Hi everyone, I just joined and was curious if anyone could give me some tips on catching on these higher trafficked lakes. I am coming from shell lake wi, theres tons of lakes where your the only boat out all day. Well now living in River Falls, the only lake even close is Bass Lake in Hudson WI, and there is just so much fishing pressure and boat traffic. Wondering about presentation changes in these situations?? Thanks for your help!!
Hi Kyra and welcome aboard.
A lot of times the high pressure and high traffic can turn lakes into a night bite or very early morning bite lakes. I also have found that going to light tackle and down sizing the presentation can make a difference. Try to stay away from the traffic and crowds as best you can.
Good luck!
Dave
Imo, if the traffic is steady and consistent it doesn’t effect the fish at all, more times than not it will create a prop wash bite, extra traffic bothers us a lot more than the fish, just a different obstacle.
Welcome Kyra, light tackle, live bait, and not following the crowds.
Keep an open mind and try new techniques.
Good Luck
Welcome to IDO……
Jack
Welcome aboard.
The others are right about traffic, the fish get used to it. Had a terrific day of smallmouth fishing one weekend day when the St. Croix was so full of pleasure boaters you could walk from boat to boat.
And I guess you only need to look at Pool 2 and Pool 3 to see that it’s certainly possible to for a high traffic water to have some decent fishing.
I’ve managed a few fish on Bass Lake as well. They were small, but they were certainly there. Had the feeling I didn’t have the right presentation or location as the lake has been really low over the past few years.
Grouse
Thanks everyone, as far it not bothering the fish I agree. My biggest issue is catching anything of size. I can catch fish all day long if I want to use them as bait lol. I have gotten decent crappie and sunnies out of this lake. I mean the sunnies are biting on 3.25 big fish n tackle moxi baits lol. But as far as walleye and bass even I can’t hardly catch anything over 15″. I have tried leeches, Lindy rigs, crankbaits, plastics. I guess thats the price ya pay for fishing such a popular lake. I miss northern WI lol.
Welcome to the big city. I find it hard to get motivated to fish on weekdays around here any more. Lots of people = lots of traffic = less fish and certainly less quality fish. That’s why I look forward to going to the cabin every weekend which coincidentally is very close to where you just came from! Lots of choices up there we just dont have here.
Before you get too down in the dumps about small fish, do some research on the DNR site and find any creel census/fyke netting info. That will clue you in to what is available in the lake. If it prove4s quality fish are there, follow the very good advise listed above.
It doesn’t take long for fish to get educated. Figure if you have 3.5 mature walleyes per acre on a 200 acre lake, you have about 700. Then look at the 800,000 man hours per year fished on the lake…. 
You’ll also find on many lakes near metro areas that the balance of ratios of predator/prey is off pretty fast
Highly pressured lakes I find color becomes key. Right along with what Randy was saying, those fish see ALOT of lures, switch it up until you find what they are hitting on.
Welcome to IDO 
Different colors and outdated DNR survey reports wont fix a depleted resource.
Different colors and outdated DNR survey reports wont fix a depleted resource.
You keep telling yourself that and enjoy that cabin of yours.
Meanwhile there are some that will drive 5min to their local city watershed and pick off fish that “aren’t there”.
I’d say fish water close by with big fish…. Caugh.. CroixSippi
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
Different colors and outdated DNR survey reports wont fix a depleted resource.You keep telling yourself that and enjoy that cabin of yours.
Meanwhile there are some that will drive 5min to their local city watershed and pick off fish that “aren’t there”.
Have at it! Dont forget your snoopy rod! 
Laugh all you want, some of the best fishing I’ve had for size and numbers have been in the west suburbs of Minneapolis, so enjoy your drive up north just because you are too lazy to find fish around here.
Laugh all you want, some of the best fishing I’ve had for size and numbers have been in the west suburbs of Minneapolis, so enjoy your drive up north just because you are too lazy to find fish around here.
I’ve found more fish around here than you’d know what to do with. I hear Cub is having a sale on canned corn so maybe you should run over there and get your summer’s supply of bait?
If you have found so many fish, why are you discouraging someone that is looking for tips? And your corn tip is awesome! Thanks so much! You are always suck a big help! Is that how you found all the fish I wouldn’t know what to do with?
If there was a lake that produced walleye like P2, 3, and 4 do, both in size and numbers, anywhere within a half hour of the metro, it would be so full of boats nobody could move. Add on top of that the other species…
Is it a little weird? Sure. But that doesn’t mean it’s not damn fun.
Grouse
I had to check the calender to see what month it is. Some of this banter is usually reserved for February…
As far as city lakes go, I can see White Bear Lake from my kitchen window(kinda like Sarah Palin and Russia). The minimum size for keeping Muskies is 54″. When done right it’s also a pretty good walleye and Smallie lake.
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