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Posts: 275
| It's that time of year to start the report again. Annually we have many posts,
helping others with the obsession. We are all anxiously awaiting the opening
next Saturday. We passed the time this weekend by fishing for bass and northerns
on Tonka. Water temperature and clarity varies by bay. The bass and northerns we
caught hit hard and we caught some nice crappies on the flyrod. They also hit hard.
Not many, but good quality fish. We did spook some muskies in the shallows.
Several of them were sunning in the warmest water in the ultra shallows. Be careful
in Crystal Bay and going under the Arcola Bridge. Too many people short on common
sense. Have a great season!
Tom |
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Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn. | As many of the old timers to this board know, I used to start this thread every year. The last couple of years, as many are aware, due to my wifes illness and passing I haven't been fishing much or very active on this board. This year I plan on fishing my arms off. So I will post much more often.
I got a new boat this spring. I have it mostly rigged and ready but there's some odds and ends to be done. I haven't been fishing yet for anything so really can't provide to much insight with this post. I've been on White Bear and Bald Eagle trying to get the break in hours done.
I was on both lakes a week ago Monday, May 23. White Bear. I noticed water temps in the low 60s. Was surprised by that because of all the rain and cool weather. That day was a bright sunny day with warm temps. I tooled around the shallows on the west side of Manitou Is. Didn't see any signs of muskies. Partner saw a couple of small fish but overall the real shallows were a dead zone. I did mark some fish suspended off the sides of the various humps and midlake structure. Got a new color unit (WOW GET ONE IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT.) and some of the marks looked like good sized fish. Not claiming that they were 'skis but bigger than bait and small fish. Went out over the deepest water in the lake and marked a few decent fish down 40 to 50 feet. No clue as to what they are. Walleyes, suckers, carp, pike, muskies? your guess is as good as mine.
Blad Eagle: Haven't been on this lake much in the past few years. Noticed that the water color seemed clear. Much clearer than I ever remember it, but then it's early and the blooms haven't started. Again fish seemed suspended near structure. Boats were fishing but I couldn't tell if they were catchin anything. Water temps were a little warmer at 62. I noticed what appeared to be weeds on the sonar down to 20 feet or so. Much deeper than any weeds I ever remember on this lake. Deeper than White Bear even, which seems very odd. Still this is only my second time on the water with the new unit and I may not know what weeds look like on a color unit yet. So maybe they weren't weeds.
Anyhow, that's a report on conditions on the 2 big N.E. metro lakes as of a week ago. Water temps should up a bit after the last couple of sunny days.
Oh, the new boat is a fire engine red Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185. Custom paint job to match the truck. I named the boat after the nickname I had for my wife. I call it the S.S. Hugmuffin. The name is on the side of the boat near the registration #s. So if you see me on the water, stop and say hi! |
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Posts: 113
Location: Shoreview, MN | I posted this elsewhere, but Owasso was sprayed with herbicide on 6-2-05. Within a week all the weeds will be dead. I had no luck yesterday fishing for bass. Water clarity was pretty good (4-5') and the pondweed is up, but not really all that great, and I found no cabbage.
I was on WB a week ago for the bass opener. Water temp was 58-59. Weeds look pretty good in a lot of areas but not much using them. Got a few small pike shallow and a couple decent bass that had clearly not yet spawned. With the nice weather this week I'd guess it's got the bass spawning and the pike will move shallower too.
Can anybody report any conditions on Forest?
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Posts: 678
Location: Twin Cities, MN | Hi,
I hit forest with my traditional opening day partner. Lots of wind, and as usual, lots of weeds. I had three follows, all on a black bucktail with a white blade. All three were lazy follows with none showing a true interest in actually biting. Lots of boats out today, and it looked like most were muskie fishing.
Pal |
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Posts: 105
| metro lakes were really slow. got an early start around 6ish. had ten+ follows on top and gliders, all lazy, lots of fish, no real takers. did manage to get a 37inch pike. how did others do in the area? |
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Posts: 2378
| got a 36 or so on a hellhound on Waconia...only fish we saw all day.
got soaked to the bone too |
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| Hit Forest this morning about 5:15 am, and by 5:45 I had a 31" and 39" in the boat, and nailed a 41 shortly after 8:00 am. My best opener so far hands downs, and a personal best day to boot, 3 fish one outing...
I threw nothing but gliders all day REAL SLOW with ever so important pauses...
Esox23 |
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Posts: 267
Location: Right behind you (tap, tap) BOOO | Forgot to log on... |
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Posts: 185
Location: Mendota Heights, MN | Fished WB all day Sat. 5-2, few small pike and one decent bass caught. Saw no follows, but did have one swim right in front of the boat shallow.
Water temps ranged from 62.4 - 66.8 (surface temps) around the lake. Maybe got warmer by evening.
Got soaked, got sore, had a great time.
Steve
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | We were on Tonka saturday [QUACK]... four follows, all smaller fish. My bilge works great............
