Horseshoe Chain

[Dash 1]

Started out on Long lake this morning south of Richmond. Picked up a 21 in walleye. Then motored up the channel and  we got 2 25 in northern and 3 18-20 inch walleye.  All in all a fun time on the water, but hot. All caught in 16 ft or less on leeches and crawlers. Dead calm, bright sun and water temps in mid to upper 70s. Just teaches me another lesson that you never know when it’s ideal time. Oh wait anytime fishing is ideal time. Kept a couple for meal and rest went back.

[Coleman]

Glad to hear you found some solid eyes.  I assume you're fishing the first break on the main lake?   

 

I did see some guys fishing near the main drop at the Meth Hole this weekend.  But, I ran through there a few times, but didn't see anything on SI.  All I found where huge schools of carp.  

 

I only got a chance to fish for gills this weekend, but I hope to search a little more for eyes this next weekend.  

 

 

[Coleman]

I foolishly attempted to fish for eyes a few times this weekend until I grew tired of not getting a bite.  Maybe I wasn't going at the right time, but I gave up pretty quickly and decided to hit bass/pike/gills.  

 

All three were going nuts.  Bass and pike on spinner baits all weekend long.  Although, the water temps did get to the mid 80s, and I think that shut off the predator fish a bit.  All were hiding close by to clumps of weeds.  

 

Bluegills, I couldn't count how many 8-9" fish I caught this weekend.  Find a weed line and throw a wax worm at them.  The late afternoon bite being the best.  

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  

[smurfy]

drove past the chain this morning........ maiin lakes still wide open, but the bays are starting to get ice!!!!!1

[Coleman]

I was on the water on 11/20, water temps were 35*.  I used the Cold Spring access, when I put in only ice was along the shore.  I fished the narrows between Great Northern and Krays, and the fish were stacked up like legos.  I give hell for about an hour.  Then decided to head back and it froze up right in front of the 49 bridge.  

 

I figured it might be time to call it a year for open water.  

 

I noted Becker was completely froze over on Sunday.  It won't be long now.  We just need some more consistent typical temps.  

[smurfy]

Ice on the chain is half gone!!! Boat just dumped in off the 22 access and one on the south long access, but he needed to navigate around a sheet of ice 

[Coleman]

Am I the only one hoping for somewhat lousy weather this weekend?  

 

Anyways, this should be an interesting opener.  I put the dock in last week, and I'm guess the water temp was in the middle/upper 40s.  So, I guess it will be a shot in the dark if they're still spawning or not.  

 

But, I guess a person could chase crappie/gills around if it's sunny.  

[smurfy]

ice is off and the water level is way down.. hwy 22 is open.  lotz of whitecaps today!!!!!

[Dash 1]

Fished the chain this morning with my son Brian. We each got two catfish and another two small perch. Did see about a 35 inch Muskie in the shallows by the old cow bridge between Long and Krones bay.  No walleye. My nephew picked up 4 near the hwy 22 bridge last week but we only had perch nibbling our bait today. Water temp was 64-67. Saw a few panfish shallow but no takers either. 

[Coleman]

It's been pretty quiet on here the last few weeks.  

 

Walleye fishing has still been pretty good on the chain.  I've been slip bobber fishing weedlines with decent success.  I just troll the weedline with SI and look for fish.  Once I find them, I toss out the dinner bell.  Paddle tails have also worked as well as lipless cranks. 

 

I did manage a nice 23" fish and a 19" off the same spot.  Then my buddy hit it the follow day and he stuck a 26" eye.  The fish were all over the spot I found and I could have had a hay day if I wished.  Also a bunch of large gills right in the weeds, although nothing over 10".  

 

I haven't gone after anything other than walleye this spring, so it might be time to chase some bass this weekend.  We'll see what the weather brings.