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| I've been out on bald eagle a lot with no success so I just asking for a couple of pointers. Any suggestions on what to use? Any hot baits or any suggestions or tips on fishing this lake would be greatly appreciated. |
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Posts: 264
| im not the kind of guy to share secret spot or anything but try to get out there when fishing pressure is low that should increase your chances |
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Posts: 169
Location: Houlton, WI | like 619 musky i dont want to share spots but dont use alot of cowgirl and big blades because they are way overused in the metro |
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Posts: 59
| Cowgirls are way over used everywhere. The way I have had the best success on BE is on topwater. I would fish on top of the big flat just around the corner of the boat launch. Fish there around sundown and try some topwaters. I always used topwalkers and pacemakers out there. Good luck! |
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Posts: 36
Location: Blaine, MN | What I have learned about fishing BE is that you have to fish the spot 2 or 3 times in a day. If you make a pass on a piece of structure or weedline, hit it again later and sometimes another pass again later. The fish are there. They don't always show up on the first pass thru. Fish are all over on that lake. |
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Posts: 5
| like everyone says the fish are everywere. i do most of my hunting on the north side of the lake. guest do you have contact info? |
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Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | Trying to decide where to go next Wednesday...Bald Eagle or Forest, any thoughts on my best bet for mid-week, early a.m. action?
Steve |
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| I'm sorry if i come off as a mean guy, but I am 15 and i just think it is ridiculous to keep a spot secret. I know there is people out there that do not catch and release, but if you told a secret spot, it would help a 15 y/o out in catching his first muskie. Also, the big muskie will still be there for you to catch because i catch and release. I go out on Bald Eagle almost everyday and i haven't had any luck. I'm going to keep trying though. When i find my special spot. i'll be back to help this guy out. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | weed edges and reed lines kid ... put in your time and you'll be fine. if you believe the sport is about someone else's secret spots then you are missing out on some great opportunities to learn and have fun solving the puzzle of each lake you fish. find the deep water and then fish the structure (saddles, points, weed edges etc...) adjacent to them. big fish use them and are on the move constantly. learn their general seasonal patters based on water temp., weed growth etc... it's not so much about secrets as much as using your noodle and working hard. Good luck out there!! |
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| trolling cranks and other baits in the 12-17 zone can be good if you're not having any luck in the weeds or shallower. lots of confined deeper water you can work over pretty good without wasting too much time.
try to work different kinds of spots in every outing to keep them honest and don't get too hung up on any one spot or technique right now. stay on your toes and keep changing it up and you'll do ok. |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | I've fished Bald Eagle for about the last 20 years. I have seen and caught fish EVERYWHERE on that lake. This year has been tough out there, along with most every other metro lake. The muskies in Bald Eagle feed on a lot of perch and panfish. The schools of crappies and sunnies don't just live in the milfoil. Don't neglect the deeper areas adjacent to the weed flats. Most of the fish I've seen this year have come out of 12 to 15 feet of water where you see giant schools of bait breaking the surface. I've had my best luck using small to medium sized baits due to the forage base of mostly panfish. Lures like shallow invaders, squirrelly phantoms, shallow raiders, etc. will work all year long. Do some exploring, keep your eyes open. There are lots of good spots there that aren't obvious when looking at the map. Pay attention to areas with good cabbage. They usually hold fish. Keep casting, there are fish everywhere. |
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| Thanks guys, I do like the challenge and I'm truly not complaining. I have fun every time i go out and i have never caught anything. It makes sense to figure it out on my own and it will just take some time. |
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Posts: 40
| Good luck! I honestly think getting that first one is the hardest, then they will start coming! Switch up how you are fishing, twitch harder, let a bait sink more, double your retrieve speed! Things like this can be the ticket, if you are fishing hard and have not got one switch your technique and it may pay off! |
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Posts: 86
Location: north metro, MN | being 15 has a big advantage, fish week days. i have only boated one out there on a weekend so far this year. all the rest where week days. and i am sure that is true for alot of the guys on this thread who fish the lake alot. make a username so i can send you a couple other tips and tricks to try out. good luck bud. you chose a great sport to get into at a young age. |
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| i got some suggestions. why would you want to give out your secret spot you might as well have a tournement on them. It's not that bad to give a lure suggestion but isn't muskie fishing suppose to be a challenge thats the whole reward when you do catch one. Trial and error and when you do get a good spot after all that work why would you want to give that spot away? who wants to go to a place and see a million boats there before you get there you might as well give a guided trip. Ive been fishin muskies for years and the reward i find is the catch after learnin what works and what doesnt . I simply enjoy being on the water and for those of you that need instant results i dont think muskie fishing is for you, you might want to take up bass fishing. muskies arent like sunnies or northerns they take time and patience. And for the fifteen year old you got plenty of time dont rush the results you will be much more gratified with your results if you put in your time and find your own honey hole instead of trying to go off of other peoples hard work. And like I said if you dont have that patience, go back to bass anybody can do that,an if you need a bigger fight, fish for carp there pretty easy. Im not against lure suggestions but spot suggestions is just asking for a big cluster f@#k in all the honey holes! |
