Minnesota Fishing Reports - 2017

[punch]

11 hours ago, OperationEagle said:

2 nights in a row....4 letters..... S L O W. 

 

glad to to be out though as bothe nights were beautiful.

 

who is catchin em and with what and where?  

 

Got out the other night and caught them with a white/chartreuse chatterbait and a dropshot with a finesse worm. Got about a dozen? Nothing over 2lbs though. 

Fished off shore in about 12' near healthy weedlines. Banged the shallow bank a little bit around docks/reed with topwater at dusk and just ONE bite. 

[rascalP]

I fished 2 different lakes this past week, one being a clearer deep weedline lake and the other a dark lake with a much shallower weedline. Tuesday we fished weedlines at 14 fow on various offshore structure - needed to be hard bottom out to 16-17fow.  One rod day - t-rigged culprit junebug worm on a pegged 3/8 oz sinker. Lots of fish caught with 19" being the biggest.

 

 Wednesday we fished league night on the darker water. Much tougher. Our best spot only gave up 2 small keepers. We moved around to a few other spots, staying mostly under 7 fow around shallow weeds fishing reeeal slow with weightless wacky dingers and got a couple more. Then we went to a deeper spot (7-10 fow) with no weeds and caught all the fish we ended up weighing in.  They preferred a ned rig instead of a black trick worm on a jig head. Notched our first win with 12 1/2 lbs.

[FryDog62]

I would agree with the SLOW comment on fishing lately... at least in the metro with water temps nearing 80. Catching a lot less fish and a lot more work to find them.  My son did try to catch his sister in the big largemouth category.  His was 21 inches, but hers weighed a few ounces more.  A little sibling rivalry is good

[gim]

Forget the lakes.  Go to the rivers!  The smallmouth bite in rivers right now is ridiculous.  I floated one for about 4.5 hours yesterday and we caught 33 smallmouth and 5 pike, mostly on topwaters and shallow crankbaits.  They were really smashing it.

[Jeff H]

Today is a special day here in MN. Today was 4th day post front. First time this year that I know of.  Tomorrow will be 5.  If that doesn't excite you then you don't know what you don't know.  For all you getting out tomorrow...enjoy! 

[rascalP]

Gonna be fishing hard these next few weeks. League fishing wraps up and gotta get out on some "for fun" lakes.  Work, fish, eat, sleep.  Hoping to get up to Grand Rapids area the end of Aug. and going up to ML for the Bassmasters in Sep.

 

 On that note, I hope everybody saw how our "hometown boy" Seth Feider did at Lake Champlain.    Cool to see how a guy known  (at least to the Bassmaster nation)  for being a smallmouth guy, comes up with some toad "greenies".  Way cool.

 

 

2 hours ago, Jeff H said:

Today is a special day here in MN. Today was 4th day post front. First time this year that I know of.  Tomorrow will be 5.  If that doesn't excite you then you don't know what you don't know.  For all you getting out tomorrow...enjoy! 

   

   I've tried to figure out the whole cold front, warm front, pre front, post front.    I've fished days I thought would be outstanding, and it stunk.  Days I thought would be bad, high skies, and cool were great.   One thing I've learned FOR SURE.  The best time to go fishing,  Is whenever you can.     SO, for all you getting out tomorrow... ENJOY.

[punch]

Hrm I'm going to have to hit the river this week.. RUM is callin? 

[geneoh]

25 minutes ago, punch said:

Hrm I'm going to have to hit the river this week.. RUM is callin? 

 

 I'm going to be moving pretty close to rum so I plan on  going out at least a few times this year. 

[punch]

1 hour ago, geneoh said:

 

 I'm going to be moving pretty close to rum so I plan on  going out at least a few times this year. 

Sweet, I live like 5 minutes from the Anoka fairgrounds ramp. 

