South Bay report, Balsam Lake

[Hubbabubba]

Waited till the rain let up then gave South Bay a go on Balsam. Started out by slipping off the trailer tongue while launching and got soaked up to my nuts. Fishing was good for pike. Fished from about 1145 till 330 and managed to land 11 pike! Nothing big. Ranged from about 2.5 to 8 lbs with one larger one maybe just shy of nine pounds. Lost a Husky Jerk so I dug out the Brennan wire leader. Most were on a Strike King white spinnerbait with twin brass blades. Three were on a 4 inch cheap no-name Crap Tire spoon. Might be a "Dominion" - hammered orange and brass with two little willowleafs on the butt end. Best action was in about 8 to 12 feet of water. Got one walleye about 2 lbs on the Husky Jerk and a few large yellow perch. Kept the one pike as the spoon treble had trashed a gill arch. Time to practice the old Y-bone fillet job then I'll broil it up. I don't usually fish Balsam Lake much. Sad to see how infested it appears to be with pike now. Reminds me of how Canal Lake back in the late 80's. It will be a shame to see the musky impacted.

[Woodfarmer]

Did you launch at Rosedale, if so how was it?

I usually keep the Pike, probably won’t do much good now.

[petersaban]

I have no problem keeping and eating pike, especially out of colder water. PITA to clean until they get to a certain size

[Hubbabubba]

Can’t comment on the Rosedale launch. I put in at the south end of south bay at a small dirt launch. It works for a small 14 ft tin boat or canoe.

[Hubbabubba]

Tried Balsam again today. Total opposite of the other day. Super slow. One tiny LMB, four small perch, and one pike maybe 2.7lbs. Had one follow from another pike but no hit. Gave it up after about 3 hours. Highlight was seeing a map turtle and a Horned Grebe! Don't see them very often. This was the first map turtle I've seen in the area. I've seen them up near Dorset and on Lower Buckhorn Lake.

[Woodfarmer]

That’s that launch where the float planes are in summer. Is there enough water for a 17’ boat right now?

[pjfishing]

I launched my 18ft boat at Rosedale on Sunday alone without problems. Current was a bit stronger, but not too bad.
Since then water levels dropped slightly.
Fishing was ok, I was going for pike got 5 + 3 lm bass and one walley, nothing big though.
Best,
Peja

[Hubbabubba]

Launch by Freymond Aviation - I would not try to launch a large boat there. Marginal for a 14 footer with 4x4