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

I will be fishing West Battle Lake for the first time this weekend and was wondering if anyone could give me a couple pointers on where and how to fish this lake this time of year. I will be targeting walleyes (catch and release only) or any other species willing to bite my offerings.

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The guys that did well in the MWT tourny were using spinners and crawlers. Getting to be that time where a jig and minnow wouldn't be a bad idea either. Good luck. wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is WB your only choice? grin.gif

It's been a real tough bite out there. I would concentrate on low light periods if you want to catch the elusive eye..

Jig/minnow combo is good, and what CabinBoy said is worth a try...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Low light like ChuckN said would be your best bet for numbers of eyes, but I would stick trolling cranks. If your fishing during the day I would stick with the crawler and spinner combo in really deep water 45 plus. Rumor is the big fish caught in the MWT where caught on the crawler and spinners in 45 plus feet of water would be worth a try....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys for your help. I will be staying at a friends cabin on south turtle and he mentioned going over to west battle to fish walleyes. I am not familiar with the lakes in the area so if there is a better lake to fish in the area that would be fine. My friend does not fish much so I think he suggested west battle based on hear say.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are realy looking to catch eye's I would go to Ottertail. The bite this year is the best I have seen in many years. I would troll cranks in 6 to 12 feet of water. This bite has been good during day parts as well as night. Can also get some nice perch as a bonus.

Good luck witch ever lake you choose.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where on South Turtle are you staying?

If it is walleyes you are after, I second the choice of Ottertail. If I get my chores done, I may head over there Saturday evening as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will be staying at a buddy's cabin located on the North East part of the lake. It is to the east of the public access. I have a blue/tan Lund Pro Sport with a 90hp Johnson, I may try fishing South Turtle on Saturday and Ottertail or West Battle on Sunday! Thanks to all for the suggestions!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I live on the NW side, green Lund Mr. Pike with a Green boat lift canopy. Maybe I'll see you out there. If I am out, I'll have my black lab with me.

Good luck!

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.