red cedar and big chetac

[bobberfreak]

going to be in the area of birchwood the middle of august. looking for any advise on fishing these two lakes. walleye,bass,panfish. any help would be great. thanks

[Cooter]

bobberfreak - Have fished Red Cedar for quite a few years, however never in August. Usually hit that lake May thru early July. The largemouth fishing should be good in the pads, try looking for panfish in typical walleye areas - rock bars and humps. A slip bobber with a leech has always been the best bet for walleyes, I do believe trolling rapalas picks up about the time you'll be there. I would suggest fishing the bar on the west side of the lake close to where Red Cedar narrows and joins Balsam lake or try to find the rock piles (at least three of them toppping out between 13 and 16 ft) out from the channel leading to the dam in Mikana, these are almost due north of the island out there. Hope this helps ya out, wish I had better info for mid-August.

[bobberfreak]

great info. thanks for the response. i'll post when we get back.
i've heard these lakes are great walleye lakes.

[Howieroch]

Big Chetac is a fun lake as well. I fish there mostly in may and june before the weeds come up too bad, but it is a good lake year round. I would go with leeches for crawlers on a slip bobber and then work the weed lines. Earlier in the year we get walleyes and crappies in the same spots. It's fun never knowing what's on your line or we like to bet on fish species by the way our bobber goes down. On the west side of the lake there are some culverts where a small stream comes into the lake - we usually start fishing the weedline out from there. There is also a hump marked by a buoy straight across the lake from there that is usually good for walleyes.

On the north end of Birchwood there is a bait shop and gas station called Ed's Pit Stop. We have always gotten good bait and good info there.