Metro Carp

[sanka]

I've been looking for carp in the local metro lakes all week. I got some cheap carp bait in a bargain bin, but hadn't gotten anything yet at Lake of the Isles or the channel between Isles and Cedar. Today I went over to Lake Nokomis and tried again. Nothing for an hour on the carp bait. Switched to sweet corn and within ten minutes I hooked up with a 23". I hooked another shortly after, but it broke off. Not the line, it actually broke the hook in half (weird!). I also got another that was 25.5". Only 7-8 lbs, but a heck of a lot of fun on 6lb line.

[CarpKing921]

Congrats on hooking up.

[sanka]

If anyone has suggestions on spots or lakes, please share. I've never targeted carp before this season, so I'll take any location advice you have. I've got the carp bug now.

[sig]

Lake marion little fishing pier by the 35w channel. Its loaded right now whit some real big ones too. They were real spooky but you can catch them. We were fishing the backwaters for crappie a week ago and the carp were everywhere back there.

[Jim Uran]

I'm quite a bit farther north than you fellas but there are a few lakes around my area with a decent carp population, a question I have for you is, when fishing with corn or worms for that matter, do you have trouble with the panfish stealing the bait all of the time. I know on the lake I'm wishing on fishing them there are a ton of panfish. And is it best right after ice out to try and catch a few or is it better during the summer.

[TravP]

seams like may is my best month for carp

[MrSchrute]

Anyone been fishing the East Metro? I have tried a bunch of lakes around here but haven't caught anything.

[itchmesir]

found some cheap carp bait in the bargin bin? is $0.79 for a can of corn not cheap enough?

[rwwong]

Sanka,

Tried Nokomis this morning for Carp with my Flyrod, didn't see a fish other than the dead ones! Also went to Hiawatha didn't see anything.

[50inchpig]

i'm in lake elmo and will probably try gervais/spoon tomorrow evening, carp don't show up on alot of surveys for the lakes around here.

[CarpKing921]

Phalen and Como also has some decent fish but they weed up quick so early in the year is the best time to target them. Gervais has some pigs but usually dont get them till its 90 and sunny. Maybe thats because thats the only time I target them there its a good lake to wade in. I seen the shoreline lined with people this weekend at spoon the 6 inch Crappies must be going.

[FishinHound]

Nokomis eh? Hmm- maybe I'll have to try there.

Does anyone know of any smaller ponds that hold a lot of carp? IE where carp are the dominant species; you see them in large schools and jumping all over the place?

I used to know of two, but both seem very fished out now.

[fish with teeth]

gervais does have some pigs, but biggest one i ever caught was on a lindy fishing for walleyes in owasso.

[CarpKing921]

Does anyone know of any smaller ponds that hold a lot of carp? IE where carp are the dominant species; you see them in large schools and jumping all over the place?

I used to know of two, but both seem very fished out now.

I think you answered your own ? with that last sentance. I don't think anybodys giving out their honey holes. Not in the forum anyways.

[MrSchrute]

Went out yesterday to McCarrons and to Phalen and not a bite. Fished with corn. Think it's still a little early in the season?

[carpmanjake]

found some cheap carp bait in the bargin bin? is $0.79 for a can of corn not cheap enough?

is that dough? i have used quite a bit of carp dough and never got much luck if any

[sanka]

Tried Calhoun today. Saw a few big ones jumping about 100yds out, but no bites.

[sanka]

Tried out Normandale today. In the channel under the dam there were several 10+ lb carp swimming around but they wanted nothing to do with anything I threw at them. Also saw several nice 6-7lb pike in there.

[MrSchrute]

Anyone been out lately? Probably going to head out Wed. or Thurs. afternoon some where.

[CarpKing921]

I've been out a few times no luck Sat or Sun finally got into some again today. Sorry not giving spots though. I walk the shore looking for active fish always have a pair of polarized glasses on. Look for bubbles, swirls or tails. Seems the shallower bodys of water seem to be more active. Out of 2 lakes I have nearly 30 fish on the year so far. Neither of these waters are over 4 ft deep. You just have to scout. Feeding the ducks hand fulls of corn helps too.

[cubicleboy]

Fished the Mississippi from shore in the nothern suburbs. Fished about 2 hours, got a nice 20" red horse. Saw some people getting carp. Slow fishing on a cold day.

[sanka]

Was out on Nokomis today. Carp were jumping the whole time I was out there, but I couldn't hook one on corn. Noticed some guys farther down the bank caught at least one. All I got was a half dozen big fat bullheads.

[mplspug]

Ahem, you mean big fat bait.

[vern]

Great photo Sanka!

[sanka]

Was out there again yesterday and caught probably 2 dozen of them. I did tie into one nice 24" carp though right at the end, made it worthwhile.