Hi Guys, I am from Southern Mn (Mankato area) and have fished Big Sandy in the spring a few times but never in the fall. Would like to make a speed run up for a couple of days to get into a few smallies and eyes. Any action yet? What is the water temp doin now. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Dont waste your time. Don't believe what you hear, they bite is real slow.

The water temp.is about 50 degrees.
We smashed the crappies and perch last weekend along with some really nice gills.
I'm not sure about the walleyes out there as they normally run small....so I don't chase them there although the walleye bite has been good on other lakes I normally hit.
The smallies....well just like all of the other fish they have moved from where they were 3 weeks ago.
I don't have a pattern on them either but I'm sure if ya know what to look for you could do well.

I talked to a guy who lives down your way last weekend. His group did well too last weekend.

Good luck....I'll be out there this weekend battling the near freezing temps! LOL

I am far from Big sandy. So my information is not really going to help you for that specidic body of water.I am 25 miles west near palisade. I left this saturday morning because the wind was whipping snow around and getting on the lake was a wish. HA. It was snowing and blowing last night about 1 am.
When I came off the lake last evening ( Friday ) about sun down, the weather was beautifull. The lake calming down. The water temp was 55. I chased walleyes all day from sun up to sun set and managed three fish. In the mean time, I hoverd over crappies in 30 feet of water that were on the bottom to 5 feet off bottom. I yo yoy'd a few up. They were not super active. But playing with them like it was a true ice fishing experience did get a few to responde. So they were Neutral.


I love the fall bite for eyes and crappies, but next weekend will hope to be better weather for angling. I don't mind the cold, I hate the wind.

I've edited this to appease wahoooo....no fish anywhere...nothing biting....fish are not hungry...
That of coarse is the honest truth...


Why even bother asking.....

that should really help that lake out!

Don't you think it takes a little more than going to the lake to catch the fish Keith does? Big Sandy is 6,526 acres and has 25 islands, that is a giant body of water. I highly doubt that naming the lake will affect the fish population unless the lake is very small and I would bet Kieth would not be naming the lake if it was. Look at the specific lake forums and people are talking about their spots and showing fish photos all the time. me I fish Farm island and lake Minnetonka mainly. People catch tons of fish from both and the fish populations are very strong. There are so many many lakes around that offer the same fishing opportunities. I have caught Sunfish like that on Farm island and other lakes close by and also on lakes in the metro very close to home.
Thank you Keith for sharing your photos and even though they are some beautiful fish I will not be coming up to Big Sandy to fish the lake clean. Although I would like to eat a meal of them.

Chris

Crappie Keith where would you recommend to stay for a ice outting up in the big sandy area. I drive threw Mcgregor all fall for hunting but never fished the area.

McGregor....Country Meadow Inn...it's on Hwy 65 and Hwy 210.
If your coming up....contact me...we will hit some fish together.I'm out there every weekend anyway.
Just google me up to find me.


Chris....some of these guys that live on the lake do not want it talked about...although it's talked about on many other forums.
There's a huge 10 inch class of crappies that's growing in there right now.
Many 11-15's to be caught too.Big gills are also in there.
It' does take some poking around,but they are there.

You wouldn't believe if you listen to the bar talk how bad I've hurt this lake.Local scuttle runs rampant.

he edited it, he wasnt fishing bsl. the lake he mentioned is a small lake with only a few holes. the pannies can be hurt in that lake, its now on the rebound now.he took the name off the board which is a good deal. bsl is big lake and has its own problems now but we wont start that one.

Sorry,
I did not mean to ruffle any feathers and I also understand that a small lake with large panfish is something to be treasured. I personally enjoy catching large Crappies and Sunfish more than anything. I have two lakes by my home that I do not speak the name of because they are small and large panfish are there to be had. Lucky for my my neighbors do not care about Crappies only sunfish and Walleye.

Oh yes Keith I have read your articles in the Aitkin Paper and I know that the sunfish you are catching are mostly going back into the lake. Kudos to you, I don't think I would be realeasing as many.
Chris

The sad fact is that this small lake will get pounded this winter.
The locals know it and come mid winter lets see you go in there to find them.

We are good Chris......

Keith I'll look you up when i'm up that way.