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| Haven't been out yet, am going on Monday. So how was the opener in the Metro area? Any Luck?
I had a friend who was out yesterday,5-31-02, for sunnies. He was on an E. Metro lake that's clear and deep. He said that the sunfish in shallow all were small,but he got some nice sunfish in 20+ feet. Surface water temp was 68 and he said that he didn't see any sign of weed growth yet. He said that he saw one Muskie sunning herself up shallow. |
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| Fish were real active but tight-lipped. Saw at least 12 ranging in size from low 20's to nearing 50. Most all moved for a 6" Jake or Baby DepthRaider - perch pattern. Most were in the emerging cabbage on the deep edges (12-14') but as the day went on I did see a few a bit shallower (8-10') in dark-bottm areas. Bass and pike were slamming the Jake in even shallower water, 4-6' (weeds a must) but I didn't see any ski's that shallow. The majority of the small panfish were still on the breaklines.
I stuck with the Baby DR because it kept moving fish, but they wouldn't open up. I guess next time out I'm going to work real, real slow with a small glider or maybe a small rubber creature.
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| Thought I would go to that deeper clear lake in the E. Metro, but with the thunder and lighting that's going on now plus the lousy forecast for tomarrow I'm not sure that I'm even going to go.
Mn.SteveH: Am I to assume that you were on the lake that we have talked about in the past? Sounds like your at least seeing fish and that's a step in the right direction. |
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| I hit the water yesterday. Water temp about 67. Weeds are starting to come up,found some green cabbage and coontail. Caught small pike. Had a follow from a upper 30 low 40 inch fish. Buddy had a big hit from a fish. Thought it was a big pike,no hooks. |
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| Been moving fish everyday out, not alot of bitters. Best luck has been on the large jointed Depthraiders on deep weed lines. Hooked a beast the other day on a north metro lake but with one head shake boatside she was gone [:blackeye:] |
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| Was out yesterday, nothing doing. Couldn't even buy a follow. Was very surprised because it was solid overcast and I have always done well out there with overcast skys. Water temp up a couple of degrees, to 69. Even was out during the dark of the moon phase with a partial solar eclispe and that didn't get them moving.
Saw some other boats flogging for skis but don't know how anyone did. Weeds are green and growing. |
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| Shady and I were on tonka yesterday each in our own boats trying to find a pattern. It was TOUGH!!!!! I lost one of respectable size and he got a 38"er. The best places we found were in areas that had current or windy points/bars. Fish were shallow for the most part 3-6'. Chart was a good color. We'll see what happens later in the week. |
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| Tried Forest Lake this morning. Water temps were 67.5 degrees everywhere on lake three and two where I fished. Weeds everywhere. Floaters and weeds right below the surface in alot of places on lake three.
I had about a 30-35 inch muskie on for about 3 seconds that followed my bait half way around the boat, and then finally hit it the third time she tried.
My partner also got a 30 inch muskie to the boat around the same spot about an hour later. His we actually had unhook.
Both fish came on bucktails on a sand bar in about 7 feet. Yellow/brass blade.
Pal |
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| Have tried four musky lakes this year and only one follow. Confidence is lagging. Fished Waconia yesterday without a follow. Maybe today I will take a nap instead.
tom |
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| I'm still fishing my usual east metro lake and very consistently moving fish along deep weedlines twitching small crankbaits - perch baby DR has been hot! but lots of lookers - very few eaters. I have yet to see a musky in less than about 8', but the pike are there in the shallow weeds. Havn't caught a bass in about 2 weeks so they're either spawning or just finished. Panfish are also still pretty deep. Find deep isolated cabbage patches in 12-14'and it's almost a guarantee that muskys are there. Water temp was about 65. Think I'll try a couple other lakes with darker water - they seem to be a bit warmer and fish may be a bit more inclined to eat. |
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| My wife and I fished Bone Lake today for the first time. We caught some bass and had three musky follows. All fish were in under five feet of water. Even though they were close-lipped, it still gets your heart pumping.
Tom |
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| Glad to see all the posts and reports,lets keep it going.
I won't have anything to add for a week or so as I have family commitments that will keep me off the water. But I'll keep checking in to see what I'm missing. Good Luck! |
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| Hit an east central lake last night, and MN Steve's report was right on the money! Had a rookie out with us and he popped his cherry with a low 30"s fish on a reef hawg. Saw some other nicer fish but no takers. Had a scary situation on the water last night also. We were cruising from spot to spot in a 16ft. lund, and powerboater flew up behind us, cut in front of us, and tossed me out of the front seat of my buddies boat doin about 30mph. Got an ID on the boat, and HE WILL PAY!!!! Thanks for drivin your boat back to your lift, we saw you and you will GET YOURS!!!!![:devil:]
KOMER |
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| B420: The Best revenge is to turn them into the county sheriff water patrol. They could face heavy fines, possible jail time, or loss of boating privilages.
Remmeber that Mn law holds you responsible for your wake. If your wake causes another boat to have a mishap, your responible! So turn these Aholes in. [:bigsmile:] |
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| I agree turn those "A" holes in.
I almost hate to admit this but I was on the Fox Chain in IL on Monday and this "A" hole ran top speed between my boat and the shore. There was only about 40 feet between my boat and no wake marker for shore. As he drove by I through up my hands as if to say "what the F*&K". He then turned his boat around and came through the spot again at a slow speed to ask if the fishing in this spot was good. He was very deliberate in his actions. We should have reported him but we didn’t. What a Jackass.
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| Fished Forest on Wednesday from 10-5, a couple of dink pike and decent largemouths, but no skis. Saw two fish, both on bass sized spinner baits, nothing moving on any musky sized baits. All the activity was in 4-6 feet of water. Should ahve been a good day: hot, humid, cloudy, windy, rained on us a couple times. Very disappointing.
Yesterday fished White Bear from 4-10 pm. Tons of dink pike, and one 3-4 pound large mouth. Also had three follows, two on small bucktails (one nipped, but didn't really seem interested in eating), and one very low and slow follow on a Top Walker.
It's been a tough year for me so far, but both of those days were still better than being in the office. Unfortunately, now I have to work for a few weeks[:knockout:] Bummer!!! (of course, I'll find the time if Waterwolf ever responds to my e-mail!!!!)
Keep posting guys.
Thanks,
Bill |
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| I haven't fished any other lake than Bald Eagle this year so far. It's becoming a zoo as of late with all the pleasure boaters and jet skis. Rarely go a night without seeing a fish but the jerk a$$ water skiers are getting to me. I think I might find another lake to fish but Bald Eagle has produced some real good action for me so far this season with some big fish. |
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| My wife and I fished Inde this morning. We caught a few small bass and had three follows. The third follow was a hot prospect, but I ran out of room by the boat and an open mouth veered off. The lake got very crowded by noon.
tom |
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| Heard a rumor tonight at work, and I'll say upfront that I'm not certain that I believe it.
