Irvine Lake trout bite is ‘absolutely wide open’
Huntington Beach angler Frank Duarte, pictured above, used a yellow-and-white mini-jig to entice this beautiful 12.2-pound rainbow trout onto his hook during a recent excursion to Irvine Lake.
Orange resident Nick Holiguin, pictured below, used Power Bait and night crawlers to fill an impressive limit at the scenic reservoir alongside Silverado Canyon Road.
"The trout fishing has been absolutely wide-open every day since the opener" last Friday, reports Jimmy Getty from the Pro Shop. "The fish have just been going bananas. The west shoreline looks like a popcorn machine every morning as the bite indicators shoot up.
"We have been selling double-limit and triple-limit passes within an hour of opening the gates. Fish are being caught at the west shore, the flats, Sierra Cove, anywhere and everywhere."
Most of the trout are 1 to 5 pounds, but fish to 13.1 pounds were caught.
Getty suggests bait over trolled lures. "Power Mouses," constructed with Gulp, salmon egg and Power Trout worm in color combinations of white, chartreuse, orange and green are working best.
Of course, that seems like a lot of work. Traditional Power Bait and night crawlers are working too.
Getty says a few anglers have scored so-called grand slams, catching rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, channel catfish and bluegill in one day.
The lake is open from 6 a.m.-4 p.m.
– Pete Thomas
Photos courtesy of Irvine Lake
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Bass Fishing Can Get Heart Pumping
There are few experiences for a freshwater angler than watch a huge lunker fly out of the water with their bait in its mouth. This adrenaline-pumping moment is a sign of great bass fishing, regardless of the type of fishing being done. Sitting in a boat casting into the shadows of a tree or sitting on the bank luring the finicky fish to your bait are some of the most conventional methods used, and bass fishing for huge largemouth or smallmouth bass on fly fishing equipment adds to the excitement of the strike.
Anglers who go bass fishing are fairly dedicated to their preferred method of fishing and can be hard to convince of trying different techniques. Especially if they have had even moderate success, it can be difficult to convince them that different waters may require different fishing method to have a successful day. Casting from a boat, usually depicted in televised sport shows where the anglers are going after huge monetary awards, seems to cast a pall over other types of bass fishing.
Those who may have never been in a boat while bass fishing will swear that by casting from shore into a lake or stream with the right bait, virtually guarantees them success without the expenses. These may be the same ones who consider a boat to be nothing more than a hole in the water into which money is thrown.
Practice Needed For Trying Something New
Experienced fly fishermen will continue to tout the wonders of landing a eight or ten-pounder while bass fishing, using nothing but lightweight fly fishing gear. The casting techniques are vastly different than using a bait casting or spin casting reel and can be quite a challenge for those new to this type of sport fishing.
With many experienced with fly fishing able to drop a dry fly on the surface of a stream and have it float down on the water’s surface to where a hungry fish is waiting for breakfast is not something that can be done the first time they pick up a fly rod. It takes practice to be able to guide the fly to just the right place and it is an important aspect of bass fishing with flies.
However, no matter the type of casting technique used, or even trolling behind a slow-moving boat, bass fishing can offer some of the most exciting times on the water when they lunge at the offered meal. The sudden surge of power creates excitement with every strike and anglers never tire of the fight.
Explore Minnesota Fishing Report: November 7, 2008
This is the Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Newsletter as of Friday, November 7, with information provided courtesy of www.outdoornews.com, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
In general, the walleye bite remains decent despite limited fishing pressure.
Please note that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the process of removing some docks at public water accesses. Anyone planning to use a public water access this fall should contact the DNR Trails and Waterways office nearest the access–check out the “Office Locater” on the DNR web site at www.mndnr.gov to find the office closest to you.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales
Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, the American Narrows continue to produce walleyes and crappies in 20-35 feet of water. The most consistent walleye bite has been on the Rainy River, using a jig and minnow. The stretch from Sherwood to the golf course has provided the best action.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, walleyes and smallmouth bass are hitting minnows in 22-38 feet of water. Large northern pike are being taken by muskie anglers trolling most presentations. The whitefish netting season is just getting started so the larger muskies have yet to turn aggressive.