[redbirdsfan44]

Thanks to everyone for the advice for my trip coming up in a little over a week to Mille Lacs. Yes I have my own boat and yes it has side imaging (hds9 gen3) it sounds like I'm fairly prepared for the trip based on the information. Smallmouth fishing isn't new to me, being that I grew up on Table Rock. That being said the vast open water will be new. Thanks again for the information and hopefully I can post some pictures of some footballs afterwards 

[NathanDLTH]

Hey guys need some tips. When I fish a new body of water whether it's rivers, lakes, ponds, or streams I can spend the whole day and not catch a fish. Example last Saturday I fished in Anoka where the rum meets the Mississippi and got maybe one bite all day. Fished small keitechs, tubes, cranks, jerks, top water, bigger keitchs and so forth. Need some advice at how to break down a new body of water. Also I'm primarily a bank angler aside when people take me out on their boats which is 2-3 times a season. 

[ACSport]

13 hours ago, NathanDLTH said:

Hey guys need some tips. When I fish a new body of water whether it's rivers, lakes, ponds, or streams I can spend the whole day and not catch a fish. Example last Saturday I fished in Anoka where the rum meets the Mississippi and got maybe one bite all day. Fished small keitechs, tubes, cranks, jerks, top water, bigger keitchs and so forth. Need some advice at how to break down a new body of water. Also I'm primarily a bank angler aside when people take me out on their boats which is 2-3 times a season. 

 

It's not just you, I've never had any luck from that spot either in the 3 times I've tried this season. Bank angler same as you, all I ever heard was there's loads of fish and many good spots and you can walk all the way up to the dam on the Rum for some good fishing... nope. Off the janky plastic docks into the Mississippi with everything from cranks to senkos... nothing. Have got one bite on the rum from the first break in the trees as you head north, that's it. Then if you can find it there's the beach-like area opposite the boat launch on the rum, but I found it too shallow and sandy. I have no clue how to get all the way up to the dam from there.

 

So I just give up and go to my favorite spot, Lake cenaiko in coon rapids dam park. Fish the river on either side of the point just behind picnic shelter #4, then when the smallie bite goes away head down to the west shore of the lake for some largemouth. There's about 3 good gaps in the trees to fish from north of the west dock.

[NathanDLTH]

29 minutes ago, ACSport said:

 

It's not just you, I've never had any luck from that spot either in the 3 times I've tried this season. Bank angler same as you, all I ever heard was there's loads of fish and many good spots and you can walk all the way up to the dam on the Rum for some good fishing... nope. Off the janky plastic docks into the Mississippi with everything from cranks to senkos... nothing. Have got one bite on the rum from the first break in the trees as you head north, that's it. Then if you can find it there's the beach-like area opposite the boat launch on the rum, but I found it too shallow and sandy. I have no clue how to get all the way up to the dam from there.

 

So I just give up and go to my favorite spot, Lake cenaiko in coon rapids dam park. Fish the river on either side of the point just behind picnic shelter #4, then when the smallie bite goes away head down to the west shore of the lake for some largemouth. There's about 3 good gaps in the trees to fish from north of the west dock.

I fish that area as well, been trying to find new area to fish. Glad it's not just me. Fishing has been tougher this summer, seems finesse is the way to go. 

[punch]

I spent the weekend camping/fishing Lake Carlos up in Alexandria and had an EPIC weekend of clear water bass fishing. I think I caught around 40 fish. It's such a cool and challenging lake becuase it's very clear and very deep. The bass tend to school up so if you can find them, you can get into some fun fishing. 

 

The most effective baits all weekend were a storm chug bug popper, zoom super fluke in baby bass, and the NED rig. The ned has been such a confidence bait for me on clear lakes. I call it the destroyer of worlds. It's such a versatile bait. I was fishing it shallow along the edges of reeds, hopping it down steep banks, fishing it on the bottom in 25-30 feet. I just use the different weight heads depending on the bottom (soft bottom, lighter ned.. it'll rest on top vs getting stuck) and depth. I caught a few fish on a terminator bluegill spinnerbait in thick cover and a couple on jerkbaits. 

