Fishing the briggs lake chain

[Jeff Thill]

I am considering moving from one of the Metro Lakes up near St Cloud or within 20 to 25 miles of there. I have seen some nice places on the Briggs Lake chain and just curious what the fishing is like. What kind of fish and sizes can a person expect?

 

The DNR site indicates that Rush is considered an infested Lake but Briggs and Julia are still considered clean.

 

Just wondering from the experienced fisherman on this site, if you could be on any Lake within 25 miles of the st. Cloud area, what lake would you pick?

[Borch]

What kind of fishing are you interesred in?  What else is important to you besides location?

[h8go4s]

Horseshoe Chain and Clearwater both are in that range as the crow flies, don't know about highway miles. Both might give you more options.

[Tom Sawyer]

On 7/11/2018 at 9:45 PM, Jeff Thill said:

Just wondering from the experienced fisherman on this site, if you could be on any Lake within 25 miles of the st. Cloud area, what lake would you pick?

If I was to live on a lake near St. Cloud, (25miles), without question it would be Clearwater Lake. Big piece of water to keep you interested in learning, plenty of variety from shallow slop for top water bassin' to deep off shore structure for walleye and everything in between. Trophy fish of just about every freshwater species that swims, along with easier catches for a fry. For the most part Clearwater Lake, lives up to it's name for water quality, way better then Briggs, and certainly the Horseshoe chain, except for Cedar Island Lake, which is part of the chain. Clearwater has a few invasives, but they haven't happered fishing to a great extent. Great lake! Keep us updated on what you decide.....

[Jeff Thill]

Looking for walleye  and bass fishing mostly.

 

I did hear good things about Clearwater Lake.

 

My wife has been looking at houses and her focus landed on West Sylvia.  She could care less about the fishing. Have any of you heard good or bad things about Sylvia Lake?

 

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Sylvia would have been my 1st choice, until it recently was discovered to have Stary Stonewart. Pretty devastating invasive. I'd bet Clearwater holds a state record large mouth bass. It also has strong walleye year classes.

[Wanderer]

My recollection of Sylvia is it being a nice, clean looking lake that would have nice views.  Bass were plentiful when I last fished it but ran pretty small on the weedlines.  You had to fish the slop to get better sized bass.  Couldn’t tell you a thing about walleyes there.

I agree with Tom, Clearwater is a more dynamic fishery.

[jigginjim]

Clearwater does not get the tubers, wake surfers or skiers traffic that Sylvia gets.

 

[Borch]

Clearwater,  Sugar and Grand would be good options.  All run clear and have good bass and decent walleye populations.   The invasive issues has narrowed the list a bit.

[Dillon Sanquist]

I like to go to Eden by Richmond, but can seem to find the crappies If anybody needs to email me contact me [email protected]

[Rick]

Welcome to the FM @Dillon Sanquist

Rarely will you get emailed except by spammers. Folks can also pm you here as well.

Most folks will answer you right here.

Can anyone help?

 

Let us know how you do please. Looking forward to seeing more of you on FM. Have fun buddy.

[Rick G]

3 hours ago, Dillon Sanquist said:

I like to go to Eden by Richmond, but can seem to find the crappies If anybody needs to email me contact me [email protected]

Can't really help much on Eden... but Long just North of Eden has an evening bite going back by all the houses. Cedar just North of Long,  you can find a few few crapps and gills out by the islands, mornings or evenings are better. Becker will give up a mix of gills and crappies during the day, just lots of smaller ones with a nice one now and again.

[IceHawk]

4 hours ago, Dillon Sanquist said:

I like to go to Eden by Richmond, but can seem to find the crappies If anybody needs to email me contact me [email protected]

Welcome Dillion ! For crappies on Eden you will want to fish straight SE of the access cant miss it bunch of houses off the edge of the basin. Otherwise I prefer fishing the tip of the bar to the S of the accesss. Strong year class of 8-9 inchers in there this year.