We kind'a knew we were in for it when my fishing partner asked what the water temp was when we
hit the first spot... 66.6
But hey, we broke the seal... ready to go now! |
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Posts: 223
Location: minneapolis | Thanks to my generous boat host Marine 1 we had a decent opener on Forest.
Fished early am 'til about noon and moved 1/2 dozen fish ( including a 50" class beast ) and put a couple of thick mid 30's fish in the boat. Many other muskie fisherman on the lake- looked like Ranger boat convention was going on !
Water temps were mostly high 60's throughout the lake, Marine 1 - aka gadget man- can give specifics on temps and barometer levels every 10 mintues ! 
Got my first "weagle muskie" on the very first cast - cool way to start the season
Had alot of fun ( it's always great to meet guys from this board )
all in all - a good day on the water and a nice start to the season ! |
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Posts: 275
| Fished Tonka this morning. We got a late start,but
I think the weather forecast kept many boaters home.
Lots of spots at the launch, even when we took out. One half-hearted follow
in very shallow water. The fish was curious and definitely not
afraid. Shifted to bass and had a great day on spinnerbaits and
senkos. Temperatures were in the 64-68 degree range. Weeds are
growing better in the warmer water. Traditional summer spots had
a number of boats on them.
Tom |
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| Had a short time on Baldy Sat evening. Saw a couple, slow and low while it was sunny in the early evening. A guy who passed by me (going the opposite direction) got one about 40", about 50 yrds down from an area I had just worked pretty well with about 3 different style baits - at least I had the location right . Pretty sure he was using a slow jerk bait. DNR guy at the ramp said he had heard of a few nice fish caught.
Weeds are way behind last year and relatively little along the S and E shorelines (maybe the homeowners have already sprayed?), also didn't find much on the big "fingers" on the S end of the lake. The W humps had nicer weeds, but nothing appeared to be using them.
It was a really beautiful night, but nobody told the fish.
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| MNSteve
That was probably me and my partner you saw. Sorry I wasn't more 'talky'. Had I known it was you, I would have introduced myself. We had a good opener, and you are correct on the presentation. If we cross paths again, give a shout and I'll tell you what I've been seeing. I'm in a big white Ranger 621.
BrianF. |
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| out yesterday about 5hrs "mon' ,,we had around 35-37 follows put the hooks in three with one 46,,,"MAN" did it feel good to "NOT" fish in raingear and actually sweat,,unfortunitly the mosquitos made their debut though |
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| Moved two fish on Calhoun last night (Thursday). High 30s, most likely. On bucktails. Surface temp was 74, north end was really green and south end was fairly clear. Never have seen that before. Another interesting point, saw more "natural" weeds than I have ever seen on Calhoun. Maybe the milfoil is just not there yet, but it was nice to see. Could also be that I am just early in the season. Beautifyl night to be out. |
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| Fished the Croix last night
Water temps 73 to 78 degrees. The water was still fairly high but the clarity was good.
41" on topwater
Has one bump and miss a spinner.
Saw some photos of 48" take by some likewike afflicted angler.
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| This Saturday's Metro Tourney was a total bust for my partner and I and everyone else who chose to fish Lake Independence. We saw only 5 fish in 9.5hrs. of serious pounding the water. To my knowledge, no legals were caught from Indy and we saw a guy land a small 24". I blame the rain and the SE wind.
No legals from Waconia, Bald Eagle, and Eagle to name a few. I heard it was Forest/ White Bear or bust. |
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| Hit Calhoun Friday night. 4 follows, one decent one. All were pretty slow. Bucktal and spinner baits. Caught 3 bonus pike over 26 inches. Not bad for a metro lake. Had the lake to ourselves. Flat calm.
Fished Tonka on Saturday 9:30 to 3:30. One lazy follow on a mid-30s fish. Very slow. Beautifyl day. Fished bucktails, spinner baits, phantom, and a short time on topwater. Anyone doing anything out there this year? |
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Posts: 105
| started on French sun, the traffic was out of control, moved to calhoun to get away from all the madness. only boat out there. really flat and hot. water temp was in the 70's. 5 follows all on an AP lure. stayed after dark till midnight, saw and heard nothing after dark, it has been really tough on metro lakes. |
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Posts: 275
| We fished Deer today. Water and weeds are in great shape. However, there
had been some spraying and we saw a guy dragging the weeds with his boat in front of his
place. Temperatures were from mid 60s to low 70s. We had one follow and saw two others.
Bass, however were great...almost a career day. I've got a bad habit of shfting to bass
when muskies are slow.
Tom |
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| Fished WBL Saturday Morning.
Water temps were 73-75
Had a hit and a miss on topwater and a follow from a decent fish on a Jerkbait. The follow came up from under the boat and I could not raise the fish again. Fished for 5 hrs and caught 2 small bass and 2 small pike.
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Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn. | Well finally after getting the new boat rigged and some unexpected problems with the trailer, I got out on the water. Hit the Bear last night. 1 largemouth about 2 1/2 pounds. A couple of other blow ups then dead. Water temps at 77 by my Lowrance unit. So it's warming up and we should be hitting that presummer peak, but couldn't prove by me.
