big marine east metro

[iceking]

thinking about trying this lake. worth it or not? any help would be great! thanks.

[HugoBox]

I was out there yesterday and saw decent humbers of ducks (we only got a redhead and a GW teal) but most of the birds seemed to be headed somewhere else. I saw enough ducks to make it worth going out but not a lot of birds worked the lake. I talked to another guy who didn't fire a shot. There were a bunch of trucks at the landing and I heard very little shooting. Only saw a couple flocks of geese as well. I go there a lot because its convenient but if the landing wasn't messed up at Pelltier I'd go there instead.

[EpicAdventure]

I thought the access to Big Marine was close all this year? (At least according to DNR HSOforum.)

Anywhere I could paddle to in a canoe?

[Sandmannd]

One side is, the other (I think the north end) is open.

[EpicAdventure]

I'm new to hunting this year (and have really taken a liking to it.) I've been trying to find spots with shallow water and emergent vegetation. I have gone down to the Gores Pool WMA area and up to the St. Croix and Chengwatana state forests. In these spots there are a bunch of weeds that I have been able to conceal myself in.

In a bigger lake like big marine, how do you go about deke placement and concealment?

Also, I've been hunting out of a canoe so a bigger lake posses other challenges.

The idea of sneaking in a little hunting before/after work is rather desireable. Hence the interest in something close to the metro....

Thanks for any suggestions.

[HugoBox]

Epic -

George Watch is a good place for the "quickie" before work and there are plenty of places to hide - I'd suggest its easier in a canoe than in other boats. Big Marine could be tougher because I don't think there are as many thick rushes to hide in. There are a lot of thick rushes on the south end though.

[EpicAdventure]

Thanks Hugo.

That just the sort of tip I was after.

So duck hunting there is ok without any special permit?

I had looked at some of those lakes in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Region Park and couldn't determine (from the Anoka county parks HSOforum) whether hunting was allowed there. All I could find was some info on bow hunting.

[iceking]

hugobox thanks for the info, will be heading over from coon rapids. sounds like a small front pushing through on wed.im thinking it could be good week for ringbills.will let you know.

[darwin]

Just to let you know about the Rice creek area there is a lot of sky busters out there.Thats why I dont go there anymore.I live in the circle pines area.

[Scott M]

My little cousin was at Girl Scouts camp. She said it was hard to sleep in the mornings, lots of shooting going on (Big Marine duck hunters).

Must have been a few birds around.

[HugoBox]

Good point on the Rice Creek skybusters - that said, the next three weekends are some of my favorites. The numbers of hunters should drop quite a bit with the guys who don't like any chill in the air staying home and quite a few other guys trading in their camo for orange.

I put on a ton of miles last weekend in the NE Metro and found very few ducks. I'm anxiously awaiting any sort of push.