IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Canada => Ice Fishing Saskatchewan => Topic started by: gman51 on Nov 07, 2019, 12:34 PM
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checking ice conditions this week and today and found 3-4"of good ice out to some good target depths i like to fish. lines will be wet tomorrow for me. and to all who are venturing out soon or this weekend be smart be safe. these are only my observations in certain areas of the lake. good luck.
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Hi Rip:
I was thinking I might beat you out this year, but heading out tomorrow to hunt mule deer for the weekend. It will
be good a safe to walk out next week when I am back.
By that time you should have all the honey holes marked.
Good luck tomorrow. Will watch for your post.
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Hey guys,
First time posting and relative newbie to ice fishing. I fished 4 or 5 times blackstrap last year with mediocre luck. I discovered this forum after the season and have been looking forward to this year since.
Looking forward to everything and anything I can learn. Good luck out there and be safe.
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no delays for this guy.. ;) been checking ice conditions this week and today and found 3-4"of nice dark ice out to some good target depths i like to fish.
Thanks for the update. It 4" of ice at the south dam. It's walkable.
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A great day for the first hard water trip of the season. out for pretty well a full day weather was awesome and the ice was in good shape 3-4” in the areas fished. Temps look good for awhile for putting some thickness to the ice. Perch and walleyes were caught off and on all day and picked up towards sunset. Nice to be out putting all the gear in action. looking forward to another great season.
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Had a great day my first trip out on the ice. Was out from 11am to 4pm managed to land close to 30 perch and a lone pike. Kept a couple for fish fry. Ice was bout 4” and stable.
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First trip out this morning, I fished at the south dam from 8-11am. Was about 16 feet deep and the ice was 5 inches or more. Marked fish all morning and had fairly steady perch action. Also got one pike. Kept 4 perch for eating.
Saw one other tent out near me and noticed two tents by the boat launches that were visible from the highway driving back.
Didnt have a chance to check ice at the north end.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nssGTXrq/20191111-132717.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nssGTXrq)
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Hello all, hope the warm season was good to you!
Stoked to be back on the hard water. Thanks for all the ice updates. Will be heading out this weekend can’t wait to pull some fish.
Be safe out there everybody!
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good job everyone
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Interesting day out from the boat launch today. First hole drilled in 13 FOW yielded multiple marks and an eager perch around 9 inches. This was followed by another one which was also released. Did some prospecting (always fun when the ice is no more than 7 inches) and found perch between 7 and 20 FOW. The larger ones seemed to be dispersed in the shallower water and could only be picked off one here, two there. Some larger perch were in fact deeper, but the multiple marks of smaller fish were generally in at least 13 feet. Tiny tungsten jigs with waxworms caught, as did minnow heads on slab grabbers, and buckshot rattle spoons. My partner was shut out using the famous Green Hawger.
How can this be Churchill River?
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Nice work everyone it’s nice to see the perch still very active. Was out myself today searching for the walleyes and had another great day on the ice with some real nice 21”+ tubs landed. Managed a few pics before releasing most of them. Definitely One of my best days in a few years for size. Still working on my picture taking abilities. The 28”er with the blood stream down the side was not as bad as it looks she released just fine with a big strong wave of her tail.not that it matters to much but she did slide off the board just as i took the pic but she was a full 28" Gotta love first ice.😉
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wow nice job rip those pics got me wishing i was frying fish for supper instead of left over moose stew!! makes ya wonder how many jigs that 28" snubbed before eating yours..
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Day 2 on the ice. Out in front of the boat launches. Finally pulled out a few walleye and of course a ton of perch. I forgot my minnows and meal worms so ended up using some plastics and a couple jigging raps and still managed to have a good day
(https://i.postimg.cc/kV2B6f6j/CCA8-F5-E5-45-A4-49-E9-A5-A3-E0-F865-FD5-F7-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kV2B6f6j)
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Wow those pics are awesome Rip and Magic! Thanks for sharing.
Monday was the first time I'd been on ice that wasnt over 20 inches thick. How worried need I be with warm weather in the forecast? Will the ice possibly get thinner or is there enough depth now that a few degrees positive shouldnt matter too much?
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Nice fish everyone! Rip that’s a tank of a walleye congrats! Great job on releasing her too! 👍🏼
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Nice pics fellas ! Can hardly wait to get out and get in on the action.
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Good going everyone. Great early ice action at Blackstrap.
:icefish:
Dandy big wallye ripnflutter.
Nice to see she went back as well. @)
WW
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Well now with the mule deer in the freezer, I can get out on the ice. Glad everyone is off to a good start. Sounds like the Walleye are more active, as last winter was a slow year for catching them.
Speckspotter, sorry to hear that the green hawger didn't produce for your friend. I am heading out tomorrow and will let you know if it was
the hawger or your friend.
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Last Thursday was pike and perch. Today was perch and walleye. This keeper bites my golden spoon.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Cd2xkD02/20191113-164300.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Cd2xkD02)
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Forgot the important thing: ice was 6 inch.
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nice one toonfisher always nice to see the pics hopefully they will keep posting throughout the winter at the strap. down in size but not in numbers yesterday for me as walleyes perch and pike were battled with. the smaller pike were very active stealing the show and a couple of my favorite lures :%$#!:. did mark and land a few eyes in the 18-19" range most of the walleyes were 13-14". jumbos perch were also topside. another awesome day to be out.
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Plan on heading out tomorrow, hoping to cash in on that early morning bite.
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Fished by the boat launches today, lot's of perch (a lot of smaller ones), one walleye and one 4 lb pike. Kept 7 nice perch for a fresh feed.
The morning bite was excellent and then slowed down in the afternoon.
Couldn't have asked for a bette day weather wise. No wind to speak of for the strap. Looked like a good 7 inches in the areas we tried, good enough
for a quad or snow machine.
Going to pull a Rip on Saturday and start at daybreak instead of 10:30, as the morning bite was on.
All fish were caught on the green hawger Speckspotter....so maybe your friend was just having a bad day.
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Churchill did you happen to leave any hawker spoons out on the ice. I don’t have any in my tackle box yet lol.
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nothing wrong with left over moose stew.... Ive been eating left over elk chilli for the last 3 days
great job rip awesome fish your pics are very good they capture the moment!!
Might just have to drive s and hit costco and then fish there
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A wet sloppy day out there today little breezy but the temps were great. Out with fellow ice shanty member twistedhook as we were hoping for some more walleye action. And throughout the early am and mid morning they were fairly active And banging our lures. Along with perch and the usual suspects the northern pike. Had a great day fishing with another fellow ice shanty member.looking forward to more trips. Thanks twistedhook.👍
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A great day being Schooled by RIP.......Only weird thing is being blind folded when being taken to his honey holes! ::)
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Great pics Rip thanks for sharing! Be careful with twisted hook, he’s been known to be a sketchy character at times....haha
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nice pics rip Ive heard the same about twisted hook lol
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You guys did a lot better then me. Was out on the ice by 8 am Friday morning and caught 6 perch between 830 and 930. After that I just moved constantly looking for fish but no takers. On a side note if any one left an HT ice scoop out on the ice in front of the boat launches I have it. Message me and I can return it.
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Out for a morning tour today checking ice conditions after last Saturday’s trip. And most areas were pretty consistent for thickness 5-6”even with the warm windy rainy weather we’ve been having. Also found open water and some very soft areas quite a ways out from shore So caution should still be priority. Did get a few hours of fishing in and caught a bunch of nice eater size 15-16”walleyes and of course Pike. Maybe a Couple evening trips this week. taking advantage of the early ice walleye bite....who knows if or when the bite will shut down Like in years past.
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Does anyone know of a good fishing app? Looking for depth maps, bite times and such?
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Does anyone know of a good fishing app? Looking for depth maps, bite times and such?
https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@6&key=oxi%7DHrjdjS
There's online depth charts. If you want gps capability you'll need to buy the app.
As for bite times, I've found pretty much any of those "charts" are bs. Best bites are typically early morning and late afternoon/early evening, with a lull around lunch until mid aft.
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https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@6&key=oxi%7DHrjdjS
There's online depth charts. If you want gps capability you'll need to buy the app.
As for bite times, I've found pretty much any of those "charts" are bs. Best bites are typically early morning and late afternoon/early evening, with a lull around lunch until mid aft.
Totally agree.
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Thanks guys. I agree that bite charts are bull. Just want a good app with as much info as I can get.
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Fished the launch area this morning, tried 4 different areas, drilled over 50 holes, only 5 small perch. Didn't stay for the afternoon/evening bite.
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How is the ice holding up? Thanks in advance!
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By the launches and right across to the West side, a good 6 to 8 inches. No snow cover at all. Need cleats for sure.
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I was out in front of the boat launches today as well. Got out around 10 but only had a few nibbles till about 2pm. Then it poured on. Moved around a lot too. Drilled maybe 20 holes before I settled in.
Hey Church, I used one of those hawgers for the first time. I’m definitely a fan!!
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Made another trip this morning again with ice shanty member twistedhook started fishing around 9am and started marking and catching soon after. Walleyes and pike were caught Early but nothing to much after 11 am. We managed 1 nice keeper walleye And a nice pike. Weather Was nice.fairly breezy but a great day.
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Nice catch rip
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tasty looking eye there rip. i got my first and only :whistle: skunk of the season out of the way tonight so i'm having won ton..
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I slept in this morning, as someone said I could use the beauty sleep. Went out this afternoon and fished from 2:45 to 5:30 and ended up catching 9 Walleye and way to many perch. There were no small Walleye. From 2 lbs up to 8 lbs.
All were caught on chartreuse hawger, with perch eye.
On a different note, one of our ice shanty regulars (speckspotter), just got out of the hospital after ankle/foot surgery. He is going to be layed
up for a period of time and won't be able to do much fishing for awhile. I hope the operation went well speckspotter, and your down time won't
be as long as they said. Looking to seeing you fishing across the fence from me when you are mobile.
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I am not sure my picture of the big one came through on my last post.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rRD72b6n/IMG-0869.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rRD72b6n)
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There I think I got it that time.
All the big ones were released and weren't handled, just got them up on the ice, hooked removed while lying on the ice, quick picture,
and nudged back down the hole.
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jealous.. nice work church! all the northerners will be heading down to b.s soon ;D
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Congrats on a great day CR. I will be fishing in my mind and following these posts during the recovery. Thanks for the good wishes. I just wish I would have paid more attention to people when they said "you are going to regret doing that when you are over 40.'
What did they know? They were all old at the time.
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Beauty fish right there Churchill. Glad I picked up some hawger spoons in green, and good on you for the release of the big ones.
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I am not sure my picture of the big one came through on my last post.
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nice catches churchill. do you mean the 8# ?
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Rip, I got all my pictures messed up. That last picture might be the 6 lber (close to 24 inches).
As I said, I didn't pick any of them up, just were laying on the ice for a picture and then back down the hole.
The other bigger one was 27 and a little, I think that is give or take 8 lbs. They are back in the water waiting.
I can't tell the difference between 3 inches in a picture, unlike some women I know.
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Is there about 5-6" on blackstrap? What are some good spots for perch? Thinking of going tomorrow with my roomie and want to make sure there is enough ice and that we maybe have a chance of actually catching something lol. I also bought some of those 1/8 ounce chartreuse hawger spoons. How do I use those?
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Went for sunset bite at the park entrance. 6ish inch of ice. Good with cleats. Caught mostly small walleyes with a bare spoon except this last one at 5:30.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7C8BYG4g/20191122-173632.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7C8BYG4g)
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Nice one toonfisher it’s been a great walleye bite this early ice season so far. Keep the pics coming 👍
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Went out again by myself this afternoon, fished from 1:30 to 5:15. Caught way to many perch again, and 4 Walleye this time. Fished the same hole
as yesterday afternoon. Kept 9 perch (no jumbos), and one Walleye, the other Walleye were to big.
Like Rip said, can't believe the Walleye action so far......will it last all winter.
The ice is a good 7 inch, and closer to 9 in some areas.
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Hi guys been out once this year by the second boat launch from 3:30 to 5:30 using green Hauger with small minnow in 24 feet of water. We did not even have a bite. Would any off you mind posting what depth your fishing when catching your walleye and perch. Curious that I might be fishing to deep. Thanks for any info.
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The last 2 afternoons I was fishing in that hole that was 24 ft. We always fish in 20 to 24 feet of water.
Don't be scared to move around and drill lot's of holes, and hole hope.
That area you were in always produces fish. Don't give up. Once you can drive on, you will be able to try more areas.
And don't give up on the green hawger......lol. That's all I have used for the last 4 years.
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hole hope.
that's definitely my main tactic ;D
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Churchill makes a great point about moving. If you are not getting bites (or marking fish if you have sonar), move. Move until you find them.
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I've been fishing for walleye at 15ish feet of water around sunset this year. I used to fish at 25ish feet of water in previous years. Both depth work. More perch were caught at deeper water.
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Hi guys been out once this year by the second boat launch from 3:30 to 5:30 using green Hauger with small minnow in 24 feet of water. We did not even have a bite. Would any off you mind posting what depth your fishing when catching your walleye and perch. Curious that I might be fishing to deep. Thanks for any info.
not sure if your new to ice fishing or not but there is tons of info here on ice shanty or on the internet (youtube) on how to or begin to find fish through the ice. do some research experiment with different depths. as others mentioned electronics would really help out. if anything it will make up your mind for you to move to another area if its in your budget. or you can fish around where other anglers are or were just don't crowd in on anyone one. good luck.... on a different note out with some friends yesterday over at blackrock for an early morning trip and the three of us were marking, seeing ,and catching pretty well all day. great day for sure even with the high winds.
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Thanks for all the comments on how to ice fish the strap. I get out a couple times a year and usually fish 20 to 24 ft. of water for perch with some success sometimes. I am not asking for information as to a particular spot to fish on the lake. I thought this would be a good forum to ask for opinions on how deep to fish walleye in the winter on Blackstrap. I do not wish to invade anyone's personal fishing spot. Best of luck fishing.
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I went out this morning from about 9:00-11:00 for my first outing this season. I tried out front of the south boat launch. Just a warning for everyone, right in front of the boat launch there is open water. Looked like a strip 6-7’ long by about 12”. It was about 10-12’ right on front of the launch. Tight lines everyone!
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Thanks for all the comments on how to ice fish the strap. I get out a couple times a year and usually fish 20 to 24 ft. of water for perch with some success sometimes. I am not asking for information as to a particular spot to fish on the lake. I thought this would be a good forum to ask for opinions on how deep to fish walleye in the winter on Blackstrap. I do not wish to invade anyone's personal fishing spot. Best of luck fishing.
