I have a lake near me that is supposed to be a good walleye lake. However I have never caught one. I think this is largely because I don’t know where to fish. The lake is a small weed filled lake. And is basically a 14 foot flat.
Any tips, or other lakes I could try.
Head to red or LOTW and catch some walleye and get your confidence up on your quarry then go back to your lake and try again. Take some friends with to cover more water. The more lines in the water better your chances are. I’ve got a similar issue I catch walleye all summer long on the resivor by my house but have tried for five years to get one In the winter and so far not a bite.
The lake down by the road gets stocked by the DNR. I remember one time…being kids we caught a bunch of tiny 8-9 inch walleyes spring fishing. The real question is…where on the lake is the fish?
90% of the fish is in 10% of the water…where is that 10% when they’re in the feeding window?
First, map out the lake you’re on. Look for submerged points that jut out into the main lake basin if there are any. Same goes for holes and humps as well. I also look for structures that change from steep dropoffs to gentler slopes (inside turns, saddles), and creeks or streams running into the lake. Transitions (weed to sand, sand to rock) are also a good spot if there is nothing else. Perfect example was when James researched the lake he was headed to and found an old submerged rock shoreline, so talk to the local bait shop. Fish aren’t always where they’re “supposed” to be, and we don’t see everything that goes on below the surface ex: bug hatches, springs, prey movement, etc. Be patient, network with locals in the know, and be observant; you’ll get em.
What times of day do you fish?
What times of day do you fish?
I normally get out mid day and stay out a couple hours past dark.
I’d wait until spring and then try it from a boat.
I normally get out mid day and stay out a couple hours past dark.
Hmm… If you’re not afraid of divulging a secret lake, tell us the name of it, so we can look it up on lakefinder.
I never understood the lake name being kept secret??????? Who is actually going to read the name of the lake and drive over and fish it??? Not me, not even if it was 5 minutes from my house, but I have fished every lake with potential within 100 miles of me so maybe others are that desperate?
How or who told you it was a good walleye lake? like the previous poster stated, check it on lakefinder and you may find confirming info?
If there is no structure like you say, usually the best thing to do is fish the small transitions, either bottom transitions or depth breaklines. set out a set line with a minnow and jigging rap in other holes.
The lake is called McMahon lake
Lakefinder said it was a good lake
Find the deepest weed edge on the lake, preferably by a shallow flat. Great place to try. Better yet if there is some kind of hard bottom.
What is the gill net count and when was it last check . Any inlets or outlets
It looks like the last survey was 4.5 years ago. It’s a shallow lake so things could have changed a bunch in that time.
I personally wouldn’t say 4.0 per net is anything to get too excited about, although it’s ok for a metro lake. My frame of reference is Waconia which just surveyed at 5.6 per net this past summer and I don’t consider it to be a good walleye lake. There are lakes a little farther west with far more walleye per gill net.
McMahon actually looks like a much better crappie, bluegill, pike and perch lake but a lot of things can change in 4.5 years. It might have gotten fished hard the year or two after that last survey.
I’d look for bodies with more recent surveys, especially in the metro area where there is a lot of pressure chasing hot bites.
Find the deepest weed edge on the lake, preferably by a shallow flat. Great place to try. Better yet if there is some kind of hard bottom.
x2 on this.
Thank you everyone
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