Lake Independence

[JVAllstar]

Greetings - I heard Lake Independence was recently the "Lake of the Week" in Outdoor News. Can anyone confirm that? Also, can anyone direct me to the content of that article? Does anyone recommend that lake for winter walleyes or northerns. If I'm just looking to occasionally get out in the winter, is that a decent lake to establish as my "go to" or would you recommend something better (I'm in the Maple Grove area and not looking to drive more than 30 miles). Just looking to enjoy some ice time with my son and have a decent chance at getting some fish. Thanks!

[muddpuppy]

Yes I think it was the June addition. As too the content I do not recall. From experiance it's more of a Musky Northern lake. but I have only fished it once.

[mrklean]

some nice skies in there

[solbes]

Easy to catch northerns in the summer there. I've had multiple muskie follows, and my friend hooked into a large one that we unfortunately didn't have the right net for. We weren't targetting muskies, but they are definitely in there.

I haven't caught any walleyes there, but haven't really tried either. There is a decent rock pile just out from the beach area.

[mrklean]

oh yea they do have crappies out there to, know some guys that did good during the winter, but you can also say that about any lake if you find them. Ever lake has its spots just gotta find them

[JBMasterAngler]

I caught 100 crappies out of there this past winter. Was fun, but nothing over 7 inches. That seems to be the standard for the lake.

[chickeywing]

I have fished it pretty hard over the last 20 years and have only caught 2 northern out there in the last 2 years. Mostly targeting Walleye. The northern population seems to have dropped off quite a bit over the last few years. The lake is full of 'clone' crappies. If you find one bigger than 7 inches, mount it!!

It's a tough lake to fish due to the pleasure boating. If you put some time on the water, it can be a great lake. Tough catch them the first time out.

TC

[JBMasterAngler]

I'm hoping to get out there this fall to target bass, and hopefully an "accidental" muskie.

[solbes]

Hmm, well that was 5 or 6 years ago when I used to go there a fair amount. Trolling for northerns was the ticket on the north side of the lake. That's where I've seen the most muskies too.

[andrew chadwick]

I have fished it pretty hard over the last 20 years and have only caught 2 northern out there in the last 2 years. Mostly targeting Walleye. The northern population seems to have dropped off quite a bit over the last few years. The lake is full of 'clone' crappies. If you find one bigger than 7 inches, mount it!!

It's a tough lake to fish due to the pleasure boating. If you put some time on the water, it can be a great lake. Tough catch them the first time out.

TC

about six or seven years back It used to be a great crappie lake, with lots of 10 inchers. It got a lot of pressure. I wonder if it got fished out?

[JBMasterAngler]

Well they are definitely there in numbers. I'm not an expert as I've only fished the lake once, but I've been hearing for years that a 7 incher is rare.