Clear Lakes In MN

[PeteIL]

Can any of the pros tell me how to catch the eyes that are deep in the clear lakes of mn. I go up to Webb lake twice a year and fish the surrounding lakes. Every lake has them deep. I know about fishing at night for eyes but on cloudy days I couldn't raise a fish during the day. Also I am looking for a guide for the first week in Sept for the leech lake area. Thanks for your reply Pete

[bbakes]

Clear lakes in northern Minnesota can be tough, here are some suggestions.

#1 You already mentioned night fishing, why beat yourself up? If its really hot and calm, and I am not guiding, I just wait till about 7 p.m. and plan on fishing unitil 12-2 in the morning. I use lighted slip bobbers or troll floating raps. Saves a lot of headaches.

#2 Use slip bobbers during the day. Sneak upwind of a rockpile or even a wind blown shoreline and set your bobber a short cast out from your boat, let the wind take your offering over the rock pile without spooking the fish. Slip bobbers are one of the best ways to fish walleyes in clear water. Buy the way, you might be surprised how shallow big walleyes are in crystal clear MN lakes. I often slip bobber in less then 5 feet this time of year.

#3 When the weather is nasty and the wind is howling go fishing. Nothing makes a gin clear walleye lake come alive like a strong wind from the same direction. In fact, thats how I start everyday I am guiding. Get up look at the wind, look at the map, pick my favorite spots for that wind, and develop a gameplan. Those churned up shorelines is where you should find yourself pulling lindy rigs, or casting jigs, or whatever you have confidence in.

If you have any other questions you can email me this week bbaker@cloquet.k12.mn.us

[MnWalleyeKiller]

bbakes,
I can tell you have put your time in on clear lakes. I have found long snell lindys to work on the calm days. Lively bait is another thing that is key on clear lakes. I keep my bait cool and replace my it if I havent had a bite for a while.