Panfish opportunities tomorrow (3/9) between 10 am & 3 pm??

[stoneeyes317]

I am able to get out tomorrow, after dropping my son @ daycare by 9 am, and I'm looking for a little help. Is there a good pannie bite during the day (i.e. between 10 and 3)? It sounds like Washington is the place to catch sunnies, but I've never fished there. I saw Paul W. posted a few weeks ago that crappies are available on French during the day, but haven't heard anything since. I would like to stay around Faribault, since I will need to pick up my son in Northfield by 5 pm. I'm not going to ask for specific spots, but a lake where catching a few fish in this time frame would be helpful. I've only been out once this winter (over President's Day weekend) with my son born this last July. Any information is greatly appreciated...

eyes317

[Team Otter]

I gotta believe you'd be able to put some fish on the ice at either Shields, Mazaska, or French.

[gerty]

Stone eyes - This is only hear say, but I think Clear Lake in Waseca would be a safe bet during that timeframe. I think you need to sort through the fish but, it has sounded like they are pretty eager to bite. Maybe check out Clear on any other posts in the past. It also keeps you closer to Fairbault.

[stoneeyes317]

Thanks for the replies T. O. and gerty; I'll keep those ideas in mind...

eyes317

[Fish'n guy]

I will have to say for some fast action Clear Lake would be a safe bet for a short time frame. The southeastern side of the lake has been the most productive for me recently, but the north end and southwest side have been good as well.

Waxworms on a smaller panfish jig such as a teardrop or ant wouldn't be a bad choice. Anywhere from 10'-15' should hold fish, although you may need to sort through a few as gerty mentioned.

GOOD FISHIN!!!!!!!!!!!

[stoneeyes317]

Thanks Fish'n guy !!

eyes317

[Scott D.]

I'll put my 2 cents in here.

The old man and I just got off Clear lake. We were out from about noon til 5 out on the southeast end. We started in 12 fow. had fish under us the entire time, some very nice bluegills. we had a few crappies but nothing of any size like I had out there on Monday afternoon. You could really tell the nights have not been getting quite as cold as the holes I drilled on Monday afternoon had only glazed over with ice. We just kicked em open and used them.

As for what to use, it is entirely up to you, but I'll let you in on this. Single waxworm, or 2 to 3 maggies on the smallest hook you have. The larger gills were hitting on minnows, but it was sparatic on the minnows. I tried little jigs and whatnot out there and nothing seemed to produce. But the last few days I've been using blood-red #8 or #10 hooks and we couldn't keep em off, they wouldn't hit a normal hook, but that red turned them on.

I think Clear would be your best bet, we picked up about 20 bluegills that we kept in the 4 hours we were out there and we were throwing a lot back that we could have kept.

***** Also if you drive out, watch it on the East landing. There is a very large hole, where it kind of looked like a car punched thru, a lot of dark water, didn't look like it was on top of the ice. The shorelines are tricky, but once we were out on the ice it was about 17 inches I would say. Watch those slush pockets, I hit one and almost didn't get back out of it.

[stoneeyes317]

Thanks Scott D!

It sounds like Clear is going to have to be considered. As far as driving, I won't even consider it. My truck is also my work vehicle, so going through would hurt in too many ways. Would it be a long walk out if I can make it to Clear??

eyes317

[Scott D.]

It isn't a bad walk whether you go out on the North end or the East end. We were about 150 yds past the fishing pier and maybe 100 to 150 yds off the shore in about 12 fow.

Good luck today