Panfish question RE Square Lake

Square Lake in Washington county is a very clear, spring feed, deep lake (about 90 ‘). It’s kind of resembles a funnel as it’s round (very small in acres) and drops very quickly into the depths.

In years past Northern, sun fish and crappied along with stock trout were abundant.

This year, I’ve cut over 40 holes and dropped the camera down only to see 4 small northerns. I’ve checked all the regular “hot spots”, then venture completly around the lake cutting holes shallow (3 feet) and deep (30) feet.

Would all of these fish go deep for some reason? Or did something happen to these fish?

All the fisherman that I’ve talked to haven’t found any panfish and the only thing that they catch with enough time in is a few small northerns.

What happened?

Ps In a shack you can look down a hole and see bottom in 20 feet of water. You would think someone would see something?!

The problem is that you said it is a round lake, funnel shaped. And the name is Square Lake. The fish obviously have Geometric Confusion and have gone invisible. That or alien abduction are my best guess.

Brian, Check out MN DNR Lake Finder Site for some interesting survey information on Square Lake. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

Brian,

I haven’t ice fished on Square, but did a fair amount of open water fishing for panfish on that lake. While you could find small ‘gills up in the weeds, the better fish were out deep. It seemd like they would hang just beyond the limits of visibility. In the summer that was around 23 feet. It was very consistant across the lake. Now that it’s winter I would imagine the water is even clearer (Oh, good) so they might be deeper yet. Another factor could be the trout. The trout will be out in the deep water all summer trying to stay cool. In the winter they invade the shallows and the competition might move the panfish out deep.

Or I could be full of beans too!

Yesterday I spent 10 hours on a very good panfish lake (Bald Eagle) and never found any sunfish. A few small perch and a few crappies and we worked hard to get them to bite.

Rootski

Rootski…no trout shallow either…just 4 northerns…in over thirty holes…but you may have something there…

I’m going to leave the camera at home and take the marcum to the deeper water…it’s the only place they could be…since I haven’t seen a flying saucer in the last couple months.

Thanks for the help guys!