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| I said it once and I'll say it again. What i said came off the wrong way. I don't want anybodies secret spot. I have plenty of patience and I enjoy being out there also. I spent 6 hours out on BE today and nothing. I'm fine with that. But don't sit here and tell me you have never gotten frustrated. I have heard from many that this year has been tough fishing. I want a muskie in my boat and I know it will come. But anyways, I wish everybody luck. I hope i get my first soon. I am on about my 2000th cast so i have about 8000 to go hahaha. Does anybody have a lure suggestion that is working on BE though. I have tried everything from walking the dog to crankbait, and all shapes and colors.  |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | learn the art of the walking eagle ... find the zen of the fat-kid |
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| Gander MTN-MAN this is my account name. Thank you for wanting to help out |
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| Gander MTN-MAN this is my account name. Thank you for wanting to help out |
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Posts: 572
Location: Maplewood, MN | mnmusky101 - 7/22/2009 10:46 AM
like 619 musky i dont want to share spots but dont use alot of cowgirl and big blades because they are way overused in the metro this is hilarious because all you throw is blades in the metro hahaha. Musky fishing is all about putting in time and never quitting. I started musky fishing 3.5 seasons ago and I fish mostly metro lakes. I am 18 an I just boated my first musky. Put in time to research new spots, lakes, and techniques. I have put in over 30 musky outings with one fish in the boat, it takes time. When I was 15 I was in your same situation. My advice is get a lake map and just high light the hell out of it. Get out early and never be afraid to try new things. Good luck. |
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Posts: 2
| I feel you on the muskies getting frustrating, i just got into it this year and am 18. i have been getting out about twice a week and have spent countless hours on the lake with no fish boated yet either. just the other week i was at lake vermilion on vacation and was out everyday from 4:30am-10am and 7pm-11:30 pm and didn't even see a fish all week. i started fishing muskies seeking a new challenge and even though i have not caught any i am still learning more and having fun every time out. our day will come soon we just have to keep trying. anyways good luck to all and its nice to see other younger people as i getting into the sport. |
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| Biggest thing in the metro is getting away from the OBVIOUS spots. Fishing muskies for 4 years now and you can look at a map and literally point out where you'll see guys throwing day in and day out. As said in this thread, double 10's are probably the most heavily used bait, try down sizing? I know this has worked for me past few years. It's all about change for muskie fishing, finding something that not alot of guys use as far as bait choices. It takes a heck of alot of time to make your own patterns but as the guys have all said, when you do it yourself and you figure out what works for you, it makes catching that first ski all the more better, good luck kid. It seems as though your already hooked on muskies before you've even caught one, wait till you get that first one in the boat. |
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| You could do like the guys in the bass boat this morning.
Fish muskies when water temps are 82-83 degree's and be sure to target them in skinny hot water. When you catch that MONSTER 36-37 incher, be sure to hold its head out of the water for the entire unhooking process, then pull it up for 2-3 photo's (45 seconds) and then get a really good measure with a full tail pinch and recheck the length twice (1.5 minutes). Then doddle around holding the fish vertically moving stuff around with your other hand, slide 'er over the side and let it swim off in the bath water after over 100 seconds out of the water.
Hope the stupid clowns had fun cutting hooks out of their dog later, nice job guys! GET A CLUE!!!!!! |
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Posts: 12
Location: 10,000 Lakes | We have a rule, we give it 15 seconds fromt he time you get it out of the net for a pic, measurement and then back in the water. And while its in the net that fish is sitting in the water the whole time. But right now its not even worth it. While bassin' I saw surface temps of 92 in some places. It's because of people like this that we see floating fish on lakes at all times of the year especially when the water is this hot. |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | Really?,
It's perfectly clear that you are experiencing some anger and frustration based upon the poor handling of Muskies by uneducated, inhumane, or maybe even intellectually-challenged fisherman.
However; there are approximately three thousand people per day dying of starvation and disease right now in refugee camps throughout the Horn of Africa due to the most severe drought and famine conditions in over twenty years.
Maybe we can get some perspective here, eh? Your post reveals that you must be a truly caring person. How about a donation to one of the many humanitarian relief organizations that are operating out there?
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| This whole musky thing is terribly silly when put into perspective like that. Most things in life are probably terribly silly when compared to massive human suffering of others less fortunate. I think we musky fish (party) to escape all the stresses, cruelty, sadness, and pain in the world for a few hours at a time. Nothing wrong with that.
