 to 4 lb bass, the eastern Todd County lakes near Burtrum and NW Morrison county are hard to beat as well. -
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By YellowFinRed · Posted
Have only been out a couple of times now but did get a 5.5 lb walleye my first 10 minutes out in 16 feet of water. Lots of fish in the 16-20 feet range. No jumping in the boat but catching fish on the mid lake areas. I'll be darned if I'll sit under a bridge with other boats when you can catch fish out on the lake without others boaters around. -
By Gillraker · Posted
Any reports from Buffalo? I would imagine that they are doing OK right out in front of the marina/beach. Anybody? -
By DonkeyHodey · Posted
agree with gimruis. look to the river. Your chances of catching a 3# bass or better are exponentially better on the river. (There's a reason SC/mississippi was chosen for the Gov's opener last year--the Mississippi around here is really a world class smallmouth fishery.) (most river rats will tell you that you can essentially catch smallies any time of year and often as by-catch while targeting other species.) Below the SC dam is pretty much catch and release only (all 12-20 inchers must be released) but it's quite loaded with big smallies! (and lots of good shore areas on public land) Just be prepared to lose a few lures on snags... Frankly, If you want to stick to lakes, I think you can pretty much pick a lake in a 30 mile radius...--most produce bass in good quantity, it's just years may vary in terms of sizes. Clearwater is good. Consider Bass lake adjacent to it. (...it's not just a clever name.) -
By Wanderer · Posted
Haha! Based on our conversation at the truck I’m going to edit that comment a teeny bit! Cuz I know both of us had a workout. I was still sore yesterday but it was a good sore. 😎 -
By gimruis · Posted
I like Clearwater too. I haven't fished in in a couple years now but I used to and we caught a lot of fish out there. The one negative was all the competition - there seemed to be a tournament almost every weekend. Another overlooked place to target smallmouth: RIVERS. The Sauk River and the Mississippi between St Cloud and Elk River is plum full of bass and receives minimal fishing pressure (its just my opinion but rivers in general are very under fished here in MN).
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