Ice Update

I ventured on a small lake near Bemidji last night and found the ice to be around 8 inches thick.  This morning I hit lake Bemidji and found about 5 - 6 inches which is more than enough for my equipment.  These cold tempurates will allow for vehicle travel in very short order at the rate the ice is thickening up.  I had mixed results the last two days of fishing.  Last night was horrible for myself.  I didn't get out in time, and the first time every year with all my equipment seems to be real interesting, so needless to say, most of the time on the water was spent getting my sunflower to work and the lantern, along with a few other necessary tools.  With all of the complications, it didn't help that a man decided to set his large permanent house ten feet from my honey hole and do all of his necessary first of the year tune ups on everything.  It really sounded like he was building his house right next to me.  In 12 feet of clear water, you can imagine the success.

This morning was slightly better even though I over slept and missed the morning bite.  I caught a couple of smaller walleyes, bbjp's and numerous northern pike.  The action was pretty steady, and really leads me to wonder what I may have caught if I wouldn't have shown up at 9:45 am.  I'll keep ya posted on future successes. 

Oh, Metro lakes are fishable with caution.  It sounds like MIlle Lacs locked up with fishing in the bays taking place.  Red lake and LOW are also starting to go in full force.  This weekend will most likely be in full swing for all resorts and fisherman throughout the majority of the state.  Good luck to all who venture out.  Fish On!

Hey Mr. Ernst, I Guess They Do Bite Without A Twister Tail

2 Ernsts, and a Dawn Juan, and you have the recipe for a great night on the water.  It seems like i've been telling the same story over and over the last few trips out, but the bite continues to be great.  We hit the water a little later this evening assuming the bite would start towards sunset, but to our amazement the fish were going crazy as soon as we pulled up.  I don't like admitting to it but for the first time that I can remember the Ernsts, (yes Mike and Doug) actually put the whoopin to me.  It isn't something i'm proud of, however I will get over it and I will fish another day.  There was definitely a curse for the front of the boat, because out of the 11 walleyes boated, only 2 were caught by Dawn and myself.  Great job Ernsts, and thanks to all 3 of you for the fun night on the water.  I can't wait to do it again.

Happy Fathers Day!!!

When the walleyes are biting there is no better way to spend an evening than going fishing with the family.  My dad, bro, sis and myself all spent the evening chasing the marble eyes around on lake waconia.  For us it is a great way to spend fathers day together, and we came home with a meal of fish as well.  The weather was unbelievable with the wind laying down towards dusk and the temperatures at the perfect level to fish comfortably.  My sis was the first to strike and by the way she started, it seemed as though she wasn't going to let us catch anything.  After watching her catch the first four fish, I decided to get in on the action and soon my dad followed.  With all the fish flying in the boat, it was amazing to me that my brother Adam managed to go his second night in a row without a single walleye (ha ha) which definitely didn't go unnoticed by the rest of us.  By the time we wrapped things up for the night, we put 7 walleyes in the box and let a few others swim away for somebody else to catch.  It was a great evening on the water and a memorable fathers day as well.  Thanks Dad, Becky and Adam for the fun night and Happy Fathers Day!!

We landed all of our fish tonight on a simple jig and minnow combo.  This tactic has worked all year for me, and will more than likely continue through the summer months.  I prefer using a minnow on my jig vs. the leech or crawler because it keeps the pesky panfish from constantly stealing my bait.  The beauty of using the minnow and the jig is that you never really know what you are going to catch.  So far this year it has boated many walleyes as well as bass, northern, crappies, sunfish, sheephead, and oh yes we have even landed a few muskies on it too.  The secret to my success with this bait has been staying as close to the millfoil as possible.  I will literally pitch my jig within a foot or two of the weedline and slowly jig it back to the boat.  It makes for a lot of casts and many weeds, however the results have definitely been worth it.  It is hard to say how long this great bite will last, but there doesn't seem to be any slowing down in sight.  I believe this summer will possibly go down as one of the best summer's of walleye fishing on Lake Waconia ever.