. No worries don’t have to ask just read the posts over the last couple years should give anyone a good indication where to start. And there’s lots of room on the lake even Around an area where people are fishing again just give them space.
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Ryder, thanks for that report. That same open water was there last year also. Last year I stuck a couple of branches in the water. I checked it over a week ago and it was frozen over solid. Not sure what goes on there that close in to shore. But like you mention to the readers....pay attention, and
be careful.
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I'll add my two cents from the sidelines. Last winter my success on walleye came in about 8 feet of water towards the end of the day. That happened one time. We returned to that spot a few more times hoping to replicate the experience and never even had a mark. Three years before that, the same area was fairly consistent for smaller walleye. Two years ago NADA.
I think you just need to do as has been suggested and work the areas of the lake that have potential and make a catalogue of previously successful spots to try. Some folks on here have obviously spent a lot more time than the rest of us doing exactly that.
Don't be afraid to say "what the hell", and try something entirely new. I did that last December and drilled where nobody else had been yet. My gamble resulted in some of the biggest, most aggressive perch I've ever caught. A few pike, no walleye, but the perch were so much fun even my daughter in law who is a tough girl to impress said "I could get into this!"
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Last week when we were driving around after fishing for the day, we checked out the far North entrance
to the lake. There is the big ice heave there again this year. You won't be able to drive on as it is right across
the entrance. Last year we were able to angle off to the far North side and get past the heave. This year it
won't allow us to get past it.
If we get lot's of snow (especially if it gets blown in with snow), you might not be able to see the heave and
get a sudden stop on get hung up going over the heave (it looks bigger this year then last year). So be careful when
trying to drive on at that end.
With a couple of sledge hammers and chain saw will make it passable.
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That will really be something to watch for!
Nobody has driven into the lake on the rocks at pelican point yet either! The ice at the tip of the gravel pit peninsula eats pickups. Be careful and you need to see it Google box it.
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almost ate a quad last Saturday came ripping by us and was headed into the bay. there was actually 2 open water areas there he missed. not sure if he knew about them or just lucky.
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I'm sure it's lucky, glad it worked out for them!
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Was out today fishing South of the boat launches in the same area as the last 2 times. Started at 12:45 until 5:30. Again, lot's of perch (4 jumbos),
2 decent 5 lb Pike and 1 small Walleye. The Pike and Walleye went back. Those Pike worked their way out into the deep water looking for those perch I guess. They sure scare the perch away when they move in. After each Pike it was a good 1/2 hour before the perch moved back in.
Was a great afternoon, no wind.
There is a good 9 inches. Another week and I think we should be able to drive on.
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Hello again for another season
I hope to provide more information this year then asking for it.. But I do have a question..
I am Planning to head out to Blackstrap soon. I read there is open water a ways from shore and soft ice, is this still a problem?
Also- I have always wondered, does a guy have to avoid pump houses for moving water at all?
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No problems with the ice conditions there are or were some with the warm temps and wind over the last week or so. First ice, January, or March still should pay attention to conditions on any lake. don’t take anyone’s word on ice conditions things change fast....Anyway was out north of the causeway yesterday afternoon bite was slow marks were plentiful pulled up 6 walleyes all small 8-9” and 1 keeper. 18” great afternoon.
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Is the causway bridge still open, or have they started work on it yet? Shawno and I are going to get out for the first time this season on the weekend.
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The road is wide open. The tender ends in March, and I heard if the bidding is to high they might not even award the job. So we should be good into March for sure.
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Was out today from 11-4. Bite was good till bout 1pm. Then slowed right down. Marked tons of fish but they didn’t like my offerings I guess. 15ish perch and a couple walleye. Sent everything back down the hole for another day.
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Went for sunset bite at the south dam. Walleyes did show up. The water level seems to be a few feet deeper than last year at three areas I tried so far.
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heading out this weekend with my son again he definitely caught the perch bug last season. hoping their still active.
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We made the mistake of going out for the morning bite vs the afternoon bite which was excellent the last 4 times out. The wind forced us off
the lake. Only fished 1 1/2 hours and only caught 3 perch and 3 pike. The weather change and the pike in the area scared off the perch.
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So Church are saying the afternoon bite is better than the morning bite?
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Well it was only one morning VS 4 or 5 afternoon tries. And yesterday's weather/pressure change etc, and short fishing time really wasn't a true
morning attempt.
The fact that the Pike have moved in (in 24 fow), I would say the perch are still in the area. This weekend should tell the story.
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Another great day on the ice.. enjoying it with a couple buddies.
(https://i.postimg.cc/56dYS7c1/DC5-C467-A-77-C2-4-B7-E-946-B-ACC8-DA210007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56dYS7c1)
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Yes Rip, it was a very nice afternoon, not much wind. Over 30 perch, one 19 inch Walleye and one small Pike. Only kept 4 perch for supper.
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Shawno and I currently sitting in 18 fow. Lots on camera but mostly windowshoppers.
Atleast the whiskey is cold.
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Rip, do you have a good 11 inches of ice were you are fishing????
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Were on 9 inches right now
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Thanks Jpicks. North or South side?
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Went out for a few hours this afternoon. Ended up with 3 perch and 1 pike. Felt so good to have a fish on the line again! I was in about 25’ I. Front of south boat launch. There was 10” of ice where I was. Tight lines everyone!
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Was out for most of the day. Had a hard time finding the fish in the morning. Drilled more holes in the afternoon and finally found a spot where I was marking fish. Ended up with about 15 perch and a couple small walleye. All after 2pm. Kept 4 perch for supper. Might go out again tomorrow but maybe not so early this time.
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Oh and I ran into Cholo out there. Was nice to meet you. It’s kinda nice meeting people on this forum and putting faces to names. Btw I didn’t end up using your hole but thanx!
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Nice work majic, ya might of got the big walleye had ya fished the hole I drilled, lol. When ya heading out again?
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I went out for the afternoon bite today. Bunch of small perch landed but nothing else. A lot of big marks but they just looking today.
Cholo I work the rest of the week so my next outing probably not till Sunday. Maybe I’ll see you out there.
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Thanks Jpicks. North or South side?
North side of the lake a couple hundred yards south of shields.
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almost ate a quad last Saturday came ripping by us and was headed into the bay. there was actually 2 open water areas there he missed. not sure if he knew about them or just lucky.
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I fished the Point off Bigarm bay which is the area I believe you guys are talking about and came across a spot that had only 1” of ice so heads up out there.
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Has anybody been wetting lines around Evans road on the west side of the lake? Great tips and pics guys, I love following this conversation
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Well two of us tried the West side from the launches today, were we could of made a living last year selling fish. And it was pretty slow. Didn't
start until 1 and were off the ice at 5. Two dozen perch, but only 2-10 inch perch for appetizers were kept. Most of the fish were caught
between 3:30 and 4:30. Can't seem to find the jumbos yet this year. Once a guy can drive on that will change. With Sunday/Monday/Tuesday
having daytime/nighttime temps in the minus 20's will make it drivable come next Wed/Thur.
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With Sunday/Monday/Tuesday
having daytime/nighttime temps in the minus 20's will make it drivable come next Wed/Thur.
I sure hope you're right. Haven't been out yet this year and Id like to try the Koenders shack.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBg160Pk/IMG-6851.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBg160Pk)
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Church, did you guys get onto the ice from the West bank or hoofer straight across?
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Piggyperch, I park and walk on from the East side
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Thanks CR. I talked with you last year and every trip I made out with my little man something went wrong. First trip I pulled out my recoil on my auger, 2nd trip the little fella stepped in a hole and 3rd trip we got skunked. This year will be better I hope. Needless to say he’s not quite sold on hard water fishing yet but hasn’t given up. I think we will try Friday afternoon by Evans road or just the boat launch
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Well P.P., that's 1/2 the battle, you have to get out a lot of times. Can't expect to get out 2 or 3 times a year and hit them every time.
I am going out Friday, but for something different we are going to try the far North end and check it out. Going to start there in the morning,
and might move to the South side if no action. The afternoon bite still seems to be the better bite. You should do ok, off of Evans Road.
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It was just bad luck with little guy. I was on the ice at the strap with buddies at least 20 times last year.
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Another nice day Out there checking a few different areas today. Punching holes in 24’ to 6’ fow. catching perch pike and walleyes. a couple nice eaters towards the end of the day. Perfect day for moving around.
(https://i.postimg.cc/v11jCHy4/96595869-67-B7-41-A2-B85-E-4-A743-D7-DC960.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v11jCHy4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5HZGJd9n/CA60186-A-F58-F-4-C95-BA55-CC1-C233-C2-DA9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HZGJd9n)
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Two of us also tried a new area today. Couldn't keep the perch off the hook, major feeding for 5 solid hours, one after the other.
Glad we had a good day fishing and weather, as Starting Sunday it is going to be cold for 4 days or so. Probably could of driven on,
but going to wait until next week after the cold spell, as it will be good and safe.
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Sounds like everybody had a decent day. We had good action, the little fella caught the first, biggest and most fish of the day, he’s hooked.Didn’t get into the jumbos but had a great day out. Weather couldn’t have been better.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JHbxNtHH/25-BAC5-B8-E534-446-E-91-DF-12923-CAAEA15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JHbxNtHH)
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Nice to see the kids getting hooked on fishing. Not all kids get the chance to get out.....nice job Piggyperch.
On the subject, I had the pleasure of fishing today with a father/son/grandfather group today. The son (8 years old), was fishing
in the pop up with gramps. Father and myself were outside within talking distance. The son would say, "dad I caught another one",
almost every 10 minutes. Then he would ask his dad (won't mention any names, but let's call him Greg), how many you catch. Each
time the son would ask that question Greg would answer none. After about the 6th or 7th fish that the son caught, he say's to his dad....
"dad, I can put a fish on my hook and let it down the hole, then you can come in here and reel it up". I fell off my chair laughing. Greg,
then tells me to stop laughing, and says.....Kingston (son), I might take you up on that. Catching fish and having fun, can't get better then that.
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That's great CR. i just bought my 2yo son his first rod/reel for xmas. Not one of those cheaply made cars/avengers combos either. I can't wait until he is giving me the gears about catching more fish than me.
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Went out today in the bitter cold. Tried out the far north side for the first time ever. Drove on the ice. It was very solid. Marked fish all day long but the bite was slow. Managed to land a dozen perch and a couple of pike. Everything went back down. A few of the perch were 10”+ but mostly small ones. Both pike were about 3lbs. One broke off right at the hole. Hopefully next time I go out the weather will be warmer.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xJd0cxWJ/7-B61-F8-A9-A857-446-B-AEDB-832-F3-D22-D421.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJd0cxWJ)
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Wow your brave majic. That was some bitter cold yesterday. Jpicks your a great dad. My first rod was 20lb test wrapped around a 2x4, the old man spared no expense. CR thanks for the good laugh and private message you sent me, it ended up going to my junk mail and I never saw it until last night. Stay warm out there guys
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Went out today in the bitter cold. Tried out the far north side for the first time ever. Drove on the ice. It was very solid. Marked fish all day long but the bite was slow. Managed to land a dozen perch and a couple of pike. Everything went back down. A few of the perch were 10”+ but mostly small ones. Both pike were about 3lbs. One broke off right at the hole. Hopefully next time I go out the weather will be warmer.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xJd0cxWJ/7-B61-F8-A9-A857-446-B-AEDB-832-F3-D22-D421.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJd0cxWJ)
Wow you are one dedicated fisherman, going out in that cold . Good to see you had some luck making your efforts worthwhile. Was there anyone else out on the ice?
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Actually Cholo, I wasn't the only brave soul. There was about 4 other sets of people out there. I talked to a few of them and they were having the same experience as me. I even drilled a couple holes for a guy that couldn't get his auger to work. He tried giving me ten bucks but I kinda laughed and told them to stay warm.
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Nice call! I was out Saturday , it was pretty windy trying to set up pop-up , snapped one the fibreglass rods , wasnt too happy, so went out yesterday bought a new pop- up at cabelas.
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Cholo- What did you end up buying and why? I am currently deciding what to replace my Clam 5600 with.
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Cabelas has a nice looking insulated 80"x80" frabill popup on right now for $280.
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Replaced it with Cabela's Wide Bottom Hub 7'5"x7'5" , helluva deal at 249.99 regular at 389.99 , also looked the same model but insulated which is on at a great price but decided on going with the less weight
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I am hoping to head out on the 20th next week in the early a.m for the day and would like to locate a nice perch feed. I am familiar with Blackstrap but just not the good fishing spots. I've always had decent luck with small jacks in winter at the north end and walleye off the park shore in summer. Does the north or south end have better perch early in the season and do they hit early morning or afternoon?
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Can we drive everywhere on the strap yet?
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Can we drive everywhere on the strap yet?
I drove on the north end on tuesday. Ice was quite solid.
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i drove on at provincial park boat launch this past saturday
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Two of us fished from 11:30 to roughly 4:30 at the far North end and caught over 5 dozen perch (some nice keepers), a lot of small ones.
The bite was very good between 11:30 and 2:30, then it slowed down.
The ice is very safe to drive on, at least 16 inches. The only area I would avoid is that rock point in the back bay (blackrock), across from the
South end of Shields.
I was able to hole hop today, so it wasn't that bad weather wise. Had the wind not been up, it would of been really nice.
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Thanks for letting me be the other guy today CR. It was a personal first to ice fish on crutches. I am moved nearly to poetry.......
"A friend in need, is a friend indeed.
So is a guy with an auger who fishes a hawger."
Like I said nearly.......
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It was my pleasure S.S., glad to see you didn't have any problems with the cast/crutches. Leads me to believe
I will be able to fish with my walker when the time comes.
And when it warmers up, we will do it again.
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Hello, Just got done fishing at the Blackstrap on the North East side beside Shields. 30+ Perch (between 2 ppl)8:30am-3:30p, saw few Northern Pike, Walleyes. Lots of little Perch. Ice was exactly 12” did not drive on it yet. Had good day!
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Well it appears that I'm the only one with no skills. Fished by the boat launch yesterday and had bites before noon and then after 3:30. On the upside there was 15" of ice so she's plenty strong now. Gonna head out today and try a different spot.
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@CitySlicker @Oleg Welcome to the forum!
Blackstrap is often referred to as “the Dead Sea”.
What you have been seeing on the forum lately has been an exception to this rule. ;D
Good luck!
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Well it appears that I'm the only one with no skills. Fished by the boat launch yesterday and had bites before noon and then after 3:30. On the upside there was 15" of ice so she's plenty strong now. Gonna head out today and try a different spot.
Don’t feel bad. I’ve spent MANY fishless hours at Balckstrap. I don’t move around enough when that happens.
