Balsam Lake Fishing Reports

[B-man715]

I thought I'd start a thread for Balsam lake. She's been a little slow in this forum, so here is a little new news

I head out there about once a week. I mostly target the ever so elusive Balsam Lake walleye. There are fish in the lake, but some days can be tough. I mostly fish the humps and islands adjacent to deep water. Fish have been caught on Lindy's, spinner rigs, jigs, and the evening bite with a leech under a float. 10-30 FOW

As many of you know, there are way to many bass in the lake. This provides lots of action, but the size lacks. Most fish caught have been in that 10-14 range, with some larger fish present.

For sunfish and crappies, small jigs are the ticket. Just about any outside weededge can produce either species. Lately I've been catching lots of sunfish while targeting eyes (usually nice fish.) If you get a chance to get out, try slowly drifting across the open water of East Balsam (13-18 FOW). A limit of nice fish can be caught dragging a 3/8-1/2 oz Lindy setup with a single float and #6 hook covered with a crawler or 1/2 a leach. The bonus walleye will also take a swing at this appetizer. And of course other setups will work as well as long as you can keep the bait in the strike zone.

Good luck and good fishing

[DonBo]

Nice report B-man! Glad to hear you're on some fish.

[SPIN DRY]

The DNR wants you to start keeping some of those small Bass, try to thin them out a little bit. So if you get into a bunch of pan fish, throw in a couple of those 12" bass to round out the deal, they fry up just fine at that size. The regs are posted at the landings. Half Moon is the same way. Good luck

[Walleye Guy]

So is Big Round Lake. Take a 13 inch bass home with you every time you fish these lakes.

[Ace]

Was out on Saturday from about 6:00 until noon or so. Fishing was kind of slow...Started for walleyes, ended up with none, but did manage a very hefty bluegill. We switched tactics to drifting and bobber fishing and got a mixed bag of sunnies, perch, bass, and a couple rockbass. Missed one northern, and that was about the extent of our action. got pretty darn warm when the clouds cleared out so we headed home.

[fishuhalik]

Funny, the biggest bass I've ever seen came out of balsam. 24 3/4" and all of 8lbs.

[vman59]

I guess the word is out that there is a good crappie bite going on at Balsam. Some very respectable size crappies.

[Jarrid Houston]

ouch...

[Jayber]

Anybody have any water temps to report for Balsam? How's the bite? Thinking of heading that way this weekend for some LM's.

[edaniel]

Last weekend they were sitting around 48-52 degree's on balsam.

[Jayber]

Thanks, edaniel.......been out at all? If so, any luck?

[sparkyaber]

I am heading to Balsam lake next weekend for a fishing trip. Have never been there. I am thinking of targeting walleyes. Any tips you folks could share?

Looks to be lots of structure, what is a good presentation to try? I was thinking of cranks with boards to start, just to cover lots of area? or is live bait rigging the way to go? or bobbers? I fish Rush lake in Chisago county frequently, and this lake reminds me of it, sort of.

Thanks in advance.

[SPIN DRY]

I would keep the boards in the boat, that lake is way to busy on a weekend to pull boards, and the people that are out there don't seem to have a probelm running your stuff over. I would guess there will be a bass tourney out there, seems to be one every weekend. I would troll, just not with boards. Jig and minnow, hit the humps and points dawn and dusk. Troll the the shore line 15 to 18 feet. Good luck.

[sparkyaber]

Thanks for the heads up! I was kinda wondering if it was a big recreational lake. Maybe it will be 55 and raining, keep some of those folks off the lake!

Great info I appreciate it.

[Jarrid Houston]

Anyone doing any good on BL? Thinking about trying it out for the fist time (open water) next time Im in the area.

[Jarrid Houston]

Hit Balsam on Friday night, and got into a few blue gillz, but nothing to brag about. Punched about 100 holes, and had to work hard for them, until we figured out they we a little deeper, then all my fish came out of 1 hole. Good ice in the section of lake we were in..

[Frozenfoot]

Going to Balsam for New years, anyone know what shape the lake is in?

[Jarrid Houston]

Last I was there 2 weeks ago she was building ice, and I imagine its still looking on the up and up. Wouldnt drive out there, except MAYBE a wheeler. But walking conditions are good to go pretty much anywhere I bet. Good luck and report back with how you did..

[Frozenfoot]

Thanks for the reply, planned on walking out, so that sounds good. Will report when I get back.

[Frozenfoot]

Fished Balsam Sat and Sun. Found 9 to 10 inches of ice everywhere I went. I guess a car went thru in the narrows last week so there is still open water there. Fishing was slow, not much to report there a few small perch and crappies. Got a bunch of snow sat night and was very windy on sun.