Water levels way way up. Seemed about a good 3 feet or so. Hard to judge in the dark but I had the trailer backed in pretty far and the boat still really wasn't deep enough to come off the trailer. Ramp slope not very steep when the water is high. The underwater concrete apron is back farther so when the water is up the slope isn't very good.
Lots of milfoil floating. Much, Much more than I remember in past years, but due to wifes illness haven't fished much and wasn't on White Bear at all last year, so for me it was quite a noticeable change. Also was reading weeds down to 20 feet deep on the graph. That also is a big change from the past. Used to be the weed line was 15 to 17 feet. I don't know if this is due to clearer water so the weeds are growing deeper or if it's the same as in the past but all the rain has raised the water levels so there are deeper weeds than normal. Stayed out until 4:00 am, beautiful night to be on the lake, warm, calm, no bugs, full moon, but except for the activitiy at sundown with the bass the rest of the night was dead. Maybe to bright with the full moon?
Getting older, I've got aches in places that I didn't even know I had places. I've forgotten how much work throwing muskie baits is.
Edited by fishpoop 6/23/2005 11:43 PM
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | Hit Tonka this morning for a few hours... el-zippo.
Water temps were 78-79 degrees, the water is high, weeds are thick...
Talked to a couple of bass fishermen and a walleye guy, they saw my gear and immediately said, "heck, we haven't even seen any muskies this year yet... we usually see them when we're out and about."
I marked larger fish near the bottom, in 16 - 19 ft of water. I noticed a lot of smaller fish on the outside of the weedbeds in 8 to 14 ft of water... Carp are enjoyng themselves.
Tight lipped so far... Might have to swing into some night fishing with this heat, etc... |
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Posts: 479
Location: Eden Prairie & Pine Island | Not sure the night bite is going on Tonka, yet, either...4 1/2 hours last night to midnight and na da. Is it possible for the temperatures to have raised too fast causing them to shut down? |
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| Ive been making the rounds and fishing sucks,,talked to the dnr this week and quite a few smaller metro lakes have a dose of culminaris a bacteria,,its common every year maybe a little more this year but it causes panfish to die,,shouldnt effect the muskies but maybe the catching has with the panfish stumbling around sick the muskies are getting alot of easy meals and might not be so intrested in chasing lures,,at tleast thats what the biologist told me,,might want to head up north to fish the next couple weeks |
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Posts: 275
| We fished Tonka on Wednesday and this morning. The ramps are
virtually empty and the lake is so peaceful until about 11:30.
The muskies are so indifferent, it reminds me of dating in high
school. We are also marking them deep, but they are as unresponsive
as the Minnesota legislature. Water temp is in the 75-77 range. Lots
of floating milfoil bits. Fortunately the bass are biting. Biggest today was
a 21" on a spinnerbait. we are not seeing/catching little northerns...sort of
good news and bad news. I have been seeing baitfish/panfish schooling over deeper water.
Does anyone know if that means anything. I have been fishing around them hoping to pick
up a predator, but that strategy has not worked. Today I finally caught a bass on a surface
lure, they have been more receptive to horizontal presentations. I have not tried topwater for
muskies yet, so maybe that is a good sign. Others who have posted are talking about topwaters, so
I think I will start using them on the edges of darkness. Talked to a guy at the ramp this morning,
who said he caught a small one and he was out during the storm, so when I get there the blazing sun
comes out. Hope you have better news that this.
Tom |
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Posts: 113
Location: Shoreview, MN | Fished Forest Wed evening - very slow. One smallish ski followed a spinner and a couple half-hearted rolls on a Viper in the thick weeds. Other guys seemed to be doing the same.
Fished Owasso Sunday night - amazingly little boat traffic, maybe because the wind was howling pretty good. Weeds are pretty much non-existent and water clarity only about 1'. One little guy (~30") blasted a topraider and went airborn to give me a little excitment, but otherwise nothing. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Fishing sucks right now. Out for 14 hours on Sat with one follow and one blow-up. Out 3 hours Sunday with 0.
Water temps have been 75-79.6. Water @ 10' is 70-72deg.
Tons of baitfish, which is why the fishing probably sucks right now.
Although we were out last Tuesday and got 2 and lost 1. Thank God I'll be in Canada next week! |
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| tigers went on a rampage thurs,fri,,3 in two days and missed some more,,seems like when you get a couple hot.hot no wind days in a row the last two hours of the day is great for the pretty barred ones,,,,,Had to sell raffle tickets at Cabelas all weekend but snagged a brand new Frogg Togg set for $9 stopped off for a couple hours afterwards but nothing ,,seems more and more like Tigers and wind dont mix |
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Posts: 26
| Same kind of reports for the West Coast crackers such as myself...west metro that is. One fish who committed hari cari and impaled himself on my treble, otherwise, slow going from everyone I've talked to - and some good sticks too....
