Echo lake

[Slobslayer99]

Going up the echo for the first time this opener any tips or info would be appreciated

[Bigfatbert]

Slobslayer99 , Echo can be a fun lake to fish for Walleye and Crappie. As for being there on the opener , like most lakes , it's all going to come down to when the ice goes out , and the type of springtime weather that prevails up there this year as to how the opener bite might be . The lake is shallow and has quite stained water . Early ice out , and a warmer spring can have the lake good to go on the opener for you  for both species. As for where to fish , that also depends on the spring also , as the water starts to warm there , very shallow muck with deadheads around the lake , or the shallow rock pile with reeds on the far eastern  end are usually safe bets for Crappie . As for the walleye , they can be caught on the rocky shorelines throughout the lake . Early fishing there is best with minnows...  ahhh the opener , you gotta love it .

[Spss]

I've been out there a few times. Where are the deadheads?

[Bigfatbert]

The deadheads are located throughout the lake in various locations on the south shore , and the far eastern end . These dead heads can come and go with iceouts in the spring break up. I guess I meant that if you see any of these deadheads which usually show up in the shallows, throw a slip bobber right up as close as you can get to them with a split shot , and small plain hook , set at a couple feet down .. they are out there , be careful not to hit one , as some can be poking out of the water and some can be just below the surface .

[Spss]

Logs or rocks? Isn't there a hazard by the boat launch as well?

[Bigfatbert]

2 hours ago, Spss said:

Logs or rocks? Isn't there a hazard by the boat launch as well?

The deadheads are logs sticking up . Can't think of any rock hazards out there . Like I mentioned in earlier post these deadheads can be moved around with ice breakup . It may be in one place one year , and gone or. moved by the next year.

[yomammy]

Bigfatbert is spot-on....the log dead-heads are "generally" on the east end of the lake, but they do show up in other spots.  There are several rock reefs, but the biggest, prop-busting reef is more mid-lake, straight south of the lonely cabin on a north side point.   If you're looking to explore a bit, go into where the Pickett river dumps in (mid-lake, south side).... a beautiful spot  worth checking out....maybe a jig/minnow or rapala is worth a try into the deeper spots. 

[Bigfatbert]

11 hours ago, yomammy said:

Bigfatbert is spot-on....the log dead-heads are "generally" on the east end of the lake, but they do show up in other spots.  There are several rock reefs, but the biggest, prop-busting reef is more mid-lake, straight south of the lonely cabin on a north side point.   If you're looking to explore a bit, go into where the Pickett river dumps in (mid-lake, south side).... a beautiful spot  worth checking out....maybe a jig/minnow or rapala is worth a try into the deeper spots. 

Thanks yomammy. Agree there are some mid lake shallower reefs that can be more of a hazard at lower water conditions .  I guess I'm so use to boating the shorelines and not really dealing with those mid lake rock hazards ..Although that being said this lake is quite shallow to start with ... i agree about going up river alittle ways for early season walleye on the south side incoming river  , and yes it is scenic , and the reed beds out in front there also can be great Crappie areas to try too.. 

[Spss]

Thanks for the info. More would be awesome. I live outside of Virginia and slobslayer99 and I are doing a guys trip opener. I heard that old cabin is a good spot.