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Did well in 22fow, likely 5 dozen or so and a few of these guys
Can you go across the lake with a truck now?
(https://i.postimg.cc/DW7xwhwc/346731-F5-2114-4615-851-E-7731-BD3-C6107.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DW7xwhwc)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v4rPyTbB/43183-AE5-F2-AC-44-C5-AB87-D751-D993-AF51.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4rPyTbB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rKtnhgH5/5-ED9-B319-32-BC-4-DDA-9-FA5-0-F0-F73131-D8-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKtnhgH5)
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Hey all,
Just had my third strap putting this year.
I was out yesterday on Evans road from 10-4 and I caught 4 perch. Not a soul around evans road... I Kept two and tossed two back... I would see piles come and go on the sonar all day long. But getting any commitment was tough... I tried 20 holes around the old road and went from 11’-23’ found a nice ledge even...
I have fished strap for 5-6 years and always done fairly well. Last year was my best fishing season on the strap hands down. I usually fish the park bot launches or north end...
Seems like I’m not doing something right, lol as everyone’s posting all there catches. Good for you guys tons a nice pics so far.
I have tried the little wolfram tungsten miny jig heads, hanger spoons, and everything I have had luck with over the years... topped with half min owls, perch eyes and meal worms. Just can’t figure them out.
As far as truck go I walked in and I’d say by Evans the ice was 14-15” and in the boat launch area through out the day I saw at least 5-6 half ton trucks on the ice... About 2 weeks ago at launch it was 10-11” (be 15” now like Evans) last Monday I was in front of the park office and the ice was about 12” there...
Best regards and best of luck to all.
Hope that helps for ice thickness.
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Did well in 22fow, likely 5 dozen or so and a few of these guys
Can you go across the lake with a truck now?
Yes Evan I drove across the lake but took it slow. Had 15" at the boat launch and 12" in front of Thode.
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Fished the north end today. Lots of people out. I must’ve parked on top of a pike colony cause I sure got my fill of them. 6pike and about a dozen perch. Kept a few perch for supper.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GTbpnLDw/326-A2-B78-E092-42-BF-9-D46-533-B11-C0-B696.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GTbpnLDw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/B81bxw3y/71-CF8-D89-2190-4-C97-B4-DC-6-D803828-A179.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/B81bxw3y)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zbCfQbVF/DBD5-C17-D-188-A-4-B6-B-ABEE-EB6-D1-E8-ADFA2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zbCfQbVF)
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Men, make sure your wife/girlfriend see this:
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(https://i.postimg.cc/VSWgkmR5/IMG-8784.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VSWgkmR5)
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Back ice fishing after about 10 years away. Been to Blackstrap three times now. We were in the North end by Shields. Lots of bites but only one perch in a short trip. I’m off all week so I plan on going out pretty much every day.
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That's funny CR!
Thanks for all the posts everyone and happy to see pictures of all the nice catches. I'm planning to take my shack out to the north end this coming Saturday. Hoping the ice is good enough to drive out.
Hope to maybe catch a few and put up some pics as well.
Cheers,
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I was driving all over the North end today. Very safe to go were you want.
I had to find a new spot today, as the area were we were catching lots dried up.
I am only going to tell you all how many we caught as some people say they can't catch, and some are saying
that the Strap is no good and you can't expect to catch fish. We really didn't find them until noon and fished until
4:30. Two of us ended up catching well over 170 perch, one small walleye, and 4 small pike.
I have been a avid poster on here saying that you have to move around until you find them. The last spot we fished
almost two weeks and were catching lot's....then today it dried up, so moved to another area. I thought we might have
to try 2 or 3 different spots. But got lucky as the first spot we tried, they were there. We mostly fishing in 22 to 25 fow,
and were in 23 to 25 fow today.
So for the new comers to this site and new to fishing the strap, don't give up, there are a ton of perch in the lake.
Both of us today were using the chartreuse hawger spoons with perch eye.
Not sure what else I can say.....just don't give up and don't be scared to move around. I know it was hard when we had to walk on
and we could try our regular spots or move around to much. But now that it is safe to drive all over you should be able to get into them.
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Sometimes, one spot dries up simply means it's the wrong time at the right spot. You either wait to ambush them, or you go around to find them. OMG, since CR and the green hawger combo is so efficient, it might just dried up.
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.....just don't give up and don't be scared to move around. I know it was hard when we had to walk on
and we could try our regular spots or move around to much. But now that it is safe to drive all over you should be able to get into them.
I'm gonna take this advice and move around today (but in front of Thode). Wish me luck, and come visit!
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Try 23 to 26 fow City. Don't be scared if you are close to the middle of the lake.
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Anyone else heading out this weekend? The temps look unreal and i would suspect a busy/crowded day on the lake. I think the ice was only 14-16 inches in the north end. Should one worry about driving on with a warm up in the forecast?
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I am sure there is a good 16 inches plus, and this warmer weather (still nothing on the plus side), isn't going to effect the ice in anyway. It
won't even melt the little snow on top of the ice. Again, the only area to keep an eye open for is the rock island on the North East side of the mouth to the back bay at Blackrock, across from the South end of Shields.
I am heading out tomorrow, and the weekend.
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I was on both the north and south sides. I’d say close to 18” on the south and a good 16” on the north. I had decent action off the boat launch yesterday but slow all around today.
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I'm planning to get out this Friday & Saturday.
I've never fished Blackstrap before, always fished Broderick or North.
But I've been reading your guys posts this season as far as lures, bait, & depth.
I don't have any electronics, so I'll go old school & use a depth map.
With decent temps for the next couple of weeks I want to get the kids out with me too. Maybe some perch action will keep them entertained!
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I had the pleasure today to fish with a couple regulars on ice shanty (speckspotter and Overunder). You can't beat a
day on the ice with friends. It was a blast today picking on each other and as a bonus we all had one of our best days fish wise.
The bite was steady as soon as we got there at 9:45 until 4 when we left. One 5 lb walleye was caught and released. There were 4 or 5
small pike that went back also. As for perch, well you wouldn't believe me, so I won't say.
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For those wondering what lures and bait to use on Blackstrap, I can offer the following from today's experience. But first, thanks once again to CR for doing the recon work and to DH for drilling the holes beside my truck.
The following lure bait combinations caught perch:
- Slabgrabber aka Russian beaded spoon (bronze) tipped with maggots and later a perch eye
- the famous green hawger with a perch eye
- a white perch talker with a minnow head
- a small Northlands silver - grey spoon rigged with a dropper chain and a very small jig tipped with perch eye. (This combo provided the hottest action for a brief time around noon when a series of 11 inch plus fish took the bait as soon as it reached bottom.)
- a pink and white VCM tingler with a half minnow (This also proved attractive to the pike which periodically cruised through)
- a large silver - grey Buckshot rattle spoon with a half minnow on a single hook
- a hammered brass slender spoon with a half minnow ( small size was more attractive than the larger in the same pattern )
The only thing I tried that didn't catch a fish was an Acme Flyer.
My conclusion? The fish were hungry and wanted to eat.
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See, we were picking on Speckspotter today for changing his lure so much today.. But like he just posted it was hard to find a lure that they weren't hitting today. As for me.......I just used the one lure with a perch eye on all day....I think you all know what lure I was using. Actually I was getting
picked on for not changing that one lure in the last 3 years.....lol Someone once said....if it's not broke, don't fix it, or in this case...don't change it.
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I came late to the show this afternoon and still had a phenomenal day! Good to see CR and Speck out again today. Also great to meet a few new guys! Side note, this is year 2 for the same lure on my line.
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OverUnder, glad to see you are down sizing your tackle box.
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Got skunked on the South end yesterday so tried the far north end today. Nothin but the other two up there seemed to be having a good time! Last day off while the kids are still in school tomorrow so I’ll give the south end another shot.
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How's the cidiot to fish ratio so far this year?
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I was one of the other folks at the north end today Husky. And I didn't do too well. Finally not skunked though and I have a small perch feed for the family. Thanks to Church.
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I have to say that I used to agree with Shawno's assessment of Blackstrap being the "Dead Sea". The last few seasons have changed my mind.
This morning we set up in the dark to try for a few first light walleye. After catching three small ones and an nice 3 lb eater pike, we moved locations and tried to see if the perch were still biting. Again the noon bite was the best. The perch talker / minnow head combo was deadly at that time and it was fish after fish after fish with a couple of 12 inch footballs in the mix.
I have no idea how long this bite will last, but it sure has been fun so far.
Tonight will be a pike and walleye vegetable stir fry - a new recipe attempt.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rKNvDtP4/IMG-4487.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKNvDtP4)
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Winner!
(https://i.postimg.cc/8fhFLVFZ/IMG-4488.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8fhFLVFZ)
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I have to say that I used to agree with Shawno's assessment of Blackstrap being the "Dead Sea". The last few seasons have changed my mind.
This morning we set up in the dark to try for a few first light walleye. After catching three small ones and an nice 3 lb eater pike, we moved locations and tried to see if the perch were still biting. Again the noon bite was the best. The perch talker / minnow head combo was deadly at that time and it was fish after fish after fish with a couple of 12 inch footballs in the mix.
I have no idea how long this bite will last, but it sure has been fun so far.
Tonight will be a pike and walleye vegetable stir fry - a new recipe attempt.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rKNvDtP4/IMG-4487.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKNvDtP4)
Enjoy the fish fry speckspotter!
Maybe I should get with the times and just put on green hawger like CR suggests. ;)
Maybe then I would catch something out there.
I'm happy to hear Blackstrap has been better lately. If I only have to drive 30mins to catch fish as apposed to driving 2 1/2hrs, I'm all for it.
Although, part of me has a hard time believing it's true...kinda like what's next...people on IS are going to tell me they are catching burbot at the 'Strap. ;D
Now that I need to see to believe.
Tight lines everyone. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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December 1980, right at sundown on the causeway. Two burbot one after another. Since i - phones hadn't been invented, I can't prove it, but I remember the day well. I had been sharing Cheezies with my dog but didn't realize he had also been sharing my minnows. Half way home he ralphed them up all over the back seat. Hard to forget.
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hahah great story speck. nothing quite like cheezie and minnow puke ;D
shawno i can recall a few guys posting burbot they'd caught at the strap, probably 4 or 5 years ago. i was suprised too but know the lake used to have plenty.
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Was out with Speckspotter again today and a couple other members. I think Speck covered how the bite was today for us.
If this keeps up, we are going to need some home remedies for sore wrists from setting the hook (with one wrist) and reeling in the fish
with the other wrist.
Thanks guys, it was great fishing with you today and had a blast.
We also had the pleasure of having a new fisherwomen to fish with us today. And she happens to be Gary Bloomfields daughter. She
is driving up tonight to help her family after the fire. No one was hurt, but they lost the restaurant, garage, and motel. Not a good
Christmas present by any means. I sure hope they will be able to rebuild.
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@speckspotter - Haha. Sorry for you that happened, but great story all the same.
@CR - What a ham! ;D Tough problem you have on your hands there...or should I say wrists.
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I think that everyone has their own special sweet spots at this lake. I’ve been trying different spots that I hear different people catching at. I’ve been fortunate and caught fish but not like everyone else has. So today I fished in my regular spot in front of the launches and it was non stop perch action. Must have reeled in over 60 perch. Also caught a couple of pike today. That must be my sweet spot.
Hey Church, I modified your hawger and changed the J hook to a dropper chain and treble hook(of course accompanied with a perch eye). I was slayin the perch all day with that.
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Magic, glad you had a good day. They seem to be biting both not he South and North side, as long as you can find were they are.
Nice job on the modification.
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Great to hear everyone is finding lots of action!
I had a long frustrating day yesterday but finally took my hard shack out on the ice for its maiden trip. Ended up only getting an hour of fishing in before having to get home but was happy to see the shack off my driveway and on the ice.
We drove on at the north dam and the ice was packed with people. Tried in 23 fow and had a couple nibbles but nothing too interested. Looking forward to spending some more time on the ice over the holidays.
Real quick super newbie question: guys baiting with perch eyes, are you using eyes from fish you caught cut out or is there somewhere you can buy them as bait? Thanks!
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Perch eyes from the perch you’ve caught.
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Thanks. I figured as much but thought it doesnt hurt to ask.
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What depth is everyone fishing for the perch? Was out yesterday and was in about 28feet and only caught a couple.
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What depth is everyone fishing for the perch? Was out yesterday and was in about 28feet and only caught a couple.
That’s plenty deep enough. You just have to move around until you find them. Was out yesterday catching in 25FOW
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DoubleHookSet, we always fish for perch in 22 to 26 fow. Out again today and tried a new spot in the afternoon. Lot's of perch action,
really steady catching them pretty much all afternoon. The bonus this afternoon was 5 walleye for me. Yes, caught the walleye in 25 fow.
The two pictures are of two different walleye. When I was checking out this new spot this afternoon, I had to drill 8 holes before finding 25 fow.
The first hole started at 15 fow, but still caught perch in that hole and the other holes working out to 25 fow. So you will catch perch in different
depths. You just have to move round and find the honey holes.
(https://i.postimg.cc/23M3pRjV/IMG-0415.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23M3pRjV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hcf28vm3/IMG-0918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Hcf28vm3)
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Nice lookin Wally's CR ! I have yet to pull one out out of the ice this year . Came close once , lost it at the hole.
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Thanks Cholo. Just lucky to be in the right spot at the right time. They were on the feed and hitting hard. Probably go back there 2 days later
and won't catch a one. Did catch enough perch to keep a guy busy if the walleye move out.
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Finally got out to the strap for my first time on the ice this winter. Landed a couple pikes was out from 1-4 saw lots on the camera all in all I never got skunked on my first day out so I’m happy. ( Minus the part where the one pike that I had on broke my fenwick ice rod in half)
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To all members on Ice Shanty and all that follow the posts, have a very Merry Christmas and have fun bringing in the New Year.
I am sure the majority of you will be receiving a gift from Santa that you will be able to try out during the Christmas break on the ice......
...we sure make gift giving for our love ones easy........beats getting socks, unless they are electric socks.
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We were out again today on the south side. Didn’t do bad, saw pike, walleye and hundreds of perch on the camera. Pike and walleye had zero interest in our offerings. We caught perch on and off but they were hitting light and didn’t want to commit. I blame the wind direction and lack of holes today. At the end of the day there would be 15 perch on the screen the entire time for an hour and no bites. Anybody else have an off day?
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Merry Christmas to All,
and to All a good Pike.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MvLg2S0G/IMG-4541.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MvLg2S0G)
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Nice pike Speck......I guess no need to take the turkey out of the deep freeze.
