Open water....finally

**CTom** · 03-17-2010, 11:52 AM

I managed to fish some open water from shore this morning. The water was easily 4 feet high with the run-off pouring into the lake with the river and there was a ton of current. Still I managed 15 or so crappies in an hour and a half. Fog had things socked in for a while right off. A cast of more than 20 feet simply disappeared.

None of the crappies were huge but the all were easily 10 1/2 or better....4 went much larger.

In spite of the extra water and added current, the fish were all caught fairly shallow, like in the top couple feet of the water column. I saw several crappies break surface while chasing something.

We're still cold temp-wise, with a temp of 37 degrees at 8 feet this morning. Ice was still apparent in adjoining bays on the lake, but it was fractured pretty bad and lots of ice was floating down-stream.

In the bottom 1/3 of the state I can see us ice free within a week perhaps if cold night-time temps stay away. The far north has ice and the central part of the state has ice that varies day to day. The ice can go as far as I am concerned and the open water can get underway fully now. I've had enough winter. This morning was like a breathe of new life.

**Jiggin_Joe** · 03-18-2010, 05:25 PM

where are you at Tom I'm in southern Mn

JJ

**Jiggin_Joe** · 03-18-2010, 05:27 PM

ok so i seen your post and see you are in Rochester.

JJ

**CTom** · 03-18-2010, 08:51 PM

Yuppers....Rochester. Where are you at?

I was out again this morning and drew a blank. The water was on its way down a bit and this front approaching didn't help any. Then I noticed that the ice which looked to be ready to sail out of the boat launch on Weds came back into the shore this morning, so unless we get some serious south wind, it'll take a while longer. Man am I tired of ice.

**Baron Von Crappie** · 03-18-2010, 09:48 PM

Good job finding open water down there tom, looks like ice for me for 2 more weeks up north, then time to break out the float tube!

**CTom** · 03-19-2010, 08:03 AM

I'm heading up to Lake Superior today Mike and plan to cast lakers. I'll be back on Monday afternoon/evening so Tuesday the boat will go if we shake this cold snap. Should it stay chilly I'll do my shore spot. Its generally a great location , given the physical characteristics of the water and all, but it can be prone to shut downs when the barometer decides to bounce.

You be careful on that ice Mike....doin the dipsy do is pretty easy when things start to fall apart ice-wise.

In about three weeks the big river will be calling my name, then watch out.

**Jiggin_Joe** · 03-19-2010, 05:17 PM

I'm in Owatonna Tom

JJ

**Baron Von Crappie** · 03-19-2010, 06:46 PM

Thanks, I will not be taking one step on that ice without my arctic spurs, it hurts too much to fall these days. the only time I ever slipped with the spurs was one time I put them on at night, and down I went right away, found out I put one on upside down! :D

good luck at the big pond!

**CrappieMagnet** · 03-22-2010, 02:00 PM

Welcome to the site CTom!:D

**CTom** · 03-22-2010, 04:55 PM

The little adventure was a welcomed break. 50+ degree days and sunshine. The wind was a challenge on Friday and Saturday....real headstrong out of the south and putting water on the breakwater where I like to fish so Sunday was my day. I had one redfin on for ten minutes or so before it decided to run around the end of the breakwater and cut me. 5, maybe six pounds. Not collossal but a nice fish....just another day is all.

Now its back to crappies tomorrow. I need to see if my lake will allow the boat now. Ice had blown back into the launching pad last Thursday, but the stuff looked spooky grey/green.

I'll be back tomorrow with an up-date.

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