Looking for some Bull Sunnies!!

[osakisresort]

I fish a lake in Central Minnesota. Lake Osakis, and it has some Bull Sunnies that i can catch from spring to fall, but come ice, they always seem to evade me. Any suggestions for help? I have tried mostly the dropoffs where i was cathing them in the fall and some saddles. Also tried a few flats in bout 20 ft. Could they be in the weeds already?? cause i usually dont catch the bull sunnies there in the fall...not till spring....Trying to learn all i can bout these sneaky critters. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[Guest]

You are asking the same question that a lot of people are this year. All I can suggest is look for the weeds. Yes it is late in the year to still be in the shallower weeds but I continue to find fish in the shallows. In a typical year (snow cover) I would have been fishing deeper water for the last 20 days, however, I continue to find the big fish in the shallow weeds. In most lakes the weeds are in really good shape still. This could be one of those years you get to fish shallow all year, although the ice is getting pretty thick now.

I have not been to Osakis yet this year but I will get up in the next few weeks. I will keep you posted. Scott Steil

[osakisresort]

Thanks Scott~
I guess ill be going out tomorrow and seeing what happens, any suggestions on how deep to fish? In the weeds, the edges, pencil reeds or submerged weeds? Talked to someone on the Alex forum, said they found some but cant get em to bite, didnt say where, well see where at though. Thanks for the info, well see how it goes.

[Guest]

I would look right in the weeds this year. With the limited snow most of the weeds are it really good shape yet and are holding fish. I like thick cabbage if I can find it. If you find fish during the day and can't get them to bite I would try that last hour of daylight and afterwards. If you know of a good weedline, drill a few holes outside of it and work in. You should be able to sight fish on Osakis this year. That should help you locate them. Scott Steil

[IceHawk]

Like Scott said try right up in the weeds. I know it might be hard to relate to this time of year but with the lack of snow cover the weeds are still real green. The sun has been penetrating through giveing off lots of oxygen. The little water organisims and bugs are going to be there and in turn so will the big bluegills. Have you tried freshwater shrimp yet there has been times all I could get them to go on Osakis has been shrimp. I realize you have probably already tried the north end, but this is were I think they would be just try shallow twoards evening. Osakis in the winter is hit or miss so dont give up sooner or later you will hit them and the rewards will be great.

[Guest]

If u want awesome bluegill fishing over half 8 inches and lots of them heres the best ive ever seen N Turtle n of underwood near battlelake. try it let me know if u do and u will be happy u did

[osakisresort]

Well, i found some sunnies, in 10ft of water on a weedline, but just small ones so far. Any suggestions on where the bigger ones would be? shallower, more in weeds? Just wondering? Thanks for all the help

[Guest]

What time of the day were you fishing? Sometimes you can find big gills in the same area as smaller gills, but they will be a little pickier. Try the same area at dawn or dusk. This may help getting the bigger gills to bite. Weather can also shut the fish down.