Rumor has it that a nine (9) foot long sturgon was found washed up on the shore of White Bear Lake. Supposedly the fish was already badly decomposed but they threw it on a scale and it went 70+ pounds. According to the guy I heard it from, he saw the story in the St. Paul paper. Has anyone else heard anything about this? Seems farfecthed to me, but I remember a few years back another sturgon(sp?) was found dead washed up on the shore of another metro lake. I don't rememeber what lake that was. There wasn't supposed to be sturgon in that lake either!....SO?
It will be another week before I get back out, so I won't have a report until then. [:((] |
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| It wasn't 9 feet, but the rest of the story is true. It was 69". The other one you're referring to was found in Lake Harriet and went just over 100 pounds. |
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| Awh: Thanks for the response! I saw a column in the newspaper yesterday, after I made my first post. It said that the fish was 5 feet 9 inches, so I asssume that the guy at work got his inches and feet mixed up. Wow! I know that there is some big muskies in the lake but a sturgon that size? I wonder what it has been eating all these years? Must have a good forage base.
I know that this wasn't about muskies, but I thought it would be of interest to those who fish the lake. |
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| I hit the forest again on Saturday, or should I say I made it to Forest after dumping gasoline on my asphalt driveway, and then learning that there is now a detour on HWY 15 out of Stillwater.
Water temps were a consistant 69.5 on lake three. My partner managed to nail a couple small northern's, and I had a few northern nibbles, but no ski.
As I was leaving to go to a graduation party, a very nice guy at the dock asked me how I did, and then let me know that the lake was sprayed for weeds about a week before. He also let me know what depth he was seeing muskie's at, which I thought was very nice on his part. You tend not to hear such information any longer, so I made note of the boat for the future. Kudos to you in the older gray Lund Pro V. If I could have stayed longer, I would have hit a different lake and the suggested depths.
Pal |
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| I hit the forest again on Saturday, or should I say I made it to Forest after dumping gasoline on my asphalt driveway, and then learning that there is now a detour on HWY 15 out of Stillwater.
Water temps were a consistant 69.5 on lake three. My partner managed to nail a couple small northern's, and I had a few northern nibbles, but no ski.
As I was leaving to go to a graduation party, a very nice guy at the dock asked me how I did, and then let me know that the lake was sprayed for weeds about a week before. He also let me know what depth he was seeing muskie's at, which I thought was very nice on his part. You tend not to hear such information any longer, so I made note of the boat for the future. Kudos to you in the older gray Lund Pro V. If I could have stayed longer, I would have hit a different lake and the suggested depths.
Pal |
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| I hit the forest again on Saturday, or should I say I made it to Forest after dumping gasoline on my asphalt driveway, and then learning that there is now a detour on HWY 15 out of Stillwater.
Water temps were a consistant 69.5 on lake three. My partner managed to nail a couple small northern's, and I had a few northern nibbles, but no ski.
As I was leaving to go to a graduation party, a very nice guy at the dock asked me how I did, and then let me know that the lake was sprayed for weeds about a week before. He also let me know what depth he was seeing muskie's at, which I thought was very nice on his part. You tend not to hear such information any longer, so I made note of the boat for the future. Kudos to you in the older gray Lund Pro V. If I could have stayed longer, I would have hit a different lake and the suggested depths.
Pal |
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| I hit the forest again on Saturday, or should I say I made it to Forest after dumping gasoline on my asphalt driveway, and then learning that there is now a detour on HWY 15 out of Stillwater.
Water temps were a consistant 69.5 on lake three. My partner managed to nail a couple small northern's, and I had a few northern nibbles, but no ski.
As I was leaving to go to a graduation party, a very nice guy at the dock asked me how I did, and then let me know that the lake was sprayed for weeds about a week before. He also let me know what depth he was seeing muskie's at, which I thought was very nice on his part. You tend not to hear such information any longer, so I made note of the boat for the future. Kudos to you in the older gray Lund Pro V. If I could have stayed longer, I would have hit a different lake and the suggested depths.
Pal |
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| Following up on Forest, does it get crowded on the week-end? If so, would early or later be better? Any suggestions to areas or structure?
Thanks for any info?
tom |
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| The wife and I fished Deer this morning. Did not even see a muskie, so we took what the lake was offering. C&R on alot of bass, crappie, and sunnies. There is a bass fishing tournament there on Saturday so it will be crowded. Water temps were 73-76, so it should be getter better.
Tom |
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| Went out on my usual E. Metro lake on Thursday. Boy was it hot out! I just wish the fishing was as hot as the temps. Had 1 fish "flash" off about 20 feet from the boat, and that was it. All I saw was the flash, it was brown in color so I suspect it was a 'ski. No guess as to size.
Water temps were 77 degress. So they should have the feed bag on. Tried trolling over some bait about 25 feet down over 40 feet of water. Marked bit balls of bait plus some good sized arches on the screen but no takers.
Boy was it a zoo out there. We were getting hit with wakes from all directions at once. Bouncing around like a cork, and this was with no wind! The lake would have been glass if not for all the other idiots in their high powered 60+ mph rockets. [:(]
Got a question for all my fellow E. Metro Hunters. Has anyone had any luck with night fishing on this lake? I'm not asking for the secret spot or lure or any inside info, just am wondering if anyone has had enough luck to make it worth their time. We had some luck a couple of years back but nothing since. |
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| Fishpoop,
We have had marginal luck out there night fishin. All the fish have hit just after dark set in, and all fish have been taken on various colored shallow raiders or invaders. We usually troll open water till dark, then troll weedlines slowly after that. Will be out at 8:30 tonight in a little red starcraft with rodholders!
KOMER[:bigsmile:] |
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| I've forgot what a Musky looks like!!!! I'm having dillusions of following fish but there's nothing behind my bait. Maybe it's the heat?
No fish seen in the last five outings :(
Tried cranking deep weedlines and looked for suspended fish. No luck!
Heading up to Boundry waters later this week for some camping and hopefully a few nice Pike or Walleyes. I think I'll also head over to Vermillion for a couple of days and see if I can nail a hawg. [:bigsmile:]
I got the jones bad!
PK
Looks like it's back into the loch with you nessy |
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| Hey all:
Went outlast night,monday,hit the lake about 8:45 and fished until 1:00 am. Didn't get anything. Trolled over the weeds and weedlines and also over deep water looking for suspended fish. Nothing doing.
I'm wondering what the pattern is for this lake. We know the fish are there and that they are eating. The lake is reasonably clear and gets pounded with fishermen and pleasure boats. The conventional wisdom in this situation is to fish at night or for suspended fish. So that's what a bunch of us are doing and nobody seems to be getting results. So where do we go from here?
Water temps are 80 degrees, so the fishes metabolism should be at its peak. They should be eating. Anybody got any ideas? I wonder if the fish are active around sunrise. Due to my work and sleep schedule that's the only time of the day that I can't be out there. Anybody moving fish at that time of the day? |
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| Fishpoop,
I was also out last night from 7-10:30 trolling and then casting after dark. Nothing doing trolling, BUT I had nice follow just as the sun was going down on a shallow invader, and under the veil of darkness I had a hit on a GMAN crankbait, set hook, fish rolled by the boat and got off, saw it and it was little! Still no luck or pattern!
