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Posted

Went out last night on Holland Lake in Eagan. Overall it was pretty slow. I did have 1 nice largemouth on that jumped and then pulled me down into the weeds and got off. Other than that it was little action. Just wondering if anyone has any information on this lake. I really like fishing it but really haven't had a ton of luck. Thanks.

Posted

My personal opinion is that the lake has really been overfished the last 6-7 yrs, and most of that has occurred during the winter. I'm sure there are still some lunker bass or pike enjoying some trout snacks, but the average size of both those species has dramatically decreased in the last ten years. The sunnies have always seemed small, and I havn't seen any slab crappies for a while, but I don't fish it near as often as I once did.

I don't mean to get your hopes dashed, it's still got potential for some decent fish, but don't be suprised if your luck isn't the greatest there.

I've spent a considerable amount of my time on the water there, both winter and summer. After living on the lake for the last twenty years, my folks just moved from there. So I've personally seen Holland go thru some changes over the last two decades. The water level changes, cutting down and removing a hundred huge dead trees along the shoreline that would have provided excellent fish structure had the park service let them fall naturally, and the introduction of trout to the lake. Some of my favorite times were when there would be dozens and dozens of bikini clad girls floating around on rafts, hubba hubba, that was time to make sure my canoe still floated and take a tour of the lake. grin.gif

Enjoy the lake, it's a nice little body of water, fish populations run in cycles and things will improve. Just keep at it and good luck.

Posted

Duffman,

If I remember correctly isn't there only one house on that lake? Is that the house you used to live in? Thats pretty cool if you did. I've always wondered who lived there or if anyone did at all. I fish holland quite a bit in the summer. Its a nice little lake.

Posted

Yep, that's the one. My folks moved in there when I was in college, it was great for an outdoorsy guy like me. My own personal summer camp. I'm guessing the park service will probably tear it down and return it to natural parkland.

Posted

I have fished this lake since 1987. Holland was an excellent bass lake in the early 90's. Pike, Bass, Crappies, Sunnies, Bullheads were all already present in the lake.

Used to be able to go out and throw jointed Rapalas and spinners any time of the day and catch nice bass.

Holland like Fish lake received heavy pressure. Along with the fact that the DNR decided to designate the lake a Trout lake. Swimming became off limits soon after. I remember going by and seeing lotsa people on tube floats on the lake it was crazy! All the people swimming around.

Today the fish your likely to catch in Holland are small sunnies & trout occasionally. Maybe a Pike here & there and a rare bass from time to time. Them Crappies are still there, but really spotty and range in different sizes.

Spring is the best time to fish Holland...

Posted

Duffman you are correct the past is way better than the present. I can wrap it up in three words "catch and RELEASE". I was down there one evening and a guy had two northerns and 3 trout on a stringer and he was complaining on how the fishing was not as good as last time he was there. HELLO! Some people just don't get,lol. And Andy unless the DNR did it this year, Holland is not a designated trout lake. You don't have to follow designated trout lake regs on Holland. This is probally why the trout only last a month or so. Great lake if people respect it! Just my .02

Mark

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I agree, this lake is definately overfished. I guess the DNR stocked some 6200 trout in it in 2004, but I don't know where they've all gone. The sunfish vanguard is in full effect too.

Posted

Quote:

I agree, this lake is definately overfished. I guess the DNR stocked some 6200 trout in it in 2004, but I don't know where they've all gone. The sunfish vanguard is in full effect too.


There is still alot of trout in Holland. Summer time fishing Holland for trout is difficult due to weed growth. Morning & Evening hours are best. Try targeting the trout in Spring time.

But anyhow fish the east end of the lake where it more sandy & deeper. If you pay attention the trout are fairly noisy and do alot of jumping around. There more active on cooler days.

There are still alot of fish to be caught in Holland. You just need to know where to find them. Although Holland receives heavy fishing pressure, it's far from being overfished. Unless your target is bass.

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