Edited by Tackleman 6/27/2005 1:23 PM
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| 38" and 39" Friday on Forest, Sat night on Tonka three blowups and lost a 50" class fish, straightened a hook on the Mag Dawg. Sucks. |
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Posts: 275
| Fished Calhoun this morning. Water temp was mid 70s. Thought I would
avoid all the boats on Minnetonka. Turns out 7 other boaters throught the
same thing. Did not see any muskies. We did catch bass on both the inside and
outside weed edge.
Tom |
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| I was also out on Calhoun this moring, wanting to avoid tonka, waconia, and indy. Red Lund, two brothers one thorwing a fly rod for muskies. No fish, no follows, nothing. |
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Posts: 13
Location: Maplewood,MN | Fished tonka on sun. night didn't see any fish. There were not many people on the lake then. Fished mon. on indy and got one mid 30's and had one other follow. |
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Posts: 275
| JOJO,
We were the white Lund following you.
My wife was catching small bass and sunfish with
the flyrod on clouser minnows. We caught bass
using Senkos. I usually have more action on Calhoun
at dusk. I think I will go their again on a cloudy day.
tom
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Posts: 275
| We just got back from a week on Vermilion.
Is anything happening?
Tom |
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | Has anyone been on Tonka lately? I haven't been out there since 6/23. Any idea on the water temps?
Thanks,
~ Terry
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Posts: 275
| Water temps have really come down. Today was in the mid 70s.
We fished this morning. Northerns was very aggressive and the largest
was 9 pounds. Bass were also active. I had one muskie who hit way out
in about 4' of water. Unfortunately it hit a half ounce spinnerbait. The first pass
by the boat I could see it was not hooked well. On the 2nd pass the whole body and especially
the head were thrashing back and forth. Amazing picture to replay in my head. And that will have
to do as it thrashed the hook out. It would have easily been my personal best. What a fish! We were
the 6th boat at the launch and seemed to have the lake to ourselves until we left.
We can't get out tomorrow. Maybe Thursday will break the drought.
Tom |
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | Thanks Tom... it sounds like it's time to get the boat wet again!
~ Terry |
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Posts: 185
Location: Mendota Heights, MN | no no no no no.......... Metro water temps are still way to high..........I will let you know when they are cool enough to fish again...........danger danger danger will robinson, repeat still to hot....stay off the water.....I will let you know 
Steve |
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Posts: 8
Location: twin cities, mn | Fished Lake Independence Wednesday morning. Boated 1 - 38” and had a few other lazy follows. Fish hit in 6’ of water, on a firetiger grinder, at 8:30am. Surface temp was 70 and the fish was released healthy with a lot of fight still in her. |
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Posts: 113
Location: Shoreview, MN | Hit Forest Wed night. I may be the last to know this but the lake 1 ramp is closed for construction. Had to run around to the ramp on Lake 3. And, there were a several big trees down at the lake 3 ramp so parking was somewhat limited.
Waters temps of 76-78 was about what I was getting 1-3' deep. Fishing was slow. Had one lazy follow from ultra-shallow water along a line of shade where the water was pretty clear, and saw a couple others surface right around sunset. Had one strike after sunset without a hook-up - seemed small. Otherwise, not even a snake.
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Posts: 275
| Fished Tonka this morning. Water temps on the surface about 75.
Even the little northerns were inactive. I think I will do yard
work for the next week.
Tom |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Fished Tonka Friday evening and caught lots of Northerns up to about 3 ft long. Saw some Muskies, but the waves from the big boats kicked my butt. Ended up with a sprained ankle after getting hit by big waves from two different directions. Almost got tossed right out of my 1750 Fishhawk. Ughh! Those big cabin boats seemed to be aiming for me. One idiot in a +30 fter drove out of his way and within 15 feet of me to see what I had caught. Tossed me around like a bobber.
Might try it again this week when fewer big boats are out there. Not sure if the injured foot was worth it though. Might just take my 5 year old daughter sun-fishing instead.... |
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| has to be a pattern to exploit,,anybody know a way to research which lakes have "springs" in them |
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Posts: 3
| CPRed a 40" last night, had another decent fish come unbuttoned after a short tussle and caught some nice northerns. Pretty active evening with the front coming in. Had to resort to speed trolling spinnerbaits to get a strike. Not my favorite approach in August but I use single hook baits so I could release fish very quickly and I backed the boat down each time to shorten the fight. Fish were plenty feisty as I released them. Got a bath every time. FYI those Lindy gloves are great! The toothy critters can't bite thru them and you get a good grip. |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | What are the water temps here in the metro?? I have not been on a metro lake in over a week with the hot hot weather the water has got to be in the 80's. Thinking about heading out tommorow night and the early mornings this weekend.
WB, TONKA, EAGLE, INDY, water temps any body???
JEff |
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Posts: 275
| We fished the west side of Tonka this morning. Surface temperatures
were primarily in the mid 70s. We went back into Halsteads Bay for the
first time to check it out. Temperature was 80 and the water was very green.
