Big Round Lake - Bass Report?

[Guest]

Anyone been on Big Round for bass yet this spring? I'll be out there in the next ten days, just wondering what the bite is like and looking for any tips (never fished this one before but I've heard good things).

I'm referring to the Big Round Lake that is just east of Bone Lake.

Scott

[Walleye Guy]

Scott,

BRL is an excellent bass lake. I have a cabin on it. I fished it last Friday and Saturday evenings and caught roughly 30 bass on Friday and 5 on Saturday. I wasn't fishing for bass however. I was fishing for sunfish with a small slip bobber and panfish leech. I primarily fish for walleyes and panfish and catch tons of accidental bass on live bait and crank baits.

Try Indian Bay and the shallow mid lake structure. There is a ton of shallow bars in the lake that hold many bass.

Good luck.

WG

[This message has been edited by Walleye Guy (edited 05-13-2004).]

[Spallgard]

Walleye Guy,

You have a cabin on BRL. My father-in-law has a cabin on Big Blake downstream from you. We spend a lot of time there. I fish muskies primarily. Have you heard of many musky being taken on Round? I remember hearing about the 50lber taken a few years back. Not known as a musky lake. We fish it for Sunnies early in the season. Nice lake.

Don't much care for the launch. Has dredging the launch ever come up?

[Stratosman]

Scott,

My friends mother has a cabin on that lake also, we fished it Saturday and Sunday solely for bass, did well in certain areas, Found bass in 3-8' near where the spawn will take place, water was still cold, around 55 degrees so slow is the key. Caught 90% of the fish on a white/grey willow blade spinnerbait. Slow rolling produced the best action, we experimented with other presentations with little results. The best spot seemed to be the bay where the outlet is located (south?)and the bay on the opposite side of the lake. I would try the reeds on the what I believe is the East side of the lake, we have had some awesome early season action there also.
The bonus was spotting a huge muskie, 50", sunning itself on Saturday in the oulet bay, got the boat right next to it before it sank down and swam away.

P.S. what kind of boat do you have because the launch at that lake sucks! The farther you back the trailer in the shallower it gets. Trust me it is tough with a boat of larger size to get in and out of Big Round.

[Walleye Guy]

I have a friend who has a cabin on Blake. They do very well on bass in that lake.

I have caught two muskys out of Round in 30 years of fishing it. One monster 50.5 x 26.5 and another around 40 inches. I have seen a musky that easily went 54 inches. It followed my shad rap to the boat. Needless to say I casted for an hour trying to trigger it into hitting.

The DNR is supposedly going to dredge the landing. Mixed bleesing in my mind. Being a cabin owenr I like less pressure on the lake. However I understand the complaints of those making day or weekend trips.

Good luck. Stop by if you are in the area. My cabin is on the north end. Only all aluminum dock with a boat lift with a green canopy. Tan A-frame type cabin.

[Spallgard]

Walleye Guy,

If I had a cabin on Round I would love the launch the way it is too. I do a lot of Musky fishing in Polk and Barron counties. Before Muskies open my wife and I fish sunnies and crappie as much as we can. Will be up this weekend. If it's not too windy will probably try Round for awhile. I'll be fishing Musky the week after. I like fishing Round early while the water is clear and weeds are reasonable. Haven't got one there yet but haven't really put much effort into the lake. If I see you out on Memorial weekend I will stop and say hi. I have a blue Lund Angler with a Yamaha on the back.
Thanks for the info.

DaveM

[Walleye Guy]

Dave,

I won't be up to Round this weekend. I am heading to Vermilion on Thursday am. I will be up for Memorial weekend. I have a Blue Starcraft with a 90 Mercury. Most likely there will be 3 of us in the boat. Two adults and a 12 year old.

Thanks,

Eric

[Guest]

Thanks for the help! I'm a bit concerned about the launch as I do have a bigger boat (Ranger 690vs).

Oh well, we'll do what we can.

Any more tips for bass on this lake, please keep them coming!

Scott

[Stratosman]

Walleye guy,

I would have mixed feelings also if I had a cabin on that lake I have to say, do think it actually keeps people away? The reason I'm asking is that the lot was almost full anyway when I was there. I suppose it keeps the pleasure boats away anyhow!

Scott, I have a 21' stratos and there was also a ranger 620 on the lake that day. Tip for you from my own experience: don't try to drive the boat onto the trailer, just coast it up and crank it in, I tried it and sheared my prop, first time I can say I actually sheared a prop in a landing!

Oh well, live and learn.

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice - always a good thing to bring the boat home with all parts intact and in the same condition as when it left!

I've got the shallow water launch/retirieve option on my trailer - it's basically a set of crank-up rollers in the center that will lift the boat off the bunks.

Sounds like they might be getting their second use this weekend!

Scott

[Walleye Guy]

Anyone one been out on Big Round lately? I am heading up there for the weekend and would like any recent reports you have. Has the water warmed above 60 degrees yet?

[Guest]

Fished it last Sunday (5/23) in the rain/cold/wind.

Fish were not in shallow, lake surface temp was between 52 and 56. Best bite was found in 6-10 feet of water fishing jigs. Color was mixed results, some light and some dark.

Slow rolling white spinner bait was OK too, but mostly small fish on that technique.

Ramp is in better condition - no problems with my boat but it is very shallow at the launch - plan on using the TM to get out a bit.

Scott