 

I always forget to toss the fluke in clear water, but I had one tied on all weekend this trip. Bass can't keep off it when they are around other bass.. they get competitive when you twitch it and let it "die". I really like simply nose hooking the fluke on a 1/0 wacky hook. I was dying the tails blue to imitate the pumpkinseed. 

 

 

 

My baby bass colored storm chug bug has gotten a workout this year. 

 

I even picked up a nice smally (not many in this lake) on the NED

 

 

 

On 7/31/2017 at 11:02 AM, geneoh said:

 

 I'm going to be moving pretty close to rum so I plan on  going out at least a few times this year. 

 

It's a hot smallmouth spot in the fall. I've fished it several times so if you want to go let me know!

[gim]

Good work.  That's really deep for a ned rig!  It really does work in crystal clear water.  Earlier this spring it was the only thing I could get bit on when the water was gin clear.

 

I went out twice since last Thursday (the day with all the storms, wind, and cold front) and didn't do very well.  I caught some fish but the bite was noticeably tougher than it was before that day of drastic weather.

 

 

[geneoh]

I was fishing a Ned rid today in stained water. Coppertreuse color and a green jig head and was hammering them. I think they love the chartreuse. It was out fishing a dropshot and that's one of my go to's. 

 

Punch, let's make it happen!

[sully420]

Caught some biggins yesterday, fishing has been pretty good all summer and awesome lately. I cant wait to get out this weekend and take advantage of this cloud cover and keeo power fishing.id post pics but the file size is so small the dont fit

[OperationEagle]

1 hour ago, sully420 said:

Caught some biggins yesterday, fishing has been pretty good all summer and awesome lately. I cant wait to get out this weekend and take advantage of this cloud cover and keeo power fishing.id post pics but the file size is so small the dont fit

I must be doin something wrong...dog days of summer for me.

 

How deep and what (lure and presentation) are you having success on Sully?

[sully420]

7 hours ago, OperationEagle said:

I must be doin something wrong...dog days of summer for me.

 

How deep and what (lure and presentation) are you having success on Sully?

Okay I'll try to explain what I do the best that I can but bear with me because I'm a very abstract person. The first thing I do is I select the water I'm fishing based on the conditions of the day. So if I'm fishing a bluebird Sunny hot day I try to pick a body of water that's stained 5 ft visibility or less. I pick a body of water that has a lot of docks or pads or mats with at least four to five feet of water underneath them. When I'm fishing these conditions I'm generally skipping a 3/8 ounce jig under the docks or I'm punching the pads or mats with at least three quarter ounce skirted punch rig. when I have cloudy or rainy conditions i Pick the five foot visibility Plus Lakes. These are usually your clear lakes with weed lines that go from 15 to 20 ft deep. These bodies of water with these weather conditions I look for areas of transition, places where you will find weed lines next to hard bottom or sand bottoms in these situations i fish spinnerbait, swim jig, or a variety of top water baits. I feel like when you have clouds you get bigger fish moving in to shallow weed edges with bottom Contour transition or moving up on weed edges with deep water nearby. One of the things I make sure I do is I avoid schools of smaller Bass if I'm throwing a drop shot around on deep weed edges and I'm getting bit by one to two pounders I move on right away I just don't seem to catch 4 lb plus fish around those schools very often. What I'm talking about here is all about catching those four and a half plus pound fish, the best way to do that somewhat consistently is to put yourself in the best position you can to get around those fish. I haven't had luck finding those fish in water deeper than 15 ft consistently. So I try to put myself in a position to find them in shower water where I can fish targets. I feel like if you're interested in catching numbers of fish tie on a drop shot and a three and a half to 6 inch swimbait and fish those deep weed edges crankbaits are awesome for this as well I've had a lot of luck this summer finding a big tapering flat that has like 15 feet of water with the grass growing to 10 feet and running that dt10 over that grass. When I'm choosing the baits I will use, I think about a couple things the first thing is probably efficiency how efficient can I fish this bait given the cover and conditions and depth I want to fish. As in does it go to the depth that I think the fish are at, how well does it come through the cover im fishing. This next part is where your personal experience comes in or experience that you're gaining through the day as in are the fish reacting to vibration are they reacting to flash or are they reacting to the speed of your bait and you just kind of have to make a decision on what you're going to use throughout the day based on your thought process there. Generally I like to get fish to react I'm either dropping a heavy jig or punch rig or running a spinnerbait by their face I just adjust those based on how I can present that bait the best in that situation. As far as Jigs and punch rigs I don't think the color is a big deal because generally the bass bite that on a reaction right away before they even get a look at it. As far as spinnerbaits or bladed jigs or like a swim jig I think color can be very important especially on a spinnerbait or a bladed jig. In Clear Water conditions I am very meticulous on the kind of Blade I use in the color of skirt that I use I really try to stay away from the cookie cutter white chartreuse stuff in the summertime and really focus on the bluegill match the hatch kind of deal. I can't tell you how many of times i have Fished behind people throwing chartreuse spinnerbaits and follow them with a half ounce green pumpkin with a little orange spinnerbait and caught big'uns right behind them. Basically stained water i use a  Colorado blade gold, and in Clearwater I like Willow Leaf blades one gold one silver or the small one painted the bigger one gold or silver. To catch the bigger fish a small change in color on a bait that is so often use like a spinnerbait makes all the difference. I'm sure I've just thoroughly confused you but feel free to ask questions and that will help me to explain my mindset. I hope this does help you because I have had some success consistently doing this.

