Crowded circus

[bubblehead1]

A few years back, or maybe a few more, when the crappie bite was at it's peak, the word in the southern part of the state was that Upper Red Lake was like "a gold mine in 49". "A Circus", "people everywhere".

Didn't want to deal with that. Has it changed yet? I don't hear so much about it, but I would really enjoy the oportunity to ice a slab or two. Can you find peace and solitude on Upper Red Lake during hard water crappie season? Or does the Rat Race continue?

**** sometimes the best fishin, is when they don't bite...****

[Bigred70]

You can easily travel via wheeler or snowmobile to areas that havent been fished all winter by anyone....just watch for cracks and pressure ridges, and make darn sure you dont cross the reservation line...it seems that everyone bunches up and in those areas, yes it still seems like a zoo...but you can easily get away from the crowds, especially if there is alot of snow and you have a snowmobile. I love fishing out in the middle of nowhere...sometimes you get skunked, but when you find them...and you WILL find them if you move enough...its usually the motherlode, and you have them all to yourself. Just my $.02

[only-eyes]

so far every time that i have fished red nobody has even been remotely close, its a huge lake with lots of free space. we usually do as well as any "grouped people" that i have talked to

[LuciandTim]

You wanna see a circus...Head up to Red the first year they open Walleye on the opener...that will be a circus!

2006?

[JIGGIT]

As big red said earlier. The circus is as big as you want it to be. Last year wreck-it & I were up countless times and had more action away from the crowds. We also had fish in the "circus", but had more fun away from everyone.

[Gus]

I have a few questions for you who fish Red.

I assume the circus you are talking about would be focused around the cribs, is this true?

And to those of you who venture out away from the people, what do you look for? Are you finding structure to fish on? I am under the impression that not much exists out there except the cribs. If you are not on structure, are you just drilling holes and finding roaming schools of fish.

Thanks for any info!

[Walleye Guy]

Very few people fish the cribs in the winter. The crowds are not really attracted to any particular spot or structure. Generally people try to find water that is 12-13 ft deep with a soft bottom. Fortunately or unfortunately this describes a huge portion of URL.

Good luck.

WG

[hip_hop_fisherman]

Quote:

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You wanna see a circus...Head up to Red the first year they open Walleye on the opener...that will be a circus!

2006?

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There's no debating that!

[Nuclear Fishin]

Gus,

Finding a spot to fish on Red is not very technical at all. You are right about there being no structure. Also, the cribs are a non-issue since the crappies can be almost anywhere. When people talk about a 'hot spot' or a 'hot area' they are usually talking about an area the size of Rhode Island for example that has a better bite than the rest of the lake. Most of the communities of fish houses congregate near plowed roads for the advious reasons. Usually its not because of a hot bite in my experience, but rather easy access.

Just get out there until your away from everybody then start fishing. The hot bite is at dusk so be ready at that time for the bite. Try not to drill any holes at the peak times. Also, I wouldn't recommend moving at peak times either because you might miss the bite. If your going to move do it early in the day. Sometimes you can find a day bite that is spectacular but I've only had this happen to me once. It was absolutely nuts.

If you want to increase your chances on Red I would recommend a few things. First, check to see which access point is reporting the best bite and drive out from there. Second, get away from other people and commotion. Third, keep your jigs glowing and your baitfish swimming.

[bubblehead1]

Nuclear,

Does the name have "history"? I like what you have to say about finding fish on URL. Sounds like you "been there, done that". Thanks,

[hanson]

bubblehead1-

Nuclear's advice is pretty sound! I like to monitor the forums here and the various resorts websites to see if one part of the lake is doing better than another.

Mort's Dock, Rogers Campground, Benzomatic, Westwind, Hudecs, Hillmans all plow roads out onto the lake or at least did last winter. Half are on the east side of the lake, half are on the south side of the lake.

The only time I would consider Red a circus is when the snow gets very deep, then you are confined to the roads with your vehicle. If the snowpack stays down, everybody can spread out pretty good.

Even with that many people on the lake, when the sun goes down, it can be eerily quiet out there. Then you poke your head out of your ice house and there are thousands of lights around on the horizon.

[Gus]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I've never fished Red but I really hope to this year.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Gus, you gotta get yourself up there. I've only fished Red a couple of times, but boy howdy, when the crappies bite, they bite. And they're just plain pig sized huge to boot.

It will be an experience you will never forget.

[muskybuck]

Bubblehead,

Jigglestick gave me some pointers last year on this forum and he was right on. If its prime time (just dark) and your not catching crappies, pick up and move a hundred yards and try there. If they are not there, move another hundred and try there, and so on and so on. When you find them you will know it. Saved the day for me. When your driving 400 miles one way to get there its a day well saved. Thanks again Jigglestick!!

[CatManLee]

Crowds are not a problem. Fishing is always good!! Now I'm not saying that the Crappie fishing is always good, but you probably won't be skunked, unless your doing something very wrong, you'll catch something.

Moving is key! When I'm up fishing and I move alot, I ALWAYS catch Crappies. If I never move, sometimes you get 'em and sometimes you don't. Of course if your catching fish consistantly stay put!

I know moving isn't the most fun, but if you want to catch your limit more times than not, it's the way to go. When I move on Upper Red, I will only fish a spot for about 5 minutes, then move on. It makes for a long day, but pays off. Think about how often you catch a fish right away and then nothing. The more holes fished gives you a better chance of dropping down on a fish. If nothing else bites in another 5 minutes, move. It's so simple, yet such a pain in the but.

However when it's cold, sometimes I don't mind not catching my limit. Warmth & No fish or Freezing fingers & fish? You decide.

I hope to make it up there shortly after X-Mas for the first trip of the new season. Can't wait.....

[bubblehead1]

Okay,

I can see the moving part helping, but tell me something, doesn't the auger scare the fish off for a while? Or do you run around and drill holes in several locations first, and then start jumping from one location to the next?

[muskybuck]

Don't worry about the auger.

[Paul Waldowski]

bublehead,

Don't worry about the Auger. Many times we have augered more holes while catching fish all around us. You can see it for yourself on this video.

Iceing Red Lake Crappies

[mrmillelacs]

one of the things ive noticed in the 6 years i have been going to red is that noise seems to be less of a factor and may even help. the last couple years i have found myself near some people, especially when the weather get warm in march and peop[le are fishing in the open i have seen people exhibiting what i call rude behavior ( drilling a new hole 5 feet next to someone that just caught a fish) and to my chagrin they both start catching fish weird huh. just look at the red lake crappie video on this site those people are pretty crowded together

[Bryce]

Especially the noise of the mass exodus at about 8 o'clock. Don't know if they can see the taillights through the ice heading for shore or if they can detect the difference between a vehicle coming and going. Some of my best bites have been about that time and they go get their buddies if you go to shore for a beverage or two. Some of my midnight bites have just been outright silly. Both the predator and the prey of course.

[cookie129]

test

[Stud]

I've been to Red Lake Around 40-50 times in the past 6 years. The only time Moving has ever worked for me or worth it was when we had another group of friends that was catching them and we moved by them. I have never found them after the main bite had started. It's weird, I've hammered them in the daytime and then theres nothing there at night. Red is a strange place to fish unpredictable. It's a crap shoot. just get out on the lake and you got a chance. The main bite usually only lasts a half hour or less. Last year I went 12 times and 4 times I caught my limit, 4 times I caught some and 4 times I was skunked. If i think back all the years have been similar, may have caught a few more but the size is better now. You can pick them up all night but the main bite doesn't last long. Good luck, The best trick that works for me is to use a tiny spoon with a trebble hook and the head of a crappie minnow.