Early open water

[monstermoose78]

I know the lakes are open and that means some the first open water fishing spots are producing. Any one out there catching em yet? I will be riggin the ultra light up today so I can stop on my way home from work.  

[Cret Jigs]

Might have to join you ... the FEVER is hitting me!!

[Wanderer]

Good luck!  Always a fun time of year!

 

I just finished my last day of ice fishing this season on 19 inches of ice yesterday in Ely.  Today I drove to Maple Grove and saw three boats on the lakes on the way down.

 

I used to be one of those guys. 

[monstermoose78]

I wish I was in ely

[Wanderer]

Me too.  Always tough to leave - even if the fish aren't biting.

[Cret Jigs]

Nailed the Crappies last night in 2-3 feet of water!!   They were all 9-10" and skinny runts for the length.   All were catch n release and topped off with a 18 64/65th " bass at dark!!  it was as close as 19" you could go with out being 19" LOL   What a rush on 4 pound test    Tried to take a pic and flash wouldn't work on phone   

 

Cret

Edited March 30, 2017 by Cret Jigs

[monstermoose78]

Way to go cret

[crappie king 42]

OPounded the little crappies wednesday morning and than hit the river the rest of the day fished till five. Got around 50 crappies moose knows where im sure its no secret. Than at the river we got around 70 suckers. A few nice pike as well. 

[Kelly Oman]

Awesome job guys!i gotta get on them suckers looks like fun

[monstermoose78]

I know where my hands smell like crappies 

[monstermoose78]

It is great to see the photos keep it guys. Remember there are crappies in the rum river!

[Kelly Oman]

Anyone willing to share a spot for the suckers and redhorse? I tried the elk river and mississippi all around elk river and didnt catch a thingor even see a fish. Is everone catching them on the rum?

[monstermoose78]

Yep or the little creeks 

[crappie king 42]

Have to look for moving water on the rum and not just regular current. Look for fast flowing creeks entering a river or a where a couple braches meet for suckers. Still a little early for red horse yet but lots of whites are spawning now. Only place ive ever caught crappie on the rum was in milaca when the darn was there but its gone now. Pm me if u are interested in getting on some suckers and i can help you out. Just remeber the best is yet to come with the sucker run. Its only beggining it will last into may. And even after that i kmow where to get them mixed with some walleyes as well. 

[SpearPike]

Awesome catch guys!!    Are you guys using night crawlers?

[crappie king 42]

I prefer the small worms i put two on a hook otherwise baby crawlers i use one. If regular crawlers i use half to a quarter u dont need much on the hook. 

If u use larger u will miss alot 

[crappie king 42]

Also please remember if you are not keeping the suckers u must put them back in the water. They are a native fish. They only live in clean water and they provide a forage base for pike walleye and bass. Do not throw them on the bank. If i see u do it i will notify the dnr with ur plate number and pictures. It really irritates me. 

[SpearPike]

1 minute ago, crappie king 42 said:

Also please remember if you are not keeping the suckers u must put them back in the water. They are a native fish. They only live in clean water and they provide a forage base for pike walleye and bass. Do not throw them on the bank. If i see u do it i will notify the dnr with ur plate number and pictures. It really irritates me. 

Thanks!!  

[monstermoose78]

Same goes for me or if I see you shoot them and leave them. Dogfish keep panfish in check as well let em be if you are just killing em

[crappie king 42]

Got out yesterday it was slower. Got 18 in 5 hours. Most were redhorse however so they are slowly movin in. Here is a pic of the biggest whivh was also my first of the day. 

[Kelly Oman]

Anyone finding the crappies shallow yet?

[monstermoose78]

Yes I am

[Cret Jigs]

Yes ... they are moving in and out of shallows 

 

Getting some in 2-3 feet and some in 6-12 feet in the weeds.   One night its hot and the next its slow.   When its slow ... there in the deep hole right off where i'm fishing. 

Edited April 8, 2017 by Cret Jigs

[Cret Jigs]

The Gulp Minnow was working great last night!!!!   It was a Crappie Moon!!   What a peaceful Fun experience!    Friend lives on a lake North of Saint Francis .... good ole dock fishing ... MY MY MY!!    Son!!

Just a side note .... The Bass were coming out of the water all over around us.   Frogs were croaking up a Choir!!   So nice to have an early spring!   Enjoy it .... great living in Minnesota!!

 

Cret

[monstermoose78]

Saw you all down there yesterday so I went looking for gills and turkeys 

[monstermoose78]

Well seeing I tagged out on turkeys it's time to fish! I went for drive today and fished some spots caught crappies and gills at of them. Nothing big a few eaters on the top end. I did not take photos as I forgot my phone sitting on the truck seat.