Squaw Lake

[JMac]

Does anybody know what the hot bite might be on this lake in St.Croix County? I just moved to New Richmond and was driving around the nearby lakes and saw that the boat launch was packed on saturday. It doesn't look like a huge lake, so it got me curious. Is it a walleye or crappie bite?

[TommyGun715]

I wouldn't waste your time on this lake. It's been over fished for the last 2-3 years. They lowered the limit to 10 fish because so many people have fished it, especially MN boaters. I guess the land of 10000 lakes aren't enough. I've been on this lake summer and winter. If its busy like you saw yesterday, its worse than being in rush hour on I94. Then there's the ones who bring out their speedboats. They think they're on Lake Superior. They race up and down at the speed of sound, and there you are bobbing up down like a human bobber from the waves, trying to fish. Too frustrating. You're right, it's a small lake. They should also limit the size outboards to 50hp MAX! There's only 1 landing, and pretty soon there's going to be some serious boat rage from all the people.
If you have kids, they will have fun, 'cause there's many little sunfish and perch. Try Pine or Nugget Lake. I've had much success on those. Or even Lake Mallalieu in Hudson, its guranteed to produce.

[bassin]

The post above is right. I think it may be have been over fished the last 2-3 years. 2001 was crazy out there if you were bass fishing. A ton of fish, big ones too. Then the next year it all went down hill. Not sure if it was the pressure or the immergence of this nasty slimmy dump thats all over the bottom now. It wasn't like that at all in 01. YOu could fish jigs everywhere and cranlbaits everywhere and not have a problem. Now your jig is covered in green slim. And it a lot of it floats up to the surface too. Last June you could hardly see the water becasue this stuff was so thick floating around. I think this stuff has to do a lot more with it than the pressure.

[RB]

I fish this lake a lot. It is great for bass and a few very large pike. There are also a ton of crappies and sunnies that aren't too big, but are getting bigger. They put a bag limit of 15 panfish to try to help this and so it doesn't get fished out. There are a ton of people there on the weekends so I like to get out during the week. If you are looking for large crappies and decent eyes try fishing Cedar. There are quite a few cribs and a couple rock piles that produce well. Although I am not going to give up my honey holes.

[JMac]

thanks for the info guys....RB, i think i'll get out on cedar for the first time this weekend.....any clues as to what depth i should concentrate on for some waldo's?....are they still in relatively shallow?....

[rascalP]

Used to fish this lake alot. It has always had alot of pressure -- and slime on the bottom. It has seemed to be a hot or cold lake for bass, though the last 3 or so years the water has been down quite a bit and the bass fishing was'nt good. If the water is up and the sky is blue, I'ld still try it. Just too many others closer to me (north) to go to first.

[RB]

I normally toss out a bobber and leech set around 7-8' on dropoffs. Then jig with a leech. I do catch them in shollow and deeper water, just have to find where they are. When you do find them you can catch a lot. Also, you can troll on this lake and it can produce large fish.