KOMER |
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| I fished Minnetonka Saturday morning. We had 7 follows to the boat, and a couple swirls behind the lures at about 50 - 60 feet out from the boat. We couldn't trigger anything. We did see a couple notices about spraying for weeds. We caught about a dozen bass on our way back to the grey's bay launch. We had one muskie follow a tube while we were doing this. The carp were on top of the water in the morning in about 30' of water. We saw alot of 10 - 20 lb carp. Next time we will bring corn along with out other lures.
Lance |
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| SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW |
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| Steve,
We were fishing in about 5' - 8', and we saw what looked like a fish had a bird. Kept coming to the surface, and out a bit, and then back down. We used the trolling motor to see what it was. When we got over there it turned out to be 3 - 20 lb carp acting like they were rutting in 2' of water. The only problem was they were in 30'.
Lance |
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| I fished WB last night 7/2 from about 6:00 until 10:30. Got one mid 30" and lost two others about the same size. Had about another 7 or 8 follows. Nothing over 40", but fish anyway. Went out again early this morning and had two follows both from big fish, one was hot, but she wouldn't go. Boat was in 18-19' of water casting the weed edges. |
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| Fished Deer this morning and had three follows. It was nice to see muskies again. All three followed small baits through the weeds. Surface temperature was 80. I got no responses to topwater, maybe I will be BassTom tomorrow.
Tom |
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| Calhoun on July 4 = dead sea.
Fished Tonka on Saturday night before the storm blew us off. Lake (Crystal Bay) was full of "Miss Budweiser" powerboat posers creating 3-4 ft rollers. Oh well, lesson learned. No fish sighted.
Fished Harriet on Sunday night with two follows (on a Phantom and a Jake)--neither fish seemed too big or too hot.
Other reports?? |
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| Pike Man:
I am going to give Harriet another try tonight from 7:00 until dark. Both of my follows were deep in the sailboats. I will again work the boats and may try the big weedbed at the south end of the lake. Maybe the topwater action will start soon? Actually, maybe any action whatsoever will start soon? Looks like a great evening. I will post my results...
Jawz |
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| Jawz,
Thanks for the posts. The irony is I live less than 3 minutes away from Harriet, but always seem to drive an hour to fish.
Tom |
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| Tom:
Be glad you did not drive the three minutes to Harriet last night. July 9, Harriet = Dead Sea. Flogged the water for about three hours with nary a boil, shadow, porpoise, follow or strike. Saw about four other boats on the lake working big wood. Two of the boats reported the same. Oh well, I guess I will wait until Saturday for my next excursion. The question is where??
Don |
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| Fished Inde this morning to a virtually empty lake.
No surprise that the water was high and dirty. Surface temp was in the 75-76 range. Two strikes and no hook-ups. My drought continues.
Tom |
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| Went out on 'Tonka on tuesday. The first time I have been on that lake since the mid 1980's. The last time I fished it there wasn't muskies in the lake and I wasn't into the muskie game. Hasn't changed much, still the playground of the Rich and Infamous. Boat traffic wasn't to bad at least as I remember it, but I bet the weekends are dangerous.
Well on to the report. Water temps in the low 80's. Put in in Halsteads bay and worked east. Halsteads bay was peasoup green. The weeds looked brown and mushy. Worked Hardscrabble point, Crane I., to Casco point. I went with 3 friends from 2 different chapters of M.I. None of us are familar with the lake. 1 guy did get a 34 inch male on a Wades Wobbler. So at least one fish was boated. I continued my steller success of this season by not even seeing a fish. The bikini babes provided the sceanery as the muskies wouldn't.
Well next week it's back to more familar waters. Till then! |
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| I've been away almost three weeks and kind of lost touch. The usually clear lake I fish is now real real high and very dirty (from all the rain?). All the nice deep cabbage I found in June seems to be gone. In June I was raising 5-10 fish per outing and last week only 1 in three trips. Early July is usally a great time for me on this lake and this year I'm a bit baffled.
Where'd they go? The only places I really didn't try were ultra shallow (<4')and suspended over deep water?
Not looking for secrets, just a nudge in the right direction. |
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| Fished White Bear on Saturday evening. First time on the lake. Very nice lake with clear water and good weeds. Fished for about three hours with no luck. However, I believe the lake does hold some good fish based on the water conditions and the structure that I observed. I will certainly fish the lake again, hopefully with more success. Up to Vermilion this week...wish me luck.
Don |
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| MNSteveH!
It seems that our deep clear lake is asleep this year. I just talked to a friend who was out on Sat. late and they saw 1 small one and that was it. I haven't been out on it for over a week now, am going tommorrow, so I'll let you know.
I haven't done the real shallow water either but have tried the suspended bite. No action there with that. Have trolled over suspended bait with nice big hooks near them with no action. If anybody is doing any good out there this year they're not talking about it as I haven't heard any good reports at all. Hope the fall is better! |
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| Ditto with the above reports. Have tried everything on this lake but real shallow, and have nothing to show for it all year. The big ones aren't even showing themselves to me this year out there. It sucks!! Did see some nice bikinis though!
KOMER |
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| Well I was supposed to head out there tonight but I didn't make it. My partner got sick and cancled late and I didn't want to deal with the heat.
One of the local chapters of M.I. had their on the water meeting out there tonight. I talked via marine band radio to a couple of friends who fished the event with their chapter. They said it was a rough evening out there. The sailboats had their regatta, it was hot, boat control was miserable, boat ramp was jamed, they didn't see any fish but heard a report that a fish in the mid 30 inches was caught. So all in all I'm glad I stayed home!
P.S. As a reminder to all that use this board. I intended (hoped) that this thread contain reports from all the metro lakes, not just those in the east metro,that's why I titled it Twin Cities Metro reports. So how are things on the mpls side of town? |
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| MINNETONKA IS SHOWING LOTS OF SUSPENDED BAIT AND LARGE HOOKS NEARBY, BUT 4 HOURS OF TROLLING THE USUAL ASSORTMENT OF RAIDERS AND GRANDMAS PRODUCED NOTHING. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THIS PATTERN STARTING TO DEVELOP AS TWO WEEKS AGO THERE WAS NOTHING SUSPENDING. A FRIEND JUST SPENT 5 HOURS DOWNRIGGING TROUT? ON CHRISTMAS LAKE WITH THE SAME RESULTS[:((] IT'S TOO HOT TO EAT!!!!!! |
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| Was out on the deep clear east metro lake last night. Was very suprised at the lack of boat traffic out there. I actually saw two fish that were close to 40"!!!! Also had the pleasure of helping remove a bobbie bait from an older fella's hand. A very small fish squirmed in his hand and the hook was buried in the flesh. Told the dude you either have to push her through or go to the ER. Man does skin strectch!!! He pushed it through and cut it off. Back to the fishin, both fish were NOT in usual spots for this lake. They were shallow on the INSIDE of the weed edge. Never have seen this pattern on this lake before?
