French Lake

[MuskieKen]

I'm thinking about heading to French lake later this week and late next week and want to know what lake conditions have been recently. I fished this lake a few times last summer so I know it gets pretty green.

So I'm hoping anyone who's been out lately can help me out.

1) Surface temps?

2) Water clarity?

3) Weeds? (Any spraying or die off or anything?)

Any reports would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[JosMN]

Hey MuskieKen, I was out there last wkend (8-6) - surface temp was right around 81-82. Water clarity, well, its definately green. A buddy was out there yesterday and he called it "sewer". lol. It is mid August, water clarity is not going to be very good on pretty much any lake around here. The weeds were not bad when I was there. I was running hornets in a depth of 6 ft in areas, and they weren't too bad. Some spots were a lot weedier than others though. Are you just targeting muskies, or going after other species also?

[MuskieKen]

Just muskies (only been out once this year). I figured it was pretty green. From what I've heard this lake gets better late summer/early fall

[JosMN]

Personally, I think it does also get better later. Best go out on a week day if your going for muskies. 90 percent of the boats I saw fishing the wkend I was out there, they were fishing muskies. My buddy said the same for yesterday, launch was packed by 7 am and most were muskie fishing. I didnt see any of them land any fish when I was out there, but did see a couple nice mid 40's surface when I was walleye fishing. Good luck.

[smeese]

French is a rough one.....which is why we need more support for Tetonka. I have fished French for a few years with nothing to show for it but a couple lazy follows. They are in there, but the clarity and preassure being the only lake for an hour and a half with a decent population. Temps were around 84 yesterday, maybe try below the thermocline in the deeper holes for more active fish. But not having any on that lake myself I would maybe seek others input. Good luck either way, and don't let the walleye fishermen push you around the lake

[Nick Kuhn]

Fishing below the thermocline is a mistake for all game fish species, as there is too little oxygen below the thermocline for any fish to survive. If you can find it on your electronics, the fish will always be located above it, and often suspend several feet above it.

[MuskieKen]

They're still that high?! I can't imagine how warm they were 2-3 weeks ago. I was hoping with the milder days and cooler nights we've been having they would be 78-80 tops.

I went there 3 times last summer, with a 36 incher to show for it. I lost similar size on a figure-8 using a DCG and had 5 follows (biggest was mid 40 inch range).

Even with the dark water, it seems to me this lake would be decent at night. But maybe I'll wait until late next week, hopefully the temps will be down.

[fishinorfarmin]

Just curious, I have heard people say you can see the thermocline on a sonar. Could someone post a screenshot of this. Difficult to know what exactly it is that I am looking for. Thanks.

[Nick Kuhn]

Not my screenshots but on a Humminbird it looks like a light green cloud that stays at a constant depth. It may or may not extend all the way to the bottom of the lake. Notice any fish are positioned above it.

[TruthWalleyes]

Here's a screen capture from when the thermocline first showed up on washington this summer.

And a very happy buddy of mine:

[smeese]

Sorry just came across this again, and Yes I mispoke, Above the thermocline is what I meant....Sorry for any confusion.

[Muskiefool]

Smeese What were you thinking?? dont you remember the time I forgot the . in 2.8 million and was drawn and quartered 28 million times LOL

[smeese]

Yes LOL

[MuskieKen]

Does anyone know if French Lake has turned over yet or is in the process of doing so. I was thinking about heading there Sunday and don't want to waste my time if it's turning over now.

Also, I've never fished French in the fall. Do these fish go deep (15'-20') this time of year?

[smeese]

Temps have held up pretty good I bet with these high temps.....I presonally am holding out till it drops a bit more.....too many lazy fish in that lake that I can never catch anyways

[Yooperguy]

600 little ones added yesterday that we can all wonder where they are and why won't they bite?

[smeese]

Nice......let em hide till they are big.....what were they fingerlings?

[Yooperguy]

Yes but were running small this year becouse of the late spring, about 9 inches.

[TruthWalleyes]

Does anyone know if French Lake has turned over yet or is in the process of doing so. I was thinking about heading there Sunday and don't want to waste my time if it's turning over now.

Also, I've never fished French in the fall. Do these fish go deep (15'-20') this time of year?

With water temps in the mid to upper 50's...I highly doubt the lake has turned over yet...but soon, very soon.

[smeese]

Yooper Guy....do you just back the truck up and pour em in or how does that work.....any acclimation or anything? Just curious...