We caught bass and northerns throughout the west side side and had two muskie follows.
One on a buzzbait and one on a spinnerbait. The buzzbait follow was waking behind the lure
all the way to the boat. It was just goofing with me as the mouth was closed and it veered off
at the 8. The spinnerbait fiah was hotter, but I ran out of room at the boat. It stayed for part
of the 8 and then split. I tried to walk down the boat to extend the cast. I felt if I had 3 more
feet she would have bit. Beautiful day on the water, but the skunk is still in the boat this year.
Tom |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Fished Tonka Saturday morning from 5:00 am until 8:00 am. Didn't see a single Muskie or even a Northern. Worked shallows, deep weed edges, and some open water where I had seen Muskies the last time out. With the wind direction and weather patterns, the fish should have been there. Ended up retreating when the big boats starting coming out.
That was the first morning I ever fished Tonka without seeing at least one Muskie. What gives? Maybe I'm just jinxed this year..... |
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Posts: 27
| Got a 40.5" on Saturday morning, and a 40" on Sunday morning on Indy....both came on gliders. Only saw one other fish besides these two...fished 6:30-9:30 both days.
One additional observation....people (a.k.a. weekend morons) should be required to pass a test to unload and load their boat before being allowed to hit the water. Seriously, I question how some people are able to get themselves dressed in the morning. |
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| Fished Tonka Sat a.m. 5:30-10:00. Saw three, one mid 40's, come in on a Swimmin' Joe. Caught and released (boat partner wouldn't let me keep it) a potential state record (9-10 lbs) Bowfin (Dogfish) on a 8" Billy Finn copper bucktail. Thought it was a musky right away, imagine my dissappointment at the boat and in the net.
Mike |
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Posts: 33
Location: Prior Lake, Minnesota | I fished Friday on Mille Lacs before the tourny raised one mid 40's on a MIG spinnerbait and had the biggest fish I have ever seen in freshwater snap at my swimwiz as I ripped it through the weeds. Easy 40+ pound fish. Not my day I quess. One 40 inch northern for the day. Water temps between 73 and 75 and good weed cover. Spent most of the day in Vineland though. |
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Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | muskyporn - 8/8/2005 9:39 PM
Fished Tonka Sat a.m. 5:30-10:00. Saw three, one mid 40's, come in on a Swimmin' Joe. Caught and released (boat partner wouldn't let me keep it) a potential state record (9-10 lbs) Bowfin (Dogfish) on a 8" Billy Finn copper bucktail. Thought it was a musky right away, imagine my dissappointment at the boat and in the net.
Mike
I'd be very happy with a 10 pound dogfish. Those things are sweet. I'd probably rather get that than a 30" class muskie |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Fished Tonka Saturday. Second Saturday morning in a row with no Muskies seen. Fished shallow cabbage areas, deep weed edges, open water, even tried trolling over and around bait-fish in open water. Nothing.
Can't wait for September when the water temps start going down. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Herb, when are you going to start throwing CJ's??? I'm sure you'd be getting them if you were. |
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| Been chasing Rumors all my life,, secret trout streams with fat brookies,,Keg partys where the girls were supposed to have their tops off by the second beer,, Muskie lakes where they all jump in the boat,,,All wild goose chases,,,
Heard of a lake from a bass pro last winter at the sport shows so being the "sucker" that I am I decided to take my yearly plunge into frustration,,,well whataya know,,,I got 8 my buddy got 4 for the day all under 40 but fun anyways, yes you "can" trust bass people
yeaterday we went to white bear,and it was back to reality,lost a 40..saw two others |
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | Hit Tonka today. First time I've been out there in a while. Water temps ranged from 78.8 to 81.7 The most common temp was 80.4 We were in four different bays, checking around.
Nothing other than that to report... except the usual "Tonka boaters"...
It can only get better... right? ;}
~ Terry |
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| Got out on White Bear yesterday. Boated a 37" on a bucktail and lost another. None others were seen. Water temps 75-76 degrees in the late evening. |
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| Tonka last night,,,we fished shallow,deep,shorelines, off shore humps,,,we had a nice 45' on for a coulpe seconds but that was it no other fish seen,,floaters have always been bad on tonka but this year their horrible,,watertemps 76-77 |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Treats,
I've been throwing CJs some of course and those have been my best baits this year. I've tried lots of other stuff all over the lake in shallows, deep edges, and open water areas that have produced many times before and just a lot of nothing the past two times out. I'm graphing a lot of big fish in open water, but those could just as well be carp too. Even have tried trolling open water over schools of baitfish to no avail. For the first time in the years I have fished that lake, I have absolutely no clue what those fish are doing. Maybe I could figure the fish out if I could get out there a lot more. Maybe.
I'm hoping it all gets better in the next few weeks as the water temps go down. Sure can't get any tougher.
