There was just a Gabby’s Ultimate Bass tourney at Tetonka on Saturday the 18th. It took over 17 lbs for 5 fish to win. My dad and I had just under 14 lbs and finished just out of the money. 
Southern MN Bass Tour is going to be there on Sat. Sept. 15. Don’t know of any tourneys going out of Cedar from here on out.
Yep, that was me in the channel 6 boat. We went out and tried a couple of spots on the big lake in the east bay, but like most of the other boats didn’t even get a sniff. We also tried in the deeper channel, but only caught one big buffalo.
I’m thinking with the warm temps and the shallow water, the bite might have been better during the night or really early morning. The fish may have shut off during the day. Believe me… they ARE there! The DNR net survey was unbelievable and the ice fishermen can attest to the number of walleyes in Albert Lea Lake.
I ended up loading the boat and heading over to Fountain Lake. We finished with 3 walleyes there, all about 14-15 inches, about a dozen big bluegills, 2 crappies and a catfish. It turned out to be a beautiful opener! 
Fantastic shore fishing right near the landing at Frank Hall Park. It’s at the channel near the mouth of the lake, also a fishing pier.
Here’s the story I ran this morning on KAAL-TV6.
Albert Lea Lake Makes a Comeback
Not bad. Two concrete ramps with parking for about 30 rigs.
I’m probably gonna get the bass boat out for some ‘eye fishing as well! Should be lots of fun saturday! 
4-feet average in the main lake, but up to 15 feet in the channel, where it was dredged years ago. According to the DNR, depth doesn’t seem to matter. The fisheries guy I interviewed said they found many walleyes in their nets all over the lake last year.
I’m actually getting set to air a story on the opener later this week on KAAL-TV. The DNR fisheries people I’ve talked to are all recommending Albert Lea Lake for the best walleye fishing in southern MN right now. There was a winter fishkill a few years back and the DNR has done an amazing job restocking the fish. Last year’s survey showed there are many, many 18-inch fish ready to be caught.
It’s probably best-known for shore fishing, but you can certainly use the boat. The best spot is the channel from Fountain Lake into Albert Lea Lake. It has good depth and current. It will probably be a zoo on Saturday morning though! If you have any other questions, just let me know.
Thanks! 
Sorry, no link. I’m looking for someone who’s fished this circuit last year or has already entered for this year?
Is the Eagles Club and Beetles South the same place? Anyone have general directions for someone not as familiar with Rochester? See you all there Saturday!
Glad everyone enjoyed the story. Jarrad and Austin were great and the experience was a blast! Definitely right up there as one of my best Howland’s Headin’ Outdoors! Except maybe for the time Tuck and I went catfishing and didn’t catch anything but mosquito bites. 
Just kidding Tuck!
Anyone remember the 2002 Classic? This was the exact same area Jay Yelas was fishing and had a big pleasure boat buzz a big wake right by him. Yelas wasn’t pleased, but it must be a fairly narrow channel to navigate?
Quote:
my bad if it wasn’t Swindle doing the defensive fishing
Yeah, that was Dudley, not Swindle.
That’s too bad. I was really looking forward to fishing at Kentucky Lake again this spring. 
That really hurts for the teams that worked hard to win their divisions, like my dad and me, and were planning on fishing for the Team of the Year. 
Story aired this morning and turned out great! Thanks to Doug and Chris for taking me out.
It will also air tonight on KAAL-TV during the 6pm sports.
My bad. I didn’t even see Tom! Go Minnesota!!! 
If that is indeed official, TS will be in good hands. Sam and Jeff are good, honest, hardworking guys that know what tournament anglers are looking for in a quality event and quality tackle. 
Now, if only we can get Jeff to stop being a lurker on this site and give his 2 cents. 
I’m in!
Is it true that TS was bought by the husband/wife couples that ran the Iowa and Indiana divisions? I’ve also heard that the championship is back on for Kentucky Lake in April and TS will run five divisions, including two on the river, but no Minnesota?
Are you guys using live bait to catch those walleyes? If you’re interested, I’d like to do a story sometime soon for KAAL. 
Here’s a pic…
Sweet Beaver is a soft plastic bait made by Reaction Innovations out West. It’s kind of a crayfish looking thing and has been duplicated by several other tackle companies.
Sorry. Not sure what the problem is. It was working this morning. I emailed our webmaster and hope to have the problem fixed soon.
Sorry. Not sure what the problem is. It was working this morning. I emailed our webmaster and hope to have the problem fixed soon.
Here’s that link!!!
Glad you had a good time despite the equipment troubles!
It has been a cold one out there this past week! Water temps dropped from 60 down to 44 in a matter of a few days. I didn’t realize you could still catch those catfish this late in the season. There are plenty of nice channel cats in Fountain Lake. The DNR has done a nice job stocking them over the last several years.
I do recognize Buffy from the state softball team. Looks like she’s pretty good at catching fish, just like she was with softballs!
I was out on Fountain last Tuesday for a bass fishing story. Caught over a dozen bass, but no giants. The story aired this morning on Channel 6 and will run again tonight at 6pm. Also went out yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and caught a few, including a 3 pounder. Like I said, water temps have plummetted and the fish are much more tentative to bite the bass lures.
I’ll post a link to the story once its put on our website!
For numbers of fish, you can’t beat the channel just below the fountain lake dam. But plan on having lots of company as there is usually at least 10-20 anglers there 24-7. Lots of good walleyes between 14-17 inches being caught on minnows and twister tail grubs.
For walleyes in the 20-30 inch range, I would try trolling shad raps along the rocks on fountain lake. The deeper hole near Hatch Bridge is usually the best and troll as close to the bank as possible.
Hope that helps! Give us a recap of your trip and take pictures!
Great gig if you can get it! 
An interesting note on this story… the DNR guys told me that its difficult to sample largemouth bass in these surveys because bass are too smart for the trap nets, unlike the walleye and carp which are very willing to be caught. 
Any opinions? I thought it was ironic, since so many walleye fisher friends of mine are quick to call my largemouth “green carp”. 
Maybe we should rename the eyes “golden carp”. 
