Secret Lake Report

Read Dave “Hawger” Hoggard’s latest fishing report….

http://www.fishthelake.com/fishing_reports/index.asp?id=471

Secret Lake Bass today! And what a nice day it was to be on the water. I guided two Urcrane gentelmen for a 1/4 day. I guess the good part of not speaking “Russian” is that I could not tell if they were complaining about the slow fishing… or bragging up that it was so good! It was slow for Secret Lake though… we only caught a few Bass each in the three hours we were out. Nice fish though. Lots of fun.

Our Bass came from Knuckle Ball Jigs tipped with “Mr. Twister Mites”. The Bass were in 10 to 15 feet of depth and picked up the Mites off the bottom. The Knuckle Ball jig heads helped to hold the Mites “up” and a slow crawl was what worked best. As soon as one of us took a Bass… we all went to the same baits and rigged alike…. it worked.

One of the Ucrane guys spoke some English… his name was Vadiem. He is a Babist youth minister over there (he is seen holding one Bass in the photo). The older gentelman was Piotr (Peter) and he to is a Babist minister in the Urcrane. I asked him what he would like to take back to Russia with him… that he saw in my boat. He said he’ld like my strong line, as line in Russia brakes so easy! I told him I would send him back with some of my Berkley Fireline, which we were using. Fun fishing with these guys… nice folks. Das Va Danya there commerads! Hawger Dave Hoggard / EFN

I am going to reply to this email here… Dave Hoggard
Hello,
I really enjoy the fishing in Northern Minnesota, I go there for 2 weeks in August each year where I fish for LM and SM bass, walleye and northern. Since I am now semi retired I now have more time for fishing throughout the year and since I really enjoy Mn I have started looking for an area that I can go to on a 3-4 day weekend. I live in NW Illinois, near Moline. I am basically a bass fisherman when I fish in IL but enjoy all kinds. I have my own boat. When I saw your report on Secret Lake and your ad on the site, I thought that this might be the area for me. Where is Secret Lake? Are there more lakes in the area? I would appreciate any info that you could tell me about the area.
Thank you,
“B. S.”

Sure I will share info with you, “B.S”..
I fish Southern Minnesota mostly. I have found many good fishing lakes in the area near Fairbault, MN. Some to be great fishing, but all at different times of the year. Faribault is about 50 miles South of Minneapolis, MN. I think the best way for me to share info is on the phone, so I will give you my home # 507.455.0152.
Cedar Lake is good at “walleye opener” which is the first week of the year you can fish walleye and northern in the season. Cedar sports a fine population of walleye in the good eater size… as well as some big fish. They hit cranks ofer emerging weeds in the West shallow bays. Later as the water warms, Cedar is a great Bass lake. I have worked in one spot and caught as many as a dozen up to four 1/2 pounds. My largest walleye from Cedar is 9 and biggest Bass is 5 1/4lbs . The lake also has great panfish. The lake is tough on weekends… lots of recreational boaters. Best fished early in the morning or late at evening on weekends!

Tetonka is near Waterville, Mn. which is West of Faribault. Tetonka is a great early and late Fall Walleye lake. Walleyes, Bass and Northern there love “cranks” in the fall and live bait in the spring. Lots of small Walleye for “eaters”. Best Point Resort is where I have a camper/trailer there. They have cabins and camp spaces. Nice place to stay. Many other real great lakes close by there also, Francis Lake is one. Francis has real clear water all year, good Bass lake too.

Secret Lake is just South-East of Mystery Lake. Both lakes are just great for Bass and huge Panfish. Both are located in the South end of Hidden County near Obscured, MN. Getting to the lake is tough too as the only road there has no street signs. You need a key to get through a locked gate at the road’s end. There is only one key. The key is tough to obtain, available only by appointment. A blood oath is needed to obtain it’s access.
Yes, the fishing there is that good.
Can you go there? Only with me. But, you must wear a blindfold… on the way there and on the return way out. That is not so bad, it is the ride in the car-trunk that is the rough part!
Just kidden…
That is why I call it Secret Lake!
Dave Hoggard