Spirit Lake/Okaboji Reports?

[idratherbefishing]

Anyone been out lately? this windy weather has kept me off the lakes.

[NWBuck]

Spirit is going pretty good right now. Lindy rigs with minnows or leeches, and crankbaits have both been bringing fish to the boat. We did best on the north end, but looked like there were a lot of boats doing well in Angler's Bay as well. Going to hit it again this morning, so gotta go.

[idratherbefishing]

Thanks for the report! I plan on getting out next week, I'll post my results.

[idratherbefishing]

I fished Big Spirit from 6am-10am this morning and all I caught was a largemouth bass drifting a lindy rig and leech. Tried Anglers Bay, north shorline, Stoney Point, and Buffalo Run. All these thunderstorms must have the fish in a negative mood.

[NWBuck]

Didn't make it up myself this past weekend, but heard the fish have moved shallow into the cabbage weeds beginning to emerge. A local guy and 2 friends picked up their 9 fish limit in 6-8 fow. I'm sure there are still fish to be caught in the basin as well though.

[Myrt]

Still catching some walleyes on Spirit. Gills have been decent on West. Anyone else doing o.k.?

[idratherbefishing]

I caught some nice gills around pike point and the bay just south of there in 16-20ft on the edge of weeds. Where are the walleyes biting on spirit? i heard the southeast side and the basin. Welcome to FM myrt!

[NWBuck]

Gill bite was decent Saturday, but I expect it to get even better in the next 2-3 weeks. We found them in Hayward's Bay right on the weed edge in 17 fow. Had to sort through a bunch of small ones (kids always enjoy that anyway), but also got a couple of the true giant bull gills West is known for.

[delmuts]

a big welcome to FM ! happy to have you here ! del

[Myrt]

We fished rockpiles, moved every half hour to different spot. Seem to do o.k. It has slowed down some. A couple guys are are cranking deep water, hit and miss. I would've fished West sunday but too nice....too busy(for me).Thanks for the welcome!!!

[NWBuck]

Fantastic gill action on West today. Numbers and size were both excellent. Pilkies tipped with wax worms and/or Belgian worms put a nice mess of Okoboji slab gills in the live well. It was one of those days where we were able to be pretty fussy about what we kept, so turned a bunch loose as well. Fished from about 8:30 AM until noon, and then gave way to the jet skis, etc. Will definitely be hitting it again next week. My son also got 2 perch that were just short of 10 inches. Good luck.

[idratherbefishing]

I was on west okaboji this morning too and had a good outing, catching gills, smallmouth and walleyes. I was using a ratso tipped with a waxie. We were in Hayward's Bay in 18-20fow. It was a little rough with the south wind. NWBuck, where were you fishing?

[NWBuck]

We were in Hayward's as well, but a bit shallower. More like 16-17. My gps mark at 20 feet is beyond the weed line right now, but it's getting close. We only anchored for gills and perch, but saw a couple of boats get eyes and northerns pulling crankbaits in along the weed line. We'll probably hit it again a time or two this week.

[idratherbefishing]

That sure is a good time! Too bad all the recreational traffic gets so crazy. Have you tried Millers at all? I tried it there a week ago and all i caught was small bluegills.

[NWBuck]

We picked up a few small ones in Miller's a week ago, but there were a ton of boats fishing in there. Friday we tried the reef between Pocahontas and Eagle for awhile as we'd heard some perch were being taken south of Eagle. Lots of boats in that area, but we only picked up a couple of small gills. That was the best part about the Hayward's Bay location...we were the only boat around. Good luck.

[Myrt]

Glad to hear you guys are having success. I've been work busy and haven't been out. Will be heading up to Lake of the Woods this Sunday for a week so I hope your local fishing stays strong!

[NWBuck]

Had to search for them a bit today. Hayward's was a bust, and so was Emerson. Fortunately, the third spot produced enough for tonight's supper for the family

My 8 year old son took me to school again today. This is starting to get serious. He catches them, and I clean them...something's got to change

[NWBuck]

Here's the most recent report. We tried West again yesterday morning, and gill action has definitely slowed down. DNR fishing report says they've moved to deeper water over rock piles. We got about a half dozen decent gills and also picked up a nice walleye and a couple of northern pulling plugs.

Next up...Colorado trout

[idratherbefishing]

Anyone been out lately? I haven't been out at all. Too hot and too busy. When do you guys think the "fall bite" starts? Middle of September seems to be a good time for me. Any other thoughts?

[idratherbefishing]

NWBuck, How was the trout fishing trip? I have never done that but have heard that it is great.