Metro Get Togethers...

[Matt Johnson]

Ice is fast approaching and before you know it we'll be out on the fresh sheet of ice pulling up our favorite species

I thought we could start talking about this winter's Metro Get Togethers

So, what lakes would we like to hit this winter?

I plan on hosting one sometime in December again, probably someplace with a decent panfish bite. I'll try and make as many as I can again this winter. Sundays would probably be the best for me.

Anyone else?

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Corey Bechtold]

"Lets get it started, HA, lets get it started in here" (Black Eyed Peas) I'm with you Matt! Sundays would work for me as well. I hope to get out and meet some more FM'ers and hopefully learn some new tricks and share some of mine on the ice. Lets pick a good lake with a hot bite and stick em'.

Corey Bechtold

[wastewaterguru]

I'd be more than willing to help put something together for Prior or Spring.

Matt....just let me know when you want to do some prefishing

[BullsInc]

Hey Matt

Gotta get out there! hawgTime!

[Matt Johnson]

We already have events planned on Medicine Lake, Lake Minnetonka and Rush Lake for the ICE Series, all within decent drive time of the Metro Area.

BullsInc,

Good to hear from you again! How's everything going? I think the first Metro Get Together I've ever been at (well, sort of like a Metro Get Together ) was with you. "MJ5!!...MJ5!!..." I'll never forget that day.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[BDR]

South Metro sounds like a good one WW. I see all you guys' posts but I never get down that way due to bieng in the North Metro.

Matt Count me in for helping on any of the get togethers.

[hanson]

Being a relatively recent transplant to the metro from god's country in northern Minnesota, my knowledge of metro lakes is still pretty small. So you can see that I'm eager to learn and join in.

To me, doesn't matter what lake. I've had a fascination with Calhoun & Harriet for some reason. I've been meaning to fish those lakes for 2 years now and have yet to make it out. They have some pretty deep water, muskies!, and a rumored good chance at a huge walleye if the stars align for you. I think Calhoun had a get-together last year with a good turnout but few fish caught.

Anyway, I'll join in on any get-together unless I'm up fishing at URL this winter.

[Snag]

I like Hanson's idea of Calhoun or Harriet.I've never been to any, but I plan on going to the Tonka and Medicine get togethers.

[Matt Johnson]

ICE Series events that are in the Metro Area...

Jan 22nd - Medicine Lake (Metro) - Harty's Boatworks

Feb 5th - Minnetonka - Spring Park Bay Public Access

Feb 12th - Rush Lake - CJ's on Rush

I think Calhoun and Harriet might not be a bad idea. Anyone else?

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[goin fishin]

Matt, Hanson, and Snag- I am thrilled about the prospect of fishing Calhoun for a get-together this winter. I live right next to it and would be thrilled to give up some hot spots(well, call it that if the bite is happening). I fish this lake at least 2 times a week in the winter. It should definitely be a fun time and I have found this lake to produce during the daytime on several occassions. I know Matt knows the lake farely well, so I hope he is game for it.I am going to try and put one together on my own if needed for this lake. I hope everyone finds this option available to them when the date that is made.

Dan

[Deitz Dittrich]

We did one on Calhoun a few years ago.. It was a blast.. might have had 30 or so people show up. I remember it well.. but then again I caught about a 36" muskie fishing for eye's... I would show up to one of calhoun again for sure!!!!

[huskiesplayer15]

tell me when where and how I can help mj!

Best fishes

Chris

[pikehunter]

Being a transplant from southern Minnesota myself, I've never had a chance to get to one of these events. I'm definitely in ... I too like the Harriet/Calhoun idea.

[EBass]

Good idea. I never fished Calhoun before ever. Sounds like fun and new.

[Lost]

As long as I can find it easily or hitch a ride, and as long as it's on a Sunday... I should be there!

[Corey Bechtold]

Any updates on which lake will be chosen?

Ice is almost here!

Corey Bechtold

[Matt Johnson]

We'll have a few get togethers, so we can pick multiple lakes...

I say we try for Calhoun/Harriet more towards midwinter. I've always had better luck out there once midwinter starts to take hold for walleyes and pike. But I'm definitely all for fishing Calhoun/Harriet this winter. What are everyone elses thoughts?

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[BDR]

I was kind of thinking same thing Matt. Calhoun being unprotected it will probably have to be a later choice. How about some early ice spots? How is Coon? Anyone think Dec. 12 or 19th will be an option?

[Matt Johnson]

I can't make the weekend of Dec 17-19. But if we have ice on Dec 10-12 I'll be out on it

Maybe we even plan a weekday event sometime close to christmas? How's everyone's vacation time looking?

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Lost]

Well, a Friday afternoon or Sunday works for me. Vacation time? What vacation time? It's too busy at work during the holidays and through February to take a vacation. Good thing I have a guaranteed 3-day weekend every week.

[Fergus Mor McErc]

I think it would be great to have a get together on Calhoun or Harriet. I live a few blocks from Harriet and have been fishing it and Calhoun (in the winter) for years. I've found they're two of the last lakes to freeze in the metro and the best fishing is the first three or four weeks after first ice, though it stays pretty good through January. I've got a 27 1/2" walleye on the wall I took through the ice on Harriet. Both lakes have big fish in them. In recent years Calhoun has been the more productive of the two (for me, at least), though I believe Harriet has the bigger fish in it and it's my favorite of the two.

By all means, have a get together on one of these two lakes. Either one would be a a lot of fun.

[eyeballs]

Someone say Calhoun?

I've hosted a couple of events there and would be more than happy to attend another one. Would love to see someone host an event there.

[Maximum12]

I'd love to hit either Calhoun or Harriet - been out on Harriet late in the season & had good luck, never ice fished Calhoun. I'd be in either way.

[sirsunnyslayer]

Hey, don't forget about us guys on the North/East side! I don't know the lakes good enough yet to suggest one. Any help?

[Matt Johnson]

sirsunnyslayer,

We had an event in the Chisago area last winter, as well as on Linwood Lake, they might be a little closer to you...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[SuddenlySummer]

I know that the Horseshoe chain isn't exactly local but I'd love to know when a group is going out there again.

[metrojoe]

There is an event planed for the Horseshoe chain already. Heres the link: Cool Cats 2005

[SuddenlySummer]

Looks great but March 5th is a looooong time away. Need something sooner!

[Crawlerman]

Hey Matt

Yeah I'm still here... I've just had a VERY busy fall. I just got done with a move and I didn't even get very much fall fishing at all, as I had to put the boat away early this year

But I'm looking forward to these ice fishing meets. Any possiblity of doing one of these for us East metro Anglers as well? The lakes you chose are all kinda bunched up, lol (I will try to make the Minnetonka one for sure atleast)

Maybe White Bear? It freezes early and I was absoultely nailing the panfish on White Bear this year on the open water. I was pulling 8-9" sunnies out of there on a regular basis.

[Matt Johnson]

Crawlerman,

Glad to see you're back in the forums White Bear Lake is a good choice, a wide variety of species to choose from and a lot of area to cover. We could make an exciting day out of that one...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson