View Full Version : Big Birch Lake?
My son talked me into an expedition to Big Birch Lake, NW of St. Cloud, tomorrow. Says a buddy of his at work is having good luck, easy limits.
Never been there, but the DNR map sure is interesting -- loaded with structure. Anyone here fished it? Comments?
Where is the best launch ramp?
Hans
Hi Hans,
Brother in law's parents have a cabin there, and I've been there a few times. My bro-in-law just got a 26"er last weekend, and usually does ok. Not sure on the boat ramp, cause the one they usually used was closed when I was there, but that one is on the east side of the main part of the lake. There is one on the west side that was pretty bad shape, but I haven't been up there in three years.
Bro-in-law slips them with leeches, but got the biggie on lindy and leech. There cabin is just ne of the narrowing (you can't miss it) and the long point. He fishes the hole along the north side of the point, and also along the east side of that part of the lake, near the rushes (?).
We have caught some nice northern trolling, and my wife got the biggest sunny i ever saw right by the markers in the narrowing. If memeroy serves, it is very clear lake. Lots of sand and gravel, and some islands that get pretty deep off the edge. I have caught some nice bass there when I was much younger - about 20 years ago, but don't remember where - I think in the south basin around grass isalnds.
You won't believe the mansions going up on that lake... well, you probably will :) I remember when there were no homes on the lake ...hehe... I'm getting old!
Good luck, let me know how you did!
Box
Borch
06-21-2001, 11:04 AM
Great lake to fish. Tons of structure for a lake it's size. I haven't fished it yet this summer but have done well in the past. If your not marking fish just move on. There's is lots of structure and usually there are some active fish on one piece or another. Great population of panfish, walleyes and smallmouth bass. Don't use the access on the SE side it is terrible(a real prop chewer). The one on the SW side was small but ok and sheltered. I haven't used the ones on the north end of the lake so can't be of any help there. Funny thing, no one around St. Cloud talks about Big Birch much so it doesn't get the local pressure like some of the lakes in the area. Have a good one!
We had an excellent day of fishing! There are a lot of >big< walleyes in that lake, including a 30-plus-incher which spit my hook back at me at boatside.
The landing we used, at the NW corner of the smaller basin, was excellent, but a little short of parking.
Nice lake, but I bet it gets busy with water-toys on weekends. Late yesterday afternoon (Friday) it was starting to get a lot of that sort of activity, as I suppose weekenders were showing up.
Hans