Metro Lakes, How can I help?

  • david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    January 30, 2007 at 7:22 pm #1338671

    I know there are forum members here that fish the city lakes, and lots of lurkers floating around looking for informtion, and reports on metro waters.

    If your a member, speak up if there is any question you have. I will answer what I can, when I can, and I know there are others out there that would like to discuss the lakes and rivers in our *back yard*.

    If your a lurker on this site, please get registered and take full advantage of what IDA has to offer. The more people active in an area and current topics, the more beneficial it will be for everyone, novice, or pro.

    I have been fishing the Minneapolis and greater metro area lakes and rivers for a long time. Shore and boat fishing, if it swims here, I have pursued it. I am more than happy to share any knowledge, or insight I have on the fisheries we have here.

    We have a great group of people here on IDA which have always been very helpful and informative. I would really like to see many of us, nd future users bring this metro forum to life! We have great fisheries here!

    If anyone has any questions.. general, simple, lake specific, complicated, anything related to the metro fisheries… please speak up! We all have something to learn from everyone. I learn new things every day!

    We have a good walleye fishery, excellent musky fishey, LM & SM bass in quality size and numbers, trophy catfish of both species, and plenty of panfish action.

    The fact is, we have lots of great fishing right out our back door.

    Lets get this metro forum rolling! Start a new topic and lets knock our heads together to get people on some fish!

    outdoors4life
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 1500
    January 30, 2007 at 8:24 pm #530113

    Dave you heading to the Jaycees fishing contest on Sunday?

    If you are let me know and I’ll try to find you.

    It is on Lake Jane this year not Lake Elmo.

    This past weekend was real slow. Saw lots of fish with the cameras but not many takers. I tried Demontreville, Lake Jane, Battle Creek, and a little pond that I frequent.

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    January 30, 2007 at 8:28 pm #530115

    I too, tried a little pond over the weekend. Some decent gills, but the crappies were small.

    Never before have we “iced” bullheads on a jigging spoon/minnow head, while the aquaview was down!

    Bullheads are quite active in the winter and actually get quite agressive!!!!!!!

    rangerski
    North Metro
    Posts: 539
    January 30, 2007 at 8:47 pm #530131

    Hey sir,
    I have a couple of questions regarding Phalen, I have read the surveys on the eye population and want to fish and learn this clear lake. I gave it a try last winter between the two basins and had minimal success but was marking fish all over. I believe a plain hook with minnow may produce in low light? I am also wondering where to hit it early in the spring? I heard it is great. Can a guy launch a boat there and use trolling motor? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. PM if you could, have to work at 330pm. Thanks alot!

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    January 30, 2007 at 8:53 pm #530136

    Outdoors4life..

    I am not into the *standing room only* type of contest… I like to try to enjoy my time on the water

    Rangerski.. I know this isnt the answer you want to hear, but I dont spend much time on phalen, and I am not sure which direction to point you in. I do know a few folks who fish there, and have had decent results.. but I dont have the answers for you. I will try to dig up some info, or I might swing that way and drill a few holes to see if I can find anything.

    outdoors4life
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 1500
    January 30, 2007 at 9:02 pm #530140

    Quote:

    Outdoors4life..

    I am not into the *standing room only* type of contest… I like to try to enjoy my time on the water

    I never have done it and one of my buddies really wants too so I am thinking about it. I am not 100% going but I might.

    My passion is small ponds all to myself but a couple years ago I ice fished 2 little ponds and now there are many who stop at both spots now and fish summer or winter and I have not seen good fish come out of either this past year.

    My other option is chasing flags on Battle Creek. They might be small but it is still fun every time.

    Update……No contest I just called one of the guys in charge and he told me it has been canceled due to the ice thickness. He said it has to be 18 inches. So it looks like I’ll be fishing on Jane.

    gobig-or-gohome
    Lake Minnetonka area
    Posts: 233
    January 30, 2007 at 9:27 pm #530153

    Got out for a few hours last night on Lake Minnetonka at about 5. Got two tip-ups set and then working on setting up the house had a flag about a 14″ walleye released in about 19 FOW. Then jiged in about 16 FOW till about 7 had one nice fish move in and look at my bait and did not hit (checked and I had no minnow head) and moved to my brothers bait and hit but he missed it. We cought a few smaller crappies and called it a night. Not the greatest night but anytime on the water or ice is a good time.

    kabbie55106
    Posts: 43
    March 26, 2007 at 8:07 pm #553552

    Quote:

    Hey sir,
    I have a couple of questions regarding Phalen, I have read the surveys on the eye population and want to fish and learn this clear lake. I gave it a try last winter between the two basins and had minimal success but was marking fish all over. I believe a plain hook with minnow may produce in low light? I am also wondering where to hit it early in the spring? I heard it is great. Can a guy launch a boat there and use trolling motor? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. PM if you could, have to work at 330pm. Thanks alot!

    I fish Phalen alot,mostly sunnies and crappies, but I do know there are quite a few walleyes there. If you are still intrested in what info I have send me a PM as I dont want to give to much info here.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    March 27, 2007 at 12:27 am #553633

    Quote:

    I have read the surveys on the eye population and want to fish and learn this clear lake.

    Here is the recent stocking info.

    DNR

    Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Five Years
    Year Species Age Number
    2000 Channel Catfish Yearling 4,787
    Channel Catfish Yearling 13,725
    Walleye Fingerling 3,028
    2001 Tiger Muskellunge Fingerling 307
    2002 Channel Catfish Yearling 2,356
    Walleye Fingerling 2,336
    2003 Tiger Muskellunge Fingerling 300
    2004 Tiger Muskellunge Fry 20,100
    Walleye Fingerling 7,248
    2005 Tiger Muskellunge Fingerling 276

    The DNR used to stock walleye bigtime. (I’ll try to get the number, but it was 1,000 times the current numbers, maybe 10’s of thousands.)We used to catch lot’s of eyes in all age ranges. They used to stock it every other year with eyes and nothing else. Now it’s musky. And if you ask me, they added just enough walleye fingerlings to feed them!

    Eyes are tuff now. If/when I fish there now, I’ll target Musky and Cats. Why, because that’s what’s in there! Very little to no natural production. Musky may be a good chioce too for stocking. The lake has become a catch and keep lake no matter the size I don’t know the rules and don’t……. kind of lake. Hopefully Mr mouthfull of teeth will get big!!

    Also, early season was always tuff bite for walleye even when there were a lot of fish in the lake. Fall was always the best time. Right after the lake warms up, it has been turning in a pea soup. Too much run off and the lake is down 3+ feet right now.

    -J.

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