Opener - Horseshoe Chain

[Coleman]

Just kinda curious to hear if anyone hit the chain this weekend...specifically if they fished the river?  I fished the lakes because of the water temps, but was just curious if people had success on the river.  

 

I found the typical situation for spring, fish shallower then you think you should fish.  I caught all of my eyes in less then 10 FOW, and most in 7 FOW right off any weed edge you could find.   

 

Caught a few cats, one shallow with some eyes, then saw a school of fish on a break, thought they might be a group of female eye, and turned out to be a big school of cats.  But, nothing wrong with a 6-7 cat on a light jigging setup.  

[noska]

What weed edges are you referring to? Like main lake weed areas? 

[Coleman]

I fished the main lake.  Weeds were pretty minimal, but I did snag some greenish weeds, and obviously those are going to hold the bait fish.  And that's also were I caught the eyes.  

 

I'll fishing it again this weekend.  Going to try a few more spots.  I'll post what I find out.  

[Coleman]

Males are still in the 8-10' range.  Water temps are right at 59-60*.  I spent more time look for fish then actually catching them this last weekend.  It was a little tough. Weeds are starting to look better as well.  

 

Also found a huge school of crappie in the shallows, 1-2'.  But, they were about as interested in biting as I am in interested in a vegan diet.  I'm hoping this weather straightens out this week, so the fishing is a little more rewarding this weekend. 

[Borch]

Thanks for the report Coleman!  Good to hear you found a few.  Sure those crappies will turn on soon.  I've been laid up so looking forward to getting some time on the water soon.  Any reports sure help.

[noska]

Yeah I feel like the walleye fishing has been atrocious this year.  Nothing but 10-13” ers with a few rogue fish bigger than that.  I haven’t seen anyone lighting them on fire

[Fish On! Guide Service]

12ft of water - hammered the dog snot out of em!

[Coleman]

15 hours ago, noska said:

Yeah I feel like the walleye fishing has been atrocious this year.  Nothing but 10-13” ers with a few rogue fish bigger than that.  I haven’t seen anyone lighting them on fire

 

I've found some bigger fish, 15-17", but nothing to brag about.  

 

Meanwhile my parent's neighbor said he's been catching them right in front of his place, and along the shore.  He's been known to stretch the truth, but his story was consistent what where I found fish.  I just don't know if the size he talked about was accurate.  He said, he's caught multiple 3lbers and a 5.  I would think those are females, and why would females still be in 8FOW in the middle of the day?  

 

Fish on, you fishing the Chain and finding the big schools in 12FOW?  

[Borch]

I bet it's where the food is right now.  Baitfish are still looking for warmer water and the bigger fish will follow.  Talked to a friend who is finding them in similar depths during the day on the chain.  More eater sized though.

[Coleman]

2 hours ago, Borch said:

I bet it's where the food is right now.  Baitfish are still looking for warmer water and the bigger fish will follow.  Talked to a friend who is finding them in similar depths during the day on the chain.  More eater sized though.

Couldn't agree with you more.  They're going to follow the baitfish.  Just figured females would still be on the rest.  But, maybe they're coming back into shallower water to follow the food.  

 

I have heard a report from a guy that hammered them one day, next day not a dang thing.  Then said, right there is the problem.  Pointing at a Loon.   The loons need their fill as well, and maybe are chasing some baitfish away from the walleye.  

 

I will note, I haven't caught much of anything on minnows, all leeches.  I figured with the temps in the low 60s, why even mess with minnows?  Maybe I should try the minnows again and see what I can find.  

[Coleman]

So, I gave up on eyes this weekend.  Figured it was time for a change.  

 

I fished for Crappie, they were much more willing to bite.  They are mostly all shallow, 2-4'.  I caught them on minnows and tube jig.  I just scanned the shallows looking for schools.  

 

Funny thing, I was fishing the Edgeton Rd Bridge, caught a solid 9" gill, then next cast something picked up my tube, I set the hook, I see a bright white belly turn, and the jig popped out.  I guess the issue with a tiny jig and a ultra light rod.  I think it was a 24'ish  walleye.  Next cast I stuck a 14" walleye.  Then two dudes in bass boats came chugging along at about 6mph with their motor trimmed to high hell and stirred everything up.  Thought that was nice of them.  

 

So, I also did see a large grouping of blue gill beds on the main sand flat on Horseshoe.  Only a few bites.  I could see fish in them with SI.  Also tried weed edges for gill in about 9-10', and just dinks.  Threw a crawler at the shore, and started hammering 8-9" gills.  

 

So fish can be caught, just have to try and figure out what they want.  With more consistent weather should come a better bite.  

[MinnesotaMondos]

I have been fishing the chain for many years now and have been very succsefull at catching monstor crappie largemouth and pike. with every once and a while some Walleye I was wondering if there was anybody who would be willing to give a be beginner walleye angler some tips for catching nice eater eyes during this time on the chain and in the area?