Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

On 7/12/2021 at 10:51 AM, PSU said:

Any walleye updates in the Frazer/Smarts Bay area? Depth and bait ?

Been catching good numbers of small walleye.  10-13 inch on frazer.  16 fow.  Jig or lindy with half a crawler.  Nothing big but good activity.  6-7 am or dusk. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finally caught a few walleyes tonight. Got 3 in the slot from 21-24". Also, missed a few. Went out at 7:30 till dark.  22-25 f.o.w. bottom bouncers with leaches, Wakemup Bay. Nice to have some wind, got them on wind blown shore lines.

IMG_20210714_193121655.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/13/2021 at 12:24 PM, fishingMN4eyes said:

Question for Vermillion regulars/locals: Potentially looking to stay at a place down in the elbow near the Pike River Dam. Looks like skinny water back there but it looks like there are plenty of docks too. Is it safe to assume you can safely navigate out to Pike Bay (and then the main lake from there)?

The one and only time I was back

there the lake was higher than it currently is now. It’s a prop killer back

there. Definitely need a spotter up front to guide you. Once out of the river the bay is fine.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Muskyhunter73 said:

The one and only time I was back

there the lake was higher than it currently is now. It’s a prop killer back

there. Definitely need a spotter up front to guide you. Once out of the river the bay is fine.  

Thanks for the response, we ended up going a different route.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great fish james_walleye.

 

I finally walleye fished for the first time since opener. I went to a new spot in Wakemup and worked around some humps. I primarily fished crawlers or leaches (sometimes both) with an orange jig. Initially I just found small perch so kept moving around the structure and watching the sonar. I stopped anywhere I saw fishing hugging the bottom. I eventually pulled in a nice 16" walleye on a crawler/leach combo. Moving around more, I got into a mess of smallies that loved the leaches. The skeeters chased me out as the sun fell off the end of the Earth.

 

Fun times. I'll get back out there again this weekend.

Edited by SkunkedAgain
  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out last night in Wakemup and only caught 1 slot fish. Can believe the fishing traffic out there. Was in a spot all by myself, before long, I had boats trolling right up next to me. Other fisherman pulling right in my trolling path cutting me off. A couple were literally within 20' of me. I had to stop my troll so one idiot who was trolling up right along side me could get by so, I could circle back before running into a boat that was anchored. If you were that guy and saw the look I gave you, you know what I thought ?. Wish I would have said what I wanted to!! Seems like this year this crap has been happening more often. I try to fish areas without other fishermen in the spot, I must be a dying breed. If I go to a spot I want to fish and someone is already fishing it, providing it's not some large area, I move on. 40,000 acres, no need to fish on top of each other. This was Thursday night, Wednesday night guy comes motoring in, pulls several boat lengths right in front of me, trolls the same break line I've been fishing by myself for an hour, basically, cuts me off. Done with my rant!! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, SkunkedAgain said:

 

Fishing and boating etiquette have been in short supply for a long time. I think that I scare some people when I come off plane in tight channels so that I don't throw a big wake at folks that are fishing. They probably think that I'm stopping to fish their spot or talk. Once I am past, I get back on plane. IDK - I don't expect everyone to be saints. I just live by the do-unto-others mantra and still enjoy the lake.   

 

I do the same thing in channels!!  Don't understand how fellow fishermen will buzz boats that are fishing tight areas. See that all the time in the narrows going into Black Bay. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stayed one night here on my camping trip on the north central part of the lake closer to the trout portage. Caught one 17 inch walleye I threw back and a bunch of smallies. I agree with cigar guy about boating problems some people are respectful but it gets annoying when ski boats and others roar through tight inlets with canoes passing through or fishing.  

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

All my fish were on a ned rig with a z-man trd hogz great little technique that crushed them all week. Always good to give them something they probably haven't seen before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got home from our annual family trip. In a week our group boated 130+ walleyes ranging from 8 inchers to 22 inches. Caught lindy rigging and bobber fishing schools of fish. 
 

Related to boating etiquette last night on our way in we came across a boat floating in the middle of the entrance to Daisy Bay between isle of pines and birch point. It was almost dark out and the boat was not lit up. I circled the boat and did not see anyone on first glance. My heart immediately sank thinking did the person fall in. We got closer and noticed a single person laying on the front platform. We yelled several times and there was no response. My heart sank again thinking I was going to be doing CPR on this guys boat or he was dead. Finally we got him woke up and we told him he was literally in the middle of the bay. He was a complete A-hole about it…. 

  • Wow, ❤ 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Austin12345 said:

All my fish were on a ned rig with a z-man trd hogz great little technique that crushed them all week. Always good to give them something they probably haven't seen before.

