I am still in the process of getting into more walleye fishing on the ice. So I found a lake that’s got a decent amount of Walleye in it and am wondering where you’d choose to set up. What do you usually look for? What depth? Steep break? Point? Any help would be appreciated! Here is a lake that I am looking at trying to fish this year, let me know of a spot you’d suggest trying!
Thanks
Ryan
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First ice I would be looking around those points that are next to shore. the inside turns could produce as well. Later on in the year (or maybe even still early) that nice little hump looks like a decent spot. The best bet is to drill a ton of holes and fish them. The hard work will pay off 
What depth is the weedline?
What do you guys consider good numbers for fish when looking at the DNR numbers on the lake reports from the lake finder part of the website?
dnr data is not the end all truth of what is actually there,the lake I fish shows low numbers for it,but it in fact produces rather large numbers and quality for that lake,( the one I fish )
sure,it is a stocked lake,but their nets are set shallower than the eyes truly live,so it can be skewed info on what is actually there,so go scout it out for yourself,good luck!!!!
A word of caution, looks to be a shallow lake. I’d be very aware of the possibility of an aerator somewhere on the lake and to steer clear of that area for fear of ‘thin ice’ there.
Thanks guys! And this lake has good numbers on it’s DNR lakefinder page. What I’m planning on trying it early ice this year, if anyone wants to get out there let me know! Wouldn’t mind having someone with. It’s near central MN.
But other lakes say it’s a lake that has lots of breaks and deep holes, what should I look for then? Take this section of the Chain of lakes for instance, where do you try here? That point that comes out? Basically I’m trying to get a feel what I should be looking for on a lake when I’m looking for walleye!
Thanks for all the help guys!
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Don’t fall too much in love with your flasher in a lake that shallow. I’d drill a line of holes from the first break on the east shore out from the boat ramp all the way to the main reef and jig them all. Low light times. Sometimes tip-ups are the ticket in relatively shallow water; you don’t spook ’em.
If the first lake is the lake I’m thinking of you should be able to catch fish just got out to the general area where everyone else is. Usually quite a few houses out there that everyone crowds around.
If the first lake is the lake I’m thinking of you should be able to catch fish just got out to the general area where everyone else is. Usually quite a few houses out there that everyone crowds around.
It’s got the name of the lake on top of the picture
I saw the name but there are a few elk lakes in MN. Just trying to help you out. If you even whisper a lake name that’s got a decent fish bite going on you’ll end up with a thousand people out there in no time. Not saying the fine people of IDO are that way but anyone can read these forums.
I saw the name but there are a few elk lakes in MN. Just trying to help you out. If you even whisper a lake name that’s got a decent fish bite going on you’ll end up with a thousand people out there in no time. Not saying the fine people of IDO are that way but anyone can read these forums.
Yeah, pm me, maybe we ought to try it out sometime, I’ve never tried it before!
Oxygen is what I’d be looking for in smaller shallow lakes like these, that is where the active fish will be. This means locating springs or moving water like the currents generated by the chain of lakes or the creek mouth in the first lake you posted. But springs and moving water also mean thinner ice in those spots – so step lightly.
At first ice and only able to walk, I would be looking for weeds, the greener the better. In fact if the point on the east side has any weeds out near the 9′ area, that’s where I’d be. Then when travel is safe, again in the beginning, still looking weeds, then points (close to shoreline) with access to the deepest water close by… No givings in this strategy, but the first spots I would try. At lot of the other areas suggested are very good as well. The inlet is always going to be good especially in O2 depletion times of th winter.
Mark
I’ve caught a few walleyes on the top lake mentioned near that hump in the middle and some fish in other areas as well. There is usually quite a few people out there fishing for walleyes and pike near that hump and out from the boat access. Use caution near the river and creek on the north end. It seems to be a low light bite out there and not much for weeds in the lake.
Thanks for all the help guys! Now I just sit here chomping at the bit wanting to get out on the ice… Hopefully by Christmas… Any other tips for walleyes while we’re at it?
Depends on water clarity, which varies lake to lake. Shallow lakes typically are tough fishing during the day due to the fact of how clear they become during early ice. This year it could be different however if the wind was blowing during ice up, this will dirty up the water and you will be able to see the difference. Typically you will have a 45 minute window where the eyes will become active at either dusk or dawn. On shallow lakes instead of sliding up on top of the break in 3 feet of water they may slide along with it in search of food if they are active. Punch holes in the early afternoon, Use aggressive lures that rattle. Like buckshot’s or ripping raps etc the goal is to mark fish if you have electronics, and sit on the spot that you mark fish jig aggressively and have a dead stick next to you and wait till the window happens. Have extra rods ready and stay organized and be efficient due to the short time you may have at catching theses fish. Also i do not know how many rods you are allowed to fish with in your area, but my area I can have 4 so I would set 2 tip-ups outside the house, one along the break and one in shallow to get better understanding of how the walleyes are moving. Good Luck and Tight Line
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