I’m not familiar with that particular lake but I think we’re kind of in the tail end of the spawn, or immediate post spawn depending on where you are. This period has always traditionally been a little slow for me.

 

There are some warmer temps slated for later next week so we should move into a more consistent summer type pattern pretty soon. My next outing won’t be for about a week anyways. Buried at work.

That’s kind of what it seem like for me too. I’d say full summer mode by next week or shortly after 

I have gotten out a few times in the past week - on the two closest lakes and then one (I had never been on) about 30 minutes away - I dodged a bullet on Monday as I was out on the lake and caught an 18 inch lmb and sent a picture to a friend - he texted back "Get off the lake NOW !", then he called me and said big winds/storm was coming in (when I checked weather earlier in the day it said storms starting at 5pm, it was 2pm when he called) - the sky didn't look too bad but I figured I better go - and good thing I did - I had to travel across the lake (a close to 9,000 acre lake) to get to the marina/dock - by the time I got there the wind had really picked up and my truck was the only one left in the lot and the local police were on their loud speaker instructing people in the RV Park to get inside and be prepared for the storm -  I got the boat on the trailer just as it started raining sideways and 30 seconds later the tornado sirens were screaming ! - I know the area well so I tucked the truck/boat into a side street that was somewhat protected from the wind and hoped for the best - then my phone pings with the local CodeRED weather alert (a bit late !!) - Myself and the truck/boat were fine yet many trees/limbs down, many boat docks had their canopies blown off and a number of them (without boats on them) were flipped over - Thankful my friend texted/called ! Be safe out there people !!

On 6/6/2025 at 7:58 PM, gim said:

I’m not familiar with that particular lake but I think we’re kind of in the tail end of the spawn, or immediate post spawn depending on where you are. This period has always traditionally been a little slow for me.

 

There are some warmer temps slated for later next week so we should move into a more consistent summer type pattern pretty soon. My next outing won’t be for about a week anyways. Buried at work.

Indeed. I think I would've done better if I had my punching rod in the boat. I'd say that lake is 50% mats. 

I have it in there now!

Trying for smallies for the first time this week. You think everything’s post spawn? Water temps in the high 60s.

1 minute ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

You think everything’s post spawn?

 

My assumption would be yes.  If not post spawn, mostly post spawn.

 

Only one way to find out for sure though...

Thanks, ill check shallow and see if there’s many empty beds, if so I’ll probably try deep water close to the spawning areas. 

Breaking news from the MN State Legislature: a continuous bass season will be in effect starting in 2026.

 

No more fully closed season next spring.
 

Some lakes will likely be off limits though. I could see them prohibiting it on Mille Lacs while the natives are netting.

Wow awesome! 

38 minutes ago, gim said:

Breaking news from the MN State Legislature: a continuous bass season will be in effect starting in 2026.

 

No more fully closed season next spring.
 

Some lakes will likely be off limits though. I could see them prohibiting it on Mille Lacs while the natives are netting.

It's about time !

Bring on the fat pre spawn Brown Bass

Congrats.

A-Jay

Thank you for the update @gim !

I was hoping for an early/mid-April opener as that is probably the average date/s range the ice is fully off of my local lakes each spring, but a continuous season sounds good ! This way I could always travel one to three hours south of me in MN and as @A-Jay mentioned -------- pursue those beautiful Brown Bass !!

Some years I’m sure I will only get an extra couple weeks on the water but if it’s warm spring I could see easily getting an extra month! 

GIM and all been calling sending to all polititain to pass the bass bill. One must do there part to get this passed. Just saw it a few minutes ago figured you would be on it. Can't wait for next year to use more jerkbaits and early year techniques.thanks for keeping us up to date

As Waska has said as well. It will be fun to get those extra few weeks to start and hone new skills jerkbaits, small jigs etc. Being from Minnesota it really probably only gains 4 to 6 weeks extra but sometimes the spawn starts early. I'm just giddy today don't mind panfish some but game on now to use all the info like real bassers in other parts of the states 

7 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

Some years I’m sure I will only get an extra couple weeks on the water but if it’s warm spring I could see easily getting an extra month! 

I agree, it will be weather dependent. Some years you might get a few weeks of extra time in, some years you might get a week.

 

Bass are tough to catch in really cold water too. So let’s not just assume the flood gates are going to open here.

 

But there’s hope.

 

One thing is for certain with this guy: a whole lot less panfishing is going to be done moving forward.

Amen Gim a watched float only goes so far with this guy

34 minutes ago, Mrpike said:

Amen Gim a watched float only goes so far with this guy

That the only tool in your panfish arsenal?

 

I've caught good sized bluegills and crappie on all of these

 

Blue Fox Flash SpinnerAlso got a 2.5lb bass with this one

Booyah Pond Magic 1/8oz

 

Rapala UL Shad 1/8oz 

 

Rapala X-Rap 04 1/16oz 

 

Creme Tiny Lipless 1/10oz 

 

 

Gotta up your game, man

Hee Hee, MN Fisher I get it but the above lures for me are for bass! I really don't care to catch panfish. Those Rapala 04 X Raps are killer early.

56 minutes ago, Mrpike said:

I really don't care to catch panfish.

So what do you chase when you want something to put under the broiler?

Nothing I don't eat fish. The thrill of the hunt.

6 hours ago, Mrpike said:

Nothing I don't eat fish. The thrill of the hunt.

I don’t really eat them either. I find freshwater fish in general to be very bland tasting.

 

I shouldn’t rip on a panfishing too much. It has its place. I can deal with a couple crappie outings on Tonka each spring, including a contest that I enjoyed with my Father and son.

 

But given a choice, I’d rather bass fish.

I haven't been fishing since May 29 but I'm going in the morning for a few hours locally (largemouth).

 

I will post a report later tomorrow when I have a chance.

I fished locally for 4 hours this morning with the dog.  Mid 50's, drizzle.  Saw 1 other boat the whole time.  Fishing was pretty good though.  I caught about 15 largemouth and one tank of a pike.  It's my first one this season.  I was by myself so getting a photo was a challenge and everything was wet and slimy.  I tried to get my dog to help but she doesn't have thumbs 😂.  It measured 34 inches and was thick.  Initially I thought I had a new state record largemouth on...

 

Water temp was 65 and I believe these fish are post spawn.  Gonna try again later this week.

 

 

I got out yesterday chasing some brown bass on one of the only lakes that has them in my immediate area. I caught probably a half dozen total with the biggest being a healthy 17”. I battled a long windy day to get those few. In the evening I went up shallow and caught a few decent largemouth.

Catching smallies is definitely not my strong suit but I loving catching them so I plan to chase them more this year. 

Edited June 14, 20251 yr by 10,000 lakes Bassin

I was able to get out yesterday (Saturday) and endured the rain - the three largemouth I caught were - 17/17.5/16.5 inches 

Today I went out and caught two largemouth (both 16 inches) - before BOOM, a flash of lightning and then deep rumbling thunder ! - My phone weather app had said "light rain starting at 3:30pm and thru 7:00pm" - nothing at all about lightning and thunder - I fired up the engine and raced to get back to the ramp (along with about a dozen other boats)

I have been using Google Weather (does not seem very accurate, certainly was not accurate at all today) and I have CodeRED text messages for my area (yet this is typically for severe weather alerts only)

What weather apps or alerts do you use on your phone ? 

It's very active out there today for severe weather here.  In fact I can hear another thunderstorm coming in from the west right now.