Recommendations for a newbie

Looking for recommendations on where to launch and where to start if anybody is willing to share? My girls (6 & 8)want to go fishing, and I want to start learning Mille lacs.

They like to “cast and reel” and get bored bobber fishing. I was thinking about throwing on some swim baits and working some shallow water for whatever bites (they will be just as happy catching hammerhandle pike as smallmouth or walleye).

I live in Champlin so was thinking south side somewhere, maybe launch in Cove bay? or a resort on the south shore? I was thinking about just doing a mid-day trip for the comfort of the kids. Will I have issues getting a spot at the landing on Saturday? Or come up 35 and hit one of the East side resorts? I have only been on the lake once in the summer. I’m sure the buoys won’t be out yet by the weekend, but it looks like it is going to be fairly calm and I have no problem taking my time getting around.

Any help you can offer is appreciated

By mid day, you might be ok at a Public Landing… Cedar Creek, before the Isle landing I would think. Casting in the shallow rocks could be good for walleye and the occasional bass… if they do get tired of casting (I know I do) anchor up on a rock pile in about 14-18 feet of water and have fun !!

My kids enjoy smaller lakes. Less driving around, less worry for me if something goes funky.

The champlin spillway on the Sippi is stacked top to bottom up by the concrete with bullheads right now. Seen couple groups with kids there have an absolute blast catching as many as you want. Just a thought.

Take them on the Saturday morning launch out of Fishers, or Twin Pines. Otherwise I take my wife and 9 year old out at 7pm and bobber fish rocks, its lights out for 2 hours with a leech and a white jig head.

This year looks different than last year but I’d be willing to start out with what worked last year. Cranks over shallow rocks in the dark. Opener last year we caught all our fish before sun up then went in for breakfast because the bite stopped. Went back around noon for a shallow water bobber bite.

Find a rocky shore line and cast raps in 3 to 6 foot of water. I’d go with suspending baits so they can be paused. Lots of stories last year of fish hitting on the pause on opener.

On the south side, I would not recommend launching out of Cove Bay for a first timer, until the marker buoys are out. Doubt they will be out for another week.

Might be able to launch out of rocky reef for a fee but again, buoys probably aren’t there so make sure you know where the rocky reef is on your depth finder, and keep your distance. You can run between shore and the reef.
Can probably fish the shore line from rocky reef down to the subway and back. Maybe even troll in the dark at 6 feet.

Lots of rocky shores around the islands outside Wahkon bay but the nearest public ramp might be the state park, then a bit of a boat ride. If using the state park There is lots of gravel west of the park, Popes? Again, there are usually marker buoys out there so watch your step. Depending on the wind you might be able to pull up to them from the north or side and cast onto them.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice guys. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for all the advice guys. The mouth of Cove bay was iced in so I ended up going to Isle bay and fishing the area from there up to about doe island. never caught a fish or saw one caught for that matter. I tried to avoid the groups though. I did end up seeing some fish up very shallow so I think they were still spawning. I appreciate you guys getting me started out there though. Thanks again.

Don’t feel bad! The south end rocks were a tough nut to crack. We blew more than half a day in that area too. Never marked or caught a thing. Made the run up to the north end sand and found the fish up there. Those rock fish should be going nuts next weekend!

-J.

Jon Jordan wrote:

Don’t feel bad! The south end rocks were a tough nut to crack. We blew more than half a day in that area too. Never marked or caught a thing. Made the run up to the north end sand and found the fish up there. Those rock fish should be going nuts next weekend!

-J.

As long as the boat stayed right side up, it’s a good day.

Yep, that makes for a good opener.

-J.

Jon Jordan wrote:

Don’t feel bad! The south end rocks were a tough nut to crack. We blew more than half a day in that area too. Never marked or caught a thing.

That makes me feel better Jon. Part of my motivation was learning how to use my new side and down imaging. I marked one fish but was starting to doubt my electronics so I’m glad to hear someone else didn’t even mark much.

I was out Saturday afternoon for a few hours and never marked a fish, but caught a few.