MrGiggles

Yeah, just south of Collins where St. Clair, Cedar, Hickory and Polk counties meet.

I live right next to the area where there were three positive cases found in the mandatory testing this season. MDC has been in contact with the landowners in the area and are planning on doing some culling. The numbers seem to depend on owners discretion, and they have the option of doing the culling themselves or allowing MDC to step in. From what I understand, the deer are to be field dressed if harvested by landowner, and MDC will pick them up, process and test them, and then return the meat or donate it if the owner chooses, provided that it is free of CWD. They are allowing bait and spotlighting for the culling, which is supposed to start on the 1st. Don't quote me on that because I have not seen the regulations first hand. I'm not optimistic that it will do much aside from getting a better idea of how widespread it is, although it's possible that is the main goal.

Anyone make it out today? I would have been willing to give it a try but the boat is all torn apart to replace the transom wood, and I'm not even sure if any of the southern ramps are open. With the wind and warmth the past couple days, I couldn't imagine the ice sticking around long.

You use minners with that?

All ramps on the main lake should be clear.. From what I could see Master's and Cedar Ridge north and south were all open. No ice to be found. Fished last night but didn't have any luck. Marked lots of shad with fish under them in a 52' river channel swing, but was not successful in catching anything. They were very active and tough to stay on top of like you said. Talked to the only other guy at the ramp and he didn't have any luck either.

Thanks for the report. How is the ice situation? Hoping to be on the water Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ashes work just about as good as anything, if you have a fireplace or wood furnace.

Cedar Ridge South is pretty steep. Master's is not bad.

I've found it strange that these reservoirs don't have much for weeds. Maybe because of the fluctuating water levels? I'm from Minnesota and the lakes up there have tons of weed growth.

The bite was good yesterday. Caught 8 crappie with 4 keepers in about 2 hours. I'm not complaining. I don't think I'll be able to make it back until Thursday.

I was out on Sunday. Water temps were 47-48. Big shad schools in deep water with fish under them. Not sure what they were because I didn't catch any. Tried a spoon in different places with no luck, but it was an off day all around for me.

I've seen yaks around quite a bit, even on windy days. There is always an area of the lake that will be sheltered from the wind. You'll have to plan your launch carefully and take wind direction into consideration. I would stay off of the north main lake and fish the southern end in the Mutton Creek and Aldrich areas.

Troll some crankbaits for a while and you'll find a brush pile every 20 feet, and you'll get hung in it if you're lucky. But when you actually go looking for them, nary a branch. On a serious note, the shad are over deep water, find the shad the fish are not far away. I don't bass fish so I can't offer much advice there.

Well if you see a guy in a 14ft Alumacraft tinny dipping jigs there its probably me.

I've been catching them here and there on bridge columns. Lately it's only been one or two and that's all though. If there's one upside, they're almost always big. 14"er caught last Thursday.

I grabbed a 6930 from BPS while they were on sale. It balances well on a 5'6" Shakespeare Micro. I have also really been liking the Abu Garcia Blackmax series. I don't know if you can beat the spinning reels for 20 bucks. Very smooth with a decent drag.

I've been fishing Stockton a couple times per week since July. I've learned a lot but still have so much more to go. Stockton is windy, but you can plan around it. If the wind is blowing hard out of the north the northern shores will be tolerable, and vice-versa. You have more than enough boat to handle it. Unfortunately I can't offer much advice on what to do this time of year because I haven't figure it out myself. Hooked a big walleye last night and lost it. I was casting a purple tiger #7 flicker shad close to shore and working it back at a slight angle into deeper water. I marked a lot of fish on a drop off ledge in 25-40 feet, suspended and hugging the bottom. Tried a jigging spoon with no luck. May be a good spot to work a jig.

Good job, great fish. What stick baits were you using?

56ish when I was out on Sunday. I'd expect it to be lower after these cold nights.

Is there a store in the area where you can buy Binks products? I bought a Fle Fly jigging spoon from BPS but haven't had any luck with it, looks very similar to the one posted earlier. Probably not the spoon's fault though.

Wish I'd have went Saturday. Went Sunday and the wind was blowing like crazy, and cold. Marked a ton of fish and bait balls, just couldn't get them to bite. Tried trolling and jigging a spoon. Did catch a bass and a bluegill off of a brush pile while trying to jig for crappie. Later this week looks like some stable weather finally.

Fishing was hot early in October (for me anyway.) Was catching a lot of big crappie and some keeper walleyes. Have fished five or six afternoons in the past two weeks and have nothing to show for it. Caught a few bass (one or two that were keepers), one short walleye, and a drum. No crappie. Have been doing some brush fishing, but mostly trolling in different areas with different color flicker shads. Maybe it's time to change tactics. Not sure what the deal is. May have something to do with the wild weather changes. How's everyone else been doing lately?

I fish in a 14' Semi V. Was out last Friday with 25mph gusts from the South and Sunday with a strong north wind. The lake was far worse with the wind out of the north. 90% of the time the lake is very calm and manageable. As mentioned, watch the forecasts very closely, and if the skies start to get gloomy, keep a close eye on the radar so you can get outta Dodge before it gets bad. If it does get bad, there is usually always a cove close by that will be calm. It takes seat time to get some confidence in your boating skill, but you can fish Stockton without worry, as long as you are prepared.

Caught a short walleyes last night. And a 13.5" crappie. Too windy for my little boat today. Out in the open the wind was pushing me 2mph yesterday.

Bring your rain coat.