Minnesota Fishing Reports - 2017

[NathanDLTH]

I'll post pictures when I can, but found a neat little lake in Stillwater where I caught two bass on kietchs. This was Friday night and I've never fished this lake before. 

 

Saturday night fished Josephine and caught two. I'm not sure on size but the first was out of the pads on the west southwest then caught another on a whopper plopper. Weekend was a good time fishing. 

[sully420]

been a great week of fishing, top water and spinner baits have been the deal

 

[Ranger518vx]

The last 2 weekends we have crushed them. Flipping and punching last weekend and caught 51. This past weekend we mainly finessed on a different lake and caught well over 100. Nothing big, lots of 13 and 14 inchers but it was a blast!

[gim]

I had maybe my best day not only of the entire season, but also in the past 5-6 years on Sunday afternoon in the rain.  They wanted a fast presentation and because the weather was questionable, I was the only soul out there.  I'm telling you, go in the rain.  You'll have better fishing and there will be less competition, plus no recreational traffic.

[gim]

Has anyone been catching them on frogs?  I can't get on a frog bite to save my life.  I try it almost every time for at least 10 minutes and they won't even look at it.

[sully420]

17 hours ago, gimruis said:

Has anyone been catching them on frogs?  I can't get on a frog bite to save my life.  I try it almost every time for at least 10 minutes and they won't even look at it.

Same here buzz or walking bait have been good very early in the am. Flipping heavy grass has worked well later in the day.

[redbirdsfan44]

Had an awesome trip to Mille lacs this week. We caught tons of fish. Only consistent pattern we had was drop shotting on the north end of the lake in 12-16 ft of water. We tried out pokegama for a day and caught a ton of fish there as well. Lots of 4lb smallies in the area. My buddy I was with caught a tagged one the was pretty cool to see. We reported it online. How common are tagged fish (smallmouth) in Mille lacs?

[Ranger518vx]

4 hours ago, redbirdsfan44 said:

Had an awesome trip to Mille lacs this week. We caught tons of fish. Only consistent pattern we had was drop shotting on the north end of the lake in 12-16 ft of water. We tried out pokegama for a day and caught a ton of fish there as well. Lots of 4lb smallies in the area. My buddy I was with caught a tagged one the was pretty cool to see. We reported it online. How common are tagged fish (smallmouth) in Mille lacs?

This year they tagged a ton of fish. We caught 8 in a week back in June. 

 

Managed to catch 40 yesterday at a east metro lake. The 5 biggest going for just a bit over 14 lbs. Texas rigged Chigger craw was the best bite.

[redbirdsfan44]

It wouldn't let me post pics earlier

[ACSport]

Booked a camping trip up at Crow Wing state park for next weekend. Any tips for fishing that area from shore? Is it worth it to rent a Kayak to fish there? I'll take anything that bites after the horrible month I've had. 

[gim]

Nice photos redbird, and sweet setup too.

[Crowcommander]

Had a good weekin Minnesota also. Caught about 15 smallys on south side at Isle.Went to a small lake we found about 6 years ago called Camp Lakewest of Mille Lac when wind was blowing. Got to Fish Trout,Deer, Wabana,Blackwater and Mule. Wish we had some conservation lakes like Mule and Blackwater where everything 14to20" has to be released. One may be kept over 20".What a fishery!

 

[punch]

Went out and hit Rum River for a few hours last night and caught about 6 smallies. Mostly all on wacky weighted senkos and swimbaits. No huge donkeys but it was fun! River was high, dead calm and low flow. Very enjoyable. 

[NathanDLTH]

Having a hard time with the frog bite... Finding bass who wanna bite not the problem, but hooking them is lol! Me-that's the problem and my hookset. Any suggestions? 

[Jmhalvo]

Same for me...I do better with a longer delay to hookset. Like they always say about surface plugs: you hooking % is better if you close your eyes! Not as fun though

Tried Crooked Sunday am. Two big swirls- one almost got to the boat. Then: 2 hours of NOTHING. Disappointed - I am a motorized kayaker and love a small bass lake. Anyone try Beebe?

[geneoh]

12 hours ago, Jmhalvo said:

Same for me...I do better with a longer delay to hookset. Like they always say about surface plugs: you hooking % is better if you close your eyes! Not as fun though

Tried Crooked Sunday am. Two big swirls- one almost got to the boat. Then: 2 hours of NOTHING. Disappointed - I am a motorized kayaker and love a small bass lake. Anyone try Beebe?

 

You should check out Bush Lake in Bloomington.

[Jmhalvo]

ok, thanks. What is your experience there?

[geneoh]

20 minutes ago, Jmhalvo said:

ok, thanks. What is your experience there?

 

Clear, lots of deep weeds. Low pressure because it's a max 5mph lake. Small as well. Would be great for a kayak. 

[Jmhalvo]

Did very well on Alex Chain today...only one thing worked: jig-worm Senko. Got a 19.5, 18, and some from 15-17. Incredible since the wind switched to NW -I assumed it would be terrible 

[gim]

I went fishing Fri, Sat, and Sun.  Did OK on Friday, did really good on Saturday and even better on Sunday.  I caught 2 more muskies on Saturday morning and three smallmouth over 18.5 inches on Sunday afternoon, including the second biggest smallmouth I've caught this season, a 19 1/4 incher.  It was probably the best Labor Day weekend for fishing I've had in a decade.

[geneoh]

Went out for a few hours this morning and it was tough. I went to a lake I fished a lot last year but not much this year and all of the weeds at my usual spots were gone. It was unexpected and had me guessing way too much. WT was 68!

[punch]

Me and a buddy are fishing the Greenhorn open derby on Coon this weekend.. first tournament this year. I'm excited!

[FishingMN]

The last week or two I think I've been trying the wrong thing (many wrong things) to find the bass.  I am catching northern 10 to 1 bass.  I want bass.  Any clues where they are?  They don't seem to want moving baits, and the worm/jig bite is tough.. unless I am not targeting them properly?   I am not a very strong jig fisher so I sometimes give up on that.  But a buddy that is a jig fisher says he's had a hard time with that lately too..   This time of the year has traditionally been tough for me.  Any pointers?

[Jmhalvo]

Probably deeper that the pike. Also some lakes are just too full of northerns.

[FishingMN]

17 hours ago, Jmhalvo said:

Probably deeper that the pike. Also some lakes are just too full of northerns.

I have no problem catching bass during the rest of the season.  It is just the late summer/early fall that I need to figure out.  The lake has a good bass population.  Weeds out to 11 feet.  Somewhat stained water.