Fishing Forum

Got off for a not-quite-early enough start and headed for Newton. First spring trip there, now that summer is in full schwing. Feared for the PS over-run, but up early enough to get a head-start on the masses. Lots of campers all around (some in tents, too). Water level is way up, almost to the top of the {crooked} ramp. Felt like Pooh bear - bump-de-bump down the ramp. Saw some basslings as I led off, and spotted my first tiger right off the ramp - good sign?!

Figured I'd start chasing the prevalent perch, and see where that took me. Got over to "perch-point" finding it all kinds up submerged, as well as lots of flooded zones back into the western shore. Pitched some double drop-shot rigs, and got into some nibbles pretty quick. Worked around the bushery, and after a number of near misses decided to downsize. Bring back the ice-jigs, and the sets came quick and easy. Plenty of dinks, a few with a bit more chunk to them. Caught a couple dozen, several doubles, kept a few in the 6-9 range. Figured I might need some musky-meat!

Working back into some more bushes and shrubs (above and below) found a musky settled in a nook - tried to temp him - got a few good looks, then an annoyed shrug as he moved off. Too tight-a-quarters for pitching the big-baits. Worked back into more hedge-rows, and pitched some bass-weedless-worm rigs. Got a nice take, but wasn't able to hookup. Plenty of dinker bass, but wasn't finding the mamas and papas.

As noon approached - so did the south-westerly winds. And along came the cotton-woods cotton. So chokingly thick it seemed like winter was back! Made for a pain as it kept wrapping up line, and jamming up spools. Searching for bass, I found more playful perch. More of the jet-squad was toodling too and fro, sending waves of joy for all to delight in. Saw an amphibious vehicle that couldn't decide if they were going to roam the land, or float the waters. Whatever they did, sure kicked up the mud when they entered or exited.
The boys in brown were on high alert, and saw a number of folks being stopped, checked, and reprimanded. Honestly - on that lake, I'm glad to see it!
Trolled some big-baits hoping a musky might just get the itch. Pitched some rapalas and raps, tossed some weedless and wacky worms. Found schools of bass-fry, but - again - not the mamas/papas.
Decided it was time to head out, and leave the lake to the wake-makers. Probably more toobers-than-skiers.

Still itching for tugs - stopped by the 'old haunt' at Cutler and took a quick run to my favored spot. Lots of jet-setters-skiing abouts. Got back into my nook, and found a few kitty tugs to make the late-afternoon heat tolerable. One took a diving leap as I went for a photo-op( good thing the hook was still in!) Lost a perch earlier that way. Plenty more perch. I insisted that cat sit still for a 'proper' photo! Several bites - one traded a stump for freedom, and got pestered by a few mudcats.
As usual, lots of birds all abouts, and some free-floating "islands" of reeds. Seen a number of those this year.

All in all - a good day to be out. Not the righteous Musky Landing I'd hoped to bring with my 1000 post, but a good long day on the waters. As well as some fish stories to share.

Nice nice. I've been to newton 3 or 4 times looking for crappie but to no avail. I need to start catfishing but when i have a chance i just go to mantua to fish
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See that first pic of yours? That is where I caught my last one this morning. It was fun.
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Good to know they pull people over on that lake at all. I didn't think they did. I just wish they would do it more often and not just on holiday weekends. That place is too much of a zoo for me.
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Right at the launch? I think I saw him (or his other brother Darrel) just as I took off. But as other's have said - they're all over aren't they! Water seems more turbid than I remember last spring - so couldn't see as deep (course some of that could be the PS-ers making waves).
Weren't you camping up at the N. end? I was gonna look for ya, but didn't make it that far.

I did get into some Crappie last fall - up around mid-lake, but that water was WAAAY lower - really changes the lake (but cuts down on the big boats! No launch ramp, no wake-boarders!). But that ramp seriously needs some work - seems like it's slipping sideways into the lake. Surprised (not) they didn't do something when it was low.

I've had Musky come bump the bottom of my boat - that's kinda freaky! Wondered if my Perch stringer might turn into bait hanging off the side of the boat.

Anyone ever caught a catfish out of there? They're on the sign, and a bud told me there's big ones by the dam, can't say I've targeted them, but haven't heard of any in recent years.
Gstott - I'm with ya, sometimes it's nice to know the enforcers are out there, but never in the right place at the right time. They never checked me, but funny - seemed to chase me down every now and then (oh, it's him - nevermind). I dunno. Seemed like they were most focused on life-jackets, what I saw. Too bad that lake doesn't have a speed limit - narrow as it is, 150 ft ain't all that much sometimes!
Thanks for the replies folks. Gotta get back out there (some weekday?!)

I've always wondered if there is trout in that resovior.
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There sure used to be some nice trout in the early 80's it was a great fisherie a lot like Twin Lakes nice 3 - 5 lb bows it was a blast but I doubt many have survived the tigers.
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There are some really nice cats in there... or at least there was 6-7 years ago. Caught some personally in the 8# range and fishing buddies have caught several over 10#.
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[fishon]
I caught Cats when I was in my teens there. About 15 years ago. Not seen any sign of them any more and I fish that place like crazy once it gets to low for the morons!
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Doh!! I meant your "snowing in July" picture. Just to the left of that shot is where we were camping. You can't see it in the pic, though. But about 20 yards behind you is where I caught it. I was coming in and saw it surface about 10 feet off the boat. So I grabbed my rod and tossed it out there and she nailed it! Fun fight it was. She was pulling me around back there.
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