KOMER |
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| Thanks for keeping this thread alive. Got back today from a week on Vermilion. I will post that separately. I will be getting out on west Mpls lakes and will post what i see.
Tom |
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| B420: You just maybe have found the pattern for that deep clear E. metro lake. As was discussed the 2 patterns that haven't been tried are shallow and suspended. It seems as if your shallow pattern might pay off. Otherwise we will have to wait for fall.
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| Was out on Tonka on Saturday morning and got chased off by the storms. Even more important is the fact that just before the storm I finally hooked my first muskie of the year, I also lost my first muskie of the year. I don’t think I set the hook very good. The fish was about 38 inches. So, I can’t stop thinking about all the hours I have put on the water just to lose a fish. I wanted to cry. It’s gonna take the rest of the week to put my heart back together. |
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| The absolute best therapy for a lost fish is to get back out there and hook up with another. Sounds like you've learned a valuable lesson with this one lost. "I don't think I set the hook very good."
Ya gotta cross their eyes and then cross them again just for good measure...[8)]
We've all lost them and we feel your pain - but we learn more from our failures than we do by our successes. And at least it was 38" and not 48"! |
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| Mike
I agree. I am learning every time I am on the water. I also learn something most every time I log into this site.
THX[:)] |
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| I felt your pain this year, first time out this year the muskie gods smiled down upon me on my third cast I hooked into a 40"+ fish only to lose it trying to net it myself. So I did just what Mike says and went right back out the next day and caught a 32" and hooked into an even bigger fish 45"+ easy, and I lost that one at the boat also [:blackeye:] Now my heart has turned to stone,I feel no pain and have got the thousand yard stare. They can't all get away, can they?[:bigsmile:]
PK
Looks like it's back into the loch with you nessy |
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| Fished Inde this morning, there were a number of boats on the water, surface temp was mid to upper 70s. There is a heavy bloom on the water and not much visibility. A number of lots had spraying signs posted, but it looks like there has been a fairly general application of weed killer across the lake as the milfoil, even the heavy stuff, is much more sporadic. I marked some big fish on the electronics, but could not bring them up. As far as I could tell I had no follows. I did catch a big largemouth on a triklops. She hammered it and was very aggessive throughout the lease. Hope to go out again tomorrow and will post.
Tom |
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| Hey Tom,
Why don't you head over to the Minnetonka outing tommorrow? it should be a lot of fun. The details are posted in the general discussion.
Pk |
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| Thanks for keeping the thread going. I haven't been out in the metro in the last few weeks so no report to add. Maybe Monday. |
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| Caught my first muskie last night!!
Lake Harriet
9:45 pm
FireTiger Hawgwobbler
Slammed, Hooked, Kept in the water in the Beckmans Livewell Net
mid-30s
Nice photo and release
No other explosions for the evening.
To all the Twin Cities lurkers out there...I am always looking for someone willing to go out for a few hours in the evening (my boat or yours). My fiance loves to fish muskies (we just started fishing them this month), but she wears out after about three hours of chucking wood with the baitcaster. I am new and inexperienced (at muskie fishing), but willing to learn. Let me know if you have any interest in hitting the water.
My e-mail is [email protected].
Don |
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| Any news on Forest? My wife's stayting at a house there all week so I hope to get up there a couple times. Gave up fishing my usually clear metro lake. Caught a few fish on the darker water lakes, but nothing very big. Surprisingly I've found some nice green cabbage on some of the mid-lake humps even with water less than 6" visibility. The fish were there. If the weather settles down the fishing should start to get better.
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| Fished Forest tonight and I can't say where but I did see a sea monster!!!!
Didn't even see her till right at the boat on the 8 with a Raddog.IT WAS HUGE!!!!!!! easy 50"+ and I don't exagerate, my girlfriend couldn't believe what she was seeing and is probably still shaking I know I am! Well anyway I totally blew it, as soon as I saw the thing I pull a Gilespie(spelling?) and start yelling "HERE"S ONE, OH MAN LOOK AT THAT" and it was gone and I swear it looked right at me as it was turning to swim away, really I can still see it looking at me. I think I'm going crazy?
[:blackeye:]
Had one blow up on a perch Dancin Raider off that channel between lake two and three and caught a bunch of big Bass and a few nice pike. Went back after a bit and looked for my girl but she wasn't showing herself again.
PK
Looks like it's back into the loch with you nessy |
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| I haven't been out locally for a few weeks, kind of got discouraged. I should know better. Am going out to that deep clear lake in the morn. Mostly to check out the motor after having some work done. Will pitch a few baits.
Talked to a guy today that has been moving and catching fish on the tough deep clear lake that no one seems to be doing any good on. According to him, throw 8 inch phantoms in the sucker or bullhead pattern and work it with sharp fast twitchs. You want the bait to roll over and produce a belly flash. If you get the walk the dog action your working it to slow,from what he says. I can't argue as he had a picture of a low to mid 40 inch to prove it. I don't remember exact size. Dark overcast days with a west wind and work the mid lake humps. All I have been getting on my phantoms is follows and I have been using the walk the dog. He says he hasn't had a follow yet, they either eat it or nothing. So maybe there is something to the belly roll that gets them to eat. |
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| Fished Forest last night....tried casting at first, had one follow to the boat and caught one big pike. Went and trolled Raddogs over the secret spot right before dark and had one good rip but it spit the bait before we got a look at it. Setup another pass and my boat partner nailed a healthy 36" stud that was released to grow to a 50! All in all a great night....I love it when a plan comes together.
PK
Looks like it's back into the loch with you nessy |
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| Paul cant argue with success but the 6' phantoms really roll and belly flash alot more then the 8's when hopped,,maybe try them |
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| Fished a bit on Forest this morning - not too much action to report.
PK = your report was right on = Rad Dogs in the weeds.[;)]
Had a big girl up twice - not huge, but a mid to upper 40's fish. 1st time the spinner was fouled with weeds but she followed slowly anyway - 2nd time - after returning a couple hrs later - she came blasting up, thought for should she was going to eat, but turned off at the boat.[:knockout:] She was in thick weeds near a sharp drop-off. - classic summer spot.
Will be up there Fri night and Sat - hopefully the storms won't keep me off the water[:p] |
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| Steve,
I fished Forest last night, had something hit a 10" Suick in the channel between lake 2 & 3 but lost it after about 10 seconds. No muskies to the boat and one 36" pike while trolling a raddog at last light. I am now a certified pike slayer!!!!
I'll be out there Saturday morning in the "mini green muskie machine" (little green Lund w/ a merc 25). If you see me give me a shout.
