Hoffer Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 So with the early Spring this year what do you guys "up north" across the border think about the smallie spawn? Is it going to be done the end of May?Things are ahead by a good 2 weeks down here. Morels are already almost done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherstation Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I would say it is going to a little early then last year. not sure by how much, depends on what the water temps do in the next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov1900 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I will let you know in 17 days...I'm thinking the smallie bite will be dynamite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbee Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 It will vary a lot on a lake to lake basis, but I expect it to be the best still the first 2 weeks of June. Walleyes were stilling running a couple days ago on a lake near me, and talking with a local bio, things are pretty close to normal even with the early ice out. When are you supposed to head up Hoffer? email if you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoffer Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 Any news yet on what the smallies are doing up there guys?Around here its been real warm, and there are reports of smallies on the beds now for awhile.I wonder up there if the water temps are still not quite where they need to be if they will wait till this next full moon period coming up in early June? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov1900 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 In I Falls now. I will be in Sioux Lookout in a few hours trying to figure that out. I will try to post tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoffer Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Prov1900Thanks! Looking forward to your report!What lake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov1900 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hoffer, We are on Minnitaki. Walleyes are slow, but the smallies are crackin' it! Haven't caught any real big ones, but lots of 17" and under. Throwing plastics of all varieties and they are super shallow. Can't say for certain they are spawning just yet because we are casting rocks. Our normal "bed" spots don't hold any fish just yet, but this isn't a very good sight fishing lake, due to water clarity. Water temps are between 55 and 59 degrees. Tomorrow the weather looks great so we are expecting better fish. Buddy of mine lost one tonight that cleared the water and looked to be close to 4.5 lbs, a definite "patch fish", i.e. catch and release trophy. Post more results tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoffer Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Prov1900Thanks for the report!!Glad you guys are having fun and catching fish!!From everything I have read it seems that the temp for the smallies to start moving in to spawning areas to stage is around that 55 to 59 degrees, and they start to actually spawn when it gets a little warmer that that. You must be catching some of those that are staging now. I am sure its only going to get better. You also have to figure that if your temp gauge is showing that - its mainly surface temp and the real temp where they are swimming around is probably a little cooler. I suspect they will continue to move in and the next week or so start making beds.Report back again - fun to hear what is going on! I wish I was there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbee Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Group that came out today reported catching bass shallow, but still scattered. No fish on beds. Caught good numbers in current areas also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoffer Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 Superbeethats kind of good news.Maybe they will be waiting till thatnext full moon June 4th.My bet is they will start pretty darn soon though. Probably this weekend.Hows the walleye fishing been?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbee Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 The groups we have had in so far have been primarily targeting trout and smallmouth. They have been getting walleyes though in the shallows, but weren't really targeting them. Just catching a gew for meals. I will be getting more reports soon and will keep you updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov1900 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Great day! Finally caught an "over", i.e. 18.25, so I can collect my catch and release patch after all these years trying. I have several laker and northern patches, but now can collect the smallie patch. Caught lots of smallies today after taking a couple of days off, trying to catch eyes. Everything was on today. Shout out to Big Bite Baits Warmouth. Those are awesome! Smallies still not quite on the beds, but they are very, very close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I just got back from Tetu and the water temps have been running 59-60 degrees. We found samllies right tight to the rocks in sandy areas soaking up the sun and cramming their bellies full of minnows. I saw only one bed and it looked too big to be a smallie bed. On the flat calm, sunny hours they were there but without the sun they seemed to pull back a bit. We caught mostly males with the largest being 18 inches. We may have lost a couple that were a tick larger but nothing I would call a 20. Supposedly they're expected to peak within the next two weeks. We had a multi-species blast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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