Super User gim Posted March 15 Super User Posted March 15 Figured it was time to start it even though legal bass season isn't for nearly another 2 months. I have seen some ponds and smaller bodies of water wide open recently though so panfishing may be closer than realized. I went in and got a bunch of reels re-spooled today at Cabela's, bought a little bit of tackle, and got my angling license. Ready for the season. Post your success, failures, fish photos, and trip recaps right here for the season (all species, not just bass). 3 Quote
Super User gim Posted March 16 Author Super User Posted March 16 There is a reasonable chance that MN follows suit and removes the closed bass season between Feb and May in 2026. This period currently prohibits the specific targeting of bass. Next year it would be open for C & R through late May. In some years it might not add much time to fish given the weather and ice out; some years it could add a month or more (like last year). 3 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted March 16 Super User Posted March 16 I've started minor maintenance on my bass reels - the panfish reels have been ready for a couple weeks now. After maintenance will be re-spooling. 2 Quote
WaskaCrank12 Posted March 16 Posted March 16 I too purchased the MN conservation fishing license (recommended to me last year by @gim). Over the winter I have purchased a few used rods/reels and despite my saying I was not going to purchase more baits/lures the Bait Monkey dug into me - So no more as of today ! ! Last year, due to motor issues, I was not able to get on the water until August 10th - those issues should all be resolved - so I hope to get on the water as soon as it is open (to search for panfish, I have an Okuma Celio rod and Shimano Miravel reel that @MN Fisher had recommended to me last year). Right now the area lakes still have thick ice on them. There was not a lot of snow cover this winter so the ice was over two feet thick. Friday it was 60 degrees, yesterday was a blizzard, today it is in the teens and it seems the temps will be below 32 at night at least into early April - so ice out might be delayed. I think it would be wonderful if MN went with an earlier bass C&R window of time. With the overall on the water time here in MN as short as it is -- to be able to fish for bass once the water is open would be nice. 2 Quote
10,000 lakes Bassin Posted March 18 Posted March 18 I just heard that a local lake has 11 inches of ice so it’s melting pretty fast. I’m not a panfish fisherman but I’ve been itching to get on the water so bad that I might give it a shot this spring, as well as graphing a couple lakes before the weeds grow up. Turkey season is first so I’ll focus on that in the mean time. The bait monkey has got to me bad I’ll admit so it’s going to be fun to fish with my new gear. I think a catch and release only period from ice out until end of June would be great. It would benefit the fish and the fishermen bette then the regulations do now. I mean bass don’t even spawn in the closed season right now and I’m sure lots of guys eat fish that are full of eggs and spawning. 2 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted March 18 Super User Posted March 18 Only report I could find says that there's 16" of ice still on Minnetonka...of course that varies depending on where on the lake you are. Some errands yesterday had me passing Black Lake which had no anglers on the ice, and a pretty wide open spot by the channel to Spring Park Bay. 2 Quote
Super User gim Posted March 18 Author Super User Posted March 18 9 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said: I’m not a panfish fisherman but I’ve been itching to get on the water so bad that I might give it a shot this spring, as well as graphing a couple lakes before the weeds grow up. Turkey season is first so I’ll focus on that in the mean time. I'm not a big panfish guy either myself. If there's a game fish season open, I would prefer to target them. But with the current regulations, panfish are the only option once there's open water. So that's what I target. Usually make it out targeting crappies about 2-3 times and also participate in an annual crappie contest on Lake Minnetonka. And...I also turkey hunt. So there's that too. Quote
Super User gim Posted March 19 Author Super User Posted March 19 The State of MN is requiring anyone under the age of 41 to take a boater's safety course, effective July 1, 2025. It will be phased in. From what I can gather, the course is 3-4 hours long and costs 35 bucks. It closely aligns with ATV operation training in the state. For some reason I can't enlarge it though... Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted March 19 Super User Posted March 19 15 minutes ago, gim said: The State of MN is requiring anyone under the age of 41 to take a boater's safety course, effective July 1, 2025. Well past time IMO Quote
WaskaCrank12 Posted March 19 Posted March 19 1 hour ago, gim said: The State of MN is requiring anyone under the age of 41 to take a boater's safety course, effective July 1, 2025. It will be phased in. From what I can gather, the course is 3-4 hours long and costs 35 bucks. It closely aligns with ATV operation training in the state. For some reason I can't enlarge it though... It makes a lot of sense to have a boat safety course - same with firearm/ATV courses - from my perspective there are no downsides to these courses - yes it is an investment of time/money, yet that is for the safety of the operator and all those who are around them - increasing knowledge and skill is always a positive 1 Quote
