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Posted

We caught 6 of the biggest Perch that I <BR>have ever seen at Long Point this weekend.<BR>WOW!!!!!!!How big are these things gonna get?<P><BR>Still off by ourselves at Long<BR>Point fishing was steady on Saturday but not<BR>fast. 5 of us kept 35 with some nice fish<BR>in the mix.<P>Sunday started off about the same as Saturday. Raised up and jigged for the hundreth time on Red lines WAYYYYYYYYYup<BR>off the bottom and finally one struck. It<BR>was a 13 inch Walleye but its so much fun<BR>to pick at those fish suspended. About<BR>10 am one more blip appeared 7 feet under<BR>the ice, what the heck, so I brought my Glow<BR>Devil up and jigged once and a 5 pound 14 oz<BR>Walleye inhaled it. It went into to the<BR>pail because it was bleeding pretty good <BR>by the time we got the hooks out.<P>The fish stopped at 10:30 and refused to <BR>bite after that.<P>Big Perch....wow!!!!!!!!<P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio<p>[This message has been edited by curt quesnell (edited 02-16-2004).]

Posted

HI CURT SOUNDS LIKE L POINT WAS GOOD AGAIN. WHICH WAYOUT FROM RESORT LEFT,AND HOW DEEP. ARE THE ROADS GOOD AND IS THE WATER STARTING TO COME UP.I"M LEAVING AT NOON TO COME UP FOR THE WEEK FOR SOME RELAXING TIME.KEEP THE REPORTS COMING.<BR>THANKS<BR>BT

Posted

Curt,<P>What size fish are you boys keeping out there? My dad and I fished from sun up to sunset on Friday and Saturday. We couldn't buy a fish over 14"'s?? Sounds like there aren't a lot of fish between 15-19"'s out there anyway?? They're coming though, or at least I keep telling myself that.

Posted

Lowrox,<P>The group I was fishing with kept Saugers<BR>that at least touched both sides of the <BR>top of a 5 gallon pail, the Walleyes had<BR>to easily cover both sides (13?)<P>The last couple of trips the fish have been<BR>bigger, we had many more fish over 13 inches<BR>than we did less than 13. About 50-50<BR>Walleye to Sauger. Of all the fish we kept<BR>there were 5 or 6 real nice ones (15 inches or better). We didnt catch many of the real<BR>little guys either maybe a dozen or so less<BR>than 12in.<P><P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

Posted

Yup, we were going to see if we could get the lake renamed over 20 yrs ago to Lake McDonald, home of the 1/4 pounder (;<BR>So must be just another down year. I don't think a 5gal bucket is even 12" at the top but that's been our standard too.<BR>It's funny they don't reduce the limit. Even down to 12 combined would have to help.<BR>Just so it don't turn into another Red, I remember as a kid going there with the folks and bringing in limits of those fish.

Posted

Ah, more love from the 99-00 year class. There must be a trillion of those 10-13" fish out there. It's just too bad that the resorts and everyone else will have them cleaned out before they grow up to be the nice 15-17" fish.

Posted

Correct if I'm wrong on this Curt, but a few( or many) years ago there were seven commercial fishermen on the lake. they took many large walleyes out of the lake. the government bought them out, i don't think the fishing pressure is any greater now then what they did(they needed to make a living too). what i'm saying is if you are happy with a 12" ,it won't hurt this great lake. just my 2 cents worth

Posted

HI,<BR> I BELIEVE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOME LIMIT CHANGES ON LOW IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE., I SAT IN ON A MEETING WITH SOME DNR MGMT. & THEY SAID ITS COMING.<BR> AS FAR AS PEOPLE KEEPING SMALLER FISH, I DON'T BELIEVE YOUR HURTING THE POPULATION, MUCH BETTER TO KEEP THOSE SMALL FISH, THEN FISH ABOVE 17"., I'M SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE FROM WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN RAINY LAKE., PLUS LOW IS VERY VAST, AND I BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF FISH IN THERE IS HARD TO IMAGINE. SEEMS ITS REALLY CHANGED IN THE LAST 5 YEARS!!! I THINK THE PEOPLE ITS BEEN ATTRACTING HAS PROVEN THAT.<BR> SINCERELY,<BR> FISHMIESTER<BR>

Posted

from what I have read and what I've been told LOW is an excellent fishery and is in no danger of going the way of Red. I do wonder why me and my wife caught so many nice eyes in the summer but have caught only one over 25 inches this winter, is it because the bigger fish are more lethargic and or smarter in the winter?

