It’s been a tough fishing season so far for me on Otter Tail Lake, one of the most iconic walleye lakes in Minnesota. This was my go-to lake for decades, but recently the amazing perch explosion has really hurt walleye-fishing success.
I’ve recently found a great and consistent crappie and walleye bite on waters in Grant County in western Minnesota, about an hour from home.
In this part of Minnesota, as it is with many lakes in southern and western Minnesota, the Grant County lakes are filled with an algae that darkens the water but also creates “cover” on the water.
Steve Carney: The joys of fishing new waters Read More »
Every largemouth bass, walleye, and crappie I catch means a quick check inside their mouths as I look for clues regarding why they’re on a particular spot.
Sometimes there are blood leeches present in their mouths, and sometimes they have tiny perch tails sticking out of their throats.
Steve Carney: What the fish are eating, and an unusual shallow bite continues Read More »
One of the most frequent questions I get from anglers is how to deal with bug hatches. Bug hatches on our natural lakes are good things. This means the ecosystem is working according to plan. The bad news is that nothing hinders fishing the way bug hatches do.
Steve Carney: It’s OK to acknowledge the hatch of the bugs will win Read More »
As we endure the hot summer months, the shift to using leeches and crawlers to catch walleyes is upon us. Minnows are still an option but for summertime walleyes, you can’t beat a lively leech or plump crawler.
Here are some tips to help you become more efficient in using these baits.
Steve Carney: Minnesota’s summer switch means a move to leeches, crawlers for walleyes Read More »
I have become a big fan of a technique called “bleeding” for walleyes I catch and plan to keep. This so-called bleeding requires a 1-inch cut between the fish’s gills to expel the blood in order to give you beautiful, white fillets.
Steve Carney: ‘Bleeding’ walleyes and the shallow mystery Read More »
Minnesotans are blessed with tremendous largemouth bass-fishing opportunities in the northland, with lakes harboring both good numbers of bass and good-sized fish. And where I live, largemouth bass-fishing pressure is limited.
Here are some thoughts on how I go about choosing a bass-fishing lake.
Steve Carney: As summer heats up, bass fishing deserves your attention Read More »
By late June in Minnesota, weed growth has expanded in lakes, and things are changing dramatically.
Cabbage is my favorite type of vegetation because it is leafy and thick, which provides overhead cover for both predators and baitfish. Some stands of cabbage are often widespread, while others are located in small patches. But they’re almost always in shallow water, from 6 to 11 feet in most lakes. In very clear lakes, cabbage can be as deep as 20 feet.
Steve Carney: Cabbage beds are cream of the crop Read More »
I had the distinct pleasure to guide a U.S. Army veteran recently. Merlyn Albertson served in post-World War II Okinawa and was the winner of a contest from one of the radio stations where I offer tips (WDAY and AM1100 The Flag) in Fargo-Moorhead.
This 89-year-old resident of Dilworth, Minn., was accompanied by his nephew, Dean, who assisted in the trip. Merlyn Albertson is legally blind but we made it work!
Steve Carney: Lagging water temperatures dominate much of Minnesota Read More »
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