My dad and I have been trying out some new lakes lately. The 2 most recent were Eagle Lake, and Hydes Lake near Young America.


Eagle Lake
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=10012100
Eagle Lake is basically a cereal bowl. Little in the way of structure. Average depth is only 5 feet, with a maximum depth (that we found...) of 12 feet. The rain shortage this summer is likely a contributing factor, but this is probably one of the greenest lakes I've ever seen. The water was thick with suspended algae. Less than 2" of visibility once your lure hits the water. We did manage several nice LM Bass in the 2lb+ range, and dad had a walleye that was easily in the 3-4lb range toss the hook at the boat. No roughfish were caught on this outing, however the DNR survey does show a population of black bullhead. Supposedly there are decent populations of Musky and Pike in this lake, but I couldn't attest to that.

Hydes Lake
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=10008800
Hydes Lake was pretty much the stereotypical lake, if you asked a 6 year old to draw one. Annoyingly devoid of shore structure, this lake was pretty standard fare as far as farm 'ponds' go. A bit less soupy-green than Eagle Lake, there was still a fair amount of surface/string algae. The resident flock of geese likely contribute to the fertilization of the water. That aside, we had a blast catching keeper sized black crappies and 1lb-2lb LM bass, almost as fast as we could cast out. Given the high levels of algae, it's probably a better lake to 'keep' fish out of in the winter and early spring. We did note several LARGE carp rolling and tailing along the reeds (they weren't interested in eating sadly).

Frog, thanks for the report. I have been out on Eagle twice, targeting the Muskellunge. No 'skies were boated, but we found excellent bass fishing around the nice deep reeds on I believe the West side of the lake. Very nice bass in that lake. We got them on spinnerbaits and big tube jigs. I'm sure those same reeds may harbor an esox or two at the right time of year.

I was throwing everything in my box on that lake. Gulp, spoons, spinners, bucktail jigs, small poodles. The bass were all over it, but the mythical esox was nowhere to be seen. I say mythical because I've never caught a muskie, and have zero pike for this year (only 1 pike last year). I think there are maybe 5 pike in the state... (walks off, kicking stones)

Man, I don't know what state you are fishing in Frog, but I have caught probably a hundred pike this Summer, all in MN, and some darn nice ones. Most have come on Buchertails and the old JackoDiamonds Dardevle, cast or trolled deep. I love Pike, and while finding Summer patterns can be tough, persistence with the deep troll will always pay off. Pump some spoons or rattlebaits down in 25 feet outside a cabbage bed for an hour an you'll get a pike at this time of year eventually. Probably won't take that long, either. Wait a month and pike will be up shallow again, busting frogs for a few weeks during duck season. Get after them with spinnerbaits, buzzers and weed demons. Early Fall offers the best pike fishing of the year in my opinion, followed by first ice.

Of course, ask anyone I fish with, pike gravitate toward me. Just follow me around, and you'll catch plenty of esox of the lucius variety. ~andy