Big Lake Report

[Borch]

It been mostly panfish for me too. Although I haven't targeted the eyes on Big yet this year. We did get a couple by accident fishing for crappies after dark this year. Maybe one every 2-3 outings. You right about the point/bar. It does look too good to not hold fish. I haven't fished it yet this year(and probably won't). A few years ago I did very well there. But it's been very hit and miss.

I usually target crappies from dusk into the evening. The sunnies have not been much to write about on Big for probably 10 years or so. Although I often wonder if they'll ever be back. It was very good before that.

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I bad day of fishing??? I honestly don't know what you're talking about!

[climbmda]

Thanks for the info. A couple of people we talked to said they catch more eyes just working spots along the west side at a fixed depth. It's a pretty consistent drop-off, and they figured the fish were just roaming the drop and/or weed edge looking for food. Just a matter of figuring out what depth, I suppose.

Fun anyway.

[climbmda]

Hi all. We fished Big Lake Th-Sat. Thursday, we set up by the big point, right off the tip, at the base of the drop-off in 22 ft. Put tip ups out, one on the point in about 8 ft. and one on the inside slope in about 16 ft. We fished the afternoon, assuming they would move in at dusk. Saw only one mark on the flasher by 6:30. Had one flag, but missed the fish on the hook set.

Friday, we brought the girls out, so we went to the NE bay. Set up about 50 yards north of the main shanty town in about 23 ft. We had constant sunnie and crappie action from about 2:30 until an hour after dark. Most were really little, but we got into a school of keepers about dusk. We kept 10 for a fish fry, and threw probably 100 little ones back. No sign of anything other than panfish, and nothing more than 4 feet off the bottom.

Saturday, we tried the point, again. Looks too good on the map to pass up. Fished the other side of the point this time, in about 19 feet. Nothing until dusk, then marked a few lookers, and one bite, which I missed, of course. The wind was biting cold that day, and with not much snow to bank the portable with, it was a bit chilly. Oh well.

Is anyone finding eyes up there? I was amazed we didn't even find pike in 3 days.

[seekingwalleye]

Do you guys know if they still charge to use the landing during the winter? Looking to go there this friday...

[olmsca]

I assume you mean the NE landing.....No one is there in the winter but I believe they keep a jar for "donations". Not necessary though.

Anyone ever try back in the canal off the NW bay? Few years back it was a very hot spot for sunnies/crappies but has diminished. Not alot of activity back there in the summer, weeds are to high to get in there.

[Borch]

No I haven't tried the canal in the NW bayfor years. I have a freind who spears in that area though(back in the NW bay). He's done very well on the pike over there.

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I bad day of fishing??? I honestly don't know what you're talking about!

[seekingwalleye]

Went to Big Lake.. and fished the west side... nothin much but a few northern.. anybody catchin anything?

[Crusher]

I fish Big often.
Did well early ice, but things have slowed.
Only catching small gills & crappies when they bite.

Crusher

[Borch]

I haven't been out since last weekend. But did very well on crappies both Saturday and Sunday. Although Saturday the bite was much better.

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I bad day of fishing??? I honestly don't know what you're talking about!

[Borch]

Went out tonight from 5-7 pm and kept 8 nice crappies. Threw back several that were a light 1/2 lb. Caught them on minnows or a small jigging rap with a waxie on the treble.

Steady action. But not very fast action.

The ice is in great shape. There was 18+ inches out there tonight. Just stay away from the narrows.

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I bad day of fishing??? I honestly don't know what you're talking about!