When do they migrate back to wintering spots? Can’t find any detailed info in regards to this. Been keeping my eye out this fall for when but not seeing any signs.
Like other signs of the seasons for fish biting, anything to go off of? Leaves turning? At peak? Bird migration? First frost? First late rain/snow?
Any sightings in the last couple months greatly appreciated.
How deep is a frog pond?
All the way to the bottom?
How deep is a frog pond?
That’s actually a good question because as far I’ve been told they button in mud. Upon googling the subject they can’t go the whole winter without oxygen unlike other amphibious creatures, they need oxygen rich water to survive. Which in of itself narrows some possible areas but still clueless to when this occurs?
Kneedeeep – Kneedeep!
Last week I noticed frogs at Lake Harriet (Mpls.) moving from the lake towards the bird sanctuary after dark. Lots of frogs hopping across the road. Funny, because I rarely see frogs there. Lots of frogs crossing roads around Waconia last week also. They’re moving!
Kneedeeep – Kneedeep!
ok, you got me – why do you want to know Nick?
What he said. Can be a tremendous bite but the problem is it’s a very short window it happens and timing is key.
Since you’re in Mound crappie, I always thought this bite if found around the Minnetonka area could be great. Alot of backwater slough areas in and around the channels and millionaire houses that Ive worked on that should present a good number of frogs jumping ship to the main lake when times right.
So the frogs are running? It’s on?
So the frogs are running? It’s on?
Leaping 
In the 50’s and early 60’s the roads surrounding Waconia Lake would be slick with frog remains squished by traffic. This usually happened mid to late Oct. Our family would catch so many we kids could not lift the gunny sacks. We went out just after dark as they were most vulnerable then in the shallow water. I remember my mother lining up 20 or more 1/2 gallon milk cartons on the table to fill with frog legs for the freezer. Very good eating. I always heard they were wiped out by a “red leg” disease.
I’ve caught walleye on the Rock River every fall, with frogs in their belly. First frogs showed up in belly about a week ago; Thursday, one of the eyes I cleaned had two of them in there. Last year, saw a bunch of them crossing the road at dusk as I was trailering home making their way to muddy lowlands at rivers edge.
Fishing hint: paddle tails may resemble frog legs, and work very well on the Rock in the fall when water temps drop.
Nick, out of curiosity how do you hook them. I used them once on the Snake up by Pine City and smoked the Catfish.
I was hooking thru both lips but they seemed to die pretty quickly, and it freaks you out a little when they use there front legs/arms to try and remove the hook.
As soon as over nite temps are in the 40’s they will start moving in. That is usually when the leaves start falling. Just have to pay attention around that time. It is all about the temp with the frogs. They can only go dormant one time. When there body temp gets close to freezing, they release a hormone that allows them to freeze with out freezing. As temps get cooler they start to produce this and move to bedding areas for the winter. I have only stumbled on this 1 time and wow was it a site to see. In the early spring the warmer temps will “wake them up” and horemone wears off. If they wake up due to early spring warm up and then it goes cold again you will see s bunch of dead frogs in the water as they cannot re produce hormone again and will die. Pretty cool how they are able to do this.
I call bs z-man. No way a walleye can cross a road.
By the way, love your lures.
huh. was not aware of this. i figured it had something to do with fishing. Either that or you just really like frogs
Matt, I’ll let the bass/catfish guys chine in on how to hook them. Apparently when this bite is on they are up shallow feeding and will smash anything presented to them. Cold water means sticking with cranks and plastics if I can to avoid wet cold hands.
Really appreciate all the info given here. Makes sense they would well be into their holes by the time the cold comes or they’d be pretty well screwed come a quick hard freeze. Well, looks like wait for spring to come around and hopefully learn a bit more then.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