Ely
Crappies can be found suspended over 25-30 feet of water on Basswood, Johnson, and One Pine Lake. The deep channel on Cedar Lake is kicking out walleyes, mainly on minnows. On Burntside Lake, an occasional large walleye is coming from 30 feet or more.
Duluth
Crappie action has picked up over 10-14 feet of water in the Highbanks area of Fish Lake. Walleyes continue to hit in depths of 8-10 feet on Fish and Island lakes. A few kamloops have been taken in front of the French River on spoons and stickbaits worked near the surface.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
The Rainy River is producing the majority of large walleyes, with more eating-size fish coming from the Lake of the Woods. Anglers using a jig and minnow combination are taking fish from 15-18 feet of water at the Lighthouse Gap and Four Mile Bay areas. On the river, the Frontier Landing and Franz Jevne areas have been best.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, walleyes are hitting minnows in 10-14 feet of water and in depths of 18-20 feet. Crappies can be found suspended on the 14-foot mud areas.
Bemidji
Shad raps are triggering walleyes in 10-14 feet of water on Lake Bemidji. Minnows are working best in 25-30 feet on Lake Plantagenet. On Cass Lake, try a vertical presentation using minnows in 40 feet of water or more for a few walleyes. Surface baits are raising muskies on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes early and late in the day.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, angling pressure has been minimal. A few walleyes are coming in on jig and minnow presentations worked on the north end and Cutfoot Sioux areas–most of the main lake has been very quiet.
Walker
On Leech Lake, evening and nighttime hours have been best for walleyes. Try trolling crankbaits near Pine Point and on the West Goose Flats in 10-14 feet of water for the most fish. A jig and minnow combination is turning a few large walleyes on the 25- to 35-foot humps in Walker Bay. Anglers trolling large crankbaits are taking muskies in Walker Bay.
Hackensack
Walleye anglers are taking fish by trolling rapalas through 10 feet of water or less on Ten Mile Lake at night. On Woman and Pleasant lakes, a jig and minnow is turning a few walleyes in depths of 20-25 feet.
Park Rapids
The walleye bite remains strong on Fish Hook Lake, with anglers taking fish from 18-30 feet of water on jig and minnow combinations.
Detroit Lakes
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in 20-25 feet of water on Island, Melissa, Sallie, Crystal, Lida, and Big Cormorant lakes. Muskie action has been strong on Big Detroit Lake, with cowgirls and small topwater baits working best. Look for panfish under the bridge on Big Detroit. Northern pike and bass remain active on most area lakes in less than 20 feet of water.
Battle Lake
Walleyes continue to hit jig and minnow combinations on Otter Tail Lake in 60 feet of water or more. Large sucker minnows are turning muskies on the weedlines of West Battle Lake.
Alexandria
Anglers using minnows in 30-40 feet of water are taking walleyes during the day on lakes Ida and Miltona. During evening hours, crankbaits and minnows are producing walleyes in depths of 12-18 feet on the Le Homme Dieu Chain.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are hitting jigs and minnows during the day in 22-24 feet of water. Look to the points and hard-bottomed areas for the majority of fish.
Sauk Centre
Sunnies and crappies can be found suspended over 40 feet of water on the north end of Lake Osakis. The sunken island on the north end of the lake, and many of the main-lake bars, are producing walleyes in depths of 20-30 feet. A jig and minnow combination is turning a few walleyes on Big Birch Lake in 40 feet of water.
Emily
Trolling spoons on Goodrich Lake has provided steady northern pike action. Plastics thrown into the bay on Ruth Lake are working well for numbers of bass.
