Introducing Kids to Fishing: Choice of Lake

OK the 8yo is past the panfish stage and likes to catch fish so that is helpful.

But, now she views walleye fishing as BORING as I’ve really not put her on a hot bite, but once.

I wanted to take her to kabetogama, since i’ve been going there since ’55, but my experience with it moving towards bass in 2005 soured that.

So, I took her to URL and was blown off by the high winds. The ‘eye bite is good there, but if you can’t get onto sheltered water, what good are hungry fish???

So, for June, 2013 I’m considering other water. MilleLacs is out IMHO as I’m afraid of a 3′ chop for her.

What other waters are there that have sheltered coves, camping and ‘guaranteed’ eyes in the spring?? Boat camping on an island is ok and i’ll even consider a resort stay.

OR is this just asking too much???

I figure i’ve got one more year before she’s disneyfied…

Stu… you are correct, you need to go to a lake with a good population of SMALLER bass. I don’t know the lakes in MN, but there are always lakes that guys complain about having lots of small 12-15″ bass, where big ones are rare.(don’t worry…they are there also)

Thats where you want to go. For young kids its a “numbers” game of LOTS of action!

I take 7-12 yr olds bass fishing frequently in my Guiding… It only takes a short time tutoring them on tackle and techniques of bass fishing…armed with a couple Med spin rods set up for wacky style Senkos or tubes…

The 10 yr old girl, Andrea, never fished before… her and her 15 yr old brother caught 40 bass in 4 hrs…incl the 6.5 lber.

The next young man, Andrew was 8 yrs old

Joe, with the knit hat was also 10 yrs old

Jackie is 17…her first fishing experience…a dandy start!

I keep them up front with me, tell them where to cast and do some “over the shoulder coaching”. Maybe I’ve been lucky but in every case the kids caught on and landed lots of bass. Most of all they absolutely LOVE IT!!!

yes, tom, i agree with.

But, first i want to teach her how to drift a lindy rig with meat.

Then we will move on to casting fishing, jigging and going for bass.

I guess it was just the order that i learned things when i was a kid…

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yes, tom, i agree with.

But, first i want to teach her how to drift a lindy rig with meat.

Then we will move on to casting fishing, jigging and going for bass.

I guess it was just the order that i learned things when i was a kid…

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Stu,
I would have to agree with Tom. I would recomend getting her the push button style reel and rod set up ,and go cast for bass and northern. Drifting lindy rigs for walleyes can be boring for alot of kids. While the act of doing somthing besides just sitting there with a rod in her hand helps make it much more fun. Heck alot of adults get bored if the walleyes are not on a suicidal bite. If you insist on fishing walleyes and want guaranteed action well you know thats not completely possible , but Rainy in July and August can be pretty darn good. It can and does get rough out there. Chris G. as you see from his posts is out there almost every day in the summer, has a big boat and is good with helping kids catch walleyes. I think from my experience with my now 19 year old daughter and 15 year old son is to listen to how they want to fish because that will make it fun for them ,and want to keep doing it. Just my 2 cents. Good luck in your adventure

umm what about balsam or leech?

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umm what about balsam or leech?

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actually now that im thinkin about it…. about 10 years ago went to a lake in siren, wi …clam lake i think (big clam/little clam) one lake separated by a narrow opening with a bridge people jump from and swim , we fished mainly in big clam i believe… didnt need much else that a green pumpkin powerworm or tube texas rigged, a hula popper, and a spinner bait in blue gill colors …. great action all weekend …. and i guarentee when a bucketmouth flies out of the water and smokes a popper, s/he will be hooked for life