PK
Where in the loch are you nessy[:knockout:] |
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| My wife and I fished Minnetonka this morning. Finally landed my first musky this year. Surface temp was in the low 70s and the water in some of the bays was exceptionally clear. She hit about 8:15 a.m. coming out of the weeds near the boat. I saw her hit the bass spinnerbait and turn, so I knew I had a good hookset. She was beautiful and it was quite a battle. We got a couple of quick pictures, measured her at 43" and got her back in the water. She was very wide across the back and it was hard to hold on to her tail when trying to revive her. It is always a thrill to watch a release. The rest of the morning was a bunch of small northerns and bass. Kathy had a mongo smallmouth follow her to the boat, only to veer off. She also had a musky come out of the shallow shade about noon, but never got a hookset on the fish.
Tom |
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| Landed 2 this morning at Tonka. 38 and 42. Grim Reaper and Crane bait between 9-10am.
The action is starting to heat up! I cannot wait for Sept to get here!
Got out there! |
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| Whats the water temps on Tonka? |
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| Anon,
Yes...Yes I am...Did you find it? |
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| Whats new! |
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| I was thinking of fishing Owasso Saturday morning. Has anyone been fishing Owasso, or have the waterskier's, and Jet Ski's chased everyone away?
Lance |
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| I heard that they started a new program on Bald Eagle using harvesters. The shallow weeds were gone by early July, but in mid July I found lots of nice cabbage on mid-lake structures. And the fish were there, got a 35" and saw a couple bigger! Haven't had time to get back, but plan on hitting it soon. |
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| This is great, the way this thread has been kept up all summer long. Thanks to all who have posted! I haven't been active on updates to this thread, as I haven't fished any of the metro lakes latly.
I have heard rumors that Forest Lake has been putting out fish latly, but have no real knowledge of it. I hope to get out a couple of times in the next couple of weeks, then it's off to Canada again. After that, then the fall will be spent here in town. Hope the fish move this fall. |
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| Hey fishpoop - good the hear you are still around. Finally got one this year on "our" lake - only 34", but it's a fish. I havn't been there since mid July - wow is the water high!.
I've been fishing Owasso, Baldy and Forrest mostly. I've heard the same rumors about Forest and moved some nice fish, but havn't got one there yet - still learning the lake.
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| When North Metro had their league night out on Forest 4 boats were out that I know of, with 7 fish landed. We didn't land the one we had on. I fished Owasso Saturday morning, and just saw 1 fish. That was a nice 42" that t'd my viper. The head came out of the water along with about a foot of the back to hit it. I talked to a friend of mine, and it turned out about the same time he caught a 41" about 600 yards down the shore line. 30 minutes later the waterskiers came right through the area, and used my boat as a turn around point.
Lance |
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| Fished Tonka. Nice 45 incher follow, didn't hit. Threw out Crane bait. Twitched and again, followed. Nothing....
10 minutes later, boated a nice 38 incher. All action was shallow, 3-8 feet.
Tried deeper and was picking up fish around 15 foot, but couldn't raise any.
Color did not matter today...Black and Char have been hot lately. |
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| MnSteveH: Hey bud, glad to hear you got a fish out of that darn lake. Rumor has it that there's fish in that lake, but I didn't believe it till I saw your post. LOL! Let's hope that this is a sign of things to come. We all deserve a great fall season. |
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| Got another small one (32") today. The fish turned on about 10 am as the sun started to come out - for only about 1/2 an hour - shallow weeds. Had one other follow, caught several small pike and another guy got a 36" all between about 10 and 10:30 am. Pounded the deep, wind-blown, weed edges to no avail.
Fished Baldy Sunday for about 4 hours - thought I hit the timing well -just before the storms blew thru - but, nada! |
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| THEY'RE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| Thanks to everyone who posts. On the days when the only musky fishing happens in my head it is great to read about others on the water. We fished Minnetonka this morning and only caught a few snakes. The surface temperature was 74 when we left around noon. Talked to two guys who had taken two 30+s early and they said they helped someone photo and release a 49. The water is very high. We are seeing people primarily fishing the points and the weeds. Last week i caught a low 30s on a bass spinnerbait and two follows in a 30 minute window. The northens have been very aggressive and I think the muskies are starting to feed aggressively too. If I fish on Sunday, I will put up another post.
Tom |
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| Tonka is one! Landed a beautiful 49" yesterday - Released too!! And a nice 33' all within a 1/2 hr. Then caught about 6 Snakes. All action came real early in the AM. Action was around points and weeds!
I too, got off around noon as the heat was on and the Muskies moved a little deeper. As the weather cools off in the next few days, I think you'll the bite be even better!
Good Luck! |
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| A couple folks I know from here in Milwaukee went to Tonka early last week for three days. They got a 48" and six other fish...
Sounds like its a good bite!
It was a long summer, I know most of you guys waited a long time for the good fall bite to start.
How are you guys dealing with the high water? |
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| Jason, the high water has not really affected me. From the launch area to my Muskie spots, I have not seen a difference other than going thru the channels where it is a no wake zone. The water in the channels is up to the concrete, I have never seen that before.
CYA |
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| Tahoe,
So "No Wake" is only in the channels....or is it the whole lake? |
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| According to the Water Patrol it is the whole lake within 600' of shore. That is why the Tonka tourney got canceled. Now if people aren't following that, they are running the risk of a ticket.
Lance |
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| Hey Tahoe,
I think I met you Sunday morning. I was in my 14' blue and white Mirrocraft. You were on your way to Bohn's Point. How did you do there? I ended up raising about 6 muskies, no big ones, maybe 36" was the biggest. Most seemed hot, but all took off fast at the boat. All the fish came from cabbage beds on windy points. I also had two very nice pike, 32-33", follow and nip at my lures at the boat. The ones I caught were the typical snakes. [:((]
Congratulations again on a very nice fish Saturday!
Rick |
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| Jason - No wake in channels and 600 feet within shore.
Rick - I wasn't out on Sunday - Wish I was though. Bohn's point huh? Never heard of it. will have to check out the map.
This year is my first year really fishing Tonka since I got my first boat this past winter. I'm in a 16 ft black/tan (taupe) Crestliner?
Sounds like you had a good day! Ya, my fish was nice and my biggest to date anywhere! I have been chasing Muskies for 2 years and that was a thrill.
I took my time on the release, but kept her in the water the whole time and she swam away hard and fast! I have neevr seen so many teeth looking at me before.
I too caught my share of snakes and some quality Pike! Largest this year has been 39", that was back in the Spring.
I have really been trying to follow the moonrise and set times. It is showing bigger fish when I get em at those times. Then again, I get out when I can, like most of us!
I know most of us are tight lipped about our spots, but I'll tell you where I concentrated. Brackets point and Smith's Bay. I tried Sprit Island and it seemed like everyone was there. I saw no action there. Lot of Muskie anglers out on saturday though!
Good Luck!
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| Tahoe,
I've only caught pike on Bracket's Point, maybe I'll have to work it harder. I raised my fish on the points on the south side of Big Island and down toward Excelsior.
So if you weren't out on Sunday, I met someone else who caught a 49" on Saturday! And all I managed on Saturday were a handful of snakes on Diamond Reef. Guess I should have hit the points sooner!
Good luck this fall.