Crosby
Rabbit Lake and the south end of Pelican Lake are kicking out walleyes in 22-24 feet of water, and in depths of 36-40 feet during afternoon and evening hours. Northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits and small spoons worked in 6-12 feet of water on East Rabbit Lake.
Cross Lake
Walleyes are being taken on redtails and shiner minnows worked in 18-30 feet of water on most area lakes. Work the steep breaks or moving water areas for the most fish. A few northern pike have recently been taken on large crankbaits worked in depths of 25-40 feet. Panfish can be found suspended over 18-22 feet of water.
Brainerd/Nisswa
A jig and minnow combination remains the best walleye option on Gull and North Long lakes, with fish being pulled from 20-35 feet of water. A few fish are also being taken during evening hours from shallower waters. For bass and northern pike, try minnows or crankbaits along the remaining weed edges of most lakes.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye anglers report that evening crankbait action has been minimal. Muskie anglers also report inactive fish. A few small perch are being pulled from the bays, with an occasional “keeper” mixed in.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Walleyes are hitting minnows worked in 12-16 feet of water on Rice Lake. On Lake Koronis, a few walleyes continue to be pulled from depths of 12-18 feet. The Horseshoe Chain is kicking out panfish in 6-8 feet of water. Northern pike action has been consistent in depths of 6-12 feet on Lake Koronis, with anglers taking the majority of fish on spoons.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
The smallmouth bass bite on the Mississippi River has been excellent according to anglers using sucker minnows. The river is also producing a few walleyes. Look for panfish in 10-12 feet of water on Blue and Green lakes.
Annandale
Clearwater, Sugar, and Cedar lakes are producing walleyes in 14-20 feet of water on minnows. A few walleyes are being taken after dark on crankbaits worked in the shallows. Crappies can be found suspended in 20 feet of water or deeper on most area lakes. On Lake John, bass, crappies, and northern pike are coming from the weedlines. Sugar Lake recently produced a few muskies on topwater baits.
Prior Lake
Minnows and crankbaits are producing walleyes in 5-10 feet of water in the swimming beach area of Lake Waconia.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in the 10- to 12-foot weed areas. A few crappies are coming from 30 feet of water, with most fish found suspended. Anglers using a jig and minnow are taking walleyes from depths of 20 feet or more during the day. Rapalas are turning fish in the channels at night. Work a spinner over the weed tops and points for muskies.
Chisago City
Crankbaits and jig and minnow combinations are producing walleyes during low-light hours in the channel on Green Lake. Bass are hitting crankbaits worked in 10-12 feet of water on Chisago and North Center lakes. While panfish reports have diminished, Chisago Lake continues to produce some sunfish in depths of 8-10 feet.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
The Prescott area of the St. Croix River is kicking out walleyes in 20 feet of water. Crankbaits and minnows are turning northern pike and bass on Big Marine and White Bear lakes. Large sucker minnows and jerkbaits continue to produce muskies on White Bear and Forest lakes.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Walleyes and sauger are hitting minnows and sonars below the dam in 12-14 feet of water on the Mississippi River. Crankbaits worked in depths of 18-20 feet continue to turn some walleyes on Lake Pepin. Look for panfish around the docks at Baypoint Park.
Mankato
Sucker minnows are triggering northern pike on Little Jefferson Lake. The narrows on Madison Lake are producing walleyes in 10-12 feet of water during evening hours. Look to Lake Washington for sunfish in depths of 8-12 feet.
Willmar
Shore fishing opportunities remain strong for walleyes on Big Kandiyohi and Willmar lakes. A few walleye anglers continue to take fish by working minnows in 25 feet of water or more on Green Lake. Try a jig and minnow combination in depths of 14-22 feet on Eagle Lake for walleyes.
Ortonville
A few walleyes are coming off the south end of Big Stone Lake during evening hours. Jigs tipped with plastic tails have worked best for shore anglers. On Lake Traverse, the larger walleyes have started hitting on the north end.
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