OK, I have looked over the Hamlin fishing reports in the members area and I think I can add something to the conversation. I shared this in person with a few people already.
1 – The observation that there are a ton of weeds on the east half of the upper end is dead on. Most of my own observations of muskies have been on this end of the lake. It's gonna be a battle finding them, but the first 3 legal fish of which I am aware – A 42 speared a year ago, a 42 caught by a bullhead angler at Victory Park and a 43 speared this winter all came from this area. The first 36-incher I got a photo of was also up in this area. I observed a 3-footer in this area late this fall when I went way up trying to beat the bloom. PS, homeowners in the marshy extreme upper end say they see the muskies regularly while kayaking. A strategy for up here beyond spinnerbaits is kind of a head-scratcher. Texas-rigged bulldawgs anyone?
2- Unfortunately, the biggest concentration of northerns is also in this area, which is where the bulk of the muskies have been stocked. The winter spearing city is also toward this area, which caused me to ask Mark Tonello if we couldn't stock half the muskies or a portion of the muskies in the lower lake. Certainly not as much forage or cover, but also not near as much threat of predation early on. We did have a small stocking (the leftover truck) a couple years ago down there and now fish are starting to show up down there. Keep in mind this is a 5,000-acre lake we're talking about. The lower lake has more classic edge/dropoff and is where 90 percent of the tigers were caught in the old days, according to the old timers I have interviewed. Not surprisingly, the tigers were always stocked in the lower lake near Long, Skinny Park, which is where the little test stocking went two years ago. This is also where the walleyes are stocked each year. Basically it's between South Bayou and Middle Bayou.
That's my 2 cents. I'm available most evenings to fish Hamlin and although I have yet to boat one here, I'm always up for a boat ride and some casting. Feel free to give me a shout if you're coming up this way.
Try tossing a 7-10" Hogy bait. Practically weedless and you can get a lot of great action on these baits. You can twitch it, WTD, jerk or burn it. They have top water, weighted and unweighted versions with a ton of hooks to fit any application. We used them for tarpon with success and a lot of saltwater guys love them for snook, cobia, stripers and anything else. I guarantee no angler up there is using these type baits. Give them something they never seen before…
Check out the awesome videos on YouTube. My new favorite bait…
Did I talk to you at the GR show?
But definitely good to have someone up there involved. I haven't seen as much objection the fish as in some places, but I am sure it happens.
I also think with the current thru that upper part, the water stays cooler, and moves bait around, or makes it hold in soft spots, even in hot weather, so if you can probe those areas and keep them marked from year to year it might be a good thing. Its gonna take a few years to get it pegged tho, and I hope I can get the time away to do it!
"tundrawalker00" said:
OK, I have looked over the Hamlin fishing reports in the members area and I think I can add something to the conversation. I shared this in person with a few people already.1 – The observation that there are a ton of weeds on the east half of the upper end is dead on. Most of my own observations of muskies have been on this end of the lake. It's gonna be a battle finding them, but the first 3 legal fish of which I am aware – A 42 speared a year ago, a 42 caught by a bullhead angler at Victory Park and a 43 speared this winter all came from this area. The first 36-incher I got a photo of was also up in this area. I observed a 3-footer in this area late this fall when I went way up trying to beat the bloom. PS, homeowners in the marshy extreme upper end say they see the muskies regularly while kayaking. A strategy for up here beyond spinnerbaits is kind of a head-scratcher. Texas-rigged bulldawgs anyone?
2- Unfortunately, the biggest concentration of northerns is also in this area, which is where the bulk of the muskies have been stocked. The winter spearing city is also toward this area, which caused me to ask Mark Tonello if we couldn't stock half the muskies or a portion of the muskies in the lower lake. Certainly not as much forage or cover, but also not near as much threat of predation early on. We did have a small stocking (the leftover truck) a couple years ago down there and now fish are starting to show up down there. Keep in mind this is a 5,000-acre lake we're talking about. The lower lake has more classic edge/dropoff and is where 90 percent of the tigers were caught in the old days, according to the old timers I have interviewed. Not surprisingly, the tigers were always stocked in the lower lake near Long, Skinny Park, which is where the little test stocking went two years ago. This is also where the walleyes are stocked each year. Basically it's between South Bayou and Middle Bayou.
That's my 2 cents. I'm available most evenings to fish Hamlin and although I have yet to boat one here, I'm always up for a boat ride and some casting. Feel free to give me a shout if you're coming up this way.
I think you are spot on with suggesting stocking the lower lake . We moved a couple of fish in the western half of the upper lake. However even in the lower lake which I call the main body the weeds can run from shore to 1/2 mile out before the break line. These massive weed flats are very difficult to locate muskies in much less catch them.
I would really enjoy a day out there with you this summer. There are lots of shallow lures that can be fished up in the river and marsh lands. Crane baits, Little claw twitchers, bucktails and top water. The toughest area in my opinion is between Victory park and the first deep area. I know that area holds a lot of Fish due to the dense weed mats there and 6 to 12 feet of water. Fishing it is almost laughable. I couldn't even get top water baits over it. W e tossed weedless spinnerbaits and the blades got fouled up in a few feet with crap. Trolling moter prop got foulded when I attempted to go into it and my main 115 Merc also got fouled with weeds going through there. I am not an advocate of weed control but if there was ever a lake that could use some weed control it is Hamlin. Mike
Sorry, been in San Diego for a week. But yeah, I'd welcome company. I have a 17.5-foot Lund so just drop me a line and bring your gear.
I agree that there are fish to be found between Wilson Hill and Victory. The bluegill fishermen hit that area pretty hard each spring so I would think that there will be some sightings. And the custom Crane I bought last year at Kurt's Island Sports looks just like a bluegill for that very reason.
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