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Post by Nick on Mar 6, 2011 16:16:00 GMT -6
Hello Everyone,
I am a potential first time smelter looking into what it will take to start smelting. From what I can tell I can watch this site closely to know when the smelt are running. What that leaves is knowing where to go and what gear / approach to take. I am interested in seining them which I believe cannot be done in MN rivers except for the St Louis right? What would be some good locations? I know Park Point is supposed to be pretty good how about the Buchanan Historical Marker Park in Knife River? Any other suggestions are appreciated. Also I hear Christiansen Nets is the way to go does anyone know what their price on a net is?
Thanks for the help in advance.
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Post by Nick on Mar 6, 2011 16:24:25 GMT -6
Also what about the Gooseberry Falls area that must be pretty good?
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Post by MattFish68 on Mar 24, 2011 14:50:09 GMT -6
Is the Ice out yet by Ashland ? Didn't go last year, went in 2009 and there was really no run at all. I'm anxious to try again this year, only thing is, it's a 6 hour drive for me.
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Post by Hungry smelter on Mar 31, 2011 20:31:32 GMT -6
Is the Ice ever going too melt?
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Post by tmcdonald2011 on Apr 6, 2011 22:55:11 GMT -6
Been told the ice is off the Lake I deal at St. Croix Casino In Danbury and many have told me they are gearing up for smelt season and said the ice is off the lake said it would be much longer all I know is the ice is off the lake and Yes Gooseberry falls is a great area Have been there smelting in past years
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Post by donkey76 on Apr 7, 2011 12:12:55 GMT -6
The ice is off most of the lake. I was out trolling last weekend. The bays still have a lot of ice, like Ashland.
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Post by schmelty on Apr 8, 2011 7:02:25 GMT -6
I'm ready!!, Thanks for the updates...Domino..you on board again this year?
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 8, 2011 11:52:14 GMT -6
You betcha, I've been surfing the blog for a couple of weeks now. I'm going to head up Sat morning for a little Looper action at the French. I'll check the water temps, river flow and clarity, and I will provide and update and make my annual prediction for the best times to collect some of the tasty little table fair that we all love so much. It's only the 8th, but I'll bet they will start showing up sooner than we think.... hint hint! Remember it's usually over by the 3rd of May or so. So the window has been shortened a lot this year. Which is great news. More to come after tomorrow!
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 10, 2011 18:35:41 GMT -6
Went up today to check things out. First, the trout were biting well for everybody but me. I was "happy" to net a few for other people besides myself. Going again tomorrow.
The lester was roaring big time, muddy as heck, and blowing out hard. This is good, clears out all the ice. And I didn't see any ice left on the Lester. Water temps were in the upper 30's. Still too cool, but not far from where they need to be to get things started. Today is the 10th, I'm betting if the weather stays warmish up there, things could start as early as the 17th, but more likely the 21st or so, with things really cranking up the last week of April, and ending early May this year.
Now these are pretty early "guesses", but based on previous years of early, regular, and late springs, these dates will be pretty close I think. If mother nature throws us a curveball like a big bad snow storm or bad cold snap, things could be delayed a bit more. But the weather forecasts don't look like anything bad yet, just a steady warmup. And I do know what it's like to be dipping with ice forming on me and my net. OOOOOoo!!!
There does look to be a steady dose of wet weather for a week as well, so I think the rivers will remain high and fast and muddy for a while, when they settle down, they will start so be ready.
The ice is off the main lake, some of the small streams and runoff gully's still have some ice in them, but not for long with all the rain. The weather has been very nice here in the cities, but it was only in the low 40's in duluth with the wind off the lake, so don't get fooled in thinking it's as warm there as well. When driving home, the temp went up 30 degrees in 40 miles, Wow!
I don't have a lot of experience with the timing of Park Point, but I believe they will start there a little before the North Shore rivers so stay tuned, and please provide some reports, good or bad, all the more information, the better.
I have no information on the Ashland area, anybody? Is the ice off?
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Post by MattFish68 on Apr 11, 2011 13:51:08 GMT -6
Based on the Web Camera from Northern State Bank, the Ice is off the Bay at Ashland. Is the Lester usually behind ashland for the peak of the run ?
Looks like the water temp in the middle of the bay is around 36.2 degres.
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Post by schmelty on Apr 11, 2011 15:30:08 GMT -6
Thanks for the updates Domino. VERY HELPFUL!
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Post by MattFish68 on Apr 11, 2011 15:42:32 GMT -6
Yes, I ment to say Thanks too Domino, I may be wrong with the water temp and I don't know enough to know if temp matters in the big lake or right at shore etc etc etc. I'm really hoping I can make it up to hopefully get a bucket or two. I'm 6 hours away so reports mean so VERY much to me and are SO appreciated. Thanks to all that report !
Matt
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 11, 2011 17:56:33 GMT -6
Yes, Ashland typically starts up 1st, it's shallow there and warms faster, therefore spuring the run to begin, then Park Point usually starts seeing a few or better just before the Lester, and on up the shoreline as the water temps warm up going north. That's the "usual" pattern.
This blog has a lot of great info in it from past years and one can put the puzzle together by reading the past entries. That's why Peter leaves them all up. But, current info is always the best...nature always seems to throw in a few twists along the way.. and I'm sure this year will be no different.
Hey Woodtick? Where are you? I'm sure there will be a little "wild turkey" on the Lester soon!
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Post by Nick on Apr 11, 2011 19:43:21 GMT -6
Hey is there any place around knife river that is decent for seining smelt or is that location only good for netting? Any other little wayside rests etc... that are worth checking out?
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 11, 2011 21:25:30 GMT -6
Nick, A few things about siening.
1. You would like to have a nice flat bottom to run your siene on, not rocky or too gravel like to clog up your nets. So sandy is your best option.
2. You need to be at least 100 yds from a river mouth unless you are native american.
3. The longer you pull the better your results, so some place shallow is good.
4. The best net to do this with is a Christianson pocket siene net. Expensive but worth every penny.
5. The only real effective place that I know of to do this in MN is Park Point. And yes, there are many little places to pull off and park, with beach access.
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