Author Topic: Blackstrap 2017-2018 (Read 52508 times)

Pollock fish · « **Reply #90 on:** Dec 17, 2017, 10:45 AM »

I agree it can’t get worse... I had the best ice fishing at strap last winter in prob 6 years of fishing there In winter. This year no so much 3 outings and 1 perch and 1 walleye. But I also have poor luck all summer the few times I went and I always managed some In the summer until this past summer...

Churchill River · « **Reply #91 on:** Dec 17, 2017, 12:24 PM »

I never fish the Strap during the summer. Let me ask the people that fished it this past summer. Was there bad algae, which caused a summer kill of fish like it did years ago?

Just curious

Doggy · « **Reply #92 on:** Dec 17, 2017, 01:48 PM »

I typically only fish out there about 10 times per year in the summer and found the fishing to be fairly consistent as were always able to catch lots of fish. We target walleye and typically end up with a few perch as well.

The water seemed very shallow this year and I believe it turned green earlier than usual. But again, I didn’t notice that it affected fishing at all.

Hopefully things turn around out there as I’ll likely fish out there more this winter than usual.

BlueDevil · « **Reply #93 on:** Dec 17, 2017, 07:15 PM »

Was at Blackstrap (north end) from 12pm-5:30pm this afternoon. Drilled about 30 holes, marked lots of fish @22 feet of water. Couldnt get them to bite was using minnows and mealworms. Towards the end of the day I went to 5-8 feet of water but didn’t see anything on the flasher.

Churchill River · « **Reply #94 on:** Dec 17, 2017, 07:57 PM »

So it sounds like everyone are seeing lot's of fish, but they just aren't biting. The perch we have been catching have their mouths full of the red blood worms. Last year we didn't notice the blood worms until closer to Feb/March. Going to be interesting to see how the bite is after this upcoming cold spell and early Jan.

Tech By Trade · « **Reply #95 on:** Dec 18, 2017, 08:29 AM »

Quote from: Churchill River on Dec 17, 2017, 12:24 PM

I never fish the Strap during the summer. Let me ask the people that fished it this past summer. Was there bad algae, which caused a summer kill of fish like it did years ago?

Just curious

We were out there 4 times this summer, Caught a pile of walleye every time except the third time. I only caught a 5lbs one back in the big coulee on a 5 of diamonds that time trying for pike, go figure. It was so windy that day we only stayed out for an hour or so. put a nice ding in the bumper on the boat trying to get back under the causeway. Buddy bagged a 17lbs pike our last day out, and I took home 2 nice eyes, and a fat perch, all on evans road, and threw back a couple hammer handles. The other two times we just trolled evans road and caught eyes on bottom bouncers. Lots of little ones, but a meals worth each time out. Summer there was productive for us.

Churchill River · « **Reply #96 on:** Dec 18, 2017, 11:52 AM »

Thanks Doggy and T by T for your posts regarding summer fishing. I have always heard the Summer Walleye fishing is excellent on the strap. It is hard to catch Perch during the Summer as a rule on any lake.

I guess the fish are there and just not biting.......or we have lost all of our fishing skills

I was able to catch $40 worth of Salmon at Safeways yesterday, and putting them in the smoker today for some candy.

corney · « **Reply #97 on:** Dec 18, 2017, 09:12 PM »

Quote from: Churchill River on Dec 17, 2017, 12:24 PM

I never fish the Strap during the summer. Let me ask the people that fished it this past summer. Was there bad algae, which caused a summer kill of fish like it did years ago?

Just curious

Last summer the water was really low and the lake was really green.

Walleye fishing was not as good as previous years for us anyway.

Oh well next year! Of course this winter.

darrenf442 · « **Reply #98 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 11:33 AM »

Perch fishing at Blackstrap i find is really easy but it takes one leech per fish, Walleye and pike fishing was normal up until the end of July when the bite got super tough. Went from were they should be to were they shouldn't and fishing went to fair. This will be year 2 for not ice fishing at the strap, kind of got tired of freezing and ending up eating a fillet o fish on the way home. Until i can fish in comfort im going to wait.

Pollock fish · « **Reply #99 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 02:19 PM »

Does any one try leaches in the winter here? I too have also had most my summer fish from the strap caught on leeches but never try them in winter. But I know coop on circle by travel lodge has leeches year round. Maybe them perch would go after the movement of em on the ground?

darrenf442 · « **Reply #100 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 02:26 PM »

I know in the summer if the leech balls up on the hook the fish don't really go after it. I would imagine dropping a leech into water that's about + 3-4, they would ball up or wouldn't be that active.

Tech By Trade · « **Reply #101 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 02:42 PM »

For eyes, all I use in the summer is a bottom bouncer with a night crawler. The length of the line to the hook depends on the time of year. the earlier the year the shorter the line. I also run a stinger, and find that's what catches most of the fish. This only works with a trolling motor, set as slow as you can get it to go without going backwards. As for pike, any rotten old spoon will work, I'm sure they would go after a beer cap if given the chance.

