Fishing Report 04-25-07 with pics!

[Sportland_Bait]

Well I snuck out again this morning to chase a few of those speckled slabs. This time I brought my better half. What a beautiful morning to be on the water. It might have been a little too nice. With the lack of a ripple on the water I think the crappies got a little spooky. Fishing was just OK, not as good as yesterday. Every time that we pulled into a spot we would catch a couple just bang bang, then nothing. It was just strange, but thats fishing. Today live bait was the way to go. It wasn't a day for numbers of fish, but the size if these fish made up for it. All of the fish we caught today ranged from 11 inches up to one giant that measured 14 inches. All of them are still swimming, hopefully someone will get a shot at them tomorrow. The water temps are starting to warm, 48 was the reading I had this morning. By next week the temps should creep into the fifties out on the main lakes and even warmer in the bays. The fish will be going bonkers. We caught fish on a variety of jigs today. The top producers were Northland FireFly jigs and minnows, Puddle Jumpers, and Luretech Jigs. When the water is clear and the fish get a little spooky don't forget to try a minnow. I love fishing artificials but I think live bait still serves it's purpose. Here are a few pics from todays action including some of the presentations we used and a few slabs. http://www.sportlandbait.com/brainerd_nisswa_fishing_pictures.html Good Luck this weekend everyone it should be phenomenal. Stop in and see us if you have any questions.

Jason Erlandson

[BoxMN]

Nice fish! Nice day!

I am getting up to cabin for the first time this spring. Crosslake, but not on chain, just small lake. I am hoping to get the dock in and pontoon in and clean up the mouse poop Then its time for some crapps!

I can't wait! It's been since Feb, and we were getting some nice crapps then as well.

[palisade1kid]

You are right about clam water vs.a ripple.

Nice report.

I'm heading out with my dad,son & a friend for some slabs tonight.

I'm gonna try to have my friend stay with his minnow while I'll stay with my hair jig just to see who does what.

I might ask my son to use just plastics that Loby has.

[Hopper]

Box- have ever fished Big Pine off of HWY 3? My In-laws just bought a place on that lake. I know the pine river runs through it. Any help would be appreciated.

Hopper

[BoxMN]

Hey Hopper. I haven't been on it, but I know it is pretty shallow for the most part. I know they catch plenty of walleye under the dam in the spring, so not sure where the fish go to after that, but they should be in the lake somewhere, I would guess the deepest part. Should be smallies in there are well, especially agains in deeper water or where there is current.

I am actually on Obrien Lake, about 4 miles E of crosslake as the crow flies. Long narrow lake. The smaller lakes don't have the big fish the bigger lakes do, but they can be fun. Our lake doesn't have access, which kind of stinks because we never know how or when we can get pontoon onto it, as we have steep bank in front, and friends who have access don't get up until opener.

Lots of smaller lakes to try, and having the chain nearby is really nice. We usually launch at the Corps campground launch.

Congrats on your in-laws getting a place, it is a great part of the state to hang your hat in You and they will love it! Nice thing about smaller lakes is once you find fish, you can count on it year after year and not even really have to get up on a plane to get to your spot, hehe.

[IRISHSOBNO4]

dad and i used to fish it once in a while when i was a kid

the crappies then wer pretty good size 1-1.25Lbs the norm.

now you might catch one that size if you fish it hard mostly small fish now. plenty of hammer handles to be had.

it is like most lakes in the area it gets hit hard when the

fish are biting and then nothing for a couple years.

with more people moving to the area i expect this will

happen more often.

[Hopper]

Thanks guys for the in-sight. I have fished the Chain before and loved it. I fished Big pine this winter and we caught lots of Hammer handles and small crappies and sunnies. I'm really looking forward to duck hunting. I have to find out if there is any city limits around that lake that rstrict hunting. Any insight on that issue?

[BoxMN]

You can't hunt at all there! The whole area is in a refuge from firearms. Be careful, and get a map with the boundary. I can't shoot deer with a rifle or shotgun at my place, but I could hunt them with bow.

You don't have to go too far for hunting, but not on your lake, I am pretty sure, but not positive. It is called the Crosslake Game Refuge, but not sure where the southern boundary is. You may be out of it, but I doubt it.

Good luck!

[IRISHSOBNO4]

i think co rd. 36 is the cut off to the refuge