Swanny-- Greg C. ??

[Guest]

Greg-- I was wondering if you care to drop me a few clues about Swan Lake. I guess I'm looking for a starting point, in search of the elusive winter walleye. Where were would be a good spot to start out fishing them? I don't trust the ice on Swan so walking would be the ticket of transportation. How deep do you fish them there & what is the best time for the bite? I do know the lake faily well as I fish it often up til the first of July in the summer. I have most of my luck before the sun comes up to about an hour after it rises. Same thing in the evening til about an hour after the sunsets. Any winter tips would be helpful. Drop me an e-mail if you prefer.
Later..... Dugan!!!

[Greg Clusiau]

Dugan:

I've been out three times for the Swan Lake eyes and have only iced five fish. It's a hit-or-miss type of bite and takes place during the low-light periods of early am and evening.

I've been fishing on the north end of the lake but am planning on trying the east side over by the campgrounds, etc. I released a very fat 27 incher there last year. No one with me to even get a photo!

The fish taken on the north end were a couple 18"ers, 16", 15", and a 13". Also lost a nice one below the ice and had other missed bites.

I usually set up on a breakline in 18' or so.
Will you be in the right place? You won't know until you fish it. It might even take a couple tries to get some fish. **** fickle fish out there in the winter. At least for me they are.

I like to use a jig and shiner. Best jig has been a glow/green color. Brands don't seem to make any difference, as I have caught a bunch of fish on a lot of different baits.

The only time I did well during the mid-day was once on the south end. I just happened to stop my truck to take a look and found a bunch of fish near bottom, in 35'. I thought they might be crappies so I dropped a small jig/minnow down and caught five walleyes as fast as I could get it down to them. Haven't done that since.

In the meantime, you'll find me prowling around on the east side near Minske's Pt., the campgrounds, O'Brien Creek, etc.

I've found evenings to be better than mornings.

GC