big stone and traverse info needed

[fishing addict]

going with friends of my brother to big stone and traverse 4/25-27th. Never fished this area before. any tips or names of resorts/bait shops that I can contact to do some research before going. thanks.

[Big Northern]

Bud's bait is in Ortonville at the south end of Big Stone. (320) 839-2480. That seem like the busiest bait shop in Ortonville, on the evening before the opener the place is hopping!

[Guest]

Planning on fishing serious or for fun?? What species?? Have fished several tournys at Stone early in past seasons, what can I help with?

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[fishing addict]

Bigjim,

we plan to fish walleye on big stone and maybe crappies on traverse. any tips on locating/ presentations for eyes at this time of year would be appreciated. also are there good lodging spots and bait shops nearby? thanks.

[Guest]

The best overall info/lodging/bait on Big Stone is at Schmidts Landing...he's located on the Dakota side of the lake About half way up..he has a web site for info and is listed under a search for"big Stone"...the last early trip i took to stone , the water was fairly high and dirty, best presentation was either pitching small bright colored jigs shallow tipped with minnows or bobber fishing with minnows or leeches...best results were near creek mouths with flow..there is one creek just north of schmidts on the same side..there are two creeks further north on the oppisite side, don't be afraid to pitch into 2-4' of water...bobbers worked best on the island south of scmidts, work both sides of the north end..5-12' of water...if you head towards the dam,,look for a bay on the east shore one mile north of the dam,you'll see several large boulders sticking up..if the wind is blowing into this bay it can be loaded with big eyes..we used the electric motor eased into bay,watch your electronics,there are some large under water boulders in the bay,the eyes lay around the boulders..do not go behind any of the islands on the dakota side under power!!!LOT'S OF Obstructions!!!
good luck!! big jim