Lake Ida

[fishmobile]

I am planning on fishing Lake Ida the week of July 8th thru the 14th (family vacation). For walleyes, is this a 'fish at night' lake or can my son and I have a reasonable chance of catching them during the day? If so, how and where. If not, is this a good crappie lake? Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated

[Skeets]

I have never fished Ida before, but here is what the MN DNR has to say about it: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/perl/lk_survey.pl?downum=21012300
I would say it is a decent Walleye, Smallmouth Bass Lake, dosen't look to good for crappies. If you find crappies, they will probably be huge because there are not many of them. I know of some friends that have moderate success for 'eyes through the ice in the wintertime.

Good luck,
Skeets

[Guest]

Feel free to give me a yell on email! ([email protected]) I'll be on ida the week before you, so we'll hope for good fishing for all. Being there are only 3 resorts (as I remember) on Ida, if you're at the same one I'm going to, I can probably drop you a few places to fish. If not, I still might be able to provide some help (even as big of a lake as it is)

In the last few years, it seems to me that the Walleye catch has slowed a bit. I've been visiting Ida for the last 18 years or so, but unfortunately the last 2-3 years, I've been there late in the year. These last few years, the eyes are still catchable, just tougher. It could be just the time of year I was there, though. I would say average pull of eyes came in around 2-3 during daylight hours, sometimes 5-6 night fishing. They're out there, just have to find them!

The crappie catch has also slowed down from what I remember, but there is one specific run I can think of where you usually get at least 1-2 hits off a drift. 15-20 feet of water, right on the weedline. Again if you email me, I'll go into more detail.

LG mouth bass-you can find a whole range of sizes. If you can get back into the meathole and navigate it VERY VERY carefully, there are some huge ones! The meathole is back behind the island, but the stumps and logs can make it tough if its not a glass water day.

On the other side of the island, there's a lot of SM mouth bass, again ranging in sizes. A lot of fun in the early morning here...

Bluegill/sunfish/etc.- No problem catching these anywhere in the lake. Sometimes you'll get into a batch of large ones that fight better than the bass.

Pike-have to search a little for them, but they are there. Again range of sizes.

Give me a yell! I'd like to hear how your trip turns out and how you did for fishing!

[email protected]

[Guest]

I've been fishing Ida for 22 years and have never had to fish more than a mile south of the inlet on the north end. Last year I took a 5 1/2 lb walleye at 2:30pm on a leech in 15 feet of water(last week of June). The 15 to 25 ft range is where I fish the most. I also use jumbo leeches only for live bait, but have caught several walleyes trolling or casting crank baits. We strayed from Ida this year and went to park rapids because the cabin we found was very large and nice but the fishing was less, make that much less than desireable. Just got home July 1st.We will be going back to Ida next year.