Rick |
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| Wow...2 49's on Saturday. Wonder where he caught his? |
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| Fished Bald Eagle on Sunday afternoon, and evening. Water was warm: ranged from 77.4 to 79.7. The north end of the lake all the weeds are brown/black. Found nice green cabbage on the deep side of the island, and around the reed bed. Had a decent fish roll on a green Pacemaker (prop bait). My fishing partner had a small one on that tucked up right next to the reed bed on a small MuskyCandy bucktail. Jumped three times before he shook the hook. Also caught one pike trolling a clown Depth Raider in about 15 feet.
Hopefully the cooler weather will help get the fish moving, but it wasn't a bad afternoon-better than watching the Vikes blow a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter.[:blackeye:]
Bill |
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| Bill,
How green was the water out there? Thanks for the report
KOMER |
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| We fished Harriet for about 2.5 hours tonight. We caught one bass and had two follows and one hit. Not a good hookset so it quickly got off. The follows were curious, not very hungry. Surface temperatures in the 73-74 range.
tom |
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| The water was definitely green. Had maybe 12 inches of visibility. That made follows impossible to see. Hopefully I didn't do something stupid and forget to figure 8 on a follow, but I'll never know.
Bill |
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| Played hooky from work yesterday and fished Tonka with a buddy.We saw a total of 7 fish from 9am-2pm with one in the boat(35"-36"). We target deep weedlines in the AM with cranks and raised one nice one but actually found all the rest of the fish shallow(2-3') up in the dead brown weeds.
Seems that things are really picking up......
St.Jason[:halo:] [:devil:]
AKA Phish Killer
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| 5 fish in my last three NE metro outings: 31, 31, 33, 40, 40. 4 on topwaters, 4 out off the edges of deep structures. Only 1 other follow that I should of had - fish tried to eat in the figure 8 and I screwed it up. They're not following - they either blast the bait, or you never see 'em. I also haven't seen many really big fish so I'm still looking for them (maybe they're all on 'tonka!) I'm also a total believer in the full moon thing, and this weekened we had great weather conditions too. Hope the bite holds up, but considering how the rest of the year has gone it might not. |
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| Just a quick note to let y'all know I'm still around. I just realised that I haven't been out on any Metro Lake since early July. I won't be for awhile either as I'm off to Canada again next week. After that I should be on Metro waters until freeze up. Freeze, what an ugly word.[:((] |
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| Update on Tonka: Bit has been tough the last few days. I decided to go out and go for some walleye as I was hungry. with no luck after 1 1'2 hrs, I got the feeling to bring out the neavy artilery.
With nothing on Saturday, Sunday turned around as the wind picked up and the fish were moving. Had a mid 40 inch fish blow up on a jake, had about a 40 inch fish follow but no taking to the lure, and finally boated a nice 36 inch class fish. Most action did heat up around 1pm. I cannot wait for the new moon period this weekend!!
Good Luck! |
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| East metro lake 9/29, one 36" in the boat on yellow/orange stump hawg spinner bait. Had 3 pike between 30-35" on the same bait. All fish came on small isolated weed bed with a mix of green and dying weeds. Two nice blow ups on a topraider in the same spot.
KOMER |
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| Caught a 39" and a 49" on Tonka Sunday AM. It was a very cool day with that heavy fog/mist or whatever it was. Had 3 other follows and missed one other. Caught both Tandem bucktail. Feed 'em the big stuff. |
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| I took a day off from work to try and fish a local lake with a little less pressure. I tried Forest lake.
Temp's were 59.5 in the morning and topped out at 63.5 in the weeds in the afternoon. The barametor made a few nice jumps up while I was out.
No luck in the morning, then 2 follows, and then a very nice 41 incher on a black globe for my fishing partner. I was beginning to think we were nuts for using topwaters, but all our action was on topwaters. Not the lures you would think would be productive after the front comes through, and with a high bright sun.
The lake had a definite green glow in many spots, but the weeds were definetely dying down in certain spots.
It was nice not having to fight over spots.
Pal |
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| Location:East Metro Lake
date:10/03
Water temp:59
Structure: green weedline at 15 ft adjacent to rock point
Hrs on water: 1 1/2
Fish in boat:one (mid 30's)
presentation:Glide bait
[:halo:] Pk[:devil:]
SET tHE HOOK!!!! |
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| We got a late start today, but fished Tonka from about 11-5. Only one follow, came in on a topraider with a sense of curiousity rather than hunger. It is always nice to see a big ole gal come right at you. We caught a number of bass and northerns and all the action seemed to come in bursts, however we saw no pattern. With NW winds 20-30 mph on sunday, I am going to have to live vicariously through others. Catch a big one and post it.
Tom |
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| Fished WB Sat from 2-7. Action for three ski's at various times - all on Jackpots over thick weeds in 6-8' of water. One big girl whacked the bait forward threes times in one cast without eating. I suspect the other two didn't open up either - just lashed at it. Tried a lot of other things - especially hitting the deeper milfoil areas - but the J'pot was the only thing that seemed to move'em. No sign of turnover yet but we must be getting close. Hope it holds off a little longer - the topwater bite has been great. |
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| Fished Tonka 7-12 on Sat. Boated 34, 36, and 46. Lost a 50 plus on a Believer that hit boat side, took me under the boat and came off. Was unable to get hook set as this fish was big and ran so quick, just came off? [:knockout:] Action on Believers and Rapala's from 8-10am.
Getting ready for Cass and we'll fish that the next 2 days.
Good Luck and CYA![;)] |
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| way to go! There is no feeling like seeing those big girls in that clear water.
Tom |
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| White Bear 10-8. No fish seen or boated on deep weed edges. Water temp 55 degrees.
KOmer |
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| Komer:
Has White Bear turned yet? I was on the lake last Saturday...water temps 57-59, and the lake had not turned over.
Jawz |
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| Jawz
I do not beleive that the lake has turned over yet. Water was slighty murky and green, possibly due to the fact that we got 3" of rain over the weekend. Weeds were still VERY green, and lush in all spots we fished.
KOMER |
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| I agree with B420 - WB has not turned yet and the fish are not on the edges. I was still moving fish in shallow weeds with topwaters on Sat. Has anybody seen anthing big on WB recently? I got one 40" a couple weeks ago and other than that I haven't see a fish over 40" since opening day.
Anybody got any info on BE - is it still a sewer? I don't really like fishing it, but it seems to be producing somewhat better sizes that the 32-36" er's that WB seems to be full of. |
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| Fished WB 10/10 from 1-4:30. One 36-40" fish "made and appearence" as I was working a Jackpot, but didn't really follow. Then got a huge smallie (20x14) while working a tiger tube in exactly the same spot 5 min later. Spot was shallow gravel weed combo, mid-lake structure, late in the day after the sun came out. I also worked the edges and deep breaks heavily and the weedbeds. Absolutely nothing on the edges or breaks, a few bass and pike in the weeds. Walleyes and bait seemed to be really deep.
