FARIBAULT AREA

OK, I ASKED ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI EARLIER, THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SPRING. HOWEVER WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FARIBAULT AREA. SPECIFICALLY FRENCH LAKE AND CEDAR LAKE. A FEW QUESTIONS.
1. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY RECENT REPORTS FROM THESE LAKES? GENERAL IDEAS ON AREAS TO HIT FOR BASS OR MUSKIES? WE FISH BASS QUITE A BIT,NEW TO MUSKY FISHING, BUT THOUGHT WE’D GIVE IT A SHOT. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED.
2. ARE THERE ANY PANFISH LAKES IN THE VICINITY THAT ARE DOING WELL? WE ARE THINKING OF FISHING BASS/MUSKY ETC… EARLY AND LATE, THOUGHT WE’D CHECK OUT SOME PANFISH IF IT WAS CLOSE.
3. DOES ANYONE NIGHT FISH THESE LAKES? SPECIES? WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE AFTER FOOTBALL PRACTICE AND FIGURE WHEN WE GET THERE WE CAN EITHER SLEEP OR FISH…..
THANKS IN ADVANCE
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I grew up on French and have fished it for skis here/there.

The ski bite should be getting pretty good right now. Most of the weeds are dying off and the water clarity is poor right now, from what I’ve been told.

If you chase skis, I would focus on top water, along the two major underwater points in the lake. You will see these two points on the map. Also, work the saddle inbetween the points. This would be a good area to troll crank baits (jakes, believers, & grandmas) over open water through there, if you are marking any suspended baitfish / crappies at all.

Also, work around the “rock pile” too. There is heavy weed growth in that area and top water should excell, along with a good spinnerbait.

Bass fishing, I would recommend Shields. There are some TUNA bass in that lake. Work the deep edges of the weed lines first and if nothing found, move in to the docks.

Also, Cedar lake in that area host some excellent bass fishing.

I would probably hit Mazaska for crappies/sunnies. Look for the two major “humps” in the lake and you should find some fish there to get your started.

Good luck!!!

Ok, thanks for the info. A couple questions if you don’t mind. When you say visability is poor, should that be telling me to try another lake? Or is this not necessarily a bad thing with muskies. I know sometimes too clear of water can make things tough. Also, is there a correct speed that I should troll for muskies? I typically base my speed on the action of the lure I am using…if the lure is working right, must be about the right speed. ( a long way from precision trolling) I have heard that sometimes you speed faster for Musky? Could I use typical bass type buzz baits as topwater, or are you talking topwater like a walking bait / suick etc…Like I said, I have never done this, just getting the itch to try. Have caught several Pike in the 40 – 43″ range, but something about the pics of the guys with a musky. Also, you thought Shields would be a better choice for bass than cedar or clear, does shields have a good pop. of panfish as well? Finally, please bear with me, If you had to select morning (plan to get to the lake around 6am), or evening (can fish until whenever) which would you use for fishing the muskies? Thanks so much for your help. If you need info on any lakes further south (Fairmont, Iowa etc…) I’ll return the favor.
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Visibility is poor because of the alge bloom. However, I have not been down there for a few weeks, so I don’t know exactly how the water is “today”.

Don’t let poor visibility deter you from muskie fishing. The only draw back, is at times you don’t see a follow.

If the water is dirty, use bright colors, such as firetiger or similar colors.

Early morning/late evening top water will excel!

Use a prop bait to search for fish, if you get a hit and miss the fish, go back with a “walk the dog” type top water. If after one or two cast, you don’t get hit……….leave the area and come back in 30 minutes. This gives the fish time to “forget” about what happened.

Shields has a VERY good population of sunnies and crappies. It again, also host some sumo pig bass. I saw a state record pulled out of there in 98, by a kid shore fishing for crappies in March. Yes, the fish was full of eggs, but I swear it went 9+ pounds. It was the largest, fattest bass I’ve ever seen in my life. We both just stared at the fish in disbelief!!!! He threw it back. Unfortunately, nobody had a camera, but there were other witness’ who also saw the fish!!!

As for trolling speeds…………If you are marking suspended bait fish, I would plow through them with cranks (jakes, grandmas, believers) about 3 to 4 mph. If you have 2 guys in the boat, run one rod about 4 feet back, the other about 80 or 90. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to troll a spinnerbait (musky bait size).

Thanks for all of the help. I will be sure to give a complete report on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Will be fishing by Fairmont on Sunday, so will include that as well. Is there a tackle shop in the area of French that would be open early? Jakes,Believers, Grandmas etc…are not in my vernacular, so I’ll need to stop and “invest” in some new toys. If not, we will make due with the prop baits I have and then stop sometime before we come back in the evening.

Thanks
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nope, but if your coming from the south, you will be driving right past Cabelas, which will have all that good stuff for ya.

There is a bait shop down town Shieldsville at the west end of town, at the gas station. They may have a limited supply.

Gary,
A big thank-you to you! We followed your advice exactly, and did pretty well. I’ll try to attach photos. Two nice muskies. Both off the points as you suggested, shallow water (7 foot or less) fishing windy side of lake. Also, know of two others caught today. Unfortunately, saw one floater when we got there this a.m. Thanks again, was a great help.

If you need help posting pics, you can email them to me and I can help ya out!!!

Good job!!!

I guess I should have gone to French. We talked about it Saturday morning and we went north to Minnetonka instead of south to French!!! I only raised two fish on Tonka Saturday morning…….