Do you sometimes feel like you live in a fishing dead-zone?

[Whateverzbitin]

I used to play softball every year for about 6 years. Every year our team was pretty bad. We tried to play for fun, but that road eventually comes to an end. After about 6 years of consistant losing it gets really hard to stay positive. Especially when you get dominated often. I don't want that to happen with ice fishing.

I love to fish in general, and really have come to love ice-fishing over the last few years. However, much like my softball team, the "success" has come far and few between. I am not going to through in the towel any time soon, but I am really really hungry for improved results. I feel like I have the tools and a good knowledge base. Lord knows I spend plenty of time reading things on line, studying DNR lake surveys and talking to other fisherman. I have the tools with a sled style shack, stikemaster auger, heater, new flasher,gps app on my phone, tip-ups and rods.

I often feel as though my place of residence in Elk River is my first barrier to real success. Sure I know places to go to get "action", but I want to have stories to tell. I want to have catch and realese photos to admire over the summer. I want to have trips to remember. In terms of lakes that are close to home I have yet to really settle into one. Am I wrong to think that close to home is just not going to work? Do I need to start thinking outside the box somehow?

Last year I started to drive a bit further to find ice fishing lakes. Not that it is super far but I started to go to Pelican and brave the hoard. Improved results where immidiate. Nothing mind blowing, but panfish became respectable and fun to catch. Pike size improved as well, providing good table fare sized fish if one desired.Not breaking any new ground here, but the most important part of fishing success is a good lake.

Getting back on point,...Anybody else out there feel like me? How did you get over the hump? Is it all about big excursions to far away destinations like LOW for those trips to remember, or do I just need to keep at it till I find a lake that works for me.

Disclaimer-My expectations are not to be catching trophy fish out my back door, just respecable results. If my buddies kid catches 27 inch pike, that trip will be one that is memorable. Know what I mean?

[simple1]

First, I have very few great fish to talk about but have had some great days. But i will tell you these days down here are few and far in between as far as having good stories. I think if you are fishing to only have stories, you will be disappointed, but if you focus on the whole experience I think you will start to have a good time. I love fishing and being able to bring home a few eater walleye is always a bonus on top to the experience of being on the lake(summer or winter).

I would recommend finding a lake that has potential and start to learn that lake well. This can often lead to success. Next I would recommend finding a friend that likes to fish, together you should have a better time and may even learn a thing or two from him.

Finally I would read Harvey Lee's signature that says ""If you're lucky enough to be at the lake....... you're lucky enough!"

".

If you have this attitude, things will start to look better.

Simple1

[reinhard1]

when i was younger i never felt that way and to this date still dont. i have fished in Canada many years. fantastic fishing to be sure. however that is not just what i brought home with me. being out there in the wilderness was and always has been an experience i cant get enough of.

i have lakes here around me where i can enjoy a day also. it doest have to be all about trophy's [as you have said], panfish still thrill me as they did when i was a kid. catching small pike when nothing else takes the bait is often the case. i fished most of my years in the Arowhead area of this state. many days skunked, even in the best of waters. sure if i wanted a meal i could of kept something many times. to me it was just being there and fishing was a great bonus to this day.

you have many good lakes in your area and rivers. even guides have bad days. the zone you are looking for is what you want in your fishing experience. catching decent fish all the time just isn't reality. a great goal, and i still have goals of my own, but it is a constant learning experience. enjoy your time in the outdoors, it is ALL good. good luck.

[SFC]

Just enjoy what you have!! Some of my best days that I can remember weren't the most productive fish wise. My best trip was the last day of the season last year, caught 2 11 inche eyes a few perch.When it got light out, a little snow was coming down. No one around,and fabulous views of the countryside to me it was the best day ever, that day will be burned into my mind forever.

[Whateverzbitin]

Thanks for the words of encouragment. I do enjoy my time fishing regardless of "success" unless it is some kind of total disaster. I would like to think we can all admit to having days like those. A couple seasons ago I was out on my favorite lake during open water at peak fall color. The fishing was slow by any measure. Then the sun began to set on this lake with undeveloped shoreline. The reflection in the water from the trees was really inspiring and I will never forget it. Much better than working right? I just want to be able to look back at ice fishing season 2011-2012 and say, "I learned some things, put them into practice, and have become a better fisherman."

[SFC]

We never stop learning as long as we keep trying.

