Walleye

[MNwalleyeWannabe]

Hey Guys, I'm new to the site.  I've stumbled across some great info here.  I'm planning on making a trip to Stockton Lake at the end of February...likely the 21st through the 25th.  The last time I was on Stockton, I was 8 years old.  I'm 30 years old now and desperately need to escape this winter weather up here in Minnesota.  Mostly, I just want to make sure that 1) The lake will be accessible by boat (Not frozen over). 2) Where I'm able to find some live-bait.  We're not allowed to bring live bait over state lines. 

I'd love to get any additional fishing information that you all are comfortable enough to share.  I've spent a lot of time fishing walleye in many of Minnesota's natural lakes.  But, I haven't fished for them in a southern reservoir as of yet.  I'm planning on staying at Orleans Trail Resort and focusing on areas outside of likely spawning areas.  I'd certainly be willing to share a seat in my boat if anybody would like to join me and show me the ropes!

[rps]

I do not fish Stockton or I would show you. Others do. Read the Stockton reports and do not be shy about PM to those who have posted. For the most part this is a convivial crowd that shares.

[MNwalleyeWannabe]

Thanks rps.  I'm still learning how to navigate the site and find the information I'm looking for. I'm sure everything I need is in here somewhere. Looking forward to befriending some new fisherman in Missouri.

[MrGiggles]

4 hours ago, MNwalleyeWannabe said:

Hey Guys, I'm new to the site.  I've stumbled across some great info here.  I'm planning on making a trip to Stockton Lake at the end of February...likely the 21st through the 25th.  The last time I was on Stockton, I was 8 years old.  I'm 30 years old now and desperately need to escape this winter weather up here in Minnesota.  Mostly, I just want to make sure that 1) The lake will be accessible by boat (Not frozen over). 2) Where I'm able to find some live-bait.  We're not allowed to bring live bait over state lines. 

I'd love to get any additional fishing information that you all are comfortable enough to share.  I've spent a lot of time fishing walleye in many of Minnesota's natural lakes.  But, I haven't fished for them in a southern reservoir as of yet.  I'm planning on staying at Orleans Trail Resort and focusing on areas outside of likely spawning areas.  I'd certainly be willing to share a seat in my boat if anybody would like to join me and show me the ropes!

By the end of February the chances of the lake being frozen and unfishable is slim to none.

I get minners from Bait masters in Aldrich, but that's a long ways from Orleans Trail.

[MNwalleyeWannabe]

Thanks, Mr. Giggles. Good bait is worth a drive in my book. 

[MoCarp]

Greenfield trading post near roark has good bait, call 1st because sometimes they can be short early in the season, minnows and crawlers, also some of the better places to fish are up river are closer the roark ramp, everyone seems to want to fish the dam area for walleyes, however hitting other the rip rap areas are better IMHO, slip bobbers and minnows will catch you fish when they get picky, as far as bringing bait, I don't think crawlers or leeches are the issue just live fish, early chunking cranks like shad raps do well around rip rap, and points and chunk rock areas....wind blowing into the area fishing is normally best, the water can be very clear so lighter line can get you more fish. jigging raps and small jigging spoons tipped with a fresh minnow head can land you the fish if they are deeper, if you don't have one bring a drift sock with a pool float to slow you down if the wind gets to moving you too quick, depending how long you are here, a trip below Truman dam is a worthy run if they are running water, leave the boat at home and bank fish with jigging spoons and 1/8 oz jigs, you have a better crack at a over 10# walleye there and late feb is prime time, huge walleyes lay behind big rocks out of the current and the best spots are on the opposite side of the flood gates as close as you can get to the dam, they moved the fence farther back off the best area but you can still cast to there, its a bit different tackle, for spoons a 7 foot flipping stick and muskie size casting reel with at least 17# mono, I always used 20# big game, leave the braid at home because you will loose lots of tackle, you can buy a locally made slab spoon, just pay attn and buy the ones where the hook rides down, any color...you prob will catch a few huge buffalo and perhaps a spoon bill, sometimes the hybrids will be up, you never know what will be on your line, it could be a 10# walleye, 50# blue cat, or 11" crappie, everything hits those spoons there, I may post some photos on what they are like

Mo

[MNwalleyeWannabe]

That's some darned good info MoCarp. I really appreciate it and I definitely will plan on investigating the Roark area of the lake. I'll be sure to give the baitshop a call and check inventory. Thanks

[Mhyde]

19 hours ago, MNwalleyeWannabe said:

Hey Guys, I'm new to the site.  I've stumbled across some great info here.  I'm planning on making a trip to Stockton Lake at the end of February...likely the 21st through the 25th.  The last time I was on Stockton, I was 8 years old.  I'm 30 years old now and desperately need to escape this winter weather up here in Minnesota.  Mostly, I just want to make sure that 1) The lake will be accessible by boat (Not frozen over). 2) Where I'm able to find some live-bait.  We're not allowed to bring live bait over state lines. 

I'd love to get any additional fishing information that you all are comfortable enough to share.  I've spent a lot of time fishing walleye in many of Minnesota's natural lakes.  But, I haven't fished for them in a southern reservoir as of yet.  I'm planning on staying at Orleans Trail Resort and focusing on areas outside of likely spawning areas.  I'd certainly be willing to share a seat in my boat if anybody would like to join me and show me the ropes!

if you need live bait or gear  head on over to Stone Creek Lodge  http://stonecreekmo.com/   Kris has totally remolded it and now has a FULL service bait shop, he and John also willing to point you in the right direction on what's going with the lake. He is also running his guide service out of there too. https://www.facebook.com/tandemflyoutfitters  

[MNwalleyeWannabe]

Mhyde- thanks for the info. I tried calling a phone number for Stone Creek Lodge the other day and it said it was disconnected. I believe the number in their Facebook profile will be the ticket. I've learned long ago that hiring a knowledgeable guide can significantly cut your learning curve. 

[waterpossum]

On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 3:51 PM, MNwalleyeWannabe said:

Hey Guys, I'm new to the site.  I've stumbled across some great info here.  I'm planning on making a trip to Stockton Lake at the end of February...likely the 21st through the 25th.  The last time I was on Stockton, I was 8 years old.  I'm 30 years old now and desperately need to escape this winter weather up here in Minnesota.  Mostly, I just want to make sure that 1) The lake will be accessible by boat (Not frozen over). 2) Where I'm able to find some live-bait.  We're not allowed to bring live bait over state lines. 

I'd love to get any additional fishing information that you all are comfortable enough to share.  I've spent a lot of time fishing walleye in many of Minnesota's natural lakes.  But, I haven't fished for them in a southern reservoir as of yet.  I'm planning on staying at Orleans Trail Resort and focusing on areas outside of likely spawning areas.  I'd certainly be willing to share a seat in my boat if anybody would like to join me and show me the ropes!

I checked the monthly forecast and the weather looks pretty good at the end of February. (granted that could change) There is an evening bite (if history repeats itself) starting about the time you plan the trip around the dam area. You won't have any trouble figuring out where to fish. There will be bank fisherman just to the west of the dam. Most boaters will be congregated off of main lake points throwing stick baits. The main bite will be probably a max of one hour. (The last half hour before dark and a half hour after dark.) If your schedule is flexible arriving on the 25th might be best.