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Posts: 275
| Herb,
We have the same problem and same confusion. For me it has been
a great year for gardening and catching bass. We fished this weekend
in Park Rapids. Surface temperature was 71 and ten feet down it was 62.
We caught Larrys, Sallys, and the Wallys were slamming crankbaits. This weekend
we will be back to Tonka and the struggle. We have one old gal that used to
visit us and check us out in one of the bays, but she has not shown herself this year. She
was too big and too beautiful, so I hope she is OK.
Tom
Edited by MuskyFlyGuy 8/21/2005 7:48 PM
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| Somebody let the fish know that this cool down is supposed to get them going again! I hit Calhoun Saturday from 5:30a.m. until 11:00a.m. and saw one muskie surface and had exactly zero follows. I talked to one other guy who also had zero follows and saw one nice muskie surface. The small number of boats out on such a gorgeous morning should have clued me into the struggle that ensued.
I can't wait for turnover!! |
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Posts: 113
Location: Shoreview, MN | Finally got the monkey off my back this year - 41" on WB Thurs PM - bucktail. Fish were moving pretty good right before the moon rose. Was just lucky enough to be out at the right time.
One thing I've noticed is that spots seem to come and go from year to year. Last year I caught all my fish on different spots than the year before. Two years ago I had a couple spots on WB where I almost always at least saw a fish - but I haven't seen a single fish one those spots for the past year and a half, and, the spots where I caught fish last year I had never seen a fish on before. This year my usual go-to spots have not produced either. The fish I got the other night was in an area that I would have normally passed by. It's difficult to drop my usual milk run of spots but covering all the water has helped me - almost like I have to learn the lake new every year. |
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Posts: 3
| Herb etal Not much luck for me on Tonka either. Cannot get a pattern going. Spots that always produced at least a follow are the dead sea. Had one nice fish come unbuttoned after a decent couple of runs but that was it this week. I was speedtrolling my favorite CJ right on the weed edge maybe 7ft of water. The pike bite seems to be picking up so maybe the muskies will get going soon. |
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | Went out t the last few nights one to let my sister and brother-in law play with a bait caster but also to toss a few new lures. Leaving for Vermilion tomorrow for a few days and figured I want to play with the Hawg Wobbler. Never had one but #*^@ that thing moves water. Noisy as crap too!! Anyway my sister was tossing it and something blew up on it. Don't think it was anything huge, prolly a small tiger. And that was the mag one, brother-in law was tossing the normal one. Now if I can get her to caught a muskie this weekend, it would be really nreat. Other then that nothing else in the inner city for me, very little eye candy now too since it has cooled off...so depressing!
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Posts: 275
| The water temps on Tonka are cooling down. Surface temps were in the
71-72 range. No muskies to report, but lots of northerns were
hitting hard. I wonder if these bluebird skies will hold up until
November.
Tom |
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Posts: 480
| hi, I fished forest lake after watching the fantasic lightning display sept 4th for 2 hours. I caught 1 30"er in lake one, no pike, no follows anywhere. The weeds on the deep edges look great, the muskie boats out I saw seem to be trolling. Most of my lures are now clean and ready to go for the next time out. capt bigfish |
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Posts: 275
| Fished Tonka this morning. Surface temperatures were in the 71-72 range. One casual
follow. Talked to another boat that also had one follow. Nice morning with some wind
and lots of clouds, thought we would have raised more.Considering the size of their brains,
they sure are smart.
tom |
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Posts: 113
Location: Shoreview, MN | Only been out a couple times recently but fish seem to be on the move. Last weekend I only moved fish along the deep weed edges with Triple D's and Depthraiders. Caught a 38" and saw couple larger fish but they were kind of lazy. This past Sat fish were moved up shallow in the re-emerging coontail. Topwaters (Depthraiders early and then Jackpots later in the AM) were the only thing that moved fish and they seemed pretty interested but just didn't eat. Two big fish came in hard on the TR but turned away at the boat. One smaller fish tried to blast (but missed) a Jackpot and then a had another big girl up behind a Jackpot that did everything but eat it. Fall topwater time is here!
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Been out a few times lately and my CJs are getting hammered big time. Seems all the metro lakes are starting to get better.
Don't tell Treats though. |
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Posts: 275
| Fished Bone Lake in Polk County yesterday. The surface
temperature was 64 at 8 a.m. at the launch. It got up to
about 70 at noon in the lake. Caught a 36" out of the shallow
weeds. Had one other small follow. There was alot of bloom on
the water.
Does anyone have any info on Inde?
1. How bad is the bloom?
2. Anyone seeing or catching anything?
Tom |
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | Fished French from 7am till about 4. Saw one, hooked none. Weather got a bit crappy and the southern shoreline has a nice algae bloom, wonderful green pea soup. Talked to some other folks that were leaving at the same time, saw 2 and caught a pike. Oh yah we got some lunch at Hoyt's on the NE corner I believe and they had some nice photos of ski's. Other then that..musky suck! Water temp was 74 I believe. We did the bars, what little we could find of weeds and trolled for a few hours. Zip zero nada. Okay maybe I just suck!
