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.

Central MN bass fishing


TheEyesofanAngler

Recommended Posts

Hey there, i'm new to the forum and very passionate about bass fishing! I'm from the saint cloud, MN area and i'm looking for good bass fishing locations? I prefer to fish ponds and lakes and im definitely willing to travel. Anyone willing to share a few spots? 

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Welcome to the forums. It's great to see you here. 

Check out the Minnesota Fishing Reports Club for more specific information on that.

Generally they will share general fishing report information in here. Otherwise too many lurkers see the info and specific locations can get crowded in a hurry.

Check out some of the reports, follow the guys you're interested in and feel free to ask in their fishing report threads. Especially follow those who are part of the Official Fishing Reports Team. 

Again, check out the club for the best info only members can see.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Grand Lake is a local lake that is quietly one of the best, Two Rivers and Pleasant would also be good choices. Big Fish, the Chain, Kronis and Rice to the West also are good.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Welcome to the site!

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@mindak hunter thank you i will definitely check those lakes out. Have you been to any of them this year? 

@icehawk thank you for the welcome, very excited to be apart of  the site! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to to Fishing Minnesota, TheEyesofanAngler. My favorite lake for bass in our area is definitely Clearwater. It takes a bit to learn the lake, but the rewards are more than worth it.  Littlerock also holds some very nice Largemouth with a few bonus smallies mixed in... I know you said lakes and ponds, but the Mississippi here in town and  the sections above the Sartell and Blanchard dams all are exelent smallmouth fisheries.  

  • Thumbs Up 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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).

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.)

  • Thumbs Up 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Welcome to the forum.  Lots of good options already given.  Have some fun!

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lake Sylvia is great for bass also lake Francis near Kimball is good too a little smaller but great action! The Mississippi sounds fun I should try it myself.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree the Mississippi I love the river I don't know much about it up there as I live more south

But I fish the Mississippi just south of Elk river and the Rum river for Small mouth. I will take a 3lb river smallie fight over a 5lb lake bass any day ?

Plus Get some bonus walleyes and big Northern as well

  

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not sure why rivers are so over looked here.  Its probably because we have so many lake options.  Plus some of these stretches of the river are quite shallow/rocky so I think that turns people off about launching a sizable boat.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’ve heard phenomenal things about the rivers, willhave to pull the kayak out and get on it. Thank you everyone for the feedback. I’ve checked out Clearwater, I really enjoyed it but lately it seems to tough for my 14ft boat to be stable out there on a windy day.  I’ve had success in Avon lately. 

291FD2B7-C810-43BE-9EFF-0D031D3C52D4.jpeg

C6B925D2-310D-4A9B-83A7-1F85C227470B.jpeg

053853E8-2094-465E-B702-6429350D9247.jpeg

8A262B3C-16FD-44D7-83AA-3E04BC01DA3C.jpeg

8CD3A49D-41D1-41AB-9EB1-5E46CDF6CDF1.jpeg

  • Thumbs Up 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Nice outing and very nice pics.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Those are some nice fat bass?. Avon area is fun, lots of good water out there. Spunk chain has nice green bass and a bonus walleye now and then.  . Pelican and Pine are both worth a try a couple times a yr as well, have done very goid on Pine when its been too windy to get on the bigger lakes. You mentioned a kayak? St Johns lakes are awsome, though I haven't been out there in couple yrs

  • Thumbs Up 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

it definitely is a good area! i appreciate the advice i''ll definitely get out there a couple times to give it a try. Yes, i do have a kayak. My friend is always talking about st johns.

 

Side note: Has anyone ever had a chance to get out to Calhoun or Lake of isles?  I heard the bass are there in fairly large size.. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, TheEyesofanAngler said:

Side note: Has anyone ever had a chance to get out to Calhoun or Lake of isles?  I heard the bass are there in fairly large size.. 

I used to fish the City lakes quite a bit many years ago.  Calhoun was a go to for me to have a fun bass fishing day.  I can’t tell you how things are now but back then (1990’s) I’d not only expect numbers but at least one 5 lbr each outing.  My best from there was 6lb 4oz caught on a 10 inch black/blue Power Worm.  We used Carolina Rigged lizards as our second best bait.  We lost some of those to the muskies though.

Lake of the Isles was not as good to us but had more interesting Muskie stories than Calhoun did.  

Heck, is it even called “Calhoun” anymore?

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

it actually was renamed from my understanding, but its easier for me to go with the old name.. i definitely would want to head out there. Thanks wanderer for the feedback. might've been the push i needed to go wet the lines next week. 

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.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.