Rice lake, Close to Fall fishing

[FISHMAN 300]

Hello there,

I am new to the board and am interested in some ideas on this summers walleye fishing on Rice. I have been fishing Rice for quite a few years for the crappie and bass but never targeted walleye. I recently bought a trailer and I am located on the north side o the lake close to the railway crossing.

I have noticed this year being a little different as the lake is not choked with weeds and I am not sure if is the rain we have been having but the water is a bit murky. I am not sure if the lake is turning over but I have heard it kind of shuts down here after it turns over.

I have a few buddies coming out to visit in the next 3 weeks and it looks like this August is very cold and I can't even imagine what the temps will be like in a few weeks.

Any suggestions on what type of fish to target and location as to fish the otonabee river, mouth, railway, or lake, I would like to chase walleye and bass or maybe muskie???

any guidance, pasted experiences, general knowledge to what happens when it is an early fall would be greatly appreciated.


thanks in advance,

Fishman 300

[bluenote]

This year is different - from my perspective the weeds are there but in different places. The walleye are around but not the same as last 3 years.

I'm still catching walleye but at reduced rate to previous years. Last Friday night on Otonobe river my brother caught his first musky at 30" a and I got 1 walleye at 14" - both released.

Was out Sunday at mouth of Otonobe with brother and 3 young kids (2 to 6). Fishing wasn't great for us - (other focuses). Lots of other boats out. Only saw one very small fish landed by one of the many boats.

from what I'm hearing from many - this is a different year.

[fisherboy]

Was at rice the last two days , was really cold in the morning and evening , water temp was only 68 , defiometly not normal temps I think it slowed the fishing down , look for weed lines for walleye and I got a couple bass off docks

[walleye37]

Well first Fishman let's dispel your notion on fall turn over. That occurs when the surface temperature cools down, usually in the mid fall period. Mid September to late October. Really depends on the air temps. When the surface cools, the warmer water on the bottom rises up, and mixes. Goes up like a hot air balloon. You can usually tell this, the water clears, and you can see bottom debris suspended through the water column. Good fishing during this, but can be hard to locate fish. They can be scattered, not being confined to a preferred water temperature. A sure bet is to find healthy green weeds. This time of year, I like cabbage weeds. So do Musky, and Walleye. This year being a lot cooler, and a lot more rain, can move fish to other places from where you usually find them. They can be a lot shallower than other years, not having to go deep, or to thick weed mats to escape the heat. So watch your depth, watch your structure, and cover. Most important, watch your fish finder. If you aren't marking fish, move. They won't come to you because you have just tied on the latest Rapala. LOL In murky water I like to use a gold bait, or bright, like fire tiger. Or something noisy. A big Colorado blade on a spinner bait. A big blade, on a big bait. 3/4 ounce, or bigger. A clackin rap, lipless vibrator. In clear water, whites, and silvers. Now you know all the secretsa to all the Walleye in the Kawartha's. Go get 'em

[sniperlee]

Great advice walleye37.

[bluenote]

Walleye - really appreciate your insight to the changed conditions!

Thanks

[Mattp33]

I just spent a week on the lake, stayed at sunshine cove.

Walleye were tough all week, as said earlier water temps in the 68-69 and no defined weed lines. We fished the railway and infront of the cop shop. Late evening seemed to be the ticket. Try to fish into the late hours early night when they come up shallow to feed. I got a 22" and a 24" at the triangle on a white Big "O" Bottom bouncing was useless, however a worm harness on a split shot running about 2-3 feet deep in 6-10 fow was the ticket though the day. They really wanted to come "up" for the bait

Smallies off the points as deep as you can find, and buckets up the river.

All in all I had a pretty tough week at rice but its better than working

[FISHMAN 300]

Walleye 37.... Sweet info..

Thanks!

Good info is triggering ideas.

Well last weekend was a bit tough thou, still managed a walleye in the slot limit, sorry it was actually 2 in the slot and a few small smallies. These fish were caught adjacent to structure. the one spot has been my go 2 spot when I haven't got things figured out, which leads me to another topic.

Troll or not to Troll ???

I just don't know what it is but I hate (well Hate is extreme) trolling, I prefer to drift slowly or anchor in an area and fan cast an area.

But I see other boats and all they do is troll and do well, I guess it is just simple ... trolling covers more water and from that experience can gain more knowledge of fish movements threw the year.

I have some worm harness that I have been meaning to try and this will be the weekend to do it, I hope this storm doesn't mess things up supposed to be a windy sat evening with risk of the thunder storms into Sunday, it this system moves thru quickly.

Fishman
tight lines !

[bluenote]

Challenge I often have with trolling Rice Lake is picking up weeds that seem to always float on the surface pushed by the winds. Much easier standing at bow - drifting /casting or running on electric (pilot mode) and casting all forward directions. Can then better see the clumps of floating weeds to avoid. And easier to clear the line when do get weed caught.

[sniperlee]

I enjoy trolling and do well with it. I dont troll all day but when the fishings tough i troll. High noon and windy days are prime times for me.I use a m/ h bait caster with 30lb braid. When you get weeds try and rip them off with a few hard jerks. Works about 20% of the time. I don't troll in less than 12 ft with a lure that runs 8-10. Lure colour subject to change daily but can't go wrong with a perch pattern.

[walleye37]

Troll??? Sure take a troll fishing, and a leprechaun fishing, any kind of talisman, or good luck charm is bound to help. LOL. Just a thought, have you used youtube? Great video's there on fishing Rice. Look for Fish TV. Ron James, and Leo Stakos. I watched a Real Fishing episode, but not too much actual information on how, or where. More a show of Bob, and his guest catching fish, and the different species available. Still there is a veritable wealth of information out there. Keep digging.

[Iceman2]

Anyone targeting bass ???

[toothhealer88]

Was out today from 7-10 am and we got skunked.Can't remember when that last happened on Rice.Should get much better with some cold weather.Alan

[wishin fishin]

can you tell me where your fishing for crappie on rice lake?

[wishin fishin]

Trolling has it place, not a real fan but its productive. We flat-line lake erie in the early spring in the shallows late night for walleye using stick baits (minnow type lures). As the water warms up the fish go deep to 60-80 " of water. Thats when we use worm harness, spoons or reef runners. There is a skill set associated with it. If I had to do it on rice lake i would probably flat-line but for me the weeds could become an issue.

I will have to try it there next spring.

Thanks for the info.