03-25-2019, 07:25 PM
Bird Island is like a square, with long points running off each corner. The longest points run off the Southeast ( at least .25 mile) and Northeast (aprox. 150yds). The Northwest is the shortest ( 30yds) and the South west is about the same. These points are just under the surface, even whent he lake is at full pool. One of the deepest holes in the lake is just off he Northwest corner and at full pool would be about 18ft. Currently that hole would be around 10-12. It is not very big, maybe 16-20ft in diameter. The bottom between the points is rock rubble, like the visible island is. If you are fishing walleye, cast or troll grubs or cranks parallel to the long points. You can also use a bouncer presentation, but you will snag up alot. Catfish can be caught all around the island, just remember it is very shallow and you have to get 20+ yds off the visible portion of the island to get the deeper water ( 5-6ft). When you are motoing around the island be aware that the points are out there, just under the water and they extend out a LONG way.( I learned the hard way 30 yrs ago and took off the skeg of my outboard on the Southeast point )
I don't bother to run out to the island anymore, preferring to fish the flat on the northside of the point. If you run around to the west from Lincoln beach, you are on the north side of West Mtn. The lake slopes from 0 to 6-8ft, in 12" steps that are 3-400yds wide. This is lava that was pushed out from underground and formed a series of layers from the base of West Mtn. out to the mud basin of the lake. There are 3-4 of these steps and they are pretty clean bottom. Pull shallow cranks, spinner rigs, or grubs parallel to shore. You have to search which step is being used, but they are there. Sometimes the transition from the hard bottom to the muck will be where they will be hanging. If there is a big bug hatch going on, the transition will be where they are, feeding on the midges as they swimup to shed their pupal husk into adults. You can catch Walleye, Catfish, WB, LMB, etc on those flats. Have fun !!
I don't bother to run out to the island anymore, preferring to fish the flat on the northside of the point. If you run around to the west from Lincoln beach, you are on the north side of West Mtn. The lake slopes from 0 to 6-8ft, in 12" steps that are 3-400yds wide. This is lava that was pushed out from underground and formed a series of layers from the base of West Mtn. out to the mud basin of the lake. There are 3-4 of these steps and they are pretty clean bottom. Pull shallow cranks, spinner rigs, or grubs parallel to shore. You have to search which step is being used, but they are there. Sometimes the transition from the hard bottom to the muck will be where they will be hanging. If there is a big bug hatch going on, the transition will be where they are, feeding on the midges as they swimup to shed their pupal husk into adults. You can catch Walleye, Catfish, WB, LMB, etc on those flats. Have fun !!