Frog Migration

[jalberg]

I've heard for years that there is a frog migration in the fall where the frogs go back into the lake for the winter. I've tried to figure out when this is, but I'm still not sure. I was thrown off last year when i caght a bass with a big frog leg sticking out its throat in late November. I always assumed that bite would be long gone by then. Anyone know any general temps (water or air) or dates that this normally happens?

[BDawg23]

There are a large amount of frogs around the shorelines in Cass County right now. Last night when I plugged the boat in I counted 6 right around the dock. The water temp is 50 but I am not sure what the typical air/water temps are for this movement.

[mainbutter]

We've seen a bunch of wood frogs lately. They're on the move to their hibernation spots. I'm not sure where wood frogs hibernate as they are no where near as aquatic as most other frog species.

[Craigums]

Saw a few frogs jumping across the road as I was driving to the lake on Tuesday. Even throw a topwater frog for a bit but didnt get any strikes

[RK]

The frog migration is kind of an interesting deal. Doesn't seem to matter much on some lakes, pretty big deal on others. Topwater frogs can be kind of hit or miss, and seems to be a mid-day deal. I haven't spent a lot of time at it, but the fish I have caught have been big ones.

One of the best approaches to the frog deal I've tried I learned from Wayne Ek - dragging a green pumpkin tube along inside weedlines, etc. Besides bass, I have also - amazingly enough - caught a couple of great big walleyes on tubes fished shallow this time of year.

RK

[skee0025]

It normally hits the lake where I duck hunt around the last week September to the First week of October. The action there is nothing less than spectacular, though I have never caught bass while it was happening. It was All Eyes hunting in the shallows taking the frogs.

[jalberg]

Thanks for the responses guys. I may have to start checking the shallows this weekend. It makes sense that a subsurface bait would get them as that is where they are headed. It sure looked "froggy" today. Too bad it's going to get nice and sunny this weekend!

[skee0025]

If they are not hitting during the day dont overlook the hour or so before sunset. When its on at our lake things dont start popping until just before sunset til about an hour after. During that time frame we cant get our lines back in the water fast enough. Best year so far 5- 10lb walleyes as fast as you could reel them in and get your lure back in the water.

[jalberg]

That's awesome! how deep have you been getting them? all the way near shore, inside weeline, deeper?

[Superduty]

I wouldn't hesitate to fish shallow this time of year but I likely wouldn't be throwing a topwater frog. Frog migration or not, If they won't hit a buzzbait, I would fish a jig slooow.

[RumRiverRat]

Dragging a Creature Bait or Tube shallow this time of year can be good as well.

[HawgTide]

I caught 5 bass on Spro Frogs this weekend. Water temps were 52 degrees. That was the only thing I got them on.

[jalberg]

Had a giant bass take a swipe at a buzz frog this morning. She missed it so i stopped and let the bait sink. She came and got it. I set the hook, she came to the surface and came off. Broke my heart! this was a huge bass! I was kicking myself for quite a while, then I boated a 6lb 2oz pig. I felt better after that.

[bassfshin24]

Good lord Jalberg!!! You and your fall monsters. Nice job on the 6lber

[jalberg]

Thanks, I wish I could have gotten the first one though. Not knowing just how big it was eats at you. I broke my frog rod earlier this summer and have been using a different rod that isn't quite as powerful. I decided to wait until spring to replace it, but I'm starting to think that was a mistake. It's cost me a few fish including two big ones.