Another great day out there for our group, still lot's of perch and we had one of our best days in years for walleye,
15 yards away from our perch holes. I am making a walleye chowder for our 1st course tomorrow.
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Did pretty good the last two days pike and perch.definitely hitting light have to be on your game. Without a sonar of some sort they are likely hitting your hook and you dont even know it.
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Agreed Derringer.
We had marks all morning long. A stinger hook with an eyeball induced some bites after I got tired of seeing them idle in neutral just under my lure. A number were "just on" when the rod was lifted, just no discernible bite. The noodle rod was useful for providing frustration as it told me there were plenty of slurps and pecks, but no real commitment.
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Nice to be out today after some great times with family and friends over the last week or so. Walleyes and perch were caught off and on all afternoon nothing over 18” on the walleyes and perch were mostly 8-9” great to be out. Weather looks good for awhile should be good for moving around.
(https://i.postimg.cc/06H0pP8p/7438-B105-FFED-420-E-B406-3585-EA6-CBFE7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06H0pP8p)
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I was out today again and you guys said it, that bite is light. Saw about 1000 perch on the screen today just pecking, sniffing and licking my bait. Caught just over a dozen when 3 pike came through and broke up the party. 45 min later they came back, hit hard for half hour then back to sniffing. Still good to be out, I went solo for the first time in a while and it was actually really nice
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Another great day on the ice catching perch then getting hooked up with this girl The original perch KILLA.....
(https://i.postimg.cc/FYHbWnRh/004-DD9-DC-754-D-4490-A51-D-30219009-FE28.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FYHbWnRh)
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Beauty fish. Measurements?
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Beauty fish. Measurements?
. Not today. Guess 28-29”
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That would be fun on a walleye rod. In my opinion pike that size are the best eating. Not to big but nice to debone.
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Was out at blackstrap today with my girls and landed a couple nice pikes. Lots of perch on the camera but no takers.
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Got my shack moved to a new spot. Found 21 fow and fished for an hour or so. Saw tons of marks on the flasher but mostly not interested in biting. I even tried the green hawger!! I'm feeling good about the spot and looking forward to getting my kids out soon. Goes to show you can be in the right spot and not always catch! Gorgeous day out today too.
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Gonna try the north end again tomorrow and move around lots to try and find them. I wont even drop the camera until I'm getting dome action, wish me luck.
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Went out today from 11-4. Bite was off and on all afternoon. When it was off it was brutal. But when it was on, I couldn’t get my line back down and they already on. Was a great day with good weather and good conversations with familiar regulars.
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Went out before sunrise and fished for 4 hours, perch all over but no takers, landed 3 decent pike over 24 inches and lost another when my fireline broke. Had one walleye on also but did not and it. Ice was 18 inches and it was a decent day except for the wind. Noticed garbage on the ice from the yahoos the day before and cleaned up what I could.
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Fished the North end today from 12-5, steady bite all day, tapered off around 4:30. Kept three 11" for supper, lots of small ones this time out.
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Did the strap for the 1st time in about 10 years, fish the north end from 10:30 until 4. Sat in about 15-16 feet of water, and was never really bored, action most of the time, including a large pike that broke the line with out seeing it. Was very disappointed to discover the black parasites in most of the perch I kept.
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Did you happen to snap a pic? Didn't find any in the 3 I kept. Was fishing 25 fow.
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I did not. Sorry it never crossed my mind.
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Another awesome afternoon weather sure has been great. Decided to just hang in the shelter today kick back and watch the perch show. Perch Still very neutral most times then turn on for awhile then neutral again. Ended the afternoon with a handful of eaters and a couple eyes.
(https://i.postimg.cc/p58dWTgB/62-A84-AEE-7-A9-E-4599-BD7-A-FF09168-E8-CFB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p58dWTgB)
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How's the ice? Guys driving everywhere now? Haven't been out to the Strap in about a month. Going to give it a shot tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
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The ice is good for driving on the north side. I haven't driven south of the causeway yet, but I would assume it is fine there as well. The fishing has slowed somewhat from a few weeks back, but the perch, pike and walleye are still there to be had. Our experience has been that mid day is the best bite right now.
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The ice is good for driving on the north side. I haven't driven south of the causeway yet, but I would assume it is fine there as well. The fishing has slowed somewhat from a few weeks back, but the perch, pike and walleye are still there to be had. Our experience has been that mid day is the best bite right now.
Thanks for the info speckspotter! I appreciate it.
Yeah, there was lots of ice...no driving concerns with very little snow on the lake.
I ended up fishing the north end a ways south of shanty town in 18FOW. I caught two smaller perch, two walleye's and lost one at the hole and had what felt like a decent pike break me off. I forgot my minnows of all things on the way to the lake, so I stopped at the shell in Grasswood, but they were sold out, so I ended up using super thin slices of smokie as my bait ;D
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The winds held off today so we tried the late morning and afternoon. The bite was spotty, and the walleye uncooperative, but a granddaughter got in one last day of fishing before the end of Christmas break. Pretty happy fisher girl.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nsP1bWg3/IMG-1218.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nsP1bWg3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/V0yB5CYM/IMG-1225.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V0yB5CYM)
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Was out today from 10-3. Pretty much hooked on every time I sent my jig down the hole. Wouldn’t even make it to the bottom and there was a fish on. Catching lots 4ft off the bottom. Lots of good 12”-13” ones. And really fat. Was non stop till about 1:30 then like a faucet, it turned right off. Maybe saw two fish after 1:30. Was a weird but good day. Didn’t keep a single fish today. I was just out for the bites!
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Went out today from 9am-3pm. Caught one Pike and didn’t mark many fish.
Funny thing happened though when we were setting up we drilled a hole and was preparing it for a tip up. My buddy had my flasher as we like to set the depth of the bait of the tip up. So I was lowering my bait down he drops the transducer into the hole and of course there is interference the transducer is moving I can barely see the screen but notice something coming up towards my hook next thing you know I got tension on my line and tried to set the hook but ended up losing the fish. Totally caught me off guard. We ended up icing a Pike an hour later on the same tip up but otherwise was a fun day!
Btw if you are driving on the ice slow down many people are driving too fast.
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Did anyone see the person driving the red Ford Escape on the north End around 12:30 ?
If you are on here, or know this person they should be backhanded..
Complete idiots
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Majic you still fishing in front of the boat launches or did you try somewhere new, was out Saturday from 10:00-2:00 across from the launches . Saw alot of perch and a few walleyes, only a handful of little guys caught
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Majic you still fishing in front of the boat launches or did you try somewhere new, was out Saturday from 10:00-2:00 across from the launches . Saw alot of perch and a few walleyes, only a handful of little guys caught
Ya Cholo, still in front of the boat launches. There was a couple of guys I know that were fishing maybe 20 yards from me and they weren't marking any fish at all. They came into my pop up for a bit and couldn't believe how many fish I was marking. They stayed in my tent for about 30mins and they caught 6 in a row before they had to leave. It's weird how much of a difference there was from my spot and there spot, which were only 20 yards away from each other.
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Thought I better post some news, since I haven't been on for a while. Missed over a week of fishing due to company that came for Christmas.
It would of been nice if Jesus was born sometime in April, when the fishing season is closed.
Managed to get out on Dec 31st for a few hours. I just tied into my 40th fish of the day, and then all hell broke loose. Got real dizzy and seeing triple, head spinning, and started to throw up really bad. Friends rushed me to the hospital and after 8 hours in the emergency and after heart testes, cat scan, blood work, they narrowed it down to a bad attack of vertigo. Got to spend bringing in the New Year in bed.
Still in bad shape (well, I am unable to go fishing......so must be in bad shape). Some say it might take another 2 to 3 weeks to clear up. Wouldn't
even think of trying to drive.
My friends I have been talking to are still doing really good on the perch and the odd day on the walleye.
I hope to be posting soon. Good luck to all.
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Geez CR...Sorry to hear. Hope you feel better soon!
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Thanks Shawno.........the perch are hoping for a long recovery, but they will end up paying.....lol
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Hope you get better soon Church
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Thanks Majic and nice work on the perch catching
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That's scary Churchill, sorry to hear. Good thing you were out with friends that were able to get you to the hospital. Wish you a speedy recovery.
Dont worry I've been purposely leaving all the Walleye in the lake for you in the mean time. ;)
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Thanks Double. Don't worry, you can only keep two at a time, so there should be lot's left for me :)
Yes, there have been the few times were I would of been out there by myself. Would of been really bad
if no one was around when it happened.
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Glad to hear your on the mend CR. I have been keeping the perch on their toes! The snow that is coming will shut down my fishing for a few days as I will be living in my skid steer clearing parking lots.
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Thanks OverUnder: Glad to hear the perch are still active. Wonder what this cold snap will do to them.
Parking lot's......make sure the entrance to the lake is opened up first......lol
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Sorry to hear about that Churchill. Get well man! Take care of yourself
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Thanks Saskbucks. I hope to be back out in 7 to 10 days. About the time the cold weather leaves I hope.
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nice to hear your in good spirits. you'll be out there soon. just take it easy.
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Thanks Rip, I sure hope so. Yourself and other members are getting way ahead of me on the number of holes drilled.
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Good thing you weren't by yourself, Get well soon Church, wish ya a speedy recovery!
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Thanks Cholo: Like all of us, there were times when I was by myself. Had I been by myself and no one drove close
enough to me, I would of spent the night on the ice, don't think I could of even used my cell......not good to even think about what could of happened.
Thanks again to all for the good wishes........now let's get back to posting on the fishing..........readi ng these posts is good
therapy for me :)
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Man, that's nasty thing to happen CR.
Hope you are back out fishing soon. :)
Good to see the Blackstrap still producing for you all. :tipup:
WW
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Thanks WW. By time the weather warms up, I should be good to go.
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Geez that's scary!
Got to get better in time for the Blackstrap Derby on Feb 29th buddy.
The comments on the speed of the vehicles this year is true.
I have seen too many vehicles in the last couple weeks setting frozen water speed records, **censored** is wrong with these idiots?
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I will add get well wishes here to CR as well. DH and I were out with him at the time. We knew it was serious when his rod lay on the ice and no perch were being caught.
With the arrival of colder weather, Doug has been busy solving the problem of freezing Jaw Jacker holes. Pictured below is his prototype on trial. A second hole is drilled beside the first and a channel is chopped connecting two. Burning charcoal in the coffee can heats the water which circulates from one hole to the other. The system worked well yesterday, even though the only pike caught in that hole bit the lure on the drop before the Jacker was set. More testing and tweaking will no doubt be done.
I still think a grill on the can would be real handy come lunch time.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MXpRjY6x/IMG-4579.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXpRjY6x)
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I will add get well wishes here to CR as well. DH and I were out with him at the time. We knew it was serious when his rod lay on the ice and no perch were being caught.
With the arrival of colder weather, Doug has been busy solving the problem of freezing Jaw Jacker holes. Pictured below is his prototype on trial. A second hole is drilled beside the first and a channel is chopped connecting two. Burning charcoal in the coffee can heats the water which circulates from one hole to the other. The system worked well yesterday, even though the only pike caught in that hole bit the lure on the drop before the Jacker was set. More testing and tweaking will no doubt be done.
I still think a grill on the can would be real handy come lunch time.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MXpRjY6x/IMG-4579.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXpRjY6x)
Might be cleaner and easier to use Gel fuel packs in that coffee can? They are dirt cheap and would be easier to transport and move around. I like the idea!
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Sorry to hear about your temporary illness, CR. We hope you have a full recovery quickly. Having said that, the perch and walleye could use a break from that green hauger with the perch eye. You truly are a legend to this forum and legends never go away, so I am sure you will be back in action soon. Happy fishing soon. :icefish
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I was glad Speckspotter was out with me that day, as he took my truck back to his place and then was good enough to drive it back to the city for me a couple days later......thanks Speck
Thanks for the kind words Big Gator. The green hawger isn't a secret anymore and I am starting to get some steep competition......which I enjoy,
as it keeps me sharp and on my toes.
I am not sure about the Legend part.......but maybe you could lead with those remarks when my wife get's you to do my eulogy :)
Looks like Saturday will be one of the warmer days for the next week or so. I hope everyone get's a chance to get out and has good luck.
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When CR is back on ice. those perch probably have already forgotten about the danger of green hawger.
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Good one Toon.....lol
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has anyone noticed work on the causway yet or is that road still open
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I was there yesterday. No signs, no equipment, it looks like nothing has been done at all. I have heard the RM is still in the process of tendering the project.
The road is open for now.
Also, the north end access is rutted but accessible unless you are taking your Maserati.
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I was there yesterday. No signs, no equipment, it looks like nothing has been done at all. I have heard the RM is still in the process of tendering the project.
The road is open for now.
Also, the north end access is rutted but accessible unless you are taking your Maserati.
The project was awarded to Alan Construction for 5 million. I think it's so high to cover the cost of the late/delayed start completion penalties. No word on start date.
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I was there yesterday. No signs, no equipment, it looks like nothing has been done at all. I have heard the RM is still in the process of tendering the project.
The road is open for now.
Also, the north end access is rutted but accessible unless you are taking your Maserati.
thx guys for the info need to get my shack there soon Is there much snow on lake by south launch after last snowfall?
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I was driving back near the bay across from Shields today. Someone accidentally left behind a mostly gone sports drink and beside it was an Aquavu MOPOD. If this was you PM me and hopefully I can get it back to you.
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Out with saskbucks today hunkered down in the shelters catching the walleyes oh and a whitefish another great day thanks saskbucks great to be out fishing you.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TKN45yLv/4-E9-E646-D-2-BCD-43-AC-AEF2-30-EE21-BCF687.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TKN45yLv)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QFdzMgMq/58922-F8-D-C929-428-C-A18-D-DE3300698-D67.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFdzMgMq)
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Nice catch RIP.....Good to see someone can nail a white.
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Nice catch RIP.....Good to see someone can nail a white.
What depth were you catching whitefish? I only got big ones before ice or at early ice in the shallow of less than 10 feet of water.
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was fishing in deeper water 21-22 fow actually reeled up to it around the 10' mark early am (dark) this one did bite. usually you will snag them when that happens (if your not fishing for them). happens quite a bit on this lake. for those who are wondering or getting excited about what those big marks are half way up the water column that never bite. most times their whitefish.
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was fishing in deeper water 21-22 fow actually reeled up to it around the 10' mark early am (dark) this one did bite. usually you will snag them when that happens (if your not fishing for them). happens quite a bit on this lake. for those who are wondering or getting excited about what those big marks are half way up the water column that never bite. most times their whitefish.
More whitefish snagged than hooked in the mouth for me as well in shallow water.
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Was out yesterday by the launches. There’s signs saying that the causeway will be closed January 20th. Does anyone know how long it will be closed for?
