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Posted

I’m fishing Island lake north of Duluth this weekend for smallmouth and I’m pretty new to smallmouth fishing. I have an idea on luers but if I could get some tips on where to find them this time of year (depth, structure, cover ect.)  that would be great they can be tips for Island lake spicificly or just smallmouth in general. Thanks 

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

 I'm not going to be much help as I don't have any appreciation for SM Bass. Don't they spawn like 10 times a year? :)

  If I catch one its by accident.

I think your going to find the bass in the same areas you'll find the walleyes. On Island lake right now I'd working the shorelines with a jig and minnow.  Toss in shallow and work the depths back to the boat.   The water is low so you'll be able to identify bottom make up.  I'd look for spots with sand/gravel, and boulders.  Easy to read just by the contours on land.  If you don't get into any bass you should get into walleyes. Be sure to give a report!

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Posted

Thanks SurfaceTension I will post a report later this weekend!

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Posted

Boulders. Rocks. They should be shallow. Wacky rig is great, small 3 in tubes are great, small cranks in crayfish color too. Also drop-shot. Forget minnows unless you like such a pain in the butt to keep them. Not necessary for bass at all.

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Posted

Thanks Jon! 

Posted

Look for those large single boulders on marl or sand.  Never been on that lake but any lake that has that type of cover produces.  If you can find an expansive “shallow” flat with random boulders, even better.

Shallow is relative to water clarity.  The nicer fish will probably be just deep enough that you can’t see them.  The boulders are the key.

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Posted (edited)

I wouldn't mess around with live bait either.  There's no need.  Trying to keep them alive aint worth it when the bass are generally willing to take artificial lures.  Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is a jerkbait.  Jerkbaits excel when the water is colder prior to the spawn.  The colder the water, the longer you should pause the retrieve.

Edited by gimruis
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Posted

Thanks. I was thinking of using jerkbaits and tubes

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

So island was kind of a bust when I went a few weekends ago. It could be the fishermen or could be just bad fishing 

 

Posted

It happens.  If you timed if post-spawn, its definitely tougher.  It takes them a while to recover and get into their summer pattern.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      If you fished with me more often, you'd never have to make this statement...   38" of ice - love it. I'm really going to have to dig around for my auger extension. I don't think that I've needed it in over a decade.   Too bad nobody has a locomotive chugging across the ice to do some logging, like the good old days.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Resorts and outfitters on some parts of the lake have ice roads extending over 16 miles staying on nice schools of walleyes and saugers.  Many fish houses are over deep mud.  Some are on structure.  It is always fishing of course, but overall, February has been very productive for most anglers.   Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken.  The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses out through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year.  Some big eelpout are also showing up.  Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home.   The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go.  On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.     Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water.  Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line.     On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons.  There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time. On the Rainy River...  The start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them.  It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.   Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes.     Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well.     Big crappies are still being caught just over the border.  Fish houses are available, check with a NW Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.   Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.    
    • leech~~
      Maybe you should put rattle wheels down, if your going to sleep for 6hrs! 🤭 😆
    • JerkinLips
      Monday was my worst day of winter fishing on Vermilion in the last 4 years.  Caught only one 14" walleye in nearly 8 hours of fishing.  Missed two other bites and was marking very few fish.  Maybe the fish were taking Monday off after a big weekend.   No more water came up on the ice under my house.  Think it was because I haven't banked snow around it for a couple of weeks so the bare ice around the house is getting very thick.  I measured 38" of ice under my house and the Ion barely made it through even with the extension installed.  Needless to say I banked around the house this time.  Another lesson I learned today is don't drill holes if ice is frozen on your blades.  I did that on one hole and it didn't center properly and drilled at an angle on the edge of the opening.  Hope I can correct the location and angle on my next trip up.   Not much change in the surface lake surface conditions.  The drifts may be a little higher and are definitely harder.  There are still a few bare ice spots on the lake.  Very little activity on the lake today.  There are about 3 dozen houses from McKinley Park out to Birch Island.  Another person pulled there house off today, and I am sure many more will pull theirs off this coming weekend.  Only 13 days left of walleye season.    
    • leech~~
      A good start for never picking up a bow!   IMG_1910.mp4
    • leech~~
      Um, #metoo   leech~~ Author 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders Posted January 26 My whole goal for the rest of this season.  Is to watch KC lose and Taylor cry!  🥳
    • smurfy
    • Wanderer
      Smurfy is happy.
    • Dash 1
      Great looking food. So far not much of a game and I thought the halftime show was worse I've seen. 
    • leech~~
      Oh is there a Superbowl game? 😋😋
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