Channels in small lakes

[Lunker]

The dnr has been stocking channels in numerous small lakes the last few years. Such as taft, snelling, etc.How do you target these fish successfully? The lakes are full of bullheads, so i doubt u could target cats without only catching heads.

[deadeye]

I would bet that you could target those cats, you might try something like dipbait, and cutbait. Usually, I don't get any bullheads on those kind of baits. I got a few out of long lake last year when I was after walleyes with live bait, so I bet if you used those other "catbaits" you might do pretty good. ><>
deadeye

[tulikow]

I live near a lake called Swan Lake. It also has catfish in it and a lot of bullheads. I hardly ever catch bullheads out there when fishing cats. In smaller lakes the cats are often suspended and the bullheads are much closer to the bottom so I fish with a slip bobber. I usually fish it between 3 and 5 feet below the surface. This rig is most effective in summertime.

[Crawlerman]

Because Channel Cats stocked in lakes are rarely a dominant species; it almost forces you to fish for them at night. I've got a few out of Tanners this way; which also has a small bullhead population-- so you can still get the cats. However I got kicked off Tanners a few times because some tight@$$ over in Landfall called the cops because they didn't like my "rowdy" fishing. Bah.

[Crawlerman]

Yeah. Heh. I guess me turning on a flashlight every 15 minutes or so to re-bait was WAYYYY to rowdy for the residents of Landfall... I'm still trying to figure out a way... the acess by the Harley Dealership is open 24/7; However it weeds up SO bad in the summer it is impossible to fish it. (about the only spot that does weed up that bad on that lake too... being just my luck...) I was thinking about putting the boat out there and sitting the night.. but I'm afraid again someone will call the cops because they don't like the way my Truck looks in the parking lot; and I'll get ticketed. I just wish Mr. Scrooge in the Trailer park would lighten up....

[Lunker]

rowdy fishing?

[The Chemist]

Easy way to get around it- go to the Harley Dealer and ask the owner, GM or whomever has the clout if it would be possible to park in the parking lot at night. If you got permission I don't see any reason you should be ticketed.

You know why you got turned in last time don't you? The clicking you were making turning on and off your flashlight was tooo loud. HA.

[Crawlerman]

Chemist-- Like I said, there's a small stretch of MNDOT controlled acess by the harley dealership (with it's own little dirt parking lot) However as I said before shore summer acess from that spot is poor, as it gets too thick with Milfoil to fish (specailly for cats..) in that one little area due to the nutrients added by street runoff. What I could do is launch the boat, then park the rig on the street, and just get the boat on the trailer and pulled out of the park as fast as I can.. It's worth a shot.. they couldn't do anything as there is no parking restrictions on the street (that I'm aware of) and it's perfectly legal to be ON the lake after dark... hmm...