Metro fishing is a waste of time

[JBMasterAngler]

Obviously if I had the choice, I'd be fishing grand marais, ely, and brainerd area lakes every day. But unfortunately that is just not possible, so the metro lakes and rivers do just fine. I have a few good spots where I can get good numbers of bass, and a couple other spots that are great spring panfish haunts. However, I like fishing the metro lakes alot more in the winter.

[Kodiak]

thats good, more fish for me then!

[OnAFly]

Is there better fishing in other places in the state, yes. Is fishing in the metro a waste of time, no.

Start looking for new water. Hit a new lake every week. There is good water, you just have to look for it. When you find it, you'll think you're nowhere near the metro.

[Tator2k]

These are good ideas. Because I trying to count how many different bodies of water I was able to try out this past summer. Off the top of my head I can count to approx 20. I was able to areas from Hastings to 'kota, Hutch and Mille Lacs.

[bikeoutback]

When I was in the metro I lived in the south metro (Apple Valley) and put in 2 full winters fishing south metro lakes one after another and fishing them constant with very little luck. I'm not a walleye fisherman, pan fish and northern were my targeted species but had no luck catching anything of size. BUT I still enjoyed every minute of being out there every weekend and week night fishing those lakes (no wake boarders or jet ski's in winter).

I live up north now and am looking forward to trying some new lakes. I still think south metro fishing is not productive in fish of any size but not a waste of my time. My only regret possibly is not hitting prior lake more than once.

[mr_jman]

My ex-girlfriend lived near the Bloomington/Eden Prairie line of hwy 169. There were a bunch of lakes in that area that I iced fished last season and had some luck. Size wasn't always impressive, but did manage to push 10" on gills and 12" on crappies a few times. Got on a really small lake in Eden Prairie and found some real nice gills and although pretty small, an amazing crappie bite about 2 hours after dark. Never caught a walleye, but lost a really nice northern and saw some REALLY nice bass on the aqua vu!

I would definately fish some of the metro lakes again! There are SO many options and just looking at the lake maps off the DNR site, there are spots that I would LOVE to give a shot come late ice! Best part is I rarely saw more than about 2 or 3 other people fishing these lakes.

Went to Waconia once and will never go back..... HATE THE CROWDS OUT THERE! If I were alone, I would have gone WAY AWAY from everyone else!

[deadeye]

I do agree with the op that its probably easier to go up north and get on fish easier and quicker.

However most of my own personal bests are within the 494/694 loop. If you can get out and fish a couple times a week or even once every weekend the lakes/rivers are definitly patternable. I got to say we got it pretty good here in the msp area compared to other places.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Here is what I do:

Late April - Early May: Crappies, sunnies (mostly on Waconia)

Late May - June: Leech, Kab and Ely (Walleye trips)

July, Aug, Sept, Oct: south metro (bass)

Either my bass techniques are horrible, or to many people are keeping them, because my success rate over the last 3-4 years has really taken a dive.

I thought most people released bass, so one would think there would be tons of them around. Maybe they are just getting to smart.

[deadeye]

I have had the exact opposite success with bass this past year honestly. I have always done really well with smallies but largmouthes were really on fire. I have got to say I did stay away from the big name brand lakes and I think it was part of why I had success. That and I tried a lot of off kilter stuff too.

[goblueM]

Here is what I do:

Late April - Early May: Crappies, sunnies (mostly on Waconia)

Late May - June: Leech, Kab and Ely (Walleye trips)

July, Aug, Sept, Oct: south metro (bass)

Either my bass techniques are horrible, or to many people are keeping them, because my success rate over the last 3-4 years has really taken a dive.

I thought most people released bass, so one would think there would be tons of them around. Maybe they are just getting to smart.

i dunno, the bass fishing in the metro is top-notch. i'd put up the area within a hours drive of each downtowns against anywhere in the state, regardless of pressure

there's always a lake that seems to be "on" even if my normal lakes aren't producing

[hanson]

Metro fishing is NOT a waste of time.

Shoot... Waconia was putting out near 3 lb crappies a couple years ago.

Mississippi River & Tonka have 10lb PLUS walleyes in them. Other lakes as well, many would surprise you but they are there.

Muskies & Bass? Good Lord do you have options!!

If I had a complaint, I would complain about the "typical" size of panfish (bluegills & crappies) in the metro area. Some lakes run a bit larger than others but there are plenty of exceptions to the rule and plenty of large fish that just haven't been brought home for lunch yet. Once again, they are out there. However, I have plenty of community holes on many lakes in the winter where I can sit there all day long and catch fish. They don't stop! How fun is that?

[Arcons]

I'm not too much of a metro walleye fisherman, just cuz i haven't spent the time to learn the rivers, but i know they're definitely in there! The bass, catfish, sturgeon, carp, and muskie fishing can be world-class. I've actually got a couple of my personal bests within a half-mile drive of mpls, and my best smallie ever came within view of skyscrapers. And i grew up "up north", by grand rapids.

Plenty of good walleye lakes in the metro. You actually have to put your time in and figure them out......that's a hard concept to some people. Fishing is probably difficult not having information from relatives or friends to put you on an easy bite like up north.

I thnk it boils down to what satisfaction you get out of fishing; find an easy bite or figure out a bite.

[mrklean]

i doubt people are keeping bass, i would think most not all bass fishing is C&R

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Where are the bass in Prior and what techniques are good this time of year?

[Arcons]

Big baits along breaklines. Don't waste time up shallow the bass are transitioning to winter spots.