[adamr]

The secret for me has been to become freinds and fish with people better then me. I have learned so much from them and they have become some of my best freinds because we all love to fish so mutch. Seek out your areas top fisherman and learn from them. Its also alot easier for me to say we dont get near the fishing pressure you get.

If your looking for a memory try night fishing in the fall were there is current. The mouth of rivers or big colverts are best for me. Wait till everyone else goes home saying nothing is bitting put on a hj12 husky jerk slow down on the retreive and you will be amazed at the size some of the fish are ive cought ten pound pike at midnight and lots of walleyes big walleyes the colder yuckiest weather the better dont give up at the first spot plan and seek out your spots in the summer when its nice so when october is here you can try two or three spots a night i go four to five times a week once they go shallow its awesome because you can get off work eat supper and at 7 or 8 head out.

[bak2MN]

I am feeling the same way and I live around Detroit lakes. I dont have much luck and get very frustrated. I dont know anyone around to fish with and go by myself unless the kid wants to go. Then its worse because he dont catch anything and gts bored. I dont normally keep to any but love to catch and release. Love to see the bobber go down or fel the tug on thend of the jig. But it getting harder to go and enjoy when you fail everytime out.

[Whateverzbitin]

In looking through the responces on here, I think the advice about getting together with someone with knowledge to pass on is really a key thing. I really only have 1 other ice fishing buddy and we have the exact same amount of experience. I think it would be good for us both to bring some fresh perspective into the mix.

bak2mn, this seems like it would really be good for you since it sounds like you don't have any fishing partners to this point. Your experience will be better if you find someone else to share it with.

OK, so who has Dave Genz's phone number? )

[muskE]

Getting back on point,...Anybody else out there feel like me? How did you get over the hump? Is it all about big excursions to far away destinations like LOW for those trips to remember, or do I just need to keep at it till I find a lake that works for me.

I live in the next town soth of you and am also a little envious that some people live closer to quality lakes than we do. I'd love to be able to pull up to the shack after work or dinner and fish for 30 minutes because I could. The reality is we're on the edge of a pothole and agricultural area and "quality" lakes are about a 30 minute ride away.

Like many people said it's about having fun and enjoying what you do. Shared experiences seem to have more meaning than solo ones. I rarely get pics of most of the fish I catch because I don't bother with a tripod (released 2 muskies north of 50" and boated 3 more under that mark in an afternoon this fall and only have them in my memory) and, frankly, most of the bone-headed things I do will remain hidden form the world's anecdotal record because either I don't ever want to share my misgivings or I just didn't see them as amusing. I think it's having someone there to help add a [PoorWordUsage] filter and enhance credibilty.

Most of my neighbors shutter at the thought of ice fishing and I'm mostly a lone-wolf thus, I almost always have an open seat and I'd be up to meet you at a lake or two if you'd like to give it a whirl. Send me a PM if you're interested.

[SFC]

Put a post in your area open seat fishing partner or something like that, might learn a thing or 2.

[adamr]

Go enter a walleye league you dont have to fish every week. It makes you go, every one is usually a decent fisherman and afterwords you find out what everyone did and were the fish are.

[Jarrod32]

If you only have to drive a half hour or even an hour to get to some good fishing, you are in a good location. I would just add that you can read all the info online or in the DNR reports that you want, but nothing - nothing - comes close to experience you get with time on the ice. It took me several seasons of experience to start to meet with the little bits of success that I can now enjoy.

[SFC]

Walleye League, never heard of it. Sounds interesting.(Serious on this part) Next part humor- Set up teams and everyone on HSO could play fantasy fishing.

[Whateverzbitin]

If you only have to drive a half hour or even an hour to get to some good fishing, you are in a good location. I would just add that you can read all the info online or in the DNR reports that you want, but nothing - nothing - comes close to experience you get with time on the ice. It took me several seasons of experience to start to meet with the little bits of success that I can now enjoy.

Your right, it is all a matter of perspective as far as the distance thing goes. I suppose we would all like good lakes closer regarless of how close they actually are. I know the SD can be a bit water challenged. I know it is still a good distance from you but I would love to try the Waubey area.

[pikerliker]

Hey bak2MN I have felt the same way you have. I grew up fishing pike and sunfish mainly with my dad around the Buffalo Annadale area. My memories seem full of catching fish. As an adult I now live in the Mankato/Faribault lakes area.

