Lower & Upper Mission Lake

[sunfish]

I am planning to fish Mission early next week before everyone gets here for the 4th. I have not fished this lake before and was wondering if anyone have any tips for bass and pike? From the map it looks like lower mission is shallower and I would guess has more bass than upper. Would a worm and jig be the best best or are the fish up in the bulrushes like on North Long?

[Toad]

Work the extreme shallows with a spinnerbait, weedless spoon like a Johnson Silver Minnow or Moss Boss or a buzzbait. Fish through the 'rushes to the inside edges-- that's where many of the bigger bass will be. Look also, for areas with mixes of 'rushes and pads. Great buzzbait territory.

There are bass on the weedlines, too, but you're likely to find a lot of pike there. Upper Mission overall contains more good bass cover, though don't discount Lower either. The 'rushes on the southeast side of Lower hold some big bass; work up into the rice if you can. I love twitching a weedless rubber frog up in there. Should be some big 'gills around right now also. Have a good one.

-a friend called Toad

[sunfish]

Toad, thanks for the info, I appreciate it and will be sure to let everything I catch go.

Good point about the inside edges of the 'rushes. I have been using that pattern on North long and having pretty good results.

I will give an update on how I do next week.

Thanks again.
sunfish

[sunfish]

Toad:

I said I would let you know how I did based on the info you gave me. Well I fished the lake 7/3 for two hours and caught 6 bass and 2 northerns, fished again on 7/8 for three hrs and caught 6 bass, tryed again tonight for 3hrs and had the best luck, caught 6 bass and 4 northerns. 2 of the bass were 17 and 18" and the biggest northern was 24".

The fish were caught on top water next to and in the reeds or on crankbaits on the outside edge. Did not try any live bait. At this time there are so many weeds in the lake it hard to keep them off your line. We had better luck on upper than lower as well.

Thanks again for the info.

Sunfish

[Toad]

sunfish,

Thanks a whole bunch for the update . . . hope you had a some fun out there. Glad you got some fish. This time of year, scoring 17 to 18" bass is pretty decent. Mission offers some dandy bassin' action. TIP-- come back this winter and early next spring. The upper basin holds some really big crappies. Keep in touch. And thanks again!

-a friend called Toad

[sunfish]

Toad:

I live in the brainerd area but I am just trying differnt lakes that I have not fished before. Next lake to try is Whitefish. Went out for the first time sunday for three hours and caught 8 northerns, and 2 bass. Used rattle traps to get some active fish and looked for cabbage. This is a big lake with alot of places that look good. Also found what looked like some walleye in about 29-30ft of water off a sharp drop off. I plan to go back later this week and try my luck. Any advice on leeches or minnows for this lake? Are there any spots to get Red tails around there as well? I put in off of Hay lake.

Thanks Sunfish

[Toad]

sunfish--

Good to have another local join in here. About 90% of people writing in are coming in from out of town so I sometimes just assume . . .

Like you, hitting new lakes remains one of my favorite things to do. Been doing it for most of twenty years and there are still tons of lakes yet to be explored.

Whitefish-- as you might notice from my posts-- remains one of my favorite lakes. Just so much diversity (and so many nice fish) out there.

Trolling the weededges will always get you some fish. One good strategy is to concentrate on weededges that surround the most expansive shallow flats in the lake. The flats around Indian Island are great, Foleys Bar, Fishhouse Bar, Pine River Bar, Butternut Point. For walleyes right now, work the 23 to 28 foot depths. Work ultra slow with a big fat leech on a long snell. Redtails will work for you too, but they really shine from late August through fall. By the way, don't overlook Lower Hay on your way out to the big lake. Enjoy your fishing!

-a friend called Toad

[bae501]

SUNFISH,

JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU EVERMADE IT BACK TO MISSION TO CHECK OUT THE WALLEYES?

BAE501

[sunfish]

I did make it back but did not have that much luck. I enjoy fishing with lures and rarely use live bait. When I went back I left all my lures at home and just used a Lindy rig with a leech. We fished off one of the islands. I was skunked but my fishing partner caught 3 northerns around 25". He was using a long snell with a leech and a spinner and I think the spinner was the difference.

I did go back one more time but went back with lures. Used a deep diving husky jerk and caught some northerns in about 15ft. My partner stayed with the leeches and caught some very nice sized bullgill at about 16-17 ft. no walleyes, maybe next time.

I also started fishing another new lake for me called Sibley in Pequot. Smaller lake and the water is very stained. Nothing like some of the other lakes around here.

So far I have been out twice and have limited luck. Mostly small northerns, a few small bass and one walleye.

Anyone have any suggestions on this lake?

Sunfish