Open water....finally

I managed to fish some open water from shore this morning. The water was easily 4 feet high with the run-off pouring into the lake with the river and there was a ton of current. Still I managed 15 or so crappies in an hour and a half. Fog had things socked in for a while right off. A cast of more than 20 feet simply disappeared.

None of the crappies were huge but the all were easily 10 1/2 or better....4 went much larger.

In spite of the extra water and added current, the fish were all caught fairly shallow, like in the top couple feet of the water column. I saw several crappies break surface while chasing something.

We're still cold temp-wise, with a temp of 37 degrees at 8 feet this morning. Ice was still apparent in adjoining bays on the lake, but it was fractured pretty bad and lots of ice was floating down-stream.

In the bottom 1/3 of the state I can see us ice free within a week perhaps if cold night-time temps stay away. The far north has ice and the central part of the state has ice that varies day to day. The ice can go as far as I am concerned and the open water can get underway fully now. I've had enough winter. This morning was like a breathe of new life.

where are you at Tom I'm in southern Mn

JJ

ok so i seen your post and see you are in Rochester. :)

JJ

Yuppers....Rochester. Where are you at?

I was out again this morning and drew a blank. The water was on its way down a bit and this front approaching didn't help any. Then I noticed that the ice which looked to be ready to sail out of the boat launch on Weds came back into the shore this morning, so unless we get some serious south wind, it'll take a while longer. Man am I tired of ice.

Good job finding open water down there tom, looks like ice for me for 2 more weeks up north, then time to break out the float tube! :)

I'm heading up to Lake Superior today Mike and plan to cast lakers. I'll be back on Monday afternoon/evening so Tuesday the boat will go if we shake this cold snap. Should it stay chilly I'll do my shore spot. Its generally a great location , given the physical characteristics of the water and all, but it can be prone to shut downs when the barometer decides to bounce.

You be careful on that ice Mike....doin the dipsy do is pretty easy when things start to fall apart ice-wise.

In about three weeks the big river will be calling my name, then watch out.

I'm in Owatonna Tom

JJ

Thanks, I will not be taking one step on that ice without my arctic spurs, it hurts too much to fall these days. the only time I ever slipped with the spurs was one time I put them on at night, and down I went right away, found out I put one on upside down! :D

good luck at the big pond!

Welcome to the site CTom!:D

The little adventure was a welcomed break. 50+ degree days and sunshine. The wind was a challenge on Friday and Saturday....real headstrong out of the south and putting water on the breakwater where I like to fish so Sunday was my day. I had one redfin on for ten minutes or so before it decided to run around the end of the breakwater and cut me. 5, maybe six pounds. Not collossal but a nice fish....just another day is all.

Now its back to crappies tomorrow. I need to see if my lake will allow the boat now. Ice had blown back into the launching pad last Thursday, but the stuff looked spooky grey/green.

I'll be back tomorrow with an up-date.

I drove out to the lake more to check on the ice situation than to fish, but well....when in Rome. lol I managed a couple quick crappies for my fifty casts.

The water has dropped nicely and is right at normal pool now. The high velocity current I had to battle last week has abated too. My crappies came on plastic...a Culprit Paddletail/1/32 jig. Junebug/chartreuse tail was the plastic color....my go to.

That darned ic at the launch is persistent. They are still walking on it, but I think they are courting death. reports are that the crappies are hanging under the sheet, but there's open water accessible to the public fifty feet away where fishing a long rod with the same line-end gear will take them too. Its a shame they can't find a cure for stupid.

Rain is in the forecast for tonight and I'm thinking the rain gear will keep my from dissolving if I go again in the morning. The rain might just do the ice in too. Some thunder would be a huge help in that department but then it would screw up the fishing. So just rain is ok.

Man it seems like we've had too much winter. Getting that snow in October really has made this past winter seem like an eternity. I am so ready for green grass.

hmmmm cant wait to get out, it wont be long, just ordered a new B&M crappie rod and am looking forward to trying it out! :)

I'll be dragging out the 9 footer after this morning's fishing adventure. They decided to hang on a deeper edge in a channel. Casting 40 feet with a fixed float set at 8 feet is WORK. I got the job done but I thought on a couple casts I dislocated my arm.

Nicer fish this morning. The action wasn't really hot, about 15 fish in an hour, but its nice to see that they have move out from under the remaining ice. One lone angler on the ice just stood and watched as I stayed half busy reeling in fish. I contented myself between fish by watching him look down that dark hole....kinda like a skin-diver for Roto-Rooter getting ready to go to work. I had no pity on him...lol.

Friday now for my next trip. Rain in the forecast, but I can always stay dry with gear, so look out fish.

Heard a loon today....must be spring.

Cool! where you been fishin' at?

Lake Zumbro , Mike.

Cool, I will have to head down there some time! need to break in the long pole! :)

A friend and I hit it up again this morning. Man, was it chilly. 17 degrees to start the morning and ice in the guides was, well, not fun. Then the wind arrived....about a 20 mph blow that was fairly steady. So along with the cold front that marched in last night the conditions were not too good. And the crappies were nowhere to be found where we were at.

I figured deep and we went right to the 17 foot channel that's always been pretty decent when things go south. If they were there they had tight lips. After about an hour went moved to an area with a strong sun exposure thinking the water might be a bit warmer. We still couldn't find the crappies, but the small mouth bass were sure eager to hit. Between the two of us we put 11 on the dock and released them after pics. Nice sized smallies too. I got a rogue largemouth of about 3 pounds.

After yesterday's warm afternoon I am thinking a turn-over occured that shoved the crappies down the shore into a much deeper part of the lake and out of the current. The other chill-factors certainly didn't help us out either. Oh well, its called spring fishing.

The ice is still hanging tight to the boat landing. Man I'd like to see that junk gone. What ice remained this morning was sure making noise and I am hopeful that the wind today set it asail.

70s next week should do it in! :)

yeah really come on 70's :)

JJ

The wind, light rain and near 50 degree day today should help get rid of the ice. I can't say its been a day I want to stand out there fishing, but the ice should take a hit from the conditions. I know near home here the wind shifted directions today and will nail some of the ice that's been plaguing me.