jimmer

That is a tough way to end a holiday, I hope he is okay. Fishing can be tough and most of us learn that there are those disappointing trips on occasion. Next year can be a completely different outcome.

I think everyone was thinking the same thing, but then again it's the GSW's they're playing.

I was disappointed when they moved the bass opening up one week, specifically because of years like this one. They should never have an early catch and release season here. That just sets precedence for having a catch and release for every species, including trout. There are plenty of species to target before bass opens.

That is a dilemma, because many people do use smaller baits for muskie. I find they like the smaller baits in the early season, but it's also easy to say they're fishing for muskie when fishing for bass. No way to prove anything there, unfortunately. It really comes down to the integrity of the angler.

Seen way too many doing this.

Jeez, the bass are still on the beds. It was 65 on the surface on Sunday.

I actually think they affected the bite on opening walleye too.

I have never seen a cross between a largie and smallie in all the years I have been fishing. I do believe that I have seen some crosses between a bluegill and pumpkinseed though.

Population seems good, have been getting incidentals while fishing for the walleye.

Unfortunately those spots dry up fast, but then it's on to bass and muskie once they open.

60-61

Sometimes you just happen to hit one of those special days. Was out on Sunday with a buddy and we probably caught 25 walleye along with a number of incidental bass, muskie and crappie. Kept one of the smaller walleye for dinner.

I got out last night after work for a quick fish. Just got out on the water and were welcomed by a monsoon. Filled the boat half full of water, but we stuck it out because those darn fish were going to be biting! Then we battled the wind. We did boat 12 walleye in the couple of hours we were out. Thank god the sun showed up after the down pour. Caught all but one trolling.

I can't believe it either, and it's not an exaggeration. It bothered the neighbour more than me because they looked like they were tied to his dock. This is the second year that this boat was doing this. For me to get out into the lake, I had to drive within 10 feet of them.

Like I said, I watched them for a little bit over that period and didn't see them poaching. It was my neighbour who said they were keeping bass. I was speculating (maybe I shouldn't do that) that they were keeping over their limit of pan fish by fishing the same spot for at least 7 days in a row. I didn't want to make this a racial thing, because race doesn't make someone a poacher. So, GBW, you're saying you actually got to speak to someone at the MNR?

All I can do is wish you the best. I have caught a few there, but never any numbers. There is a lot of water to fish in that lake. I caught mine along rocky shorelines, but I also understand there are deep water fish that move up on the sand flats. (that's an evening bite though)

LOL, not my secluded spot. I don't think they exist anymore. It's a dredged channel for poor waterfront and the only thing that would bother me is if they were poaching. Talked to the neighbour yesterday and they said it was seven days in a row. I used to let this bother me a lot, but take it in stride now. I suggested that they call the tips line. I think he spoke with the guys in the boat and they weren't there yesterday.

That was a very anti climatic eastern conference final. The two teams that make it that far should be involved in a battle. I think Carolina woke up from their dream playoff run too soon.

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like everything came together for you. Yeah, brown trout were always on my bucket list, but were elusive to me. I finally caught one shore fishing at a generating station, but they don't even look like browns, then I caught one at the Ganaraska that looked more like the traditional brown I was looking for. Jeez, I don't know if I've caught another one since then, that was years ago and I avoid those locations like the plague. It is rewarding when you finally find success though. I have that brown mounted, so I can always remember.

It's weird because I grew up calling them pickerel and now always seem to use walleye. They're still the same fish I caught as a kid and they taste the same.

This is why I was asking other's opinions. People do work on their lawns/yards/etc at this time of the year for the whole day, so not sitting there watching, but being aware.

I don't want to go on what the neighbour is saying either, but I think he knows a bass from a crappie. My wife texted me today to say they were back and that she got their license number from the boat. I actually think they did the same thing last year. It must be awfully boring to sit in this spot for that length of time, it's like 3 feet deep and the numbers of panfish are just not there. Can't seem them coming back every day if they are not catching. Thanks for everyone's insight.

There has been a boat fishing in front of the houses in our little bay (dredged channel) with the same three guys for the last 4 or more days. They are there for 10-12 hours every day. The neighbour said he saw them keeping all the bass they were catching (i haven't seen this). Not sure I want to approach them personally, but would the Ministry come out to check on them if they received a call?

Sold, LOL