Posted

Those little guys are the fish the lake is<BR>giving up this year. The fisheries guy out<BR>of Baudette told me last spring this is the<BR>way it would be. The bigger fish are there<BR>but the shear numbers of the tiny mites beat<BR>them to the punch.<P>Those in the know might have a place or<BR>two where they will get bigger fish, BUT<BR>people are fishing the same places they <BR>always fish, the catch is just a smaller<BR>size this year. The numbers of this year<BR>class will decline but next year they will<BR>be bigger (13 to 15 inches)<P>Its just the law of the jungle.<P>Its NOT the same as when the gill nets were<BR>still out there. Its NOT the same as Red Lake<BR>when the gill nets were out there.<P>Its a HUGE year class of fish that has taken<BR>over.<P>I agree we will see some limit changes<BR>statewide sooner or later. Needed or not<P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

Posted

Thanks for the reports and the added info about limits, size, etc. <P>Question: How many of you have tried to put a bigger sucker or shiner down on a line holding out for the bigger fish? How effective is it? I would guess you'd still have a few small fish pecking away, but I'd guess it'd help some. Just a thought. . . What do you think?<P>MJ

Posted

Curt<P>The burning question is why do you catch so many nice size fish in the Summer and virtually all eyes caught in the Winter are much smaller. My family has a walleye pond a stones throw from our house. We strip the eyes every spring for the eggs and hatch them in our own hatchery. I remember those fish when they were little and you could catch them like crazy through the ice when they were small, now that they are anywhere from 5-7lbs they are not as easy to catch through the ice. I wonder if it's the same way with LOW to a certain extent.

Posted

MJCatfish,<BR>You sound like you have a vast knowledge for angling. Are you planning any trips to LOTW or URL in the near future??

Posted

I don't think it's just LOTW. It seems like all lakes in general, give up smaller and less walleyes in the winter. Not sure why. Less oxygen perhaps? or maybe I'm just not that good of a fisherman! lol!

Posted

Hi guys,<BR>Lot's of small fish (12"-13") now will likely mean tremendous fishing in 2 or 3 years. Am I wrong on this? I would find it hard to believe that all those 12"-13" walleyes could even come close to being fished out by sportfishermen and women. It seems to me those fish should be around 17" in a couple years. I'm happy to catch a bunch of small eaters now for the prospect of bigger fish in the future. Right now, for me it's more of a quantity thing. In a few years it'll be quantity AND quality. I can't wait!<BR>gspman

Posted

You will get small fish on LOW if you fish the spots the resorts or most fisherman fish. They are not out there for trophies, they are out for action. If you want to catch bigger fish think like a big fish. LOW is one of the easiest lakes in the winter to catch big fish throughout the winter. But, you have to fish the right spots.<P>------------------<BR><B>Mille Lacs Guide Service</B><BR><B>(320)293-3287</B><BR><A HREF="http://www.millelacsguideservice.com" TARGET=_blank>www.millelacsguideservice.com</A>

Posted

Scott<P>So what your saying is the big fish move out and the little ones move in? Me and my wife caught plenty of nice fish in the exact spots we now can only catch little ones. Is there a big eye country club out there the rest of us don't know about? If what you are saying is true why can't we (or most others) catch consistently bigger fish in the winter exactly in the same places we catch the big ones in the summer. I used to fish Tulaby Lake, Big Elbow, Leech lake and White Earth in central Mn with the same results and I have yet to have anyone give me a logical reason.

Posted

is there any truth to the theory that ice depleats some of the oxygen in the water making the larger fish more lithargic and spend less time spending energy on feeding and could this be a good reason it seems there are less big fish caught as the ice gets thicker?

Posted

I think after reading some of these posts you have to allow for windage.

Posted

Curt,<P>Those perch out of long point are awesome for sure! The future son in law and I caught<BR>some last winter that looked like NFL football's. (34 feet of water) all nice ones.<P>Good Luck Fish'N

Posted

well, Iguess that`s a big fat no...just trying to be better educated fisherman?<P>

Posted

Olde man,<P>Maybe nobody answered because nobody knows<BR>for sure.<P>I have always heard that fish slow way down<BR>in the cold water. But I have caught some<BR>of the nicest, fattest, fish this winter<BR>and every winter on Lake of the Woods.<P>Like everything else in fishing, I doubt there is anything absolute about anything.<P><P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

Posted

Walter,<P>I'm afraid I know MJCatfish and you're a little mistake about his fishing knowledge. He's quite misguided and mostly confused about fishing in general. He may have a nice looking wife and wonderful kids, but let's be honest- he's not a very good looking guy and he really struggles to catch fish.<BR>Right MJ?<BR>P.S. Sorry bud, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a couple jabs in at ya. I think I'm gonna be able to join in this weekend if it's good by you. I'll call you at home.<BR><P>------------------<BR>Scoot<P>So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.

