With the MN fishing season quickly coming to a close and some unusually warm February temps, I made a trip Friday down Main St. to the Albert Lea Lake channel to try and coax some walleyes into biting.
I’ve had good luck this winter casting crankbaits in the late afternoon/early evening below the Fountain Lake dam and this day was no exception! A grand total of 14 walleyes caught between 4:30-6:30pm.
All of the fish caught were between 12-16 inches and all of them caught using a perch-colored Storm Thundercrank. I’ve found that you have to work the bait extremely slow with the cold water temps. Lots of anglers around me were throwing cranks and also jigs with minnows, but not much success. In fact, one gentleman who’s seen me catch ’em in the past went out and bought the exact same crankbait. He was throwing right beside me and STILL never caught a fish!
The biggest walleye I caught was right before dark. A nice 16-incher that will make a nice fillet! And there’s bigger ones than that guy. I reeled in a 6-pounder just a month ago with this same technique.
Albert Lea Lake suffered a total winterkill just two years ago, so it’s good to see that the fish are back and biting! The DNR seems to have done an excellent job in stocking the walleyes and the fish are feeding well.
There’s also plenty of nice-sized perch in the channel as well (which probably explains the success with the perch-colored crank).
This little trip helped with my open water casting fix until spring when I can get back in the boat and reel in some big bass!
That’s great to see Jason. I was hoping to visit the folks and make out again down there, but it didn’t happen. What size are the perch?
Nice job Jason, Its great to see how fast those eyes are comming back. I have done really good in the channel this winter at the mouth of the Albert lea lake. We should hook up sometime and catch some of those eyes for a Howland Headin Outdoors.
Willie ><((((>
Awesome report Jason. That looks like a TON of fun!!
Cool report. Refreshing to hear of another open-water opportunity, this time of year, in this state besides the usual ones!
I’m jealous!!!!
Thanks for the report and pics Jason. That open water sure looks nice.
Thanks, Bill
Very nice fish from a very unlikey place!
I don’t know how many times I’ve driven over that bridge and NEVER gave fishing it a thought…’course when I was living down there…I had my eyes on another fish…she’s my favorite wife now!
Thanks for the Report Anchor Man, it’s nice to hear something form that area!
Hey Mike,
The perch in the channel tend to be pretty small, but there are a few a bit bigger than handsized. Throw a crappie minnow on a bobber and you’ll catch one every cast.
I haven’t tried this spot since last fall, but I can vouch for the action back then!
Up until October, I was pulling out my limit and having a nice fry everytime I hit that spot!
Good to hear Jason. Plenty of forage. Its too bad that wouldn’t always stock the lake as aggressive as they did after the winter kill.