Lake Zumbro Crappies

Mike Smith, owner of Hooked On Fishing Bait and Tackle in Rochester says the crappies are starting to turn on at Lake Zumbro on the Zumbro River. The bite is not yet the hot shallow bite that everyone loves but things are starting pick up. Don’t forget to get your bait and tackle needs from Mike on your way out to catch some of those crappies. Thanks, Bill

Hey Guys, Just got word from Mike that the water temps are in the 50’s and approching 60 fast.

IS this surface temps or through out the water column? My understandng is, we need those temps through out the water column in order for crappies to spawn or really go gang busters????

Jim W

Unfortunately they are surface temps but its going in the right direction. The males will be getting close to the spawning areas ahead of the females so the fishing will start to pick up. Thanks, Bill

Does anything seem to catch these fish? Minnows, crappie jigs?

they’re awfully close to that shallow water now . we started catching a few littler ones up shallow this week. along with some nice sunnies. the bigger concentrations of nice crappies we found were still in 8+ feet of water right outside of the shallow stuff. all on a little jig and a minnow. maybe if this darn weather would shape up a little (rain, wind, rain, wind) i could get back out and try it agian.

i’ve also been catching a few little muskies while fishing for crappies lately (1 or 2 every time out). they’ve all only been between 10-15″ long. they look just like pencils. i’m not sure where they all came from being i’ve never caught a musky in the lake before. i knew the DNR stocked the lake several years back but i’ve never heard of anyone cathcing them on a regular basis. is it possible that they tried stocking it again, or do you think they are all from natural reproduction??

Also fished the zumbro Sat. till the rain started about 3–330. That put me home about half way thru the 2nd period. Great game wait till mon., we will win. We fished both shore areas and deeper water. Alot of people were slowly pulling foo-foo’s, or a minnow rig and getting fish. We tryed both ways and it worked better for us to work the shore line’s. The fish were bigger for us from shore, some were pretty dark. We did work up and down the shore line, because the fish would move after a couple cast. Picked up bait from hooked on fishin Mike runs a great place out there and its right on the way. Thanks Mike We took home 14 fish for the two of us, would of limited out if it wasn’t for the rain and the fact hockey was on Have also pulled a 6- 6 1/2 lb northern on that crappie rig, and alot of bass, some pretty nice. Good luck to all out there! WE seen one guy fishing with 2 poles, didn’t say anything to him, I know the sherif is out there alot!

Lifes to short to fish with dead minnows! Jim

The DNR does stock Lake Zumbro with muskies still I believe. There have been a few reports of a few real nice big ones caught last year along with some big notherns. This is probaly one of the best kept secret bodies of water in the state I heard a DNR guy had said. Its turning into quite a fishery. And a good bass fishery too. And yes, Mike at Hooked On Fishing Bait and Tackle in Rochester does have some very good quality bait on hand along with the tackle you need to catch those fish. He even has ice and some snacks too. Great new store set up with the right stuff. Keep those reports coming guys and I’ll see ya on the water. Thanks, Bill

best kept secret in the state, huh ? head out there any evening when the temps. above 70 and you wouldn’t think there’s any secret about it .

Yes, you take above 70 degrees and theres alot of people out there. Alot of pleasure boaters and also fisherman. But lets think a minute about why that is: You take a body of water like that lake is and look at how many big northerns that were caught and found by the DNR and you wouldn’t believe it. Its unheard of that what people call the ”Scumbro” because of dirty water can put out fish like that. Oh yes, I know there are days when you can’t find a fish hardly, just like on any body of water, but at least this one is close to home for some quick fixes on the water between weekends. Not to mention the bass club weekly tourneys on this water during the summer months [that tells ya about about the bass fishing]. And excellent crappie spring fishing and summer months of huge shoreline carp that will make you start up your motor and chase that fish down the shoreline or else bust your line real fast. And did I mention the white bass and catfish in that water. All that from a ”Scumbro” lake/river. Not bad if you ask me and so close to home. No its not a walleye lake or river, and I love catching walleyes, and nothing will replace the Mississippi River in my book, but like I said: close to home and a fun fishing fix between weekends. Thanks, Bill

true, true!