The lake has not turned yet and there's some algae bloom going on, a lot of green scum on the surface. Weeds are nice and green everywhere, but didn't find much cabbage. There's milfoil out to about 18'.
I think we need the lake to turn over to push the fish up and get 'em moving again. Hopefully it will happen and be all settled out before the next full moon period.
Anbody having any better luck on Forest or Baldy?
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| Steve & Komer:
My WB report is a little late, since my wife and I last fished the lake on Sat Oct 5 during the afternoon. Debbie caught a 34" muskie almost immediately after hitting the water on a 6" Phantom. I also caught several pike twitching a Crane. We caught these fish on a main-lake point while fishing the deep break and casting up over the weeds in 15-18'. We then moved to humps on east side of the lake. Debbie had a mid-40s follow (largest fish both of us have seen this year) almost immediately on a black Eagle Tail with a red blade. The fish would not hit on a figure eight. About two minutes later, Debbie had a smaller fish follow on the same lure (I got skunked by the skis). A few more pike were also boated. We were only on the lake for about 2 1/2 hours, so the action was pretty good. Like I said before, the lake was very clear and temps were 57-59. I would be surprised if it has not turned yet with all the rain and cold temps, especially since it is a little green and slimy. What were the temps??
I am hoping to make it out tomorrow and Sunday, but the weather looks challenging. Don't know what lakes I am going to fish. Much depends on turnover. Keep the reports coming...
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| Jawz,
Thanks for the report! I don't know if it is going to turn quite yet, it is a very deep lake unlike most in the metro. Usually its one of the last to turn. I hope I can hit it up sat., but the girlfriend has "other" plans so I may not get out this weekend. Stick one for me!
KOMER |
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| I'll be on WB tonight and Saturday and on Suga' Sunday with the Big Papa, will give a full report.
I've seen/caught a few fish on Cracker Bears weededges lately (all fish in 8-12ft)and a very slow presentation seems to be key. Best luck has been on an Undertaker worked at a snails pace, bucktails seem useless now...only lazy followers but they won't bite them. Give them something slow and erratic and they will bite [:p]
[:halo:] PK[:devil:]
I got an angel on my left and a devil on my right...... |
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| A little slow at work today, will have to bow out early-shucks! Would you suggest bald eagle or White Bear? Haven't been out for a week, and would glady take some advice!
KOMER |
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| Hey KOMER, I would suggest CrackaBearPond. You catch anything lately? I shot a few ducks last weekend, while we were supposed to have 22 degrees and snow, it was the complete opposite.
dood I think you hit a skunk or something....
..-.-.--.-.-. |
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| morris!
I just emailed you! I got 15 greenheads and never left the house!!!!! Might get out if it aint to windy. You down with it!
KOMER[:bigsmile:] |
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| Komer:
Fished WB yesterday afternoon in the gale for about three hours. Almost immediately, my wife moved a low 30s fish in 9-12 ft. off a weedy, windblown point on a small Phantom. I caught a midget bass trying to commit suicide on a Manta a short time later. No other fish noticed, but we were just trying to stay in our little boat. Water was clear, 52-55 degrees, with no sign of turnover. We also had the lake to ourselves.
Let me know where you go today and how you do.
Jawz |
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| Jawz,
As always thanks for the report! Pretty windy today too! I might be leaning towards Bald eagle if its going to stay this windy. Will report tomorrow!
KOMER |
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| She's blowin like a hell out there... Hey KOMER I might be heading to Pulco's tonight, ya ought to give me a call. Nice job on those drakes....any suzies go down?? I admit I shot her...no excuses....broad daylight, my bro shot the drake and the brown ball swang in again to see what happened to MR. Greenhead and I couldnt let her go...they taste the same.
I am trying to get out fishin this week but I love to shoot waterfowl....whats a guy to do when his two hobbies collide. It's like I would go duck hunting but the muskie fishin is good....or I would go muskie fishin but I get two months to hunt ducks and they are migrating. Some unfortunate people will never have this dilemna, unfortunately I do (does that make sense?)
morriscode
--.-..-..--...-. |
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| I still haven't been out in the metro latly. Gonna change that soon. Has anybody tried trolling for suspended fish out over the main basin,far away from structure, on White Bear?
From the reports it sounds like the 30 inch to maybe 40 inch fish are on the weedlines and shallow, so where's the big girls? Suspended...Hmmmm? I wonder! Just a thought. |
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| Fellas,
Went duck hunting instead of fighting the wind. Morris, I got 3 birds only you could be proud of!!! Hen gadwall, hen woody, and hen mallard. Forgot my glasses at home!
KOMER |
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| So will it be worth my time.. I will be home to visit my family during the MN Deer opener. I dont think I am going to hunt this year, but wouldnt mind driving up from Cannon Falls to see how the muskie action is going.
Any ideas guys? |
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| the metro fish are eating everything and anything you throw at them right now. you may find it a bit unchallenging. |
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| I would like to take the time to THANK all those who posted under the Metro Report this year. This has been a great area report and very educational.
By the way....this is the second biggest thread this site has ever seen![:bigsmile:]
Thanks guys for the great disscusion.[:)] |
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| Jason:
We're not done yet!! Any reports for this weekend? Water temps? Turnover? Presentations? I am going to give White Bear a try tomorrow (assuming it has turned over), or possibly Indy or Bald Eagle, depending on WB turnover. Keep this thread going--best time of the year is upon us!!
Jawz |
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| Eagle Lake Temps were 45 to 47, water pretty clear so I assume it turned several days ago. Saw four fish and had one hit and miss [:((] I have the next two days off and plan on fishing hard. Any word on Tonka or Independence Temps -- any action? Spent Friday on Mille Lacs temps ranged from 43 to 46, nothing going there -- but the Tulibees must be getting clost to spawning temps. |
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| Fished WB from 1-5 Sat. Didn't get a water temp, but it must be into the 40's and I've still seen no evidence of turnover. Water is pretty clear and weeds are still fairly green, although they are starting to go a little black, and no floating weeds or debris on the shorelines. There were several musky hunters out but I got no reports of fish. Most were either trolling the open water or fishing the weed flats/edges. I trolled for a while and didn't mark anything in less than 25', most of the bait seemed to be balled up on the bottom in 35'-45'. There were very few walleye fishermen, none were in the typical fall spots, and I didn't catch a single pike or bass - which is usually an automatic on WB - so I'm figuring everything must be really deep. I also casted the steep drop-off areas and deep weed edges with bulldawgs and depth raiders. I had one upper 30's fish go around the 8 about 3 times on a perch DR but didn't eat. Fish was in about 20-25' off the windy side of a very steep-dropping, well known bar. Classic fall spot.
Any reports on Baldy or Forest? Turnover?? etc.
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| Went out last night: It wasn't good, but it was cold!
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| Anything New.....
Is it froze yet? |
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| Not froze yet, haven't been out for two weeks due to hunting. Friends tell me they have been moving a few fish on the east metro lakes
KOMER |
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| Been fishing tonka ALOT lately. We've had fish (or chances) every day. Here's the pattern: Lots of dead time followed by 15-20min windows where it doesn't matter what your doing so long as the fish are there. Edges and off the edge is your best bet.
