Elephant lake?

[smoker craft]

I went back through the posts I did not see a lot of talk on this lake. I hope it is such good fishing that know one wants to talk about it LOL. Will be there in July. First trip any help would be GREAT thanks Bret

[fishkid]

i have gone there the past 8 years at the end of july. We always have great fishing for some kind of fish in the lake. Last year we cought tons of walleyes we normally do pretty good trolling for them in 10-15 fow. There are some nice crappies also if you can find them. Also giant sunfish in the lake too. And if nothing is biting throw on a plastic worm or a senko and fish for smallies. they are everywhere, and many big ones too.

[smoker craft]

ttt

[SledNeck]

My wife's family has a place on Elephant and Blackduck...and imo I wouldnt spend any time fishing on Elephant, it sucks. The walleyes are hit or miss on blackduck, but when they hit,,,wow. Smallmouth fishing on blackduck is unreal, huge northerns too...so skip ele and fish blackduck if u can.

[Hydra Sport]

OK, OK I'm going to need another opinion to be the tie breaker. Fishkid thinks its great. Sledneck is not thrilled at the idea. I am able to move around and blackduck would be an option.We all know the best of lakes can stink on some days. The pressures on boys, 2 guys and kids coming from Illinois so I would like to get on some fish.Which is it stinkie lake or a stinkie experience? P.S fishkid we're practicly neighbors. I'm from CP

[Hibbingite]

Well I am very disappointed in telling all of you whom think Elephant Lake stinks, that you are very wrong!!!! I have a cabin up there and I fish it quite regular. I do agree Blckduck is good as mentioned, but that lake has a lot more pressure. Elephant is usually overlooked. Starting end of June-Fall, Trolling Wally-Divers can be very effective. Last Labor Day, just before dark, I pulled 6 nice walleyes from the shoreline on the west side of Brow's bay. Night time Lindies, or Floating Jigs w/a Leech is productive all season. On the North end of Buzzard Island is where you will find some slab crappies. Wht Jig tipped w/minnow off the reeds. As far as smallys, everywhere! there truly is a lot of them and they are big. In all, I have never had a problem with getting the fish at Elephant Lake. There is big Pike here too, but there is a slot, 1 over I think 40 inches. Better check the regulation book. I have had luck pulling raps down by the tressles also for the eyes. Pike are rare, but monsters when caught. try Brows Bay in the cabbage. Well good Luck All and please do share your reports from Elephant and BlackDuck. Don't forget about the surrounding lake just a few mile from Elephant: Franklin, Marion, Silver, Chub, Big and Little Johnson. All are ATV accessible can rough entry but have outstanding Walleye populations. I have fished all, and Silver and Franklin are my favorites.

[Hydra Sport]

Hibbingite, Correction, Only one person thought it wasn't the greatest the other recommended it. I'm sure it was nothing personal as as a matter of fact if it was my lake I might prefer a little disinformation to keep the pressure down. Thank you for your post your help is going to make me feel a lot more comfortable about bringing these fish hounds from Illinois to elephant. I havn't failed them yet but as I said when they drive that far they are really expecting to catch fish. I'll be on the lake in a blue bass boat with gold on the side. If you happen to see me stop on by so I can thank you in person.Your tips should be very helpful. you referenced late June ,do you have any recent info on how things have been going.

Thanks again

[fishkid]

franklin is an awesome lake we went there one time and did very well. but u gotta make sure u have a very small boat and skinny trailer or a canoe. skinny launch and walk way down to the lake.

[Slowfinger]

Blackduck is my vote. Elephant is okay and decent fish on occasion, but the ramp just plain blows.....way too shallow and deadheads all over. But if you're patient, you can get thru...just be really careful. Big crappies on Blackduck w/ beetle-spins...got to love that.

[Hydra Sport]

Slowfinger, I am all over that crappie action. Are they in numbers or is it they're large because there isn't a big population?