Edited by mm12463 9/17/2005 7:08 PM
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Posts: 275
| We had one follow today on tonka on a spinnerbait. Water temp about 70. Northerns were active
and hitting hard. There was a substantial bloom on top and in the water.
Capt. bigfish,
How did you do on Calhoun this morning?
tom
Edited by MuskyFlyGuy 9/18/2005 2:35 PM
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | Hit a local tiger lake today. Sunny, blue bird sky, zero wind, glass like water. Perfect tiger day if you ask me. But no luck tossing small bucktails and bass spinners. Water's green too.
Played with a TR Twitcher too just to see how it worked, very cool. Other then that was a nice day. Will try again tomorrow. |
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Posts: 480
| muskyflyguy,
I blanked, my brother boated 2 nice pike and a wisconcin ski (sub 40"). We saw our fair share of small fish but nothing to get excited about until things cool down a bit more. I'm looking for low 60's temps and most lakes should be jumping. PM me your lake temps and I'll do the same. capt bigfish |
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Posts: 275
| Fished Tonka today. Surface temperatures got to about 68 degrees.
Great day for fishing! Even with a bass tourney going on there was lots of
room to fish. Thought the muskies would come in droves, but reality says several
follows and we got to watch one sunning herself when the sun came out. What was hitting
was northerns, lots and lots of them. They were smacking the tar out of buzzbaits. My wifes
biggest northern was 31" and mine was 35". Hers hit the buzz at the boat and mine hit a
small crank. We saw two other boats catch and release muskies. Maybe tomorrow will be the day.
Fall fishing is great!
Tom |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Fished Tonka on saturday and got a 42 and 48. Lots of baitfish in shallow. Water was 68 and took one in shallow slowly snapping a weagle and the other on a double cowgirl in about 6 feet of water in the weeds.
jeff |
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Posts: 275
| Tonka this morning - water temps ranged from 60-64. The dominant hatch was speedboats.
Twice drifting a shoreline this morning people jumped in front less than 200 feet. I try to
do 200 yards. I sure liked the clouds and rain of last weekend better. No follows and just several
bass amd northerns. We'll fish different bays tomorrow.
Tom |
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Posts: 3
| My boat got a 54" brute on Minnetonka Sat AM. Jerkbaiting over the weed flats. Only fish we saw but it will do. |
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Posts: 275
| Tonka on Saturday had surface temp of 59 at the launch and in the 60-61 range out in the
main lake. Had a hit and a follow, but am generally clueless right now about a pattern.
I was thinking about going out today, but maybe cleaning up the garden for winter is a better
use of my time.
p.s. - we could use more metro posts.
Tom
Edited by MuskyFlyGuy 10/9/2005 10:19 AM
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| Went out on Sunday morning. Had a couple follows early. Partner lost a mid 30" and boated a 34" on the last cast. Beautiful day on the water. All in all, saw around 6 fish, lost 1, caught 1. Everything was in less than 10ft of water. The two we had on were in 4ft. |
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Posts: 454
| Got out on my favorite metro lake tonight! Fish were really moving! I boated a fat 46" incher in the rain at 5:30p.m and my boat partner had one equally as big or bigger take his seducer boatside only to shake free seconds later. About a half an hour later I had an upper forties fish come at my suick boatside only to miss! We also two other follows from smaller fish. All in all not too bad for a quick three hour night on the water! |
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Posts: 454
| Got out on my favorite metro lake tonight! Fish were really moving! I boated a fat 46" incher in the rain at 5:30p.m and my boat partner had one equally as big or bigger take his seducer boatside only to shake free seconds later. About a half an hour later I had an upper forties fish come at my suick boatside only to miss! We also two other follows from smaller fish. All in all not too bad for a quick three hour night on the water! |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Fished tonka yeserday and raised some nice fish all on walk the dog type topwaters. Water was 59, got a 40" on a weagle. Muskies were all over blowing tiny sunfish out of the water literally over shallow milfoil. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Went up to Rush Lake (MN) yesterday. Water temps were 55 in the morning and got up to 56 in the afternoon. The lake was turning over big time. The Metro lakes will be turning over very soon if they haven't started to already.
Fall fishing is upon us. Trolling season is coming up real soon. |
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Posts: 275
| Tonka today had surface temps around 57 degrees. I am anxious
to hear the results of the tournament as all we could catch
were northerns.
Tom |
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Posts: 207
Location: Mpls, MN | Was on Indy Saturday. Partner was pretty sure lake was turning over already. Water was 57. Saw one but only from a distance. Joe casted a weagle and must have the scared the crap outta the fish when it hit water because the only thing we saw was a explosion of water as the fish took off crying the sky was falling. Was pretty funny. Trolled for a bit too. Nothing. The north end...holy cow crap. That part of the lake REALLY stunk like a public toilet. The local guys won the tourny. Troy and Josh. WTG!