Honestly I have had pretty poor results for the most part in this area and it does get hard sometimes keeping my spirits up. I have gone entire seasons without catching a single walleye (my favorite fish) and I don't consider myself a novice as far as how to fish them. It is hard spending time on the water, catching nothing and then coming home and seeing others pics, stories of success, etc on these forums. I have had the occasional successful outing here and there enough to know that I am not entirely clueless, but I do wish it were more often than it does happen.

That being said I LOVE being outdoors so I keep going back. I try to learn what I can from reading watching tv, etc. I just try to keep the faith that it will "click" eventually.

`piker

[amateurfishing]

i live in area and started 2 years ago with no clue. found this site, read alot, asked a lot of questions, & get out on water for trial & error. BIGGEST influence IMO is fishfinder, gps optional. your catch rate will increase dramatically when u r ON fish! after that u can think bout lure, bait, rod, bobber type, etc. if u find fish and cant get em to bite u can learn a lot here, but if u cant find em at all its impossible to catchem.

[amateurfishing]

also learn/know your lake(s)...the more u know bout it, the more u can think like fish....i have fished on same lake past 3 years, have caught northern, crappie, perch, & bass. this year i hope for walleye so i am targeting some outer lakes in my area with better chances. you can do all homework you want, but if u dont know where fish are on lake, u cant get em.

[crappie55409]

Come down and fish in my 7x14 permy on lake minnetonka. No shortage of fish there and i always enjoy company

[Korynta]

If fishin was easy theyd call it catchin instead. I get skunked almost as much as i dont, but theres no other place id rather be. As far as l.o.w. goes its a great lake and all of my biggest eyes came from there, but you get spoiled and end up coming back to normal fishing and its easier to get dissapointed. I try to fish my area lakes the best i can with reasonable expectations and try to surprise myself, which does happen occasionally, and save l.o.w. toward the end of the season.

[Big Country]

This may help. Hit a lake that you feel has potential. Take your auger and start off drilling ten or twelve holes. Use your sonar and hop around the holes, hunting for fish until you locate some. Drop your bait down in front of the fish and slowly pull your bait away. It's a cat and mouse game here. Often negative fish will turn on when you pull the bait from them. Natural insinct. Simple strategy, but has put plenty of fish on the table for me. And like every one has said here, enjoy the day above all. There are many others that do not have the resources and know how that you have to get out and do this. Have fun above all. BC

[BLACKJACK]

whatever, I feel your pain. I don't consider myself a very good fisherman, I'm a lot better at hunting, fishing is almost like work, but I like to get out on the lake and relax, get my house set up for the evening bite, cook and eat my supper, listen to the radio, have a couple of brewski's, relax, and if I get some fish, they're a bonus. That being said, eventually you want to catch some fish!!!

I've always said that if you go fishing ten times (or duck hunting, fill in the experience), you're going to have 2-3 times where you're skunked, 3-4 times where you catch a few, but then you have that one time where the fish are flying out of the hole, you can't keep them off the hook, its fun!!! Hopefully you can keep at it long enough to have that experience a few times, create the memory that will keep you coming back.

(On a side note, how the heck are we supposed to recruit new duck hunters when there are no ducks!!! If new hunters don't eventually get a chance to shoot some ducks, they're going to quit, beautiful sunrises only go so far!!)

[Panfish Guy]

I feel your pain. Living in SW Minnesota, sometimes our lakes go totally dead and are not prime fishing. I have tried to make a trip up north at the end of walleye season every year. It gives me something to think about all winter and the fishing on that trip(the past years to Red Lake)is usually fantastic! I do most of my fishing around here with my brother and go to Mankato to fish with my brother-in-law and even if we don't catch fish we usually have a ball. The eating is always good!

[Carp-fisher]

Waaa waaa waaa you guys crack me up. I grew up in Iowa (don't hold that against me)--there are more lakes within 30 miles of my house (in Chan) than there are in the whole dang state of Iowa. Living in a fishing dead zone? You guys have no idea how good we have it up here......

[Rube]

Just another thought.

If you have a vexlar and can find the fish, then I would suggest renting or buying a camera. Just watching the way the fish approach the bait, how the presentation, color, jigging etc. effects the bite is really important to catching them.

But be warned, you can spend more time than planned for your fishing outing, just waiting that next (only 5 minutes more) for the next fish to come in.

Good Luck