[ironman]

Now I hate to throw a monkey wrench into things...the lake for the best....I mean the best northerns, smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegills and crappies....is Pelican!! If you are after walleyes..skip it..they're there but unpredictable. However..since they implemented the slot for bass and pike....wow O wow! If you want to catch bass in the upper teens...and a very good shot at a 20+ incher..that's the place to be. The lake used to be filled with hammerhandle pike...but they are all growed up now. All this talk is getting me fired up...gotta make it up there soon. I have fished both blackduck and elephant...and they are both great lakes....hard to find a bad one in God's country. Good luck no matter where you go.

[Hydra Sport]

Ironman,

you do have it right about Pelican. I am going to be there during the week and was looking for a change of pace. Expanding our horizons a bit as we have been going to Pelican for a while not that I feel I really know the lake but do you ever know one that large? Do you have any tips for pelican? We have concentrated our effort aroung Indian point in the past and some islands on that side of the lake. Thanks

[Slowfinger]

Hydra, I'm not sure... I might just find the size of the craps bigger than I'm used to. Either that, or the timing was right for the bite.

[smoker craft]

Thanks for the info hopefully I will have some luck thanks to all that replied good and bad... Bret

[ironman]

Hydra....what kind of fish are you looking for? For bass one of the best areas on the lake...I hope I'm not giving away someones secret spot....is straight out from the landing in Orr bay. You probably know already that Orr bay is very shallow, but when you get to the north side..it drops off...fish both the shoreline and the weedline a nice mix of large and smallmouth bass. Fish that all the way to the point...the closer to the point you get the less largemouth you'll encounter..but plenty of smallies...fish around the point..when you get to the first dock...that's about it. Rinse and repeat. Also Oak Island is a good smallie spot you may even find a eye or two look out for the very large rock on the north side however. I was watching In-fisherman a few months back and they were fishing this exact area I just told you about. They didn't say where they were...but I'd recognize that any where. Al caught a 20" largemouth during the shoot. For pike...go west young man! Good luck. If you need some more info..shoot me an email.

[SledNeck]

I'll be at pelican sunday. Gonna be HOT. well maybe not for you southerners.

[smoker craft]

Well I made it back it was a great trip and we caught fish. Hibbingnite I saw all the cabins and they are all nice you are lucky. Fished black duck it was good and so was elaphant but would not take the boat off the water to go to black duck again. We got good fish at elaphant. Had to take the boat to crane lake and get it fixed Monday morning but the johnson dealer was very nice and was in a great location I did not mind being broke down. Handbergs was the name Great place. The vermilion Falls was good to. I will go back...

[Hibbingite]

Good to hear you faired well Smokercraft what all did ya get?. I haven't been up in awhile but heading up this weekend. I too stay away from Blackduck, it is usually packed and either you "hammer" them our are "Skunked". I am hearing that the bite is on up at Elephant on the cranks, and leeches for the eyes, and the crappies are hitting nice in the evening. I will let you know how we did. I usually never come up short here. Did you have any luck with the crappies? I think they are comparable to Red Lake slabs, lots of 14 and 15s. Well good luck to all.

PS, Anyone been into Franklin or surrounding lakes yet? I hear the Franklin trail is bad after the storms. I went into Big Johnson and got 6 beauties. Overall though it was slow and had to work for them.

[Neiko]

I haven't been to Franklin yet but we usually hit it in the fall. I heard they have some blocks on some trails to keep wheelers out. Do you know if you can still haul a boat back to Franklin? That is one of my favorite lakes for walleyes. Just wish it was closer for me.

[smoker craft]

Hibbingite, we had are best luck with cranks at nite for eyes but did get a few in the mornings. No crappies lots of gills but had to do a lot of sorting there.

[Hibbingite]

Yep, you can still get into Franklin Lake. Fishin was excellent. Jig and a minnow. Elephant was a little slow last weekend, pulled two slab crappies, one was 15" and the other 14, and 10 keeper wallies. We did catch quite a few smaller walleyes which is odd for Elephant but one nice nine pounder 31" at Elephant in the morning.