Hey Austin how deep were you finding the smallies? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On Vermilion I found them on a pretty steep drop off to about 20 feet off of an island point. I did also catch a fair amount from our site which was on a point and dropped off to about 12. The best fishing of the week was on trout I was very surprised about how many boats were on the trout considering they all have to go through the portage. The Portage guy must have some pretty good business. I will also note we did not see a single canoe the whole week very quite. I am guessing it might have something to do with the fire ban right now.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/16/2021 at 11:07 AM, CigarGuy said:

Can believe the fishing traffic out there. Was in a spot all by myself, before long, I had boats trolling right up next to me.

Was a ton of boat traffic outside of Stuntz Bay on Thursday evening also.  Probably the entire lake was like that.  Friday and Saturday were not quite as bad.  Fortunately other boaters/anglers were more considerate where I was last weekend.

 

Fishing for me was extremely tough.  Fished 3 hours each AM and PM and only caught 4 walleyes total (14, 15, 21, and 22 pictured).  Caught lots of small perch (one was 13 inches) and 5 bass (largest being 16 inches).  Had a hard time keeping the crayfish off the crawlers.  At least the lake was beautiful and the smoke-filtered sunsets were nice.

 

While cleaning a walleye I found worms on 3 of its fins.  What are these worms, and is the fish okay to eat?

 

 

20210717_072209.jpg

20210716_184308.jpg

20210717_193959.jpg

20210717_195407.jpg

20210715_112026.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/20/2021 at 2:10 PM, JerkinLips said:

Was a ton of boat traffic outside of Stuntz Bay on Thursday evening also.  Probably the entire lake was like that.  Friday and Saturday were not quite as bad.  Fortunately other boaters/anglers were more considerate where I was last weekend.

 

Fishing for me was extremely tough.  Fished 3 hours each AM and PM and only caught 4 walleyes total (14, 15, 21, and 22 pictured).  Caught lots of small perch (one was 13 inches) and 5 bass (largest being 16 inches).  Had a hard time keeping the crayfish off the crawlers.  At least the lake was beautiful and the smoke-filtered sunsets were nice.

 

While cleaning a walleye I found worms on 3 of its fins.  What are these worms, and is the fish okay to eat?

 

 

20210717_072209.jpg

20210716_184308.jpg

20210717_193959.jpg

20210717_195407.jpg

20210715_112026.jpg

It almost looks like some type of leech or leech larve.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting note when I was up there we went swimming in a water fall at the end of the creek going in to the trout lake portage and we all got covered in leeches that looked just like that they were very small but were not much of a problem because they came off real easy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, Austin12345 said:

Interesting note when I was up there we went swimming in a water fall at the end of the creek going in to the trout lake portage and we all got covered in leeches that looked just like that they were very small but were not much of a problem because they came off real easy.

Those appear to be bloodsuckers.   Species of Leech, kids used to get them at the beach.    shaker of salt takes them right off if they have had time to get attached.  

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/22/2021 at 3:24 PM, BigVTim said:

Walleyes eat leaches.... Leaches eat Walleyes! Plot twist!

And I ate the walleye 2 days ago and still am alive.  End of the chain of life.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Fished 3 hours AM and PM Thursday-Saturday again.  Walleye fishing was much better than last time but not great.  Was able to catch enough quality eaters for a meal for my wife and me.  Had a hard time keeping the crayfish off of the crawlers again.  Also the small perch were a persistent problem.  Caught 6 perch for every walleye and most were quite small (5-9").  The Y-store and Fuel&Food only had small leeches, and they were quite small.  Caught a couple of fish on them, but not as good as half a crawler.

 

Thursday was a busy day on the lake again, and Saturday evening was busy (no surprise).  Saturday morning was absolutely beautiful on the lake.  Practically no traffic before 10am when I quit.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jerkin, that mirrors my experience lately. I’m fishing shallow- 12-20’. 
Later this PM, I’m going to pull a little lead. Haven’t tried that this year. Anyone having luck with lead core?

RLG

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

40 minutes ago, redlabguy said:

Jerkin, that mirrors my experience lately. I’m fishing shallow- 12-20’. 
Later this PM, I’m going to pull a little lead. Haven’t tried that this year. Anyone having luck with lead core?

RLG

One on lead last week...15 ft water...

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, fishing has picked up quite a bit for me as well. Caught all of my keepers on a Lindy and 1/2 crawler in 12' of water

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Raven77 said:

Leadcore bite is picking up.  Three of us boated 30+ walleyes on Saturday in 5 hours of midday fishing and 20+ walleyes on Sunday in about 4 hours of midday fishing.  Most in the 18-24' depth range on #5 Shad Raps and Flicker Shads.  Nothing big, but several 14-18" eaters.

My dad and mom did about the same 28 walleyes on Saturday and 31 on Sunday .   All on lindy rigs though. 

Edited by Muskyhunter73
  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.