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Fished Francis from noon to 5pm in 17 ft of water. Catching lots of small northerns on fatheads plus a bonus walleye. Still waiting on the afternoon crappie bite. Caught one but that was all. High pressure ridge is breaking down so fishing will improve. Great place to bring the kids and get those northerns out of the lake. Firing up the pickler. Yum Yum. Would like to smoke some pike also.

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  • 2 weeks later...

hey scubaman how many times a year do you fish francis?
My family owns a cabin on the southwest corner and you are the first person I have seen post on this site about the lake.
by the way do you know if the crappies are biting over in the northwest corner near the reeds like last january?... that was exciting

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I like fishing north of Melody Beach. This year the houses are really scattered about. In past years they concentrate off the county beach. I have a lake place on Twin but fishing has been slow in the winter thus far. A person just can't go wrong on a Francis or Pearl for panfish or northern. I might have to make an ice dive on both lakes. I like to see concentrations of houses so I can make recoveries of hooch and various tackle. Fishing contest this weekend on Francis. Got to get ready at the Kingston tavern.

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Scubaman, I heard that contest was last weekend. I must of heard wrong. You'd probably know if you frequent the Crow Bar in Kingston. Mr. "Goat G. Roper" has some of the best bathroom decor out there in God's country. If any of you are checking out houses at the King Crow place, go right across the street to the Crow Bar and use the mens bathroom. You'll find a nice suprise.

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Hey, I live in French Lake and fish Francis often. There was a contest out there last weekend but there will be another one this weekend! I have been to the Crow Bar and seen the goat. Head and a$$. Pretty original idea, especially in a bar. I spend most of my drinkin' time at South Haven Muni. though!! Great place to catch fish on Francis in the early summer is right off Snaps crick on the East edge, right off CRD 2! I go out there with a rapala and waders and cast straight out from the crick and hammer the eyes!! Hopefully see you out there this weekend!!

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Critter Control, If you hang out at the South Haven muni you must know Al Terja or Todd Knutson, or Scottie Carlson.

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Thanks to the South Haven Sportmens Club for putting on a nice contest on Sat Feb 8. Brought a few kids out and they had a ball. The wind was brutal, but inside the house the sunnies were biting and even entered a northern that came up a tad short of the money. We won a couple of door prizes so not all was lost. Fish dinner and prizes, oh what fun. The crappie bite is on, out in front of the county beach. I will be out this week to collect some. Last week to get those pesky northerns out of that lake.

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The spring crappie bite is on from sunset on. Catching limits of 3-5 to a pound crappies on minnows and in twilight waxworms.Fishing 1 ft off the bottom but beware of fish that are 4ft off the bottom. Best luck in the 15 ft hole off the county access. Good luck to all.

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Fished last night on the edge of the 15 ft hole and got into the crappies a little later @ 6:30 they started. The wind was incredible against my portable. Got two nice bluegills to start things off. Only 6 vehicles on the lake. The crappies started on the smaller side but got quite a few in the 3 to a pound range. The northerns even bit into the evening. Had to call my friend that lives on the lake to help me bring in more while the gettings good. Fish fry tonight. Headed back out Thursday and the weekend. Good luck to all! </////<

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Back for more action on a warm night the 20th. The fish bite is getting underway later @6;45 but a good bite till 8. The size is getting smaller so you must sort through some. Lost quite a few at the top of the hole. The fish have an advantage getting down the hole faster than my arm!

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I LIVE ON FRANCIS AS OF LAST YEAR AND HEAR ABOUT 2+# CRAPPIES AND BIG WALLY'S. I FISHED ALL SUMER LONG AND FOUND CRAPPIES UP TO 1# AND NO WALLY'S (LOTS OF HUGE BASS). MY QUESTION IS THE LAKE RUNING A CYCLE OF LESS FISH OR IS THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVEN A FISH STORY?

------------------
IF YOU GO FISHING, YOU WILL BE FISHING

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While I am no expert on the summertime bite, Francis does kick out some size sometimes but it is no Red Lake. The walleyes do bite in the winter, but you would not limit out in any form. Caught one this year which is about normal. Plenty of 3 to a pound to 5 to a pound crappies. One of the best Bass lakes in the area but table fare is suspect. Tried the daytime sunfish bite on Friday with no success frown.gif

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Hey Jollyjoker....

I checked out the DNR Lakefinder page to get the survey and lake data...
check it out...small to average numbers for black crappie, but the crappies have good size to 'em, not huge but better than small. From the looks of this, you'll have to work for 'em...but they're in there...

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport_printable.html?downum=47000200&prin table=true

[This message has been edited by ackotz (edited 03-02-2003).]

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Ackotz,

thanks for the information, i can always find panfish by the dozens (and sometimes the hundreds) and enough keepers for a meal in the summer but need help on the walley area's. the rock pile didn't produce anything last year. i would be happy to exchange info on this lakes hotspots if anybody can help.

always willing to learn more.

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