Upper Red Lake

Upper Red Lake is still producing some real dandy crappies for us the last few weeks. We have been fishing primarily out of Hillmans. Our fish have been coming on red buckshot spoons and shrimpos, both of which we are baiting with a full crappie minnow.

Two weekends ago our group finished with over 180 crappies for the trip and we ate fish 'til we were stuffed, didn't we fellas (Jim, Wayne, Bill, and of course, Gary)? All went well and I hope to be back up the first two weekends in April.

The ice conditions are great, and so is the fishing in April. If anyone is looking for that trip of a life time please call or write. If you want to come up or need a place to stay, we can offer you both a guide and also a place to stay right on the shores of Red Lake. We have extra houses on shore that we can put guys in over night and all the equipment (four-wheelers, portables, and houses) that you will need for a successful trip.

Nice going on the fish catching up there, Matty Rauenhorst.

Fishing, fishing, and more fishing

Fishing, fishing, and more fishing - that is all that I have been doing. Yes, it is work, but I have to admit I love what I do. Sorry that I haven't taken the time out of my busy fishing schedule to update the fishing report. But for all you die hard readers, here is the latest news:

The metro lakes have been over crowded and tough when it comes to fishing. Waconia is still giving up a few nice crappies now and then. A majority of the crappies we have been catching out there have been 8-9" with you occasional 10+" mixed in.

Upper Red Lake: WOW, it has been great. I have been spending most of my time north and been doing very well. We were just there this weekend with four guys and caught over 90 crappies in three days. Average crappie there goes about 1 pound 5 ounces. If you are headed that way make sure to bring your auger extension, or you may be out borrowing one in a hurry. If you are looking to get one last ice fishing trip in this year, call or e-mail now because I am planning on making a few more trips to Red before the ice is gone. It is good right on through the first few weeks of April. Good Luck!

I just got back from a few days at Upper Red Lake

I just got back from a few days at Upper Red Lake over the weekend. The first two days were great with fish numbers over 40 each day, and a lot of fish over a pound and a half. The final day was tough, only catching three crappies. As soon as the wind started blowing the snow around, the fish shut off. Don't need an extension quite yet, but soon.

The local walleye bite is nonexistent. Waconia is still producing lots of small crappies, with a few nicer ones mixed in now and then. Minnetonka has been tough - just a few walleyes each night. I stay all night, but its nothing like it was around Christmas. We have some of the best ice we have seen in years - it seems to never end.  There are people driving everywhere, and in areas where they normally would never have ventured before. Hopefully the walleye fishing will pick up, otherwise I will just have to keep going to Upper Red Lake.

I want to say thank you to my sweet girlfriend Joni for being so understanding this winter.

If you have a fishing report of any advice you would like to give or receive, please e-mail it to me and I will put it up.

Good Luck,
Matt

The ice conditions are in great

The ice conditions are in great on most lakes around MN. The last few weeks I have been fishing Waconia and Minnetonka for walleyes and crappies. The walleyes have been biting good on Lake Minnetonka with our bigger fish are being caught by the weeds. The eater (14-17") fish are biting pretty good on the rocks.

Waconia is still putting out some nice crappies and a few nice walleyes. Jim Nichols, his godson Jimmy, and his father were out on Waconia with me on 12/30/04 and caught about 10 crappies and one walleye pushing 7 lbs. What a great time, guys!

Friday I will be leaving for the hot crappie action at Red Lake.
I will get back to you soon and let you know how the bite was.

Good Luck,
Matt

Merry Belated Christmas! (12-24-05)