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Was out yesterday by the launches. There’s signs saying that the causeway will be closed January 20th. Does anyone know how long it will be closed for?
should be quite awhile into the summer i would expect... detours would probably go around the north end of the lake then back down to the causeway on the east side. unless you go around from the south end.? either way its a bit of a tour. probably more details to follow. but your right sign says bridge closed on Monday.
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Just looking for snow and drift conditions on the boat launch access. I haven’t been out for 2 weeks and plan on bringing the little fellow tomorrow. I can’t see it being too bad
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was out there this weekend and there was a few drifts but nothing your garden tractor couldn't get through
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Was out yesterday by the launches. There’s signs saying that the causeway will be closed January 20th. Does anyone know how long it will be closed for?
closed till june 1 not sure where our detour is gonna be
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So the causeway is closed now already?
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Yep. Lookslike you have to go across the north end and around
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Hi everyone:
I am back......well not 100%, but was able to get in 5 hours of fishing today on the North end. First spot we fished was loaded
with perch, very picky eaters, and small. Stayed there 4 hours, then tried a different spot on the way off the ice. We caught more (lots),
there in less then a hour, then we caught in 4 hours in the first spot. And probably 80% of them were keepers. So they are still around by the looks of things.
North end entrance is very good, and although there are no bare ice patches anymore, you can drive pretty much were you want with no problem, for those you you that haven't had a chance to get out with that cold snap we had.
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Glad to hear your back in action CR! Have been meaning to check in with you but this weather has had me working night and day for the last little bit.
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Glad to hear you’re back and out on the ice again Church . I was out today as well. Tried the north end for a change and it paid off. Found many and landed a lot of big perch with 2 pike. Still searching for them walleye though. I’ll find them eventually
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It will be nice for you to get back on the ice Church! Glad to hear it. Maybe Ill see you out there tomorrow.
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Welcome back Church! Anybody use the north detour to access the south end of lake via the boat launches yet?
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I drove the detour route on Monday. The road is good. It probably adds about ten minutes to the whole trip if you exit Hwy 11 at the North Haul Road - the same road people use to drive onto the north end of the lake. If you turn off at Dundurn and you usually would to get to the boat launches, you will be detoured north around the lake. This will add a lot of unnecessary driving.
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There is very good signage on Hwy 11 indicating the detour route starting with the left turn on the Haul Road.
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Got in another 5 hours today at the North end. Fished in two spots, lot's of perch in both spots (22 to 25 fow). Seems to be more little ones now then say 4 to 6 weeks ago, but still get enough nice ones for a good meal (kept 7 today).
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Was out yesterday. Managed to find me a hole with a ton of perch. Good size ones too. Had a really hard time managing two rods at once though (I suppose it’s a good problem to have). Beautiful day and weather as well. Met some really nice people out there too. All around good day.
Haven’t tried the detour to the south end yet. Are the roads still ok? Does it add an extra 10-15 mins to the trip?
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The roads on the detour around the north end to the south end boat launches are in very good shape. Detour is very well marked and easy to follow. I went that way yesterday. Adds maybe 10 mins or so to the trip.
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Out for a morning trip today to the north end beautiful day out there fog rolled in mid morning making if hard to see ahead when driving trying to dodge drifts and the odd tip-up lol. The bite was decent early am on the walleyes and perch still kinda negative on the commitment but landed 4 walleyes, 4lb pike and a bunch of smaller perch. Another great day to be out. As to be expected north end approach onto the lake is getting pretty soft and chewed up With Deep ruts.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9w41cwGt/DE81-BFB9-5-E99-4970-B957-3-FBB6-EC4-F31-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9w41cwGt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/grrgVQfX/F1999-D42-90-E2-4-FF1-8-DC4-5-A2-CB686-DB91.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/grrgVQfX)
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Is there any other way onto the south end of the lake (other than the new detour to the park gate)? I took the detour today and it wasn’t bad driving but still a PITA. Especially since you can almost spit onto hwy 11 from the lake...
It’s been frustrating ever since Evans road was chained off. Is there anywhere else at sky view estates or Thode to get on with a truck or even atv/snowmobile?
I wonder if the RM would be open to temporarily opening Evans road during the construction.
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Uncle, we don't want to open that can of worms about the closure of Evans Road. The road going down to the lake doesn't belong to the RM.
It belongs to the Hutterites, so they can get down to their pump house.
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I would say no... I’m sure the people that live at skyview fought hard to close the road from all the traffic (privacy)and garbage left there every year. As for thode there’s no public access there Either for parking or unloading of rec vehicles. I suppose you could try and find an area somewhere in thode to unload a skidoo or something but not sure if the locals would be to happy with to much traffic either. ? Just my opinion .
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Hutterites dont own the road they own the pumphouse. The rm owns the road.
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as far as im told its crown land and that the reason there is issues with the marina and the people that live out there using it
as for evans road we talked to the rm about temp opening that evans road and they asked for a couple letters and they are going to talk about it at there 28th meeting we had told them it can be a safety issue if an emergency was to happen on the ice as detour could be to much of a delay to save somone and as we know churchill had a close call so i think it is meritted to be looked at im sure its a wing and a prayer but at least we tried
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I drove the north haul road to the north end on Sunday. I found it pretty rutted and definitely sloppy with the warm weather.
I still haven't pulled out a decent walleye, just some under 12". Yesterday I got into some Pike in about 6-8 ft of water. Pulled out a 31" but didn't get a weight on it. Also a few 26" ones.
Daughter got a Perch and I was marking them but they seemed to be picky that day. Yes even with the Jig-a-whopper!
I did have some nibbling a weighted fly that was bouncing on the bottom.
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bahahaah picky to say the least had 15 around my hook all day on the camera and the buggers will just try to steal the bait smart little buggers
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bahahaah picky to say the least had 15 around my hook all day on the camera and the buggers will just try to steal the bait smart little buggers
Yes they were being very gentle and robbing bait non-stop. A minnow head hooked through the lips with a barbed tungsten and 2lb line on light action rod. I was still barely seeing them touch!
I guess i'll have to bring the ultra light next time.
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As Rip mentioned there wee reasons the home owners wanted Evans Road closed. I guess the RM sided with the homeowners,as when I phoned them
3 years ago when this was all going down, I was lied to by the RM, as they said it was out of their hands. And they wonder why RM's get a bad name. Again, as Rip mentioned the main reason ( as weak as it was), was due to the garbage left at the bottom of the road. All it would of taken was for the RM to put a couple of garbage drums and a sign up. I am sure there was a drum already there. 95% of fishermen don't go around leaving garbage as they are driving on and off the ice. As I mentioned 3 years ago, I have more garbage left on my lawn ( as I have a bus stop by my house), in one week then there would of been at the bottom of Evans Road all winter.
Had the RM done their job at the start (years ago), the road would probably be open to this day. Had they asked for letters to close the road or keep it open, I am sure they would of gotten more letters to keep the road open vs the few homeowners that wanted it closed. Not sure if much
was accomplished as people are driving around the house to the South of the closed road and driving down to the shoreline and driving through
the marina and then onto the ice. I myself have not done this, as it's not a problem for me to drive around through the park.
Had I been on the South end when I had my medical problem and the fastest way to get off the ice was via Evans Road, and wasn't able to use it I am sure I would feel different. I am glad I was on the North end. I sure hope it doesn't come down to a life and death situation with Evans Road being closed.
I have nothing against the homeowners......they asked and the RM decided to close the road. It's the poor job the RM did that had me upset years ago. I guess they are trying to get the reputation the RM of Corman Park and Sherwood Park have.
That's it for me regarding Evans Road being closed....it's really not a a fishing report as ice shanty was meant for............as for the fishing, I was out
today on the South end today (drove on through the park.....lol), and the fish were more aggressive and bigger then they were the last 3 or 4 days on the North end. Some jumbos went home for supper. Beautiful day.
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Well said Church! , are you pretty much sticking to the north end now with the causeway closed? When is the Strap derby?
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I have been fishing the North end, but tried the South end yesterday. They were more aggressive and a lot bigger then they were on the North end.
I have registered for the derby a month ago. Let's all enter and support the community of Shields.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/blackstrap-ice-fishing-derby-tickets-80876558965
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i assume they will have a marked area on north and south ends of lake or just north? newbie here
thx
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The derby is only on the North end. The area will be out front (a little to the South), of the town hall. And yes, the area will be roped off.
Come for the morning breakfast at the town hall, and you will get all the info there if need be. And you can buy your 50/50 ticket there, etc.
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Tried the north end again yesterday. Slow day for me as usual. Stinkin' mice got into my shack and tore up some foam. Why in the heck would a mouse travel 100yards across frozen water to go in a plastic shack? Is this even possible, I'm half wondering if someone drove by and through a mouse in there as a prank. haha. :(
...and yes I had left some cheezies in there... ::)
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Hey guys,
I haven't been out all month, but I'm hoping to be out this weekend & next week.
What's the ice thickness like? Is it close to needing an extension?
I wasn't sure with that cold snap if it built a lot of thickness or not.
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Had approx 2 ft at the north end last saturday. Shouldnt need an extension yet.
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Hello all, first post here. I know it's been brought up a number of times, has anyone found an alternate route to the main launch area besides the detour? I was looking at going through Thode on Summerfeldt Drive if there's an opening. Heading out again Saturday morning.
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As mentioned above there is no access from thode I was at thode today visiting a buddy and now someone has posted a sign at the very top of the hill going down into thode stating no access onto lake for fishing..drive the detour or move your shack (if you have one) to the north end and fish there? There’s just really no areas even to park on Summerfeldt road. Without pissing some of the locals off.
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I was out yesterday from 12-330 and absolutely smacked the perch. 25-30 of them. I haven’t had a day like that on the ice there in probably 8 years. And I’m sure it will be another 8 years before it happens again. It was a good way to spend a couple hours fishing outside.
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As mentioned above there is no access from thode I was at thode today visiting a buddy and now someone has posted a sign at the very top of the hill going down into thode stating no access onto lake for fishing..drive the detour or move your shack (if you have one) to the north end and fish there? There’s just really no areas even to park on Summerfeldt road. Without pissing some of the locals off.
Thanks! Thought I'd double check. We have a shack close to the launches but might move it to the north side for a quicker trip out.
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Thanks for the replies everyone. I talked to someone at the RM and it sounded like if a case could be made they may consider opening the access at Evans during construction. Wouldn’t hurt to let them know your thoughts if you’re interested.
Since I haven’t been since it was first closed, can a guy park where it’s chained and walk down to the shore?
Looking forward to enjoying the weather this weekend!
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I know a few letters regarding Evans road had been sent to the RM prior to tbere meeting on the 28th. So hopefully they were added to the meetings agenda and hope to hear something soon.
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What a beautiful day out on the strap today. Not much wind, sunny most of the time. Started on the South end and caught 30 perch in the morning,
then moved to the North end. Caught 40 perch and 1 walleye out of one hole as soon as I got there in about a hour. They were pretty picky and light biting on the South end. Got lucky on the North end in that one hole, as they were really aggressive and hitting hard one after the other.
(https://i.postimg.cc/CddJKFfh/IMG-0942.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CddJKFfh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5X5SryD3/IMG-0938.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5X5SryD3)
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Nice to see after a little time off you are back to doing what ya do best, oh Perch Whisperer,!
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;)
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What a beautiful day to be out. Weather was fantastic and not much for wind. Had a very reasonable day fishing too. Ended up catching about 30 perch and 2 pike. Most went back, but kept a few for supper.
I just wanted to stay Thank You to the 3 guys this morning in a Red RAM Rebel who gave me a push! I thought I could kick around in 2-wheel drive, but a bigger drift thought otherwise...so it was 4-wheel drive after that! So Thanks! ;D
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How close can you get to the bridge before its closed
Can you get to the point of accessing lake or are you detoured well before that?
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Can I come into blackstrap provincial park from the south to access the boat launches to get onto the ice?
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Chezboy,
No quick easy route off Highway 11 if that is what you are asking. You need to get on Range Road 3040 coming up from the south. It will take you right by the park entrance to the causeway.
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It was a little cool this morning and not much biting on the South side. Stayed until 11:30, then moved to the North end. Tried 3 spots and hammered the perch in all 3 spots. The wind died down and it was very nice the rest of the day.
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A beautiful day today with snow, sun, cloud and most happily little wind.
We fished the north end this time and had a strong bite early on just after 9:00 am. Some very tiny perch punched well above their weight, smashing the drop hooks with abandon. For a while the contest was to see who would get the smallest. Eventually some tens and elevens
showed up, but the average for the day would have been around nine inches. We pulled up somewhere around 60 on the day and even had the rare pleasure of meeting a couple of Conservation Officers on the ice. How nice it is not to have to worry about whether all your barbs are fully pinched on your treble hooks. Good call Sask. Environment. Barbless is sporting and at times very practical, but some very well intentioned folks were experiencing needless hassle over this issue in the past
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I use barbless hooks but I thought the regs changed and it’s no longer mandatory to use barbless at the strap, Bradwell, zelma, fishing, madge and a few others. I also have been told I’m crazy on a few occasions.
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I use barbless hooks but I thought the regs changed and it’s no longer mandatory to use barbless at the strap, Bradwell, zelma, fishing, madge and a few others. I also have been told I’m crazy on a few occasions.
It has definitely changed. As per the 2019 angling guide.
" Barbless hooks No longer mandatory on Blackstrap, Bradwell, Brightwater, Broderick, Dellwood, Moosomin and Zelma reservoirs, as well as Fishing, Miracle and Madge lakes. This change will provide greater consistency on the regulated use of barbless hooks in the southern management zone. Reduced limits on these waters remain in effect."
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Two of us were out on the North end today. Pretty cool weather wise and fishing wise. Had to break out the hand warmers. We tried 4 spots and had a few good runs, but slow in between runs. We ended up landing 50 perch, 3 pike, and 3 walleye. Kept 10 perch, and 1 walleye for a feed.
Think we will try the South end in a couple days.
For those that haven't been out in a while the entrance at the North end has average ruts, but getting on is a breeze as well as driving around the lake. There is more snow on the North end then the South end. Was on the South end Monday and both launches are rut free and excellent for getting on and off.
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I was just wondering what everyones thought is on the water color on the North end VS the South end. This year I have noticed the North ends water is very brownish/yellow, while the South end is crystal clear.
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I've seen the same, CR. The water in the south end, particularly closer to the boat launches I find quite clear. You can see the bottom very well. In the north it's pretty murky. I found it clears up a bit as you go further south, which makes sense. I wonder if there was/is a higher weed concentration in the north end for some reason?
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Maybe ran some water through canal in fall which comes in the S end????