Had one shoot in from under the boat and scared the sh!t out of me!. I pulled it out of his mouth cuz I wasn't looking and got a shower. I fell back laughing so hard that I slapped the bait back the water and jerked it out again and only to get another shower from the same fish! I proceded to 8 and couldn't get him to go.
Lets hope this cold snap passes quickly so we can keep fishing! |
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| I'm moving fish but not having much luck putting them in the boat. Lost one on Sun and had a biggie up that didn't go. I'm concentrating on sharp breaks with rock/rubble - the classic fall spots. Mostly throwing crankbaits. The only way I've been moving fish is jerking a big Jake - treating it like a Suick - long hard pull ...pause, pull, pause... Yeah it's been cold but I'm hopeful that there's still a lot of fishing time left.
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| I am taking tomorrow afternoon off, and taking my son fishing. I was wondering if anyone has any news on Bald Eagle, or Forest?
Thanks,
Lance |
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| Lance,
If you feel like taking a little drive, Lake Alexander near Camp Ripley off of Hwy 10 has been kicking out fish for us. It may be worth your time to check it out. Just a thought.
Paul[;)] |
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| Wolf,
I would love to do that. Maybe next year. I only have 1 tow vehicle, and my wife needs it if she needs to go anywhere with the kids. I am going fishing during naptime for my 1 year old twins. I am taking my 7 year old, and I talked to a friend of mine who told me to skip Bald Eagle, and go fish White Bear. I hope that my wife takes a part time job for $25/hour doing some medical billing. If that happens I see a second vehicle capable of towing a boat in my future. Then I might be able to take a day and go to Alexander. Good luck this weekend.
Lance |
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| Lance, I fished WB the last two Sundays and today (Thurs) - nada - it's been very slow for about 3 weeks. Got a 37" pike trolling the long sand bar at the south end. Spent most of my time throwing cranks on the steep breaks but no sign of skis. I heard of one 36" caught trolling the main basin, otherwise nothing. Don't know much about it, but if I had the time I'd try Forest.
Steve |
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| Steve,
Thanks for the info. My son wants to try a different lake. I have taken him out on Forest, and Owasso this season. We didn't get any muskies on those trips so he doesn't want to go back to Forest yet. He wants to try another lake. Hopefully with the warm up, the fish will also warm up. I will fill out a report tonight on how we did this afternoon.
Lance |
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| Hit White Bear today, and didn't get anything. A friend of mine got a 42, and had some lazy follows. I saw about a 2 footer cruising shallow on the way off the lake.
Lance |
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| Well guys I think that the season is winding down. !@#$$#@(*&^%$&*)_ pretty well sums it up for me! I was out on White Bear on Monday 11/4, for a couple of hours. Didn't catch anything or see anything, which seems about normal for this lake in the last couple of years. I haven't been out on White Bear since June, looks like I got the same results as then also.
So what is it about this lake? It's a classic Mesotrophic lake. The fish are there and some are very very big. But what do you have to do to put a fish in the boat? I guess I haven't been out on it this summer because of the poor results. I had kind of given up on it, seems a shame. I watched the posts on this thread hoping that some one would figure out a pattern but it seems like no one ever did. I used to think that night fishing was the answer, but that seems like it's not working either. I hope that next year is better than the last couple of years.
I'm begining to think that the solution is open water suspended trolling out over the main basin. I have tried that a limited amount of times but no go there either. If anyone is getting any fish out there,more power to them!
Even though I haven't had much to report on this thread this year, I want to say Thanks to all who have kept it going. We'll have to see how many pages we can get it up to next year! Oh how I hate the long COLD COLD WINTER! If it wasn't for Muskie fishing I would move south. |
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| Hi Mpls gang,
I got out with Treats on Friday, talked him into driving north that night for hunting opener, and we snuck in a short afternoon on Tonka.
Picture this: Treats gets a nice big strike. I reel in and grab the net. It's one of those Beckman's with the sliding handle. I hurry and get the handle positioned and on the first attempt the rim and net fall off! So I almost fall into the water grabbing the net part and reassemble, this time making sure the little buttong locks in place. Go to the other side where a frantic Treats has the fish under control, and immediately hook the lure on the rim of the net.
F&%^$CK!!!
We got her landed, finally, she was still kind of green but luckily was hooked very well in the corner of the mouth. snip, snip, a few photos nd she swam away strong. So Papa Joe's follies ended up NOT costing a decent fish, she was 43ish and FAT, easily 20lbs.
Just prior we had been pounding the same break, and saw lots of skis. I had 3 follows at one point in 4 casts (on a heavy Suick). The damn fish would just sit there and watch the figure 8s. Lots of other lazy follows and Treats' strike was actually pretty far from the boat.
Great afternoon, I landed a pike around 30ish, but no skis.
What a swell way to spend an afternoon, sure beat working the cubicle world downtown!!
Have great weekend kids,
Papa Joe |
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| Any reports for the metro area? Has anyone been catching anything on White Bear? With mid 40's forcasted for this week, and weekend I might try to get out one more time.
Lance |
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| Moved a couple of fish on Bulldawgs and 10" Jakes this Saturday on a way west metro lake.....hoping to hit it one more time this week.
PK |
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| 42, 37 boated today on Tonka. Had 5 follows and lost one fish @ boatside that just scared the crap out of me. This was a trophy Tonka fish!
Finally found them after seeing nothing for almost 2 weeks!
May be done for the year......... |
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| Tahoe...I was thinking about hitting Tonka tomorrow. Do you have any advice, or can you give any insight on what the fish might be doing. |
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| I'm done for the season. Was wondering what the biggest fish out of White Bear was this year, anyone know? |
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| The biggest fish I heard of on WB was a 50" caught in early June. I also saw a couple big (46-48"?), but not huge fish in June, then they pretty much disappeared. I got 1 40" and many mid-30's (all in Sept) but nothing to write home about. Fish were very active in early June but the water was super clear and not many eaters. July and Aug were pretty much terrible, Sept was good, then Oct and Nov has been slow again. Other area lakes were clearly much better this year but somehow I still like fishing WB - I just can't forget about the shamu I raised there last year.
WB is still ice free, may get out this weekend. |
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| MnsteveH. Would you happen to know if that 50" was released,or its approximate weight?
See the rest of you next year. I wonder how many pages we can make it? 9 has to bee some sort of record. |
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| I saw a picture of the 50" WB fish at Thorne Bros. no other info. It was not a very heavy fish, but it would have made my year.
Anybody still fishing? Weather was great last Fri/Sat and I know WB was still open but my wife insisted on shopping so I had kid duty. Looks like I'm done for the season.
Steve
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| Thanks Steve for the info. Merry Christmas to you |
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| Officially done for the season... |
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Posts: 129
Location: Bemidji, MN- | I know it varies from lake to lake, but when in the summer does the fishing start to heat up? |
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Twin Cities Metro Lakes report