Edited August 10, 2017 by sully420
Grammer

[OperationEagle]

On 8/9/2017 at 4:16 PM, geneoh said:

I was fishing a Ned rid today in stained water. Coppertreuse color and a green jig head and was hammering them. I think they love the chartreuse. It was out fishing a dropshot and that's one of my go to's. 

 

Punch, let's make it happen!

Geneoh was your jighead weedless? And what weight did you use?  I've been reading about this technique and plan to give it a try this weekend. 

Sully wow didn't expect that detailed response. You're doing something right...stay on it!

[sully420]

Looking at the weather a ned rig will not be the deal this weekend . Id try to catch then on something moving before finesse. 

[geneoh]

3 hours ago, OperationEagle said:

Geneoh was your jighead weedless? And what weight did you use?  I've been reading about this technique and plan to give it a try this weekend. 

Sully wow didn't expect that detailed response. You're doing something right...stay on it!

 

I'm not sure the size but it was light enough I could fish it through weeds and it wouldn't get caught up even though it didn't have a weed guard. I fished it S.L.O.W. let it fall to the bottom. Lift it up, give it a twitch, maybe drag it a little. When I felt weeds just slowly pull it through, possibly have to give it a small pop and let it fall. Repeat. I would typically lift and feel weight so I'd lift higher and there'd be a fish on. 

[punch]

Anyone hitting Mille Lacs this weekend? I'm camping here and plan on fishing the southeast corner. God help me.  

[FryDog62]

7 hours ago, punch said:

Anyone hitting Mille Lacs this weekend? I'm camping here and plan on fishing the southeast corner. God help me.  

I have a friend whose out there this morning with a guide... will let you know if I hear back from him in time.  My guess is they throw plastics around the SE rock piles early but then spend most of the day drop-shotting in 20 fow.  

[punch]

I got out for some fishing Saturday AM with my buddy on Mille Lacs. We first hit 3 Mile Island and saw a ton of fish and activity on the electronics.. but only caught one walleye. Lotta boats were pounding the island and didn't get any bites either. We picked up and moved over to Hawkbill Point and worked around the rock point with simbaits/tubes. We found one little corner that poked out into some deeper water and I caught these guys with a translucent/chartreuse Keitech fat impact on a 1/4oz tungston head. 

 

We only caught walleyes on tubes all morning, which was weird. I only got to fish for about 5-6 hours so I was pretty happy with two quality fish in that time. It was warm with bluebird skys so I was anticipating a grind. We really had to work to find some active fish... the few other boats we talked too were having a similar lack of action. That 4lber made the entire morning worth it though!

 

4lb 1oz 

 

3lb