Dependable Multi-species lake

[Hans]

During the Untited Way fund drive where I work we have a "silent auction" where employees donate something of value, and other employees bid on the item. I donated "A Day of Walleye Fishing for Two With Hans".

The winning bid was from two ladies, one of whom is reasonably experienced (knows you can go for hours sometimes without a bite) and the other is a total newby -- never held a rod before.

Now trying to decide on a lake to take them to (early June, near Mpls/St. Paul metro) where I have a reasonable chance at some eyes, but with a "backup" species in case the 'eyes are slow so the "newby" isn't totally bored out of her skull. Northern, bass, or even a nice panfish bite would be fine.

Where would you go?

Hans

[MarbleEye's]

Does it have to be a lake? I ask this because the mississippi river can be quite th hotspot for walleyes, but especialy white bass and norhterns during the summer. Most of my experience in from the ford dam to the meeting of the mississippi and minnesota rivers. Almost all eddies, current breaks and wingdams hold fish year round. This could also be a problem if they are looking to keep and eat their catch. Otherwise I would go north of the cities possibly to the chisago area lakes, They have good populations of walleyes and bass and some super panfish action when you can find them.
MarbleEye's

[TLY]

Marbleyes view of the north end is not bad at all. You could also consider Minnetonka on a weekday. Waconia, west of Mpls a few miles is not a long trip but is good walleye, northern, bass.

[Woodhead]

I have to agree with MarbleEyes.....the Mississippi is a red hot fishery at that time of the year.

Concerned about eating the fish - head below lake Pepin. Alma would provide some fantastic fishing right across from the landing. Try fishing the rock pile below the Power Plant for some killer smallie action - last year, late May, we caught 33 smallies off this pile in less than a hour and 15 minutes. We could have caught more, but the tourney end was near!!

Fishing gets a little slow, anchor on almost any wingdam and soak some crawlers...the ladies will have sore arms after pulling multiple species into the boat. They will have a blast with the size and quantity of the suckers and sheepshead that you put them on!!

[Goldpig]

I would vote for Green or Chisago Lakes for multi-species. Green has some huge walleyes and lots of wood to pitch for largemouth. If you wanted to go for bass I know of some sleepers in the metro, feel free to email me.

[Otter]

Not from the area, but I understand that Lake Wobegone is good.