BDAWGIN

I don't know of if there is much Backwater opportunities in the MPLS/St Paul area as I have never fished north of the Ford Dam. I do know that Pool 2 has decent backwaters down in the Hastings/cottage grove area. Mooers, Spring, and Grey Cloud Island area... I think you can even shore launch around the Grey Cloud Bridge or there is a carry down ramp on south side of Spring that is to small for anything but a Jon boat kayak or canoe! Hopefully this helps!

Been out on Pool 2, Minnetonka, Orchard (Lakeville), Marion (Lakeville) in the last couple weeks and the fish are scattered! All fish were caught on the junk pattern! Nothing consistent, couple here couple there type of deal, in a wide variety of presentations. No Biggies, just a bunch of 2.5lber's and under RAT's... Hopefully the weather will stabilize and help us out a little! Chasing Smallies in Hayward WI Tomorrow-Monday!!!

This is what we figured, hit the pre-spawn and potentially the first wave!!! Thanks Scott F

Hopefully one of you Kansas Guys can me out??? I heading to Topeka Kansas from Minnesota to visit family 7/2/15-7/6/15 and plan on dropping in somewhere!! But I am pretty much clueless in what lakes to hit while I am there... Looking at google maps looks like Clinton or Perry will be our best bet as far as location...Any suggestions or insight to those lakes? or are there better options? Any and all information is greatly appreciated!!!

We will be heading to the Hayward Area to chase Smallies in 10 days on LCO, Grindstone, and Round!!!! We have been coming up on memorial weekend for the past several years and its been all about the pre-spawners with water temps from ranging 45-55 degree mark.... With the warmth to this spring, What should we expect for water temps and/or spawn stage? Were thinking that our timing this year will be perfect... any insight to this?

Thanks everyone for sharing all the information!! This should be all I need to be able to land some fish and it sounds like the same approach as fishing in MN as far as tackle goes. The shore fishing opportunities down there seem like a lot of fun and an inexpensive way to experience South Florida's fishery's. I will probably go with 30lbs braid and 15lbs flouro leader just to ensure I can horse them out of any slop. I plan to have about the same arsenal as Geo G stated above combination of Florida rigged soft plastics (Trick worms & lizards), Skirted Jigs/crawdad combo, Topwater, Spinners, Jerkbaits, lipless and square bill cranks. SNAKES I will assume all snakes are poisonous. I think I have only seen 1 snake in my entire life outside the zoo. Any concern about Gators? I don't want to be lunch! I am very excited to get down there and do some fishing. Our game fish season closed last weekend and it will be several weeks until open water. its currently -8 degrees outside and our lakes have 15"+ of ice. Again Thanks everyone!

Thank you! This is very good information.... Is there any signage on the ponds that would indicate that the waters are private?

Srome002 & Geo G Thanks guys for all the good information!!! "Some of the best fishing around are little ponds with limited access, some have monster bass in them. Don't pass up a road side pond, a golf course pond, or any other body of water." Are there any restrictions to fish the ponds other than the FFWCC Regs? Are most of the public or are there private waters to look out for? Do I need permission to fish golf courses? Sorry for all the questions but there are not the same opportunities in Minnesota!

Guys I was wondering if anyone could share any helpful information on Shore fishing in South Florida? I am coming From Minnesota for vacation end of March and staying in Hollywood FL for a week. I am trying to figure out where to go for a couple hours in the morning each day I am down there. I have done a lot of research to find areas that are accessible by foot! I read to fish golf course ponds, and the canals. Could anyone help?

I am a die hard weekend angler from Minnesota and I am heading to Miami area for family vacation March 19-26th. My wife will not support using a guide service because she thinks its a waste of $$$. Leaving my options limited which I would not be able to live with myself if I come to Florida without experiencing the bass fishing opportunities it has to offer. I am wondering if anyone would have open seat in there rig for any of those days in March? I am willing to pay for gas, food, ect for anyone willing to take me out on the water. (This is common in MN not sure about FL) Or Can anyone point me in the right direction for some shore fishing areas that generally produce action. Thanks for any and all help!

Thanks for the information Scott F... I figured it would be in the mid-upper 40"s... Hopefully this couple day stretch of better weather will fire them up for this weekend when we arrive... We have only fished the lake with water temps below 50 in early May so we decided to push it back few weeks I think this decision will pay off. Are there better lakes to fish Smallies in the Hayward area besides Grindstone, LOC & Round?

Yes I saw Lake-link posts and posted on there.... Thanks anyways

Do any of you have any reports from Grindstone Lake in Hayward WI? Been up there a couple times in previous years but having trouble any fishing reports. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!