Gull Lake Fishing Reports
Featuring fishing reports for Gull Lake.
Happy Easter!
Just got back from Church, and
have a few minutes before the feast so here we go.
Part of the feast will include
half a breast from my wild turkey that I harvested in Lake
City on Wednesday morning. Both myself and Lee Johnson
bagged Toms!! Lee finished up the sweep by bagging his at
4:45 p.m. opening evening. The weather was pretty brutal,
but our persistence paid off and the hunt was a huge
success. My bird was dressed out at 19.5 pounds and had a
8 inch beard and Lee's was 21.5 pounds with a 10 inch
beard and 1 and 3/16th inch spurs.
I wish I was leaving for
another turkey hunt right now!! It is the biggest rush I
know!!
Fishing! What's that? I am
still not quite in the mode, but with the sun coming back
out this week I think I will get the "bug". My boat is
clean, and the oil is changed but I have still have major
preparations before I get on the water.
I would have to say that with
the cool, rainy, weather we have been experiencing since
Wednesday that the bite is slow. It's just a guess!! But
I would say that by Friday things should start picking
up. If you are looking for crappie spots in the Brainerd
area, there are a ton! Most of the bays and channels that
warm up fast will be producing crappies and sunfish.
Everyone has their favorite crappie spot, but of course
those are sacred.
If you are looking for lakes
that have nice populations of good sized crappies, here
are a few.
Pelican, Gull and North Long.
As I was starting to think about it, almost every lake I
could think of has good crappie fishing. So grab some
minnows and an ultralight (with some light line) and go in
search of. If you can't find them around here or don't
want to try, call me and I will set you up.
Tip of the week: 20 days
until opener, we better get busy!!
Have a nice week,
Walleyedan
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468 4/10/03
Good morning from Lake Shore!
I didn't get below freezing last
night and with warm weather in the forecast, I would say
it's time to tune em up (you're boats and motors). I have a
pretty long list of to do's yet, but I have the itch to get
things ready for the open water. Although I did see a guy
on Round lake (ice fishing) Tuesday afternoon. He did have
hip boots, a board, etc., but still struggled to get up on
the ice. So I would have to say the ice season is history!!
I'm heading down to Gobbler
country next week and can't wait! I have been looking
forward to this since last spring. For those of you that
are sportsman and haven't hunted turkeys, you are missing
the boat! It is one of the most exciting sports there is!!
I have never hunted elk during the bugle season (rut), but
from friends and relatives that have, they say it ranks up
there with turkey hunting (just a little bigger). A friend
of mine (Craig Warner) say's that hunting elk "is like
hunting an 800 pound turkey".
Where are you opening up the
season? For me, I'm breaking tradition this year. I'm
going to leave my home lake (Gull) and head north to Pelican
where I'll be trying to find some walleyes.
The season opens Sat. the 10th
and Mothers Day is once again the day after, so I'll have to
get Mom out over the weekend also! I sure am looking
forward to getting on the water once again!!
I would say that if you are
looking to fish from your boat around this area, give it
another week and you should be good to go.
Tip of the week: Starting
opening day, the crappie and sunfish limits change.
Crappies go from 15 to 10 and sunfish from 30 to 20. I
think I'm right? Read the regulation book to be sure!
Enjoy this weather!!,
Walleyedan
4/2/03
Good morning!
I was out last night with my Dad
ice fishing and by the looks of the things, I think the next
time I'll be out on the ice will be in Nov. or Dec.. That's
fine with me, bring on the water!! It was pretty tough to get
out on the ice last night and now with the rain we recieved
overnight I think that's going to be about the end things. My
thinking was that we were really going to get into them, but
that didn't happen. My Dad caught 1 crappie, and I could have
caught as many sunnies as I wanted but they were small. It
was nice just to be out. My Dad was also up to Leech
yesterday and things were pretty slow up there also (a few
perch and some gators).
I'm starting to get in the open
water mode. There are still numerous things that need to be
done around the house, but I'm going to do my best to try and
get them done. For those of you that don't know me
personally, I'm going to clue you in on my guiding plans for
this coming season. I have cut back to 20 hours per week
(give or take a few) and will pursue my fishing guide service
a bit more. My business has grown each year since I started
in 1989 and now I have come to the point where it's time to
take things to a different level. I don't know what that
level will be, but I'm hoping to get the word spread that I
will be on the water even more (open and ice). My rates for
this season have not changed! I will be getting 175.00 for a
half day (up to 3 people) and 350 for an all day trip.
Everything is included with this price and if you check around
you'll find my rates are competetive. So if you are
interested or know of anyone that may be interested in a
fishing trip please call or email.