10,000 lakes Bassin Posted Thursday at 02:25 PM Posted Thursday at 02:25 PM I was curious does anyone here bass fish in a neighboring state in the spring before the MN season opens? 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted Thursday at 02:26 PM Super User Posted Thursday at 02:26 PM 10 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said: I was curious does anyone here bass fish in a neighboring state in the spring before the MN season opens? Define 'neighboring'. A-Jay 3 Quote
10,000 lakes Bassin Posted Thursday at 02:36 PM Posted Thursday at 02:36 PM 2 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Define 'neighboring'. A-Jay lol that’s maybe not a next door neighbor, more like a neighbor a couple blocks away. I think it still counts though! 1 Quote
Super User gim Posted Thursday at 11:57 PM Author Super User Posted Thursday at 11:57 PM 9 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said: I was curious does anyone here bass fish in a neighboring state in the spring before the MN season opens? Every time I think about doing it, I don’t. There used to be a guy on here named Wisconsin Guide and he gave me about 4 lakes in western Wisconsin I could try, but I never have due to a lack or time, the distance, and cost. Honestly the only time I target a crappie is before our opener so I’m ok doing it a few times. Otherwise I would literally never seek out panfishing in any way… 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted Friday at 02:28 PM Super User Posted Friday at 02:28 PM On 3/16/2025 at 5:56 PM, gim said: There is a reasonable chance that MN follows suit and removes the closed bass season between Feb and May in 2026. This period currently prohibits the specific targeting of bass. Next year it would be open for C & R through late May. Fingers crossed! 3 Quote
Standard Posted Friday at 03:19 PM Posted Friday at 03:19 PM On 3/20/2025 at 9:25 AM, 10,000 lakes Bassin said: I was curious does anyone here bass fish in a neighboring state in the spring before the MN season opens? I do, mainly the west side of WI targeting smallmouth. I may try some spots around Hayward this year. 1 1 Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted Friday at 03:52 PM Super User Posted Friday at 03:52 PM On 3/20/2025 at 10:25 AM, 10,000 lakes Bassin said: I was curious does anyone here bass fish in a neighboring state in the spring before the MN season opens? South Dakota. Huge fish on the border at Big Stone, or further West into the glacial lakes region - Cattail/Kettle, Roy, Clear, Horseshoe, etc. Always found it much more productive than the Western waters of Wisconsin. 2 1 Quote
Dan N Posted Saturday at 02:40 AM Posted Saturday at 02:40 AM Man , I feel for you! I am so thankful Wi has a year round catch and release season! I do live a couple minutes from Lake Winnebago thou, that has always been open year round. I fortunately don’t know the feeling of waiting for opening day. Wisconsin has tons of great bass fishing lakes, not to mention the Mississippi River. And the bay of Green Bay or sturgeon bay, some the best smallmouth fishing anywhere. 2 Quote
10,000 lakes Bassin Posted Saturday at 03:24 AM Posted Saturday at 03:24 AM @Dan N If I come knocking at your door you’ll know why! 1 Quote
Adrift Posted Saturday at 03:52 AM Posted Saturday at 03:52 AM Open water south of the metro today. 4 Quote
BassinBrett Posted Sunday at 02:34 PM Posted Sunday at 02:34 PM I took my new kayak out on Michelle lake in Eden pairie. The water temp was 39 to 40 degrees. I will be “crappy” fishing until the silly state of MN lets me fish for bass. 1 2 Quote
Super User gim Posted Sunday at 03:20 PM Author Super User Posted Sunday at 03:20 PM 47 minutes ago, BassinBrett said: I will be “crappy” fishing until the silly state of MN lets me fish for bass. Just remember, virtually every fish/lake regulation on the books here is to protect the sacred walleyes. They have nothing to do with bass. This thread is a multi-species MN thread. We like seeing sizable slabs, walleyes, muskies, and trout too. No hammer handle pike or rock bass, please. 😂 1 Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted Sunday at 05:40 PM Super User Posted Sunday at 05:40 PM 2 hours ago, gim said: No rock bass, please. It's a panfish, not much different from bluegills or crappie....if I catch a slab rockie, I'm posting it! 1 Quote
throttleplate Posted 21 hours ago Posted 21 hours ago On 3/23/2025 at 12:40 PM, MN Fisher said: It's a panfish, not much different from bluegills or crappie....if I catch a slab rockie, I'm posting it! rock bass are not suppossed to be good tasting from what i read, anyone eat one? Quote
Super User MN Fisher Posted 21 hours ago Super User Posted 21 hours ago 10 minutes ago, throttleplate said: rock bass are not suppossed to be good tasting from what i read, anyone eat one? I've eaten them - they're not too different from any other panfish....my mom loved them, preferred them over bluegill or crappie. 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.