question on clearwater

[bigeyes]

Clayton and friends, seems I will be losing me favorite night fishing lake(mille Lacs) I am looking for a new huniting ground. Does anybody night fish Clearwater in the fall? Is it worth while? I know it is hard to fish with crankbaits give all the weeds and sharp breaks. Any other lakes in the area good for fall night fishing?

Thanks

[Guest]

In a normal fall, yes, it makes sense. The high water this year has caused all sorts of problems -- and, the water level is higher this week than it has been all year. I hope it has crested and we get some relief.

Lots of folks have voluntarily given the system a rest. I have not fished Clearwater since mid-June, and will launch and fish elsewhere until conditions return to normal.

We are putting quite a strain on the whole Clearwater River Watershed District. I vote for restraint -- let's give it a rest.

[dfv87]

Sylvia/twin lakes near South Haven Have produced Night eyes, I haven't fished there for a couple of seasons because I have been concentrating on Lake Alexander and Lake Shaminau near Cushing. I have a 31" eye* on my wall from Shaminau (*replica, actual fish released) As well as pictures of more than 8 over 28" just in the last 2 seasons. Fall nights are the time everywhere, Cedar, Clearwater and Maple lakes all in the past have been good night fall lakes. They do make a good point about Clearwater's high water right now, the lake is still getting a lot of pressure. There are lots of good fall lakes around, not just the big pond.

[bigeyes]

Clayton, sorry to hear about all the water, I am sure last night didn't help either, I have not been on Clearwater since May and it didn't seem that bad then? Also I will have to put my time in this fall and see what happens this fall. How should a guy start on this lake for fall night eyes? East end/west end? next to the reeds or the middle? Bunglow? Midlake humps, or shoreline points? Is there any good rock piles or long rocky points on the lake? What do you recommend. If you want to give it a go sometime, I think it would love to have you along.

DFV87- Thanks for the info on Twin/silvia, any particular locations or spots you want to share? Also funny you should mention Sham and Alex, a buddy has land in Motely so we stay there and fish both a few times a year, although mainly muskie, but the few times we have fished walleye especially on sham we have done well, including an 8 pounder last summer that is still swiming. That would be pretty fun to do at night, but don't think I have the time for that one, maybe someday.

[dfv87]

On slyvia/twin we like the rockpile straight across from the access and I preferred the shorelines on the main lake side of the island also across from the access and a little to the north. Slips on the rock pile and cranks on the shoreline. best of luck.

[Fathead]

Hi Bigeyes,

I will be hitting clearwater this afternoon/evening. I typically fish the East lake in several areas. Starting now thru first ice these areas will start to produce nice fish and quantities as well. I normally don't fish this lake too much at night. I find that (especially in spring and fall) you can catch them all day long. Even with "bluebird" skys and calm conditions. I am a big lindy rig and fathead minnow fan ( I have tried other minnys and there is no edge on one kind) on this lake. Not that I don't like to fish cranks ( I almost fish them exclusively on Mille Lacs), I just find that livebait rigs work better.

The areas I like to fish are shorerelated and midlake humps near the weedlines. Normally the depths I first hit are 11 to 15', but I am never afraid of trying deeper There have been many times deeper is better, in fact, one place to try is the channel between east and west (south side of island).I have caught many fish during mid-day in the 30' section of that channel.

One thing that works real well is to work an area very slow and hook the minnow through the back tail. The minny will sit and dance around on the bottom and bring them in. Make sure you keep changing bait, lively minnows are a must! The bites I get are usually softer and almost to the point of "pecking" like you would get from a perch, but they are almost always walleyes. You may miss a few this way, but if you use a #4 hook you should narrow the misses down quite a bit.

Outside of Mille Lacs, this is a PREMIER walleye lake that is close to the cities. On typical fall days, you should be able to boat double-digit eyes and most of them are keepers. Last year the average fish I caught was 17" up from 15 1/2" the previous year. I am excited to get out and see if this fall is as good as the last two.

Good luck

[Guest]

Troll the shorelines with a #11 floater Rap Perch in 6 feet of water after dark.

------------------
MILLE LACS AREA GUIDE SERVICE
651-271-5459 http://fishingminnesota.com/millelacsguide/
click here