If you need to get on the water I
would suggest heading to Red Wing or The Rainy River!!
This is a great way to get that
feeling back (if you've lost it).
Tip of the week: Be very carefull
if you are thinking of going ice fishing!! One lake may have
2 feet of ice and the next lake may be partially open. Most
of the lakes that have a decent flow of water are opening up
fast!!
Have A Nice Week and Pray For Our Troops!!,
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468 3/6/03
Hi everyone!!
This winter won't let go!! I'm
hearing they need 18 inch extensions on Lake of the Woods,
that's some thick ice. I'm done for a while. I think I'll wait
until we are down to 6 inches (maybe 8) and then I will go after
some crappies and sunnies!
So, I'm sorry I don't have any "hot"
reports for you, but after such a busy winter it's time to take
a little break! No, I'm not one of the lucky ones that get to
go on a vacation. The furthest south I'll be going is Lake
City, Mn.. I'll be going down there with my buddy and fellow
guide Lee Johnson to try and find a couple of boss gobblers!!
If you are looking for some good
panfish lakes you might want to try any lake in the area! Take
your pick, they all have good populations!! Everyone has their
favorite, but all are great!
Tip of the week: Get rid of the
cabin fever and head to the boat show!!
Have a nice weekend,
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468
2/23/03
Time to crank up the heat!! It sounds
like the next 2 nights are going to be frigid (near 20 below).
I'm not to happy about that, but I know it won't be around much
longer. One thing we don't have to worry about is thin ice. If
we keep making ice at this rate, I'm going to have to get the
extension for the auger. Right now the ice is close to the
powerhead, so I'm guessing it's about 38 inches or so.
The crappie fishing has been pretty
good! I've still been renting one of my houses out and I wish I
would have been fishing crappies all season. The biggest that has
come up so far has been 13 inches and we have seen a few of them
around that size. All the fish have been taken in 30-40 feet and
have been caught using rosie reds and small crappie minnows. I've
heard other reports from around town that are pretty similiar. I
don't think it really matters where you go, it's that time of year
where they are going pretty well on most lakes. There are plenty
of crappie spots in the area, so take your pick and grab your
stick!! Upper Gull, Wilson Bay, Steamboat Bay, Booming Out Bay,
Love Lake, Roy Lake, Gladstone, Hubert, Cullen, Perch, the list is
endless just pick a lake and fish!!
As for baits to use, I would suggest
using the standard small crappie minnow on a #8 hook. If you are
using a vexilar, you don't need a bobber but if you haven't
changed with the times you should try a slip bobber with a couple
pieces of split shot. As we get closer to spring and they start
moving closer to the reeds I like to use Eurolarvae on a small ice
fly. Make sure you don't go any heavier than 4 lb. test or you
will be missing some bites.
Did someone say TURKEY? Maybe I'm
just hearing things, but my buddy and I got drawn for the
Minnesota season and we are already geeting pumped up!! I know
there are plenty of you fisherman that enjoy calling the gobbler
so I figured I would throw this out there also. We are having the
Central Minnesota Gobblers banquet on Sat. March 1st at the Nisswa
American Legion. It is FUNdraiser and even if you don't win a
gun, you will have FUN!! For ticket info, you can call me or
email me and I will give you the details!!
Tip of the week: You only have 5 days
left before you need a new fishing license and you also have to
have your permanent fish houses off!!
Have a nice week,
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468 2/14/03
Happy Valentines Day!!
I'm thinking if you haven't done
anything for your sweatheart yet, you should probably ask him/her if
they might want to try to catch a walleye or a northern before the
season closes (it's over Sunday at midnight). If they don't go for
that, I'll leave it up to you. If you bring candles and use your
imagination, a fish house can be a romantic place (assuming you
don't have someone move right next door to you).
The "bite" has been fairly slow. We
continue to catch walleyes and perch, but the keepers are few. With
the full moon approaching I would have thought the night bite would
be on, but I had some hockey Dad's from Marshall, Mn. out last night
and it didn't happen! They caught some fish, but the biggest was 19
inches. It seems like shiners have been the best bait and as for
depth, we have been working the deep rocks (26-36 feet).
It has been a great year for ice fishing
(with the lack of snow and alot of ice). It's been easy to get
around and it doesn't sound like there is any threat of a snow storm
in the next few days so I should be able to get everything off
without alot of hassle.
I will keep a house or two out for
panfish but it's time for me to take a break, and give my wife a
break! I wish I could say I was taking her to Hawaii, but that
might have to wait until I have 50 rentals, and 3 employees. It
might be awhile! Hopefully she doesn't read this.
