Chisago Info

[Griggs]

I'm looking for some new lakes to go Bassin. I'm looking to catch some fish with some size, I hear Chisago has some good sized bass.

What can you tell me about this lake?

I'm in the south metro, so this will be a bit of a hike, any other lake recommendations?

[slicksnail]

I fished Lake Bavaria (Catch/Release only) and caught a lot of decent bass. Bavaria is a little south of me, maybe not as far south as you'd like.

[Tom Wilson]

Griggs,

I honestly and seriously do not say this to be offensive in any way, but, if you are not catching large bass here on the south side of the metro, then changing lakes will not do you any good. Chisago is a great lake, but it holds no more large fish than any of the lakes here on the southwest side. Bavaria, pearson, steiger, zumbra, prior, waconia, bryant--every single one of these lakes that I mentioned is loaded with piggies. The problem for most, and even myself at times, is that we start off the year with something productive and then we keep going back to that over and over and over, but the fish have changed seasonally, or otherwise. If you are stuck right now catching little fish, you have got to change your tactics to start catching large fish. I know that sounds condascending and know-it-all-ish, but it's not. The large fish that are in these lakes in the spring, don't leave the lake, they move around in the lake. If you typically were catching your fish in the reedbeds, and now can't find anything but small fish, there is a reason for that. If you were catching fish on inside edges of milfoil in 6 ft of water, and now they are nowhere to be found there is a reason for that....etc, etc, etc. The whole game of fishing is being able to stay on top of the fish and follow their seasonal movements and understanding them so that we can be successful on each outing. I fish these lakes down here 3-5 days a week, and I am having a phenomenal year with big fish. I'm telling you the truth man, these lakes are loaded with big fish--just keep fishing, and continue to learn and try new things until you have found a way to catch some of these monsters.

[Griggs]

Well I guess we need to get into whats a big fish. This week I've caught 4 18" that weighed around 3 lbs each, and I think that is big. I caught each one in a different location, and in each of those locations I'd catch about 7-10 under 1 lb.

Your right, I might be playing something of a numbers game, I haven't gone fishing in a week and caught less than a dozen fish. My high was 27 (with two 3 lbers) which was last Friday.

I'm am mainly a dock fisherman. Pick a bay and hit some docks. Pitch something under a dock or swim baits around and near the docks.

PS - Is this the Tom who used to work at Gander in Lakeville?

[Tom Wilson]

Griggs,

Yes I used to work at the Gander in Lakeville. I personally put big Bass at anything over four lbs. However, Five pound and larger Bass are a different type of fish altogether--they fish different than the massive groups of smaller (2-4lb) fish that most people chase around to the deep water all summer long. Deep water is effective if you find them, but for the most part it is like finding a needle in a haystack. In tournament situations you have to fish for these 4 lb schools, because large fish can be so fickle and schooling fish are far more predictable if you find them. If you do find a school of 4 lber's you feel like you've hit the mother lode, but for 90% of the time fish 5lbs and larger fish differently. Most of the time the Big Bass at a tournament is caught by the guy that was fishing up shallow. Look at any state records, or lists of large fish from anywhere in the country, they come out of water less then 8ft deep 80% of the time. When I fish tournaments I am looking for numbers of 3-4lb fish, but when I'm on the water by myself during the week, or just out with a buddy to have fun, I'll spend all day chasing big ones at the thought of catching 3-4 big Bass versus running around massive amounts of water looking for a school of fish. I have been having a fantastic summer and have caught a lot of fish this year over that mark, and have broken the 6lb mark seven times already this year. I had WALLEYENUTZ out with me last week on Waconia and I caught 9 fish that day that were over the 4 lb mark, and 3 of those broke the 5lb mark--all from less than 5 ft. of water in milfoil. I bring that up only for those of you who would not believe me as he can attest to that, but also to prove my point. I have said it before and I will say it again. if you think you're fishing slow enough--slow down. The fishing is good this year, and there are big fish to be had. Good luck, I hope you find some.

By the way--Do I know You?

[WALLEYENUTZ]

Tom is right about his fish. I fished right beside him for the 3 hours we were on the water and I boated no fish over 4lbs, but lost a couple that were in that range. I think he fished quite abit slower than I did. Made a Difference, obviously!!!!

my $.02

[Griggs]

Thanks for the info. Are you in the South Metro? If so, I'd like to meet ya out on the lake, this sounds like a completley different style of fishing than I'm used to, I'd like to learn more.

I also used to work at Gander in Lakeville, but I can't decide if I know you or not. My name is Chad, I worked there maybe a year and a half ago.

[Griggs]

Tom, I remember you! Your Bassman! Ha, took a while but it finally clicked in, although, I don't know how I'd get you to remember me. You would recognize me if you saw me.

Let me know if your interested in a trip to Prior, I'll probably be out there a few times this week.

[Tom Wilson]

Chad,

If you worked with me in the fishing department, then I remember you. Look for me out on the water, I'm in a bright yellow Ranger. Stop by and say hey if you see me. I'll be on O'dowd Wednesday morning.

[Griggs]

Yea I worked with ya. I remember you didnt work much when I was there though. I was one of the younger guys along with mike, ryan and arron. I'll check my schedule for weds morning.