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Yesterday was a pretty slow day for us. The north end where we started so strongly two days previous was not very productive. Moving down the lake provided more marks, but very few eager fish. Plenty of stare downs with pouty big red marks that went on and on and on.
I was playing Sergio Leone spaghetti western music in my head. When the battle finally started, a good sized pike emerged the hero after destroying my buddy's perch rig.
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Two of us fished the South end today, and had real good action from when we started at 9:20 until about 1:30, landing well over 60 perch. Lot's of small ones, but were able to take home 5 nice ones each. Probably could of kept another 10, but 5 each is all we wanted. Talked to the C.O.'s and they said we were doing better then most people they checked. The bite did stop after 1:30, so we stayed until 2:15 and called her a day.
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Fished the northside of evans road today from 9:30 to noon, landed 1 perch, had a few nibbles, otherwise quiet outting.
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Cholo, the C.O. told me he was talking to you toady, and that you were threatening to break out the dynamite.......now I know why :)
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Yesterday was on fire for us. Perch wise that is. Lost count at 75 and 1 jack. Kept 8 for a catch and cook on the ice. Released the rest. Fun day out there.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6yW0ntZK/A5-C2-B7-D1-FE32-43-F2-A22-D-0615054-AC386.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yW0ntZK)
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Baratrauma..,...Look it up.
My concerns are how many of these fish are suffering Baratrauma. That's when the swim bladder pops out and into their mouths. From the studies that have been written,shows that very few on these fish survive being tossed back into the water. We have all seen this. I'm fortunate to have a camera in order to play keep away from the small fish who want my offerings. If I end up with one,it is added to my catch limit. Our lakes and fish deserve proper care.
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Baratrauma..,...Look it up.
My concerns are how many of these fish are suffering Baratrauma. That's when the swim bladder pops out and into their mouths. From the studies that have been written,shows that very few on these fish survive being tossed back into the water. We have all seen this. I'm fortunate to have a camera in order to play keep away from the small fish who want my offerings. If I end up with one,it is added to my catch limit. Our lakes and fish deserve proper care.
Catching them in less than 30' they will be fine.
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Baratrauma..,...Look it up.
My concerns are how many of these fish are suffering Baratrauma. That's when the swim bladder pops out and into their mouths. From the studies that have been written,shows that very few on these fish survive being tossed back into the water. We have all seen this. I'm fortunate to have a camera in order to play keep away from the small fish who want my offerings. If I end up with one,it is added to my catch limit. Our lakes and fish deserve proper care.
So what are you suggesting?
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Catching them in less than 30' they will be fine.
I disagree. I’ve caught them in 23 feet of water at this lake and they have suffered barotrauma
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Twisted made the following comment: Our lakes and fish deserve the proper care.
That is why there are limits on our lakes and rivers, and in some cases reduced limits along with spawning areas closed to fishing until the end
of May, with some areas closed until June 15th. I don't always agree with fish biologists, but in whole they are doing a good job.
I have mentioned this before that fish mortality on released fish is taken into account when limits are implemented on that body of water. That is why
there are different limits for different bodies of water. In some cases were there is only catch and release (more so in Alberta), that is so you can catch and release the fish......they don't say you can't fish that body of water because some fish are going to die when you release them.
Look at the fishing pressure Blackstrap receives. And I am sure there will be lots of people that agree with me that the fishing on the Strap is well
above average (I would go as far as to say excellent for myself). We all have been saying every year that there are a ton of small perch, so the future
years are in fine shape.
Our lakes/rivers and fish are getting the proper care they deserve............... ...................... ........go ahead and throw back that small fish
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I've seen barotrauma as shallow as 22ft. Very dependant on how quickly you horse the fish up. I will keep smaller fish if they spit the bladder. There's meat to be had on a 7" perch if ya cook it whole.
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So what are you suggesting?
I’m not sure how many anglers understand that a fish suffering barotrauma will most likely not survived when released. When a fish’s stomach is bulging up their throat when brought up that’s a tell tale sign. Unless you use a descending device, that fish most likely won’t survive. An angler has to be aware that all those barotrauma fish should count against their limit. If they go out and catch 60 perch and half are suffering barotrauma and may swim far enough down the hole do you don’t see them, they will most likely die and be floating right below the ice. Then they are way over the limit.
This is the first time if experienced barotrauma perch in 22-23FOW at this lake.
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Agree with Ran7ger. My son says the little ones taste really good, largely because they remind him that those were about the only ones we ever got when he was learning to fish. We still make boneless fillets out of them, and practise our microsurgery techniques at the same time. Count 'em and cook 'em.
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I don’t fish Blackstrap myself but to say our lakes, rivers and fish are getting the proper care they deserve is just not accurate. Some lakes are still healthy and offer good angling opportunities but many have also suffered and declined significantly.
I think Twisted Hook is simply trying to remind anglers to show our resources the respect they deserve, which nobody should be upset about.
You don’t have to look very far to see how fragile our natural resources are and how quickly we can lose them for a very long time, and in some cases forever. Alberta still has a lot of issues and at the rate we’re going we might not be far behind which would be an absolute shame.
Lots of good ethical anglers out there still though, and I’d like to think most of the guys on this forum are in that category, which is fantastic.
Just need to keep doing our part as reposible anglers and also to educate new anglers on how to properly handle fish and that’s all we can do.
Tight lines everyone and good luck out there!
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I don’t fish Blackstrap myself but to say our lakes, rivers and fish are getting the proper care they deserve is just not accurate. Some lakes are still healthy and offer good angling opportunities but many have also suffered and declined significantly.
I think Twisted Hook is simply trying to remind anglers to show our resources the respect they deserve, which nobody should be upset about.
You don’t have to look very far to see how fragile our natural resources are and how quickly we can lose them for a very long time, and in some cases forever. Alberta still has a lot of issues and at the rate we’re going we might not be far behind which would be an absolute shame.
Lots of good ethical anglers out there still though, and I’d like to think most of the guys on this forum are in that category, which is fantastic.
Just need to keep doing our part as reposible anglers and also to educate new anglers on how to properly handle fish and that’s all we can do.
Tight lines everyone and good luck out there!
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Well said farmboy (UP)
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Too add another angle, Many people do not like it when then see anglers keep large walleye or northern pike and keep them, as they are top grade breeding stock. However nothing is ever said when people keep larger than average perch. Are they not too breeding stock too?
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I don’t fish Blackstrap myself but to say our lakes, rivers and fish are getting the proper care they deserve is just not accurate. Some lakes are still healthy and offer good angling opportunities but many have also suffered and declined significantly.
you nailed it farmboy and i've seen it already in my short life time. every aspect of management has been slashed from bios to c.o's. i think knowledge, ethics and personal accountability go way further to protecting our fisheries than limits/rules and the c.o's nowadays.
look one province east to see how fisheries should be managed. we know football they know fishing ;D
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Too add another angle, Many people do not like it when then see anglers keep large walleye or northern pike and keep them, as they are top grade breeding stock. However nothing is ever said when people keep larger than average perch. Are they not too breeding stock too?
This too is a very good point. What would be the ones that would fit into that category? Anything over 12”? I’d have to look at the data more carefully and that may differ from lake to lake
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you nailed it farmboy and i've seen it already in my short life time. every aspect of management has been slashed from bios to c.o's. i think knowledge, ethics and personal accountability go way further to protecting our fisheries than limits/rules and the c.o's nowadays.
look one province east to see how fisheries should be managed. we know football they know fishing ;D
Totally agree. Manitoba, IMO, manages their fisheries much more effectively. Barbless all over the province as well. I think it’s ridiculous that we are going the other way with our reservoirs in going back to barbed hooks.
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I was just wondering what everyones thought is on the water color on the North end VS the South end. This year I have noticed the North ends water is very brownish/yellow, while the South end is crystal clear.
My buddy says it’s from the construction work happening on the causeway. Dirt/debris is heading north. They drilled a hole and a bunch of dirt came shooting up outta the hole. Very dirty water over by Shields (area).
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I don't know if the falling barometer had anything to do with this morning's bite, but we had steady action in the south end all morning. The big girls had the feed bag on. A couple of thirteen inchers made it topside and a few other heavy perch released themselves prematurely. I switched to minnows after having little initial luck and that seemed to be the ticket. DH on the other hand caught well with mealworms, and Churchill River, well, I think I'll win the lottery before I see him not catch on the Hawger and eyeball combo.
The water was indeed clear, but it is worth noting that a lot of the work is happening on the south side of the causeway. If the work is the issue, why is the north lake so dirty?
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Here is my small contribution to making our lives easier.
If you struggle with the extraction of perch eyeballs for bait, I may have the solution. My thumb push technique is quite frankly awful. I end up ruining about a third of the eyes because I squeeze them too hard trying to pull them free from the connective tissue that holds them to the socket. I needed help in the form of a custom tool.
Enter the commemorative teaspoon from Aunt Nettie's 1963 trip to the Osh Kosh Geranium Museum. Dig that beauty out from the back of the spoon drawer, take it to the bench grinder, and put an edge on the undersides of the spoon tip. Insert your newly created precision implement under the eyeball and run a semicircle around the socket. Eureka! I went 17/18 on my trial run this evening. Seventeen plump, perfect eyeballs ready for the next perch outing.
Aunt Nettie need never know.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KKRsfGxs/IMG-4797.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KKRsfGxs)
(https://i.postimg.cc/H84Snj9j/IMG-4799-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H84Snj9j)
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Blue Devil, you are right about the construction work making the water more dirty. But I noticed the water on the North end was murky before the construction started, and slowly getting worse.
I think we have all seen the brownish/yellow water in past years also. So not sure what is the cause.
On the other note.......I released over 35 perch today and not one of them had their bladder in their mouth while
fishing in 20 to 24 feet of water (in different areas).
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Was out today for a quick fish. We have kept our shack in the same spot and have done real well all year..... until today. Today was my first time being skunked on the strap this year! Saw maybe 12 fish on the cam in 2 hours. I actually thought the water was a bit murky on the south side today compared to the last few outings. Saturday on the other hand was amazing. Some of the biggest perch I’ve ever scene were pulled up, best part was that the 2 four year olds landed a double header and were the 2 biggest fish of the day
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Here is my small contribution to making our lives easier.
If you struggle with the extraction of perch eyeballs for bait, I may have the solution. My thumb push technique is quite frankly awful. I end up ruining about a third of the eyes because I squeeze them too hard trying to pull them free from the connective tissue that holds them to the socket. I needed help in the form of a custom tool.
Enter the commemorative teaspoon from Aunt Nettie's 1963 trip to the Osh Kosh Geranium Museum. Dig that beauty out from the back of the spoon drawer, take it to the bench grinder, and put an edge on the undersides of the spoon tip. Insert your newly created precision implement under the eyeball and run a semicircle around the socket. Eureka! I went 17/18 on my trial run this evening. Seventeen plump, perfect eyeballs ready for the next perch outing.
Aunt Nettie need never know.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KKRsfGxs/IMG-4797.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KKRsfGxs)
(https://i.postimg.cc/H84Snj9j/IMG-4799-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H84Snj9j)
How do you keep them and for how long? thanks Geo.
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How do you keep them and for how long? thanks.
Freeze them in water,in a small ziplock bag. they will be fresh when thawed out.
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How do you keep them and for how long? thanks.
Freeze them in water,in a small ziplock bag. they will be fresh when thawed out.
Thanks for the reply, Geo.
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I’ve have kept mine in a pill jar with a splash of oil then they come sort easier as they thaw
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Was out today 1-4.... very cold n not many others out.
Finally paid off as i landed easily 50 perch in the third hole i drilled. Was hammering nice perch in 18’ of water. In 18’ I only saw two that had the bladder pop, and they both came home.
Kept 6 for a nice dinner n tossed the rest back.
Use two tiny jigging spoons with tiny minnows, caught more today than i have all winter in about 6 outings to the strap.
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Most actually came up about 4-6’ off the ground aggressive which i found odd.
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You earned those fish yesterday in that wind Pollock. Respect!
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Was out today 1-4.... very cold n not many others out.
Finally paid off as i landed easily 50 perch in the third hole i drilled. Was hammering nice perch in 18’ of water. In 18’ I only saw two that had the bladder pop, and they both came home.
Kept 6 for a nice dinner n tossed the rest back.
Use two tiny jigging spoons with tiny minnows, caught more today than i have all winter in about 6 outings to the strap.
Very happy for you!! Great day on the ice when you can slay!!
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Two of us fished from 9:30 to 3:30 on the North end. Fished the far North end and in front of the big back bay. Lot's of perch action, with
some slow times, and then you would hit a honey hole and catch 15 in a row. So even with some slow periods, we hit 6 or 7 honey holes.
For middle of Feb, the fishing has been better then past years (for Feb).
Nice day, with the wind picking up in the afternoon....but not cold.
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We fished the south again today. With no real need to take home a limit, and perch all over the flasher, it was time to experiment. A couple years back I bought some artificial red wigglers hoping I could convince perch they were bloodworms. I thought I had wasted my money until I put a piece of one of these on the bottom treble of a jigging Rapala. For a while this morning I thought one secret of the universe had been revealed. One after another they just had to have this offering.... and then they didn't. Fun while it lasted however.
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Speck, what the H.......you perfected the removal of the eyeball, and had 17 of them........or did you throw them in the fish soup you made?
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Just stockpiling for that furious March bite.
Besides CR, my mother always told me to be my own person. A couple of weeks back I even caught a perch on a BLUE Hawger!
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See Speck, that was money well spent.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/64fYGYLP/5996-CD8-C-1-E65-4-D77-9-F4-E-B52-C8-B6-C5904.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/64fYGYLP)
The “Dead Sea” was pretty hot again today. Caught over 60 perch in a couple hours. Had to fiz some small perch in 26 FOW (don’t horse the little guys up from that depth!!) we saved all the ones the need to fiz. Kept a few for supper released the rest healthy. Oh yeah and the wife released a $1200 iPhone for a lucky angler today catch 😂
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Ouch, I only lost a old flip phone down a hole years ago.
My friend found these two burbot on the Strap yesterday. I wonder if someone brought them from another lake and dropped them off on the ice.
Between 3 of us, we have caught over 75,000 fish (we are old), on the strap and we have never caught one, or heard/seen anyone catch one. I know there
have been people on here saying they used to be in the lake, and have even caught some.
Any thoughts people?
(https://i.postimg.cc/5Y8TTw2K/IMG-0464.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Y8TTw2K)
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Ouch, I only lost a old flip phone down a hole years ago.
My friend found these two burbot on the Strap yesterday. I wonder if someone brought them from another lake and dropped them off on the ice.