If you are out for panfish, you shoud try
Culllen, Hubert, Gladstone, Green or Alexander.
Tip of the week: Pull your houses off
before we get a foot of snow!!
Have a nice weekend,
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468 Wow!! That's about all I can say. Things have been pretty busy in this neck of the woods. I just got off the ice a little while ago and it feels good to sit down and type. I would rather be sleeping but you know how that goes.
I had the Budweiser crew out in my house
the last couple of days. They caught some fish, but the highlight of
the two day trip was a 31 inch walleye caught by Mark Hallerman. It
was the biggest one that he had ever caught, so he's going to hang it
on the wall. It ate a shiner minnow on a red gamagatsu #8 hook! p.s
It weighed 9.8 ounces.
In general the fishing has been fair. You
can fish some areas and catch a bunch of 12 inchers, but the nicer
fish have been looking for something we haven't been offering. I have
had people tell me that they have been watching the walleyes come up
to their bait (with an aqua view) and take a quick peek and move on.
I have heard a few different reports of large walleyes being taken,
but of course this is hear say. I remember Jerry Anderson (Mr. Mille
Lacs) once told me and my Dad that the walleyes on Mille Lacs would
come up onto the sand this time of year and feed on shiners. I'm
thinking this is probably the thing to do for the next week or so.
Who knows, maybe that new state record will bite one of these days!
I haven't been out for panfish, but I have
heard that Upper Red is starting to turn on. If you are going to
stick around here I would suggest Upper Gull, Gladstone, Hubert,
Margret, Wilson Bay on the south end of Gull or off the big reed flats
on the west side of Round.
I set a spear house up for the Bud crew
also, and they did have some action. They threw at a couple, but
nothing ended up on the tines. I forgot how neat it is to stare down
a hole. But I know I won't soon forget how bad it sucked to drill and
chisel the holes out!! If anyone has a long bar chain saw they want
to part with, I'd lke to know!
Tip of the week: Plan your summer
vacation today, and don't forget to have Walleyedan in your schedule.
175.00 for 4 hours (up to 3 people) and 350 for 8 hours!!
Have a nice weekend,
Walleyedan
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468
Name: Gary Carter Gull_LakeHey can someone provide some pictures of the Lake area now. My family used to own a cabin on the lake between Brainerd and Nisswa. We spent all our summers there until I was 13. This was way back in the 50's. I'm sure the area has changed greatly since then. I kinda like to know if the ol cabin is still there. It was built b ack in the 30's by my grandfather.
1/30/03
The snow is falling!! Who knows maybe
the snowmobilers will get a chance to ride afterall.
The temperatures are suppossed to be
mild all weekend, so let's hope this will make the walleyes chomp!
I personally haven't got to wet to many lines but I have had renters
in my houses quite a bit and the "bite" has been pretty inconsistent
(one day is good and the next is not). But I quess that's what
keeps you coming back for more. There is only a couple more weeks
left in the season (walleye and northern) so if you're going to do
it this winter you better get going!! I really had a neat group out
last night from Hunt Technologies. They rented all six houses and
had a total of 25 people. They played games, had a tournament and
had a great time! I think myself and Bullhead Butch had as good of
a time hopping from house to house checking up on the crew! I'm
hoping to see them again!! Oh yes, and they did catch a few fish (a
couple walleyes, a couple pout and a rocky). The pout took the cake
for the big fish award. Way to go Mark (I told you the glow in the
dark rattle spoon is a pout magnet).
The best action has been at twilight,
but this winter the night bite has been a little better than in the
past. Glow jigging spoons tipped with a fathead head have been
best, but they are also going on golden shiners. We are still
working 28-33 feet on the rocks!!
Crappies have been going in booming out
bay, upper gull and gladstone. For sunnies try gladstone, hubert or
round.
The hole is still open on north long, so
be carefull!!
If you haven't heard, Cliff Wicktor
owner of S&W bait on 371 died early Wednesday morning. The memorial
service is Saturday and if you need more info you can call or email
me as I will get the times tomorrow. Sherrree and family our
prayers are with you and we know that after this long battle, it was
a blessing!
Tip of the week: If you think you have
it tough, think again!!
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468
Hello everyone!!
Of course the talk of the town is the
extravaganza. And rightfully so!! Afterall it is the largest
icefishing contest in the world, it should be the talk of the world
(not just the town).
It starts at noon on Saturday and is over
by 3:00 p.m.. It's amazing all of the preparation and it's all over
in 3 hours. I guess it's no different than the super bowl.