Posted

Actually guys, cold water holds more oxygen than warm water. This is the reason that certain species of fish that require more oxygen to survive (such as Trout and Salmon) are only found in cold water. Oxygen is obtained through turbulent water (waves, rapids, etc.) and sustained by colder water temperatures. In the summer, the deeper the water the colder the water is. However, in the winter, there is a higher concentration of oxygen in the shallows and water toward the surface because this water is much colder. The lake turn over, when the water above the thermo cline becomes warmer than the water below the thermo cline, doesn't happen until a few weeks after ice out. This is why in the heat of the summer, lake trout and large northerns are in the deeper parts of the lake. Both species prefer colder water with higher oxygen levels. <P>In the winter, oxygen levels do decrease because of the lack of turbulent water at all water temperatures. Some smaller, shallower lakes that have a high concentration of aquatic life will actually deplete the supply of oxygen during long, extremely cold winters. This is what is known as Winter Kill.<P>The reason the fish bite slower in the winter is because they are cold! Their blood and muscles are colder, and much more of their energy (caloric intake) is used to sustain body temperature. In the winter a fish digests and metabolizes it's food at a slow rate as well. This means that their quest for food is not as frequent but their instinct to strike remains the same. Hence the fat fish caught during the winter.<BR>

Posted

thanks curt,hockey guy, I`ve heard some thing very simular to the cold water,cold blooded fish and the slow down of the matabolism it makes sense thanks again for your reply .....you can watch a 100 fishing shows ,read a 100 mags. but I truly believe you can get better entertainment,knowlegde from the people who visit these forums... <BR>

Posted

Yep, I'd go along with the "cold theory". Fish are a cold-blooded creature, and like a snake, slow way down when the temperature drops and snow gets thick on top of the ice. That's why they get more active towards springtime, when the sun gets stronger and the snow starts to melt on the ice. Same thing in the fall, at first ice.

Posted

Scoot,<BR>I don't know if we have ever fished together before, but MJCatfish is my neighbor and my main fishing buddy. I agree with you about him having a great wife and family. In fact his son outfishes him quite frequently. MJ when are we heading to the triangle. Can you do it anytime in mid-march??

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
    • smurfy
      🤣 did your nose just grow a bit!😏🤭
    • Wanderer
      I hope to be fishing….  It’s so rare that I get to go, I hate passing up the opportunity. 😉   
    • leech~~
      Since the Vikings are never in it. We use it for an excuse to make some fun stuff!  Last year was a bit light. Hot cheese bean dip, hot wings and pepperoni cheese bread! 😋
    • Hookmaster
      That snow and the 15-25 mph winds on Thursday with higher gusts will be nasty drifting. I didn't go to LOW (can I say that in the this thread?🤫) this week because of it.
    • smurfy
      Who's watching the big game Sunday? More importantly what's ya'all cooking!   I like good football si I'm tuning in. Food... yea no clue yet 
    • Wanderer
      Hard to see em well enough to tell.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing is strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Most anglers are targeting deep mud with others fishing structure if available where they are going out of.  There are fish in both areas.     Some ice roads are now extending more than 16 miles out, with over two feet of ice reported in most areas. Resorts and outfitters continue increasing weight limits. As a rule, fishing continues to be very good with consistent action for anglers.  Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fish frys and bring fish home.   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.   On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    You never know when the fish will move through.  Anglers fishing the entire day normally have success.  Electronics are a big help as well. On the Rainy River...  The morning and evening hours are the best for fishing walleyes. A jig and minnow combination has been a good presentation.  A jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is still producing some big fish through the ice.  There are two sturgeon seasons on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a catch and release season and a harvest season in which you can keep one fish per calendar year.    The harvest season runs from April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – Sept. 30. The catch and release season runs May 8th – May 15th and Oct. 1 – April 23rd.    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 remains good at the Northwest Angle.  Resorts continue to move their fish houses staying on fish.  Some fish houses are set up on structure while others are targeting deeper mud flats.    Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees.  Good numbers of big crappies are still being caught in select areas and hard sided fish houses are available to target them.  Check with a NW Angle resort for info.   Jigging one line, deadsticking the second is effective.  Some days the jigging line is hot, other days the deadstick.  Some good colors have been gold, glow red, glow white, wonder bread, pink, chartreuse and orange. 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.  
    • JerkinLips
      Same story, different day (Monday).  Caught several small walleyes (biggest were 14 and 15 inches) with the best bite from 2-5pm.  Caught my record walleye this winter at 6½ (inches, not pounds).  Was wondering why the bobber kept going down a couple inches for several minutes until I finally reeled it up.  Fortunately it was just hooked in the lips.  Having a lively minnow definitely improved the action.  I put down a pike sucker for the first time this winter and got an immediate hard bite.  When I went to set the hook, the line broke just above the hook.  Don't know if it was a northern bite-off or just weak line by the hook.  May try some pike suckers next trip.   Ice conditions were very good except for heavy drifting (even with very little fresh snow).  Didn't see any vehicles traveling off road except for snowmobiles and a tracked SxS, although there weren't many people out on the lake.  Water came up around my house about 1½ inches but froze very quickly with the cold weather and no snow on top.  Will probably have to block it up again next time up.   Good luck fishing and be careful of severe drifting of snow, especially with the 3-5 inches they are predicting for Wednesday night.  
    • leech~~
      Why, do they all only wear Sitka camo over there? 😏
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