Exploring the Tamarac River above Steel Bridge...

[deja vu]

Last Saturday featured clouds and strong wind gusts... But there were periods of sunshine in the afternoon, so I went exploring on the Tamarac River to about a mile above the Steel Bridge.

The water clarity in the lower part of the river was the same as the lake... one could see your bait if it was less than 6" deep! But somewhere near Steel Bridge the water became very clear... I could see the underwater plant growth near the river banks.

As I got further upstream I began to get glimpses of the river bottom, when the surface was calm and the sun was at the right angle... And when the river depth became less than 5 feet, I started to pick out the huge walleyes -- quite a few of them -- swimming next to the plant growth edgeline.

I rigged my cane pole, and tried to drop a crappie minnow just in front of some of the larger fish. Not interested... but the smaller fish, from 19" to 24" in length, quickly snapped up my bait. I caught eight walleyes in about an hour, none even remotely near 17" in length. I also caught two northern pike, 22" and 24" in length. I kept one, so I'd at least have something to eat at supper...

I kept thinking how nice it would have been to show young fishermen this gathering of walleye big MaMa's... and some not so big.

There was a surprising amount of traffic on the river... mostly local people with river access living near Steel Bridge. Small 12' and 14' boats, with outboard motors under 10 hp.

I wonder if anyone has ever caught a walleye under 17" upstream of Steel Bridge? But, an eye-opening experience if you've got some kids to entertain.

May be almost over, for this year...

[Scott K]

I was upthere also on saturday, I dont know where steel bridge is, but I went under 2 bridges, well 3 if you count the one by the public landing. I believe the last one we went under was a steel bridge, we didnt have your luck though. Although we did catch fish, we trolled cranks, up and down the river mid afternoon, and maybe picked up 10 walleye, a couple keepers.

Then the wind died down and we went out on the main lake. We had better luck in the river.

Friday was by far our best day of fishing, but the boats on the main lake were terrible. I could barely squeeze between boats to get out of the river.

[kelly-p]

Quote:

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but I went under 2 bridges, well 3 if you count the one by the public landing. I believe the last one we went under was a steel bridge,

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There are only 2 bridges. Highway #71 by the landing and the steel bridge.

The river is not as good fishing this year as last year. I believe it is the lack of current. It quit flowing last June. Send rain.

[Scott K]

Really? I could have sworn I went under another one! Oh well, the rest of the story is true!

[BLACKJACK]

We also took a cruise up the river on Sat, its a nice change of pace from playing bumper boats on the lake, checking out the shore fisher people, looking at the different cabins, etc.

When we first came up to Red about 10 years ago after the crappies, my brother mentioned that we should look around for a piece of land or cabin, boy are we kicking ourselves now!!!! Some of those little places along the river would be great!!!!

[grpd]

hoping you can help me out me out, I am bringing my elderly in laws to island lake this memorial weekend and wondering if it is very windy do you think there is a chance there will still be walleyes or crappies or both in the tamarac river towards and beyond the state park and are the only landings for this stretch of the river would be the two public ones near the state park, by the bridge and the other by the ball field. Thanks for any info on this