I talked with Bob Slaybaugh tonight and he
was saying that the D.N.R. has given permission to spread washed sand
on the surface of the contest area. He was also saying that there
will be many medical people on duty because of the slick condtions.
He also said that as of 1:00 p.m. today a large crack opened up from
Holmans point to the northwest (in the vicinity of center bar). I'm
glad he let me know this because I was going to haul one of my houses
over tonight but now I'm going to wait for daylight!! Even though
with the moon almost full you can see pretty well.
The fishing has been O.K.! We continue to
catch some walleyes, but they are not hooking themselves!! The better
anglers are catching more fish because fishing is not all luck!! The
perch have been busy also, but if you are planning on keeping them you
better be good with a knife!! The largest fish of the year was caught
last Thursday by a guy from the Colorado fish and wildlife service.
It was pretty neat to watch (my two year old daughter thought so
too). We didn't measure it, but it was a plump 7 pounder!! It took a
shiner minnow at 6:00 p.m. in 32 feet of water on a plain hook.
My houses are still all on the same reef,
but I will start moving them around starting this weekend. The
biggest problem is finding snow to pack against them to keep the wind
out. This ice fishing is amazing, one year there is so much snow your
houses freeze in, and the next you are driving to shore to try and
find enough snow. Some people think my rates are high, but I think
they are!! If they only knew all the preparation it took I think they
would reconsider. By the way, my rates are 100 for six hours, 150 for
12 and 200 and 225 for a 2 and a 4 person sleeper for 24 hours!! Of
course I will negotiate if things are slow, but don't expect Mille
Lacs rates!!
Tip of the week: If you want to win the
truck, you will be fishing in 38 feet of water with a 3 inch golden
shiner hooked with a #8 hook and rigged under a slip bobber! If you
want to win the 10,000.00 you should be using a small jigging rapala
tipped with a minnow head in 14.5 feet of water!! We'll see how close
I am!!
Have Fun, and let me know how you do!!
Walleyedan
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468
1/8/03
Well I think the meltdown is over! I
heard it was 52 degrees here today, but the clipper is coming! It is
suppossed to be cold through the weekend for sure which is a good
thing.
The ice is still in very good shape and I
would say the average depth is near 14 inches. I continue taking the
shortcut to work (from one boat landing on Gull to another). It saves
me close to 10 minutes and the traffic is very minimal (most of the
vehicles are parked).
I haven't had anyone out in the rentals
since last weekend, but come Friday things are going to be busy
again. I was out scouting with my 2 and a 1/2 year old daughter last
night and the only bite I had, I missed because my line spun on my
spool and I didn't get a hook-set! Needless to say I'm not going to
put a house there!
The action last weekend was pretty good.
We caught fish in every house, but the keepers were few and far
between! When you do get one over 11 inches they are nice (16-20
inches). But yes, there are alot of 11 inchers in Gull right now.
I'll take one of those on the 18th! It may win me 10,000.00 at the
extravaganza!!
The Power Loon is going to use one of my
houses to do thier radio show from on the 18th! If you are in the
neighborhood stop by and check it out (you may want to rent one
someday). The ice conditions are going to be good! And I hear they
are expecting a record turnout. You can still buy tickets anywhere
you see the pink signs or you can also go online @
www.icefishing.org and check
things out. I have answered many questions over the years from people
accross the country and the most common is How Deep? I tell them
30-60 feet! If you are going to fish this deep you should probably go
with a low stetch line such as Berkley Fireline or PowerPro. At the
end of the line tie a barrell swivel with a 2-4 foot length of
monofilament (to act as a shock absorber). Jigging spoons, Jigging
raps, Rattle spoons or plain hooks will all work (tipped with a minnow
or a chunk of).
As for other lakes in the area, I have
heard that Round, Pelican and North Long are still producing
walleyes! If you are looking for panfish try the 371 bay of North
Long. But beware of the "black hole"! There is a large portion of
open water near the middle of the lake. There is still plenty of area
to fish without going anywhere near it.
Tip of the week: Go buy some ice creepers
before they are all sold out! With the meltdown that we had and the
cold temps on the way, the lakes are going to be slick!! Ice
creepers, Ice spikes whatever you want to call them are very essential
when condtions get like this! Who knows it might save you a trip to
the E.R.!!
Have a nice weekend, and keep your
distance from your fellow anglers!! Ice rage can get ugly!!!
Dan Eigen
Gull Lake Guide Service www.walleyedan.com walleyedan@brainerd.com 218-963-0422(h) 218-839-5598(c) 9287 Anderson Rd. Lake Shore, Mn. 56468 |
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