St Cloud Area Get Together 2017 - Fishing Reports

[Borch]

St Cloud Get Together 2/25/17, 8:00 am until you want to leave

The St Cloud Get Together will be on Horseshoe Lake near Richmond.  The event will be held near a spot called the Meth Hole.  The area gets this name from the methane gas bubbles that sometimes leaves a small hole in the ice.  As of today the ice conditions appear to be adequate.   The Meth Hole area is well known for a great place to catch channel catfish through the ice.  What you may not know is that it is also and excellent spot for catch crappies, walleyes and the infamous party crappie,(rock bass).  Channel cats can be caught on the same gear you use for crappies or walleyes.  Those targeting cats often use pieces of minnows, chicken liver or live minnows.  These baits can be fish under a sensitive bobber or jigged on a small jigging spoon.  Despite there size, channel cats can be very light biters so take that into account.  Crappies can be caught on the usual crappie techniques, including plastics.   So if cats aren't your thing there still the crappies or walleyes to target.    As the name implies, this event is mostly for fun.  It's a great way to meet others from the forum, tell stories, share techniques and maybe even a few fishing spots. 

There will be a potluck about noon.  The plan is to have a fish fry with any donated catfish, crappies or walleyes from the morning.  If folks could pack a fillet knife and a fish cleaning board that would be great.  Also storing fish so they don't freeze makes the cleaning process so much easier.  Bring a dish to pass.  This is a family friendly event so bring the whole family!  I will have some fishing goodies for the kids.

We will need to monitor ice conditions as it's been a weird winter so far.  Given the current ice thickness it is important that vehicles are spread out a bit.  Try to avoid parking 3-4 vehicles right next to each other.  Know what your vehicle and fishhouse needs for ice based on it's weight.

Horseshoe Lake is south of Richmond MN on CR 22.  There is a public access about 1 mile south of Hwy 23.  DO NOT USE this access as it sits on the river and is a high current area.  Instead use the winter access further south(see on map).

I look forwards to seeing you all there!

[eyeguy 54]

can you mark where the hole is? 

[Borch]

38 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

can you mark where the hole is? 

 

I've been told it's not legal for us to do so by the Stearns County Sheriff.  The one year we did put cones out it drew trucks and snowmobiles like flies to poo.  Couldn't believe some didn't get wet.

[eyeguy 54]

I meant on your map.  stay away from X

[Borch]

2 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

I meant on your map.  stay away from X

Oh....... that different. 

 

It's usually 200-300 yards NNW of the gathering spot.   But it's not always in the same spot.

[eyeguy 54]

ok,  went one year and kinda spooky not knowing the area. lol 

grandsons birthday party so I cant get there. have fun !

[Borch]

1 hour ago, eyeguy 54 said:

ok,  went one year and kinda spooky not knowing the area. lol 

grandsons birthday party so I cant get there. have fun !

Too bad you can't make it.  But enjoy the party!

[mrpike1973]

Hope to make it. hope we have ice by then? Always a good time.

[Bass Thumb]

I think the methane migrated a couple hundred yards west of where I found it last year. The ice was a couple inches thinner (like 11" instead of 14") and my graph was lit up like crazy with rising bubbles. I don't think there's one single outlet for the gas coming out of the earth, for that matter. An area where I popped 10 holes had bubbles in like 5 of them, and not 5 in a row. It's best to park close to Hammer's Point and walk out to your spots.

 

To find the spot I'm referring to on the map that Borch put up, draw a line straight above the "L" in Horseshoe Lake, and straight to the left of the black dot inside the yellow icon. The water was 32-36' deep

 

A week after i found the thinner ice and all those bubbles, I tried that spot again and found no bubbles. . . or cats.

[Horseshoe_Don]

The ice to the Meth hole may not be safe for Cars or trucks that weekend according to the forecast.   There are many 40 degree high days.   Only one high at 31 degrees and a 50 in there.

 

Don

[Naturboy]

I think I'll be walking from now on, the landings always go first. If we don't get back to some cold temps this week might be the last.

[Borch]

Was hoping for some colder temps.  It's not looking good at all.

[Horseshoe_Don]

Fishing tournament on Kramer lake by st. joe was cancelled for this weekend

[Borch]

Yeah, I was hoping for a weather change but it appears there is a significant warming trent stating today.

 

So to get the information out ahead of time and with he location of the gathering it's just gonna be too iffy to have the gathering this winter.  So it will be canceled.

[monstermoose78]

Bummer I was going to come over