Between 3 of us, we have caught over 75,000 fish (we are old), on the strap and we have never caught one, or heard/seen anyone catch one. I know there
have been people on here saying they used to be in the lake, and have even caught some.
Any thoughts people?
(https://i.postimg.cc/5Y8TTw2K/IMG-0464.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Y8TTw2K)
I remember 25 years ago guys catching whitefish and burbot regularly on the south end of those. I was only 5 but I remember seeing tones of them on the ice.
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back in the 2017/18 season i landed 1 at early ice. did not post a pic at the time just a thread on ice shanty. but did take a couple pictures. i also caught this sucker same evening. i've caught burbs before years ago at the strap but never a sucker..
(https://i.postimg.cc/ThrRLggk/315-CDF09-0-B2-F-4873-803-B-D9-A5591-A8-CBA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ThrRLggk)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rRCcB2q6/3870-CD56-0-F94-4-CBA-868-A-71-A1-FE11-B873.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rRCcB2q6)
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Thanks Rip......good to know there are still some in the lake.
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How’s the fishing on the south side closer to the easy shore I used to catch huge pike back in the day there just wondering if that was still a possibility or has it changed? Thanks!
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Was out on the south end on Sunday. Was a slower day. Caught maybe 20 perch. Was weird as they were about 4-5 ft off the bottom. Went out again yesterday on the north side. Way better fishing as it was non stop 11”+ size perch till bout 2pm. Even managed to land a couple smaller pike. Although it was an expensive day as I too dropped my iPhone down the hole. What made it worse, is that I had to stare at it all afternoon on my underwater camera
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Just wondering if an extension is needed yet on an Ion auger?
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Which side of the south end is better to fish?
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For myself I just put my extension on to make it easier on my back bending way down as I usually drill 30 to 40 holes a day if we are
trying 2 or 3 spots. You really don't need the extension though if transporting your auger with the extension on is a problem.
As for which side to fish on the South end. We have spots on both the East and West side that we fish, catching fish on both sides. For sure
there are way more people fishing the West side right now. I find moving around usually produces fish sooner or later.
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Thnx for the info Churchill. Hope your feeling better.
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Thanks for the help Churchill
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Was out on the south end on Sunday. Was a slower day. Caught maybe 20 perch. Was weird as they were about 4-5 ft off the bottom. Went out again yesterday on the north side. Way better fishing as it was non stop 11”+ size perch till bout 2pm. Even managed to land a couple smaller pike. Although it was an expensive day as I too dropped my iPhone down the hole. What made it worse, is that I had to stare at it all afternoon on my underwater camera
Buddy get it back! Friend of mine dropped theres down at dief, pulled it out a week later, charged it up and got all his data. Battery was shot from the cold though. No case either, these new phones are sweet!
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I am slowly meeting most of the members on here. Nice meeting and talking to you today sparksNfishing.
Little slower today on the North end. We tried 6 different spots. Although we caught a few perch in all the spots, they were few and 90% of them
were very small. The guys using flashers had fish all the time but they weren't interested.
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Buddy get it back! Friend of mine dropped theres down at dief, pulled it out a week later, charged it up and got all his data. Battery was shot from the cold though. No case either, these new phones are sweet!
How did he get his phone back? My phone dropped in 24ft of water.
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Was out yesterday on the south end by Evans road again. Brought the 4 year old, his auntie and a friend from Australia. Had a great day on the ice, we were set up by 11am and for the first hour and a half the perch were flying into the camera view and just hammering out offerings. I myself didn’t get to fish much but our goal was mostly just to get the Aussie girl hooked up. We pulled up some nice 12-13 inch perch but when 1240 hit the bit completely turned off. We had a pk lure, a hawger and then just a orange jig head with a meal worm and the jig head did the best. Last week the pk was the go to hook.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ph66VrfV/0623-B318-2253-40-F2-926-B-9-EEAB3-B14-E5-F.png) (https://postimg.cc/ph66VrfV)
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How did he get his phone back? My phone dropped in 24ft of water.
Well a camera is gonna be critical but sounds like you have one. He used a laddle attached to some emt conduit and just kept coupling on 6 foot sections. You could accomplish the same thing buy taping broomhandles, tent poles, whatever together and just feeding it down the hole piece by piece. You could also try a magnet on a string but im guessing the iphone backs are aluminum not steel, and even if theres enough ferrous material to lift it youre going to risk damaging the electronics.
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Rig it up like an animal control dog snare. Run a loop of rope through the pipe.
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I am slowly meeting most of the members on here. Nice meeting and talking to you today sparksNfishing.
Little slower today on the North end. We tried 6 different spots. Although we caught a few perch in all the spots, they were few and 90% of them
were very small. The guys using flashers had fish all the time but they weren't interested.
Hey Church, good luck in the derby this weekend. Hopefully someone can win with a bigger fish than last year. How big was the one that took it last year?
I'll be out Saturday but not for the derby. Bunch of friends and kids coming out, it should be lots of fun. Come say hi if you want and let me know how you did. I'm sure we'll be the noisy ones out there tomorrow.
Good luck to anyone else on here in the derby! :tipup:
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The one fish caught last year that won the derby was a 2 oz perch. But i am sure their scale needs to be calibrated, as I am sure
the fish was 3 oz.
Let's all get out there and support Shields. Good luck to everyone.
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Well Church I plan on topping your winner last year with a whopping 4oz perch, see ya there !! You driving on from the north end or parking near the town hall?
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Going to the town hall for breakfast and buy some 50/50 tickets, etc. Then going to drive around from the North end and pick a good spot
to drill a hole. Glad to hear you are coming out.
Now I know how the guy felt, that was the fastest gun in the West.......always someone
thinking they were faster. I got a feeling someone will be faster tomorrow, and become the fastest gun in the West.
Good luck Cholo, and everyone else.
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How did the derby turn out? Hope you had good support and had lots of people show up. Sure got a perfect day for it
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The derby was well attended. 230 people registered. 4.5 lb Pike won 1st place and took home $1,500. There was a tie for 2nd and 3rd place,
with a 3 lb 14 oz pike and took home $670 each. The smallest fish ( 4 oz perch), took home $308. Missed the exact number of fish caught, but
it was over a dozen last I heard.
50/50 winner took home $1,300.
It was a great day weather wise (the wind was warm). The Shields committee did an excellent job running their 2nd annual derby....looking forward to next year.
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Was just on the south side. Theres a shack upside down just by the first boat launch.
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The boat launches didn't get blown in much. It is still very easy to drive on and off at the launches. Not sure about the North end.
Anyone drive on the North end the last couple days?
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I was out on the north end today. Very driveable. Lots of good perch to be had as well!
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Fished the North end today and like Majic said, lot's of perch. With a good mixture of very very small ones to jumbos caught.
Entrance is excellent and easy to still drive around.
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I have been talking to a few people that I know at the university and received the following email about the color of the water at the North end,
if anyone wants to read up on it:
Thanks for including me in the abbreviated email chain below. Based on looking at a Google Earth map and talking with Tom, the most likely explanation for the yellowish brown water at the north end of the lake is from dissolved organic carbon (DOC) which is giving the water this color. You may have seen a similar such color in boggy lakes- a sort of tea color. This DOC could be from the decay of accumulated organic matter on the sediments, assuming that the overlying water is not being constantly removed by current flow. Another explanation could be runoff of DOC-rich water from marshes and wetlands. The south end may be clearer because of different inflows and water constantly moving to the north.
Lake waters vary a lot in color and naturally so. When we measure water clarity with a Secchi disc (how deep can we see the lowered disc in the water) , we routinely note water color which can change through the seasons with a golden brown color in spring when diatoms are abundant and shifting to a green when green algae are more abundant. Please see link below
https://www.lakescientist.com/lake-color/
I am copying John-Mark on this email as he is with the province (Water Security Agency) and a water quality specialist with a focus on prairie lakes. He would be know if there are any water chemistry data for the Blackstrap and may have more specific information. Not sure if collecting a water sample would be of help as all we could do is run it for DOC and confirm what we suspect. Will wait to see what John-Mark may say.
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Interesting. Thanks for posting, CR.
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Thanks for sharing Churchill. How bad is the north end? Is there a few feet of visibility or virtually no visibility right now? Pretty crazy how one end can be so much different from the other
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made it out this past weekend Friday and Sunday after a fairly busy non fish related few weeks. Friday was awesome with the warm temps banging around the lake on the sleds stopping in different spots on the lake catching the perch and pike with a buddy. yesterday was also quite nice fishing in an area that has produced in the past. ended the night with 3 walleyes an 2 pike. great to be out....
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Nice to hear from you Rip......man that was a long honey due list...... your wife had for you.
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yes it was..lol
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Are the perch still biting at north end?
Thinking of going Sunday. Can you still drive on?
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Are the perch still biting at north end?
Thinking of going Sunday. Can you still drive on?
perch are biting everywhere on the lake. pretty well all season... driving on no problem.
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2 weeks ago I caught a 8 pound pike on my ifish pro on the north end. It kept getting caught on the bottom of the ice but the water was so dirty you couldn’t see the fish at the hole. That was is disgusting Hahahah
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I was out today on both the North and South end. The boat launches are excellent (no ruts at all), for getting on and off of the ice. The North end entrance is excellent also...with just a slight rut developing...a car could still drive on. And with the colder weather moving in, there won't be a problem for at least another two weeks (or maybe right through March 31st), for driving on.
As Rip mentioned there seems to be perch biting all over the lake in the deeper water that we are fishing. Although there seems to
be more little perch this year (which is a good thing), with a mixture of bigger ones.
And for you regulars reading this..........I must confess...........the perch eye got out fished by the red meal worm the other day. If it
happens again tomorrow, this old dog might have to try a new trick.
I was out today getting water samples from the North and South end and took them in to get tested. If you read back a bit Scrunt, you will see some reports on the water color on the North end. After they test the water and get back to me, I will post the findings. Actually today,
some holes I drilled on the North end weren't as dirty looking as they were a week ago (maybe the DOC they are talking about is wearing off), but still bad enough that it would be hard to see
your fish as it enters the bottom of your hole.
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Been catching nothing but tiny fish on the north end, except pike
(https://i.postimg.cc/xqTChgfF/52-A9-D50-A-0069-4-EF0-B63-C-BBB7716663-C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xqTChgfF)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MXPTSRXZ/DC82-D636-37-C2-43-B4-8-B62-7-FDFC1-B09324.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXPTSRXZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/r0Hvh8FT/6897326-A-5-D78-4-E41-A259-CEFD7302-A898.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0Hvh8FT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjJ5Yqsf/C134-E279-4-E84-4122-8-CE7-5503-EB5-B68-B0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjJ5Yqsf)
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Luke, you know it takes a very very very good fisherman to catch fish of that size :)
Like I said, there seems to be lot's of little ones this year. But we usually get enough big ones mixed in to make it a good day.
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Thanks for the info.
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Thanks churchhill!
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Earl and I fished the North end today and hit a honey hole (well 10 holes in total..fish in every hole). Had close to 100 by noon, with
some nice keepers. Earl caught a blue perch today also. We were able to keep
The blue perch and the one above it both went back.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qzyLYsLw/IMG-0951.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzyLYsLw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/t1StP2qq/IMG-0960.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t1StP2qq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/V0LJRcD2/IMG-0962.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V0LJRcD2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/1gG41zdL/IMG-0964.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1gG41zdL)
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Forgot to mention, that I don't have to learn any new tricks. The perch eye out fished the meal worm almost 3 to 1. We stopped at
Cabela's on the way home, and Earl was able to get his money back for the almost empty package of meal worms (well he was making such a disturbance in the store that they final gave him his money back to get him out of the store).
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Forgot to mention, that I don't have to learn any new tricks. The perch eye out fished the meal worm almost 3 to 1. We stopped at
Cabela's on the way home, and Earl was able to get his money back for the almost empty package of meal worms (well he was making such a disturbance in the store that they final gave him his money back to get him out of the store).
So lemme get this straight. He returned perfectly good meal worms because he didn't catch as many fish as you? But still caught some...?
wow. Please don't tell me he uses a MH-H rod and 12lb line too.
If someone i knew pulled that with me around they may be walking home from Cabelas. Sure hope he finds peace on the ice.
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whoa now i took that to mean he bought a package of mealworms that was almost empty and returned it. either way, i don't think johnny morris will notice the $3.
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Hmmmm,
I sense a fish story on this thread. I checked with my buddy who works at Cabelas. They had no reports of any meal worm ruckus at Customer Service. Moreover, since Churchill River is "Well Known to Authorities" he would have tripped their facial recognition software designed to keep tabs on trouble makers.
I can offer a legit report from today. We caught around 60 in the middle of the lake. My partner set up his pop up and camera and watched perch swim by all day. The best bite would have been between 9:00 and 11:30. After that it was a rare perch that hit the bait aggressively.
We ended with sixteen keepers between 9 and 11 inches.
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mmmmm, something fishy you think Speck!!!!!!!!! Darn, you got a good nose.
Well, your right. I was just trying to make a point that the perch eye schooled the meal worm yesterday, and that Earl was mad and wanted his money back. Some people think I am a smart ass, so that was meant as light reading (joke). I wouldn't recommend anyone trying to return a 1/2 used package of meal worms to get their money back.
Speck, sorry the fish weren't as aggressive today as they were yesterday. With the high pressure today and the fact that they filled their bellies yesterday, might be a reason why they weren't interested today. We have all had days when we are fishing and then days when we are catching. It was good to hear that they were on the camera all day long though.
The countdown is on....only 19 days to go.
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Oh dang church, I took the meal worm bait on that one. Probably bite harder than the perch. I have never seen a blue perch come out of strap before. Pretty neat.
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Well Sparks, I was going to loosen my drag, and play with you for awhile, until Speck spoiled the fight.
I caught a blue perch last year, and posted it. Then Earl caught that one yesterday. Last year got some replies from other members that said they have caught some in past years also.
They are very rare, but nice to see that the Strap has a few.
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last couple trips for me has been hit and miss. moving around marking lots but most are non committing. still managing to put some topside.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0zW0yCz5/0-D4904-C0-264-F-440-F-8-CB6-97-CC580516-CF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zW0yCz5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YLrxSDz9/C1-B74-ED4-1112-4-D28-BAC0-D46-EBB8-D65-F2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLrxSDz9)
(https://i.postimg.cc/DJdgn3sH/DF11692-A-7-AB4-4-C15-820-E-F784808-AC5-FC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DJdgn3sH)
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Has anybody seen these white blue spots before? They’re from blackstrap north end
(https://i.postimg.cc/0rwtQWcx/0-E10-EF5-D-958-C-48-D1-A341-12-F2-F4059-BEF.png) (https://postimg.cc/0rwtQWcx)
(https://i.postimg.cc/GTGz5tH9/C5067-E0-D-C634-42-C1-9-A2-B-4282-C8-C81-DCE.png) (https://postimg.cc/GTGz5tH9)
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Luke, were the scales missing (were the blueish color is)?
