Gervais ice/fishing reports

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Anyone been out on Gervais? Never fished the lake in the winter and I am curious if the ice safe enough to walk from the beach across to the bar/point? I have heard its got a couple springs to watch out for.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Anybodie fishing this lake?

[Ray Esboldt]

I do know that there is a spot on the north end of the lake that has been subject to thin ice in the past.

I have not ice fished it in years but it does have a generous supply of panfish. I doubt you will claim it as the best lake in Ramsey county when it comes to quality size, but you could sort yourself a meal on the right day. It does have some walleyes, but I know little about their quantity or quality. I know there are some guys on here that fish it in the winter.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Thanks Ray, I have heard about the spring on the north end but also heard their are some out from the beach, which is where I would likely be walking out from. Im not going for a meal just to see if I shake up any walleyes.

Dont know if I should take the lack of info as good news or bad news.

[Little Joe]

You heard correct - there is another spring right out from the beach area. On a typical year, you can see it pretty easy but with all the snow, it might be more difficult to id. I haven't been out there this year so can't say what it looks like.

Good luck and be careful!

[Mr. Pike1]

I have lived by the lake now going on four years. Three years ago I saw the spring open up a spot on the the North side. On that same year I saw the spring open a small hole over by the beach as well. Other then that I am not aware of any problem areas.

Early ice they fish the North side. Later ice people target the point and there usually is a path to drive out later in the year. Every year they also have a soft ball tourney on the ice by the beach and car race in the middle of the lake so the ice is generally safe in mid-Januray and later.

The lake holds all fish species, has tons of structure, weedlines, and deep holes. If one were to fish these deep holes they will find crappies. Work the structure or weedlines and one will find walleye, musky, bass, and panfish. I have never found many pike which is surprising as most metro lakes are loaded with pike. The lake also has a good 8-9" population of perch that can keep the winter angler busy when you get on them. Try the little sand bar of the public fishing pier for the perch.

I have never found the good sized sunfish. They all appear to be stunted in the 6" or smaller class. Some old timer told me that there are monster sunfish in there but I have never found any size so maybe this was in the 60's or 70's.

The crappie population is fair. The lake has had up and down year classes but the crappies can get very large in this lake. I have been baffled as to how the sunfish can be stunted while the crappies can get to be healthy 10"ers or larger. As with most lakes target the crappie early morning or dusk suspended in the deeper holes.

The other surprise I found on this lake is that you will get the occassional large mouth through the ice and some monster and I mean monster carp that will hit in the shallows. Last year I pulled a 20lb carp through the ice on a willow stick of a pole and 3lb ice line. It took me 30 minutes to get the fish to the hole and he was so fat I had to wedge him through the ice hole. You want to hear a drag sing, let a large carp take you for a run my friend. I got a nice picture and let him go. I know carp are a rough fish but that might have been one of my best battles I ever experiences on the ice. Get two or three of those in one day and its a work out. Some time back they were fixing the bridge between Gervais and spoon and you could stand over the channel there and see the fish go through and I was simply amazed. I saw a couple of very large tiger muskies and two carp that I would have guessed to be 40lbs plus. They looked in the water to be 3 feet long that had a back side 2 feet across. they came trough side by side and These were truely pigs.

Two years ago in the spring I saw this small body of water get raped in the spring of the year. I saw people keeping buckets full of spawning crappies in the 8-10" class when I say buckets I do not mean buckets of the legal limit I mean buckets of 50-100 fish. I was totally dis-mayed and somewhat angered by this.

I did what I thought to be right and called the MN DNR tip line. They sent out the Maplewood police but they were back the next day to rape the lake. I then called the DNR direct to have the lake monitored. Calls were not returned and the rapping went on until the promising year class of 10" female crappies was detroyed. I would imagine this to have negative effects on the lake for years to come. I went out last year to a spot I was always able to find the spawning crappies and there were very very few

That is all I know about Gervais. Hope it helps you on your quest. Good luck on the water...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Thanks a bunch guys, really good info. I started fishing it alot for bass and muskies this summer and was impressed with some of the fish, so wanted to try and learn it in the winter.

Anyone know of any other winter accesses to the lake besides the beach?

If I get out Ill report back how I did.

[doggfish]

You can Park at Spoon Lake and Drag your sled over the road and then around the shoreline. Do not go underneath any of the bridges. I went through on a snowmobile about 15 years ago. I've had good luck on the walters this year. You'll probably see me out there.

[Mr. Pike1]

Dogfish, that must be you I have seen fishing over by the point. No tracks from the beach and I see a few houses over there so I assume the lake was being accessed by that side.

[doggfish]

Yeah that was probably me. How are you doing out there lately. I haven't made it out since last Friday. We went to the Mille Lacs on Sunday and basically got skunked. Hell of a drive for skunk when there's Walters in your backyard.

[Mr. Pike1]

The area you are fishing is a good all season spot. There is structure and a deep 40 foot hole right outside the point. I get on Gervais mostly to get my fishing fix in every now and again as it is close to home. I find the North side to be a very good area for early, early ice. Then the bite slows down.

Like any lake if you put your time in, pay attention to the detials, and keep mobil you will find fish. I encourage you to keep working the lake. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

You can also reach me at [email protected] for more info.