Winter perch is a hali and a pink maggot for bait. Problem is its so easy it almost takes the sport out of it.

darrenf442 · « **Reply #102 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 05:52 PM »

For walleye i use bottom bouncers, but not how most everyone uses them and i cast shallow cranks. Did some snapping jiggin raps but only caught small walleye and only in a couple spots. I only buy live bait when i fish for perch or rigging up the bobber for the granddaughter.

ran7ger · « **Reply #103 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 05:59 PM »

leaches will just ball up on your hook during the cold months, unfortunately. save your perch eyes!

Pollock fish · « **Reply #104 on:** Dec 20, 2017, 10:42 PM »

Always do, this year can’t catch a perch the only two I have were tiny tiny. Lol. Need one big enough to eat then I’ll keep em... last year I hammered the perch not so much this year.

small-town-fisher · « **Reply #105 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 08:05 AM »

Good morning guys does any one have any reports on the ice thickness and condition with this cold weather. Thanks

Pollock fish · « **Reply #106 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 08:52 AM »

Will post shortly.... should be on north end in 15 min

darrenf442 · « **Reply #107 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 09:41 AM »

Quote from: Pollock fish on Dec 20, 2017, 10:42 PM

Always do, this year can’t catch a perch the only two I have were tiny tiny. Lol. Need one big enough to eat then I’ll keep em... last year I hammered the perch not so much this year.

5 or 6 years ago i caught a 15 1/4 inch perch out of Blackstrap. Measured it and was going to take some pics then it flopped over and the one side of its tail was covered in white lice ( not exactly sure what they were ) . They were falling off in my boat so i tossed the perch back, then realized no pics.

So big ones are in there.

small-town-fisher · « **Reply #108 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 10:01 AM »

Thanks pollock 👍👍

Pollock fish · « **Reply #109 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 10:12 AM »

I’d say 15-16” at the north end

small-town-fisher · « **Reply #110 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 10:14 AM »

So she is locked in good enough to drive on and haul out the shanty

Churchill River · « **Reply #111 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 08:23 PM »

How did you make out today Pollack?

Pollock fish · « **Reply #112 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 08:57 PM »

I’d like to not talk about it... lol. Can’t belive my luck there this winter. There from 9-11, nothin landed, was cold and marked a fair a month for the first 49 min and no marks after that in 24’.. When I ran into u church by the boat launch in my white ford last year when u and ur friend came to assist me with my tent In The wind I was catching about 8-10 perch in that same two hour window like every morning... have tryd launch twice and north end twice this year and managed a perch and a walleye and that’s it.

Pollock fish · « **Reply #113 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 09:00 PM »

And jordybart there was a half dozen half tons on the lake including myself for the first time... north end... I’d say shacks scattered all the way to shields. Some larger shacks on out there too. I’d say you could follow suit but don’t take my word drill test holes as required...

Churchill River · « **Reply #114 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 09:34 PM »

Well don't feel bad P......we have tried the boat launch area 3 times....don't think we even had a bite. We have caught 1/2 dozen jumbo perch and 3 walleye just off the road (Evans) on the South side out from the pump house. We have fished 3 or 4 spots in the back bay area and have a total of 5 perch there. We have had the best luck at the North end, maybe 30 perch in 4 days, which looks better on paper then it actually is.......As I said before, this is the slowest it has been for us ever.

I am heading out tomorrow and going to start at the North end.

Pollock fish · « **Reply #115 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 10:05 PM »

We’ll good luck out there. Hope it’s not to windy for ya tomorrow

Churchill River · « **Reply #116 on:** Dec 21, 2017, 10:32 PM »

There was a day when I didn't need any luck....lol.......but now, I will take all I can get....thanks P

Churchill River · « **Reply #117 on:** Dec 22, 2017, 06:47 PM »

I went out by myself today, but did fish with a guy that lives at Shields year round for a few hours.

It picked up a little today. Ended up catching 16 perch. A dozen at the North end and 4 almost to the back bay, as I tried 4 different spots. Went back to the North end were I started and had a good run from 3:30 to 4:30. Might of done better if I would of stayed the whole day at the North end were I started. As in past years, the rule of thumb is that they are smaller at the North end, and today followed that rule. 10 inch was the biggest with the rest around 7 to 8, with a couple smaller. Caught one 12 inch close to the back bay. Ended up taking 6 home for a fresh feed.

The wind was blowing most of the day, good thing the temp wasn't to bad.

Churchill River · « **Reply #118 on:** Dec 23, 2017, 10:31 AM »

Rip, I hope your not to sick.....haven't seen a post from you for over a week........a week without fishing...lol.....

On the serious side, I hope everything is ok

gman51 · « **Reply #119 on:** Dec 23, 2017, 10:39 AM »

still topside...taking a break...was up north for a couple days. next week for sure maybe a run to deif. after the holidays...

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Author Topic: Blackstrap 2017-2018 (Read 52508 times)

gman51