Edited by mm12463 10/16/2005 8:15 PM
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| Im planning on hitting tonka this wedensday but have never fished this late. Where and what do you guys think would work well this time of year? Thanks
Muskieboy |
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| tonka was 55 on saturday,,got a 40 on a jake,,,seems like the east end is still turning over anybody seem to think this too???? |
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| I fished Forest on Sunday, 55 degrees in the middle of the lake and 51 at the boat launch. 2 fish caught on 15" cranks. |
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| I also thought the lake was turning over. It was very cloudy and little dead weeds floating around... and no fish! |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I fished Tonka Friday and it was definitely turning over in places. One could tell by how cloudy the water was. I only found Muskies in the clear water. One has to look a little, but there are areas where the turnover is not having an affect right now and where the fish are very active. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Tonka's been done turning over for a while. Try throwing jerkbaits and twitchbaits. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I think it depends on the bay. Some bays are clear and the turnover seems to be close to complete while others seem to be just getting started. Tonka really is like a series of lakes connected together by channels and they all have their own characteristics. I found surface temperatures ranging from 54 to 57 degrees last Friday depending on the bay.
I've heard some say that turnover is just beginning on most lakes in the metro. At what water temp does turnover usually start and complete anyway? I thought lakes usually turned over when the surface temps hit between 52 and 56 degrees, but I may be wrong on that. Anyone know for sure?
Yep, twitch and jerk baits are working all right. The trick is finding the fish. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Herb, it's over. What you're seeing is an alge bloom. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | OK, so I take it the fish are staying away from the algae blooms? |
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| out again afternoon,,painted lines in the water surface with our casts on west end,,we missed one saw another,,very tough..lotta musky boats in OCT has compared to just two years ago |
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| On Rebecca last evening for a couple hours before sunset. Moved 4 and one 37" in the net at sunset from about 3' of water. All the fish were shallow.
Mike |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | You might want to leave Rebecca alone. That is where the DNR gets all the eggs for the metro Muskie stocking. The DNR asked Muskies, Inc members to not fish Rebecca and I, for one, no longer fish there and haven't for years.
Besides, Independence has as good or better numbers and much larger fish and is not far from Rebecca. |
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Posts: 454
| I was out on my favorite metro lake again last night. Boated a 40" at 5:00 and within the next 30 minutes we had 3 more follows follows from fish in the same area, but couldn't get them to go. After that short 30 minute window, nothing for the rest of the night.
Anyone else out last night experience the same window around this time?
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Out from 4-6:30 fish were pretty active the whole time. None to eat though. Bulldawgs, gliders, and topwaters were moving the fish. |
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Posts: 275
| On Tonka today the temperatures ranged from 52.5 in Crystal Bay to 54.5
in the main lake east of there this afternoon. My wife had a follow and I caught
a small one. Beautifully spotted and oh so feisty. Will go out again tomorrow.
Tom |
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Posts: 275
| Minnetonka surface temperatures today ranged between 47.5 and 50.5. Nothing for the last
two times, not even a small northern. Time to either raise the white
flag or fish for walleyes.
Tom
Edited by MuskyFlyGuy 11/12/2005 6:58 PM
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Posts: 185
Location: Mendota Heights, MN | White Bear still at 41-42 degrees. Still puttin out fish.
Steve |
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| lakes still kicking out,, 44' today,,fish had a quickstrike and 30ft of line stuck in the side of him just behind the gill,,strange??? |
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| Happy was that fish caught in the city by any chance? My buddy had a fish break his line while using a quick stike rig the weekend of Nov. 12th and 13th. |
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| yes!!!,,,about 30ft of tufline,, quickstike rig had green beads,,,it was east of beach right before you turn out to the bar |
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| Lakes STILL kicking out!!! at least has far has sat,,know of a 45 low 40 and 38 on sat,,and earlier a 50 1/2...crazy but still available |
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Posts: 14
Location: Burnsville, MN | Hey Happy, thanks for catching the fish my daughter missed, bummer to have that tuff line break. But now she's bragging that she almost caught a 44:) I looked at the "cam' today and she's frozen...bummer. What boat do you fish out of? I'm in a blue ranger, usually have kids along.
Todd |
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| I fish out of a silver ranger 1600v,,or ,,,Tell your daughter its still there for her to catch, the quickstrike in the side didnt even draw blood it swam off fine and fat,,drove by there yesterday and the ice was 50ft past the landing,,earliest in 8 yrs I can rememeber it freezing,,'however' the sister lake was about 50% open and the landing still useable,,but that was before last nights 10 below |
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Posts: 3511
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Where you still finding open water?
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Posts: 454
| I would assume Calhoun and Harriet |
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| Theres open water if you want it!!!!,,,river below ford dam has fish |
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Posts: 14
Location: Burnsville, MN | Thanks Happy...bummed about the early ice. Last year the last fish we caught was on the 11th and I thought that was early...oh well. I'll look for you next yr.
Todd |
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Twin Cities Metro Report