First time out….

Sounds like a good outing. Shore fishing or did you get the boat out?

On shore John. I’m not certain how far down the lake its open. I was on an inside corner of the shoreline and couldn’t see where the melt had extended.

That is a nice surprise catch!

It was a surprise catch. Normally it would be one of the common sh/t fishes: carp, catfish, northern, buffalo.

A couple more degfrees and those smallies will start to hang on shore. Then things really get interesting with light line. A 4 pound smallie in 40-42 degree water is one heck of a fight.

I will have to check some of the local lakes around here in STC area. Ones that have creeks flowing into them must have open water I would think.

I’ve been pretty stir crazy with this warmer weather. I was hoping to fish longer but the wind ramped up. At least I caught fish while scratching that itch.

That’s a fun 1st outing of the year for sure. I think we are 2-3 weeks if not more away from any open water fishing here in the St. Cloud area. buddy was on a lake about 50 miles north on Wed. and they were still driving full sized trucks out. I think with the warmer temps the landings are going to get bad real fast. It will most likely be walking out only from here on out

Jimmy Jones wrote:

I’ve been pretty stir crazy with this warmer weather.

I just wish it would figure out what the heck it wants to do and stick with it! mid 70s today, 30s Sunday what the heck mother nature you are drunk!

fishthumper wrote:

I think we are 2-3 weeks if not more away from any open water fishing here in the St. Cloud area.

Oh, I know of one place that is probably fishable right now. No, its not a main lake area, but I will bet that it can be fished today.

CaptainMusky wrote:

March 14, 2025 at 9:59 am#2323820
fishthumper wrote:
I think we are 2-3 weeks if not more away from any open water fishing here in the St. Cloud area.

Oh, I know of one place that is probably fishable right now. No, its not a main lake area, but I will bet that it can be fished today

I bet I know of the place you are talking about. Its the 1st place we float a boat in almost every year. If you can get the boat from the landing to a long side channel real close, there is a decent size area to fish. Lots of the shore fishing stops along it are mostly posted and some of the owners are not real friendly I’ve been told.

FT you are probably thinking the same place. Also, the Mississippi is open to the Rice Bridge. A few more days and it will be open in Sartell.

CaptainMusky wrote:

FT you are probably thinking the same place. Also, the Mississippi is open to the Rice Bridge. A few more days and it will be open in Sartell.

If its the same place, you CAN NOT get a boat from the landing to the channel just yet. Just received a picture. It’s close but go go as of today.

Quit acting like its a secret spot. If anyone wants to try it the gps coordinates are 8efe28ae”N ba5bfd44″W