America has problems, yes, but not like some parts of the world where societies are completely broken. We are blessed with freedom and prosperity, but that freedom and prosperity wasn't free. So, while everyone is making donations to their favorite foreign-aid charity, makes sure to also send a few 'thank you's' to American veterans, or the parents of veterans if the veteran is no longer with us, thanking them for all the freedoms they help preserve with their sacrifices - and allowing us the ability provide foreign aid and to musky fish on places like Bald Eagle Lake, if we so choose.
Guest |
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| if all that were true you guys woulda been on the feed the world or the USO websites instead of this one. thanks for putting it all into perspective, lol |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | It's called "tongue in cheek." |
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Posts: 61
Location: Anoka | Well back to fishing muskie on BE "Guest" fish off the southern end of cigar island 18 ft vertical jig dawgs and bondy baits walleye color or something close be patient dont be afraid to fish deeper if that dosent work try some trolling throw some weight on a shallow invader and run that or a krave or krisco have worked well when trolling and when you do net something think about a net/release photo with these water temps it takes alot out of these fish when caught and trying to photo and even sitting in the net getting ready to photo while you look for your camera is not the smart thing to do with water this warm and dont tell anyone about my BE secrets lol !! Its great your this serious about muskie fishing at 15 fish hard and GOOD LUCK |
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| troll jakes on the northwest side of the lake after the weeds. dont be afraid to troll 5 mph or more if its cloudy or raining. slow your boat down the hotter and sunnier it is outside.let the jake hit the bottom, these are the most aggressive fish and baddest in the lake, the sand kicking up from the lure will trigger a strike. dont concentrate on color concentrate more on shape and size and patterns, if it doesnt look like its natural prey dont use it. The exception of the rule is wild patters and crazy colors. odds are this isnt the first lure shes seen and wont be the last. If that doesnt work throw topwaters. river2sea makes a lure called the whopper plopper. get the perch colored 1 and try the shallow flats and wherever you find cabage. in 2 years i have bought 4 of these and 3 were destroyed by the 4th or 5th musky caught on them. good luck kid. if it were easy the hmong would fish them. |
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| troll jakes on the northwest side of the lake after the weeds. dont be afraid to troll 5 mph or more if its cloudy or raining. slow your boat down the hotter and sunnier it is outside.let the jake hit the bottom, these are the most aggressive fish and baddest in the lake, the sand kicking up from the lure will trigger a strike. dont concentrate on color concentrate more on shape and size and patterns, if it doesnt look like its natural prey dont use it. The exception of the rule is wild patters and crazy colors. odds are this isnt the first lure shes seen and wont be the last. If that doesnt work throw topwaters. river2sea makes a lure called the whopper plopper. get the perch colored 1 and try the shallow flats and wherever you find cabage. in 2 years i have bought 4 of these and 3 were destroyed by the 4th or 5th musky caught on them. good luck kid. if it were easy the hmong would fish them. |
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| troll jakes on the northwest side of the lake after the weeds. dont be afraid to troll 5 mph or more if its cloudy or raining. slow your boat down the hotter and sunnier it is outside.let the jake hit the bottom, these are the most aggressive fish and baddest in the lake, the sand kicking up from the lure will trigger a strike. dont concentrate on color concentrate more on shape and size and patterns, if it doesnt look like its natural prey dont use it. The exception of the rule is wild patters and crazy colors. odds are this isnt the first lure shes seen and wont be the last. If that doesnt work throw topwaters. river2sea makes a lure called the whopper plopper. get the perch colored 1 and try the shallow flats and wherever you find cabage. in 2 years i have bought 4 of these and 3 were destroyed by the 4th or 5th musky caught on them. good luck kid. if it were easy the hmong would fish them. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I have seen one constant correlation all year all over MN and that has been lure location. This has held on Leech, Mille Lacs, and every metro lake we have fished. We have had no luck at all on lures run high in the water column. Bucktails run up high have barely drawn even a follow and we have not had even one follow on topwater all year. Presentations such as diving lures in open water and spinner baits dropped down to the weed tops have produced the best results.
If you use a bucktail, let it drop down a few feet closer to the weed tops and structure. Just throwing it out and immediately reeling it back in high in the water column can produce results in shalllow water, but usually not so much on deep edges or open water.
A spinner bait is a similar presentation to a bucktail. It is just more weedless and can usually be run deeper and closer to cover without fouling. Good spinner baits include CJs, Rad Dogs, Grinders, Candy Spins and Funky Chickens. Thornes carries those and a lot of other good spinner baits as well.
As Doug Smith has said "Its better to put a bad lure in a good place than a good lure in a bad place". Often times the difference between a "good" place and a "bad" place is how deep the lure is running. Just a few feet can make a huge difference.
Good luck. |
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bald eagle lake suggestions