I have seen old bite marks from pike on the perch were the color doesn't come back.
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Life has been busy lately for me and I haven't had a chance to get to my shack.
Couple of us went out to get our shacks off yesterday, while I was helping my buddy get some anchors out my son went and got our shack with a sxs.
When he got back he said the shack was trashed and he thinks a muskrat did it and still in there. We swung open the door in cause it wanted out. I braved it and went in and there was a mink laying in his deathbed off paper towel. Poor bugger musta flipped up the hole cover that closed behind him. Looks like he tried clawing his way out off a couple spots. Shack is in shambles covered in mink poop, fish parts and shredded insulation.
Nice looking mink, like to get it to someone that has a trappers licence, not sure if it's legal to do so?
Don't want to break any laws so I will call CO's tomorrow.
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Wow! There was a fish story I didn't expect. Sorry to hear about your shack though. Quite the unexpected catch.
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Life has been busy lately for me and I haven't had a chance to get to my shack.
Couple of us went out to get our shacks off yesterday, while I was helping my buddy get some anchors out my son went and got our shack with a sxs.
When he got back he said the shack was trashed and he thinks a muskrat did it and still in there. We swung open the door in cause it wanted out. I braved it and went in and there was a mink laying in his deathbed off paper towel. Poor bugger musta flipped up the hole cover that closed behind him. Looks like he tried clawing his way out off a couple spots. Shack is in shambles covered in mink poop, fish parts and shredded insulation.
Nice looking mink, like to get it to someone that has a trappers licence, not sure if it's legal to do so?
Don't want to break any laws so I will call CO's tomorrow.
Co's will likely give you a conditional/ exceptional permit for it. Same as if you hit a deer on the highway and phoned to ask if you could keep the rack.
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Corney,
A trapper friend of mine said that mink are not of any value in the fur market these days. He was not interested in your specimen, even though he lives close by.
Sorry
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Thanks for following up with a trapper.
I used to trap a bit with my uncle and help him skin muskrats , beaver and the odd mink.
I am not interested in skinning a mink anymore.
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Corney
Do you still have the mink?
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Check your messages whitetip
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What a gorgeous day to self isolate on Blackstrap! While I didn't land another 4.5 lb walleye like Tuesday morning, DH did catch a PB perch. This 13.5 inch tank was thick and heavy. When it spit the hook at the hole, pandemonium ensued. A chair may have fallen over.
A fisherman may have turned turtle. Strong words may have been used. Dignity was momentarily forfeited.
In the end, the fish was brought to the surface, and DH realized his hard won victory.
(https://i.postimg.cc/87n3spm1/DH-with-his-PB.png) (https://postimg.cc/87n3spm1)
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Nice fish speckspotter! :thumbsup:
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Very nice fish! I can see the chair flying through the air!!
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Been catching nothing but tiny fish on the north end, except pike
(https://i.postimg.cc/xqTChgfF/52-A9-D50-A-0069-4-EF0-B63-C-BBB7716663-C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xqTChgfF)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MXPTSRXZ/DC82-D636-37-C2-43-B4-8-B62-7-FDFC1-B09324.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXPTSRXZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/r0Hvh8FT/6897326-A-5-D78-4-E41-A259-CEFD7302-A898.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0Hvh8FT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjJ5Yqsf/C134-E279-4-E84-4122-8-CE7-5503-EB5-B68-B0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjJ5Yqsf)
Damn those look like Storm hooks ha!
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For those of you that have been following my posts regarding the water color on the North end VS South end. Here is the email I received after taking in the water samples:
Hi Ron,
Received results from the lab. The long of the short of it – based on chlorophyll values, there was abundant algal growth in the north basin but not the south basin (as per chlorophyll a values). Given the amount of chlorophyll in the north basin one would expect water clarity to be reduced.
North End South End
Dissolved Organic Carbon 11.7 10.3
Absorbance 254 nm 0.161 0.126
Total Suspended Solids 9 2
Chlorophyll a 179.19 7.26
And they assured me it doesn't effect the fish, and they are safe to eat.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/87n3spm1/DH-with-his-PB.png) (https://postimg.cc/87n3spm1)
Pretty sure the man in this picture used to be my dentist when I was growing up as a kid and the initials DH fit right into my theory. Nice to see him out and about still in the great outdoors. Used to run into him once in a while when he was duck hunting a little further southeast of Blackstrap in the Last Mountain Lake area.
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Greatwest, your powers of observation have not failed you. Not only is DH still fishing, (perhaps more than ever) but hunting waterfowl and big game as well.
He was my dentist also. I am still recovering from ankle surgery done in November. I can report that while he no longer works on my teeth, he has bored most of my ice holes this winter. A good man with a drill!
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Out for the afternoon today moving around catching perch and some walleyes. lite biting was the order of the day. Catching some jumbos and a handful of 12-16” walleyes
(https://i.postimg.cc/hXNPJJmx/18-EE6-E43-D826-40-FF-9-C09-A1-AFAAD16755.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hXNPJJmx)
(https://i.postimg.cc/G44mhP4d/458-A8-F31-E4-B5-44-AB-97-D6-8-C6321-D47-DC1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G44mhP4d)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VSBQY5Wz/10113-D43-B9-BE-429-C-845-B-6-AD8122560-D2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VSBQY5Wz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z0qtSbBh/423077-D0-4-A6-D-4924-88-D2-412-FB4-B4-C9-F4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z0qtSbBh)
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Tried 3 spots on the North end today. Lot's of action. The bite 90% of the day was very light.....just sucking on the bait. There were spurts were the bite was good. Still 80% little ones to 20% nice ones.
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Couple quick questions. North end access shape and can you drive everywhere on lake? And do you need extensaio on your auger or can you still punch through? (jiffy)
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There is a little water in the ruts at the North end, but driving on is very easy....hard ice under couple inches of water. Once on you are safe to drive anyplace.
If you have an extension please put it on, much easier on your back as you will be down to the engine when you finally get through.
If no extension just make sure you shovel all the snow away so you are down to the ice.
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Thanks for the info Church. Tight lines bud.
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Tried a new area the other day and was surprised to find only 15 feet of water. Wouldn't of stayed, but caught 5 perch that were all
over 10 inches in less then 5 minutes. Mid morning to 1 was good, early afternoon was slow. Left at 4. This time there were 80% big ones and 20% small ones. The small ones were all over 6 inches,
not the 3 and 4 inch ones that were being caught in other spots. Perch seem to be all over.
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Got out to Zelma last Saturday, caught my personal best as far as perch go, she was a biggie
(https://i.postimg.cc/cKvwJVSD/20200322-143158.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKvwJVSD)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mhjY838y/20200322-143314.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhjY838y)
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Forgot to mention it was 15",
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wow beauty! that one belongs on the wall congrats
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holy crap,what lake was that from. i need a limit of those for frying pan not on rumpus room wall
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That beauty was caught at the Zelma Reservoir, lotsa jumbos there, lost another at the hole. That's what I get for fishin barbless, lol
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Nice perch Cholo.....guess you won't be fishing for pike anymore :)
To bad there isn't a fish derby on Zelma.
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Oh but there is a derby on Zelma Church, and I am guessin that woulda won me something 😬
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Great fish Cholo.
Mysterious Zelma offered me one of her secrets as well yesterday. Not much for action, but I got pretty excited when what I thought was a nice walleye turned into a 14.5 inch perch. Now I have some idea of how big a 2 pounder really is.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dk6bFW3F/14-5-inch-perch.png) (https://postimg.cc/dk6bFW3F)
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Real nice lookin perch Speck, what did it weigh in at?
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One pound, 11.5 ounces.
Was that you with the fancy electronics on the west end yesterday? If not, there was another 14 plus caught as well.
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Wasnt me, was out last Saturday ,not much action on Zelma that day although I did manage a small pike and walleye to go along with my jumbo perch. Gonna try far south end of the strap on Saturday
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Anyone on blackstrap today? Hows the ice for driving
Heading out tomorrow pre dawn for walleye just want to be sure
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Good to go. Launches are in good shape still. Little water at North end, usually dry in the morning, and then a little water going off, but still good hard ice under the water. You can drive all over the lake without any worries.
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Just curious what depth people are having best luck for perch? I've been out on the strap lots this year but have struggled to find any consistency.
Heading out tomorrow and the family to join later in the morning. Hoping to finish the season strong!
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Tough question Hook. We have generally been fishing 20 to 25 feet all winter. Last year I kept catching consistently at that depth right up to the end of the season.
That being said, my buddy caught a noon bite today in about 15 feet that was non stop - until I got there at 2:00. We fished that area until around 5:00 hoping some good schools would role back through. It didn't happen. We left wondering, "did they go deeper, shallower, or were they 200 meters over at the same depth"?
I guess that unpredictability is the reason we haven't fished them all out.
Good Luck.
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Thanks Speck!
I know I've seen lots of posts fishing in 20 or more fow. I havent found the spots at that depth but have had my best days around 16 feet so was just curious.
Enjoy the weekend self isolating on the ice everyone!
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I was out on Thursday from 17-23ft. Caught most of mine I shallow water. But definitely had my fair share in 24ft as well. Got lucky and found a walleye roaming around.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cK3njP9v/33640317-6873-4-F25-8-A2-F-5463-DB83-DFA7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cK3njP9v)
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Hook,
I hope you found fish today.
I decided to check in on the 'Strap after a run to the dump to find a rather well known individual to this site sitting on my other friend's honey hole from yesterday. "Let's go to Zelma" were the sour words he spoke. This man by the way is not a fan of Zelma at all. He had nothing to show for his efforts at 15 feet, which means the fish were just not there. Hawger or no Hawger. Others in the area were evacuating like some new virus had been just been released in the lake.
I meandered down the lake trying not to look too obvious as I tried to see if anyone was catching. Don't think anyone was fooled.
In the middle of the lake at 25 foot depth, I recognized another friend's truck. A hello led to chat, which led to an invitation to fish an open hole. Both perch and walleye provided just enough action for one and a half dinners.
I don't know if this clears up or compounds your perch depth question. Once again it shows, they are where they are.
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Hello
Had my shack on the south end all winter and did well. Steady action on the perch and walleye for the most part. Had my little fishing buddy with me most of the time ( 4 year old boy)
So the mission was to get him into fish at all costs. That we did and also ate a lot of bacon in the shanty haha. We pulled the shack off the first week in March. It was a great season with lots of memories made and my son is hooked. Even had my two year old daughter out a few times.
We went out early this week with the pop-up and fished in some not so inhabited spots. Found 20 fow once again and nailed the perch!
First day we caught 30+ in under 2 hours. I hardly fished just kept baiting my boys hook and releasing fish. He had such a great time with the warm weather and all we decided to go back a second time. Fished the same spot but this time caught 50+!
Also caught a few pike that day on my ultra light rod,4lb test pike fights!
Haha.
The funny thing is we were fishing right in the middle of the lake both days. Somewhere I would have never thought to fish. Marked the spot as a waypoint and I’ll be putting my shack there next ice!
Thanks for reading and stay safe out there 😎
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Forgot to mention my son also caught a blue perch that day. We released it along with the others.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5QjkMZY6/EB16-E541-C7-CC-456-C-B853-7-CB04-D80-C6-FE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QjkMZY6)
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Had a look at the webcam this morning, I've never seen this many people on the south end.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VSKWCwDN/BLS-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VSKWCwDN)
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How’s the boat launch on the south side.
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Not sure about the south launch... north shore is getting a decent amount of water and mud leading up is really rutty too.
But mySelf and tons of other truck drove on yesterday still. Had my youngest child with me, she’s 5.
I fished the north end, from 8am sharp till noon.... I tried 5 different spots with no luck and it wasn’t till i was way down the lake and on my last spot that the madness started. I’d say 10:30 till noon was none stop.
Kiddo caught about 8 perch - 6 being nice nice jumbos, i was kinda jealous. She was so pumped to drop the hook and feel the bites, they were super aggressive. She did it all on her own. I managed a few nice videos of her in the works... I did managed a 5lb jack and I’d say 40-50 perch, although she beat me size wise for sure. Lol. We kept 10 perch for a family fish fry and tossed everything else back.
I would say my best day on the lake all winter.
Also Saturday I caught a nice 4 lb walleye at zelma with my oldest girl, but that was the only fish outta the lil revisor.
All and all a good weekend finishing up my season.
Take care till next winter all, and stay safe.
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This is my last fish of the season with my 2019 - 20 favourite lure in hs yap. The pink Acme Flyer was popular with walleye, perch and pike. This guy engulfed the thing at Zelma. When I set him down on the ice to get my extraction tools, he snapped the line and flipped across the watery ice down the hole. Ungrateful creature! I had every intention of letting him go without a faceful of metal and plastic.
Speaking of being grateful, I want to give a huge thank you to DH and Churchill River for taking pity on this one legged fisherman this season. I never dreamed I would be able to get out as much as I did. These gentlemen only had to ask "where do you want your holes?" and I was fishing. Great guys.
Take care everyone, and see you at freeze up.
(https://i.postimg.cc/64t7RDmK/Last-fish-of-the-season.png) (https://postimg.cc/64t7RDmK)
(https://i.postimg.cc/64t7RDmK/Last-fish-of-the-season.png) (https://postimg.cc/64t7RDmK)
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my last trip was yesterday at the strap for the hard water season. fished from 10 am til 8 marks coming in like crazy but the bites were lite when they did bite. lots of lookers. finished the day/night off with 5 nice perch, 14" walleye and a 3 lb pike... had myself a pretty decent 19/20 season. everyone stay safe... stay healthy see you in November.
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As Rip just posted Monday was a slower day, very light pecking going on. My friend had is camera set up and they would just push the bait with their nose, weren't opening their mouth at all. Was on the South end and tried 4 different spots, the same in all 4 areas. Did manage to get into double figures, but not one keeper.
So for the last day I decided to the North end which overall was better then the South end for us this year. Was going to try another 3 or 4 spots, but the first area at 8:15 was on fire. Pretty much non stop action until noon. They were very aggressive, and over 1/2 of them were jumbos. Ended up staying in the same area all day, but it did slow down in the afternoon to 10 a hour.
Was a pleasure meeting some new members on the ice and fishing with Speck and others this winter.
Have a great summer everyone and stay safe.
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Just wanted to thank RIP. Its always fun meeting up with him on the ice. And he's a great singer as well. See you next season.