Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

hey folks just joined so this is my first post. anyone ever done any fishing near isabella? im heading up for camping in the area for opener and was wondering if any good walley/perch lakes are around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome joefish130, I fished that area alot, years ago. I used to walk in to where the isabella river starts at the end of isabella lake. I don't know if you can still do that but it was a good little walleye spot. Dumbell is a musky and smallmouth lake that can be fun to fish.

There are a bunch of other lakes around there that have good walleye fishing. Check the DNR lakefinder web site it has good info.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ive fished a few of the smaller lakes like sand and highlife few times, ever tried sand? with the little campground there i enjoyed the spot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

welcome. where in the isabella area will you staying. I know of a few great lakes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

sand lake has a quiet little campground with a carry down access that ill be staying at, dunno how f=great the fishing is tho. been there few times and didnt do all that great

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Grouse lake and Stoney river came to mind right off the bat.

Dumbel is full of eyes and theres plenty of structure too.

Greenwood, Eighteen and August are good bets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have never been in the area that early in the season, but I would like to know where surface tension finds his walleyes on Dumbbell? Muskies and smallies are all we have ever caught. I am not calling you a liar, I would like to know how to catch the walleyes in that lake. the last two years we have camped on the island for 4-5 days and we spent 3 days last summer trying for walleyes and getting skunked on marbles, but slammed the smallies.

My choice, even though technically it is not in the isabella general area is either nine mile or Greenwood, but be careful on greenwood, it is extremely shallow, but holds walleyes and northerns...and my guess a lot of lower units..

good luck and surface tension, any help for the dumbbell walleyes would be awesome

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

picksbigwagon, I'll send you an email.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hey guys i was also looking for a different spot for opener thinking about skipping opener on the st louis. and wait till the weekdays. so if anybody had any other suggestions where i might catch some walleye, and avoid the big crowds id really appreciate it thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

If you hit any of the area lakes you'll have a little crowding at the landing but once on the lake theres plenty of room.

Picks, I tried your email and it came back to me. drop me a line. punchboss @ hotmail dot com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fish 9'-12' water along the rock pile(kind of a spine) out in the middle of the north part of the lake. Lindy rig, white corkie, and nightcrawler works great, but you'll go through alot of worms on SM bass. Switch to a leech if needed, keep about 3'-4' between your slip sinker and corkie. North end of the north end has a good edge as well. Headsup for rocks - clear water, but they come up awfully fast!! Windy side of Little Wilson in 4'-8' can be good as well!! And the Trestle Inn is awesome!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, we tried that, caught some huge rock bass and smallies, and lost a couple of them to muskies which made us change gears automatically, but we will try it again, it is quickly becoming my favorite lake to fish and camp on...and the cheapest too

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.