Thunder Lake Lodge Blog

Surface water temps are around 75 degrees and the walleye fishing report has been strange lately to say the least.  Fish have been hitting on crankbaits in 30 feet of water over 60-80 feet while chasing schools of suspended ciscos and tullibees.  Most of the action for this method has occurred during the evening hours.  Walleyes were also picked up by our guests recently in 7-10 feet of water adjacent to steep dropoffs on spinner rigs with minnows.  These fish were picked up during all hours of the day.  This is probably the most walleye action we have seen in the first week of August in our time here.

Crappie fishing is still holding strong and has been consistently the best bite all year.  Numbers of crappies have been caught by our guests throughout the year on all sorts of different presentations.  Right now, bobber and minnow setups in 15-20 feet of water have been producing the best.

A few northern pike have also been taken recently.  Nothing huge, but numbers have been up compared to prior years.

Smallmouth and largemouth fishing continues to be great as well.  Pretty much anything you throw at them has been working lately.  The bass have definitely moved to deeper water and structure lately however during the warmer last few weeks.  Deep-running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jig ‘n’ pig combos have been producing fish.

“See You At The Lake”

Water surface temps are currently 70-71 degrees after a hot and humid week of weather.  After a decent two week stretch of walleye fishing, the bite has tapered off quite a bit in the last week or two.  A few walleyes are still being picked up with a jig and minnow and spinner rigs tipped with leeches in 20-24 feet of water.  The first 3 weeks of June were the best weeks of smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing we have seen here in 3 years.  Numbers and size were amazing.  It has slowed down a bit since as the bass are now moving into deeper water for the summer.  Crappies have been still being caught with small jigs and bobber & minnow setups in the bays in 10-16 feet of water.

Have a great, safe 4th of July!

“See You At The Lake”

Fishing action has picked up dramatically since our last fishing report, which is to be expected this time of year.  The resort is almost full this week and our guests are getting a lot of bass and panfish action.  A few walleyes are still being picked up as well.

The crappie bite has continued to improve, but location and presentation have changed a bit.  The crappies have moved out of the shallow water bays and into deeper water adjacent to some sunken structure and deeper weed cover.  They have been being picked up in 15-20 feet of water with jigs and beetle spins.  Some slip bobber and minnow setups have still been producing fish too.  Perch, sunfish and rock bass are being picked up consistently as always.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been been fantastic lately as they have gotten off their spawning beds and are getting into their normal aggressive summer feeding mode, which bodes well for our bass fisherman.  Wacky worms rigs, tube jigs and crank baits have been effective presentations on the edge of weedlines in 6-12 feet of water.  The topwater bite is also starting to come around now.  Stay tuned for the next updated report on the topwater bite.

Walleye fishing has been sporadic as a few different cabins have been picking up a couple here and there.  However, Gregg Lundquist from Cottage #3 got on a great bite early this morning in 20 feet of water using a spinner rig with leech to pick up 5 walleyes, with the biggest being 21 inches.  I also had a chance to get out a few nights ago and got into a great bite with a jig and minnow in 18-22 feet of water.  I boated approximately 25 walleye that night with every single one of them being between 13 and 15 inches long.  As always on Thunder, one day can be great for walleyes, and the next can be less than spectacular.  Night trolling with crankbaits is also a good method, but rarely do we have guests who choose to try that.

Last week , father & son combo Glen and Jake Matney made the trek all the way from Kansas City, MO to join us for a week in Cottage #8 and had a great week of fishing for crappies and bass.  Jake caught his first ever walleye and Glen also boated a couple others.  On top of that, Glen caught a huge Dogfish (bowfin) that they got pictures of.  It weighed in on a run-of-the-mill Zebco spring loaded scale at 12 lbs in the boat, which we take into account aren’t always the most accurate for weighing fish.  After doing a little research, we found out that the state record dogfish in Minnesota is 11 lbs, 4 oz.  Glen was kicking himself afterwards, but who would have thought of or known that?  By far, the biggest dogfish we have ever seen.  Something unique, if nothing else.

1st time TLL’ers James Stockman and his father-in-law Richard from Cottage #11 had a pretty good week of crappie fishing.  They picked up a few walleyes as well.

The Beebe crew (yes, all 30+ of them) have been hammering the bass and crappies as always again this year.  They also have picked up a few bonus walleyes.

And finally, Chris Lund from Cottage Deluxe went out today and caught a nice crappie and a great eating-size walleye for dinner.  What’s the big deal, you say?  It just happened to be Chris’ 26th birthday.  Happy birthday Chris!!!

“See You At The Lake”

While fishing reports from the walleye opener were spotty, the fishing action has been steadily picking up over the last couple of weeks.

Crappies and bluegills have been being picked up in the bays in shallow water with bobber and minnow setups, small jigs and beetle spins in 6-10 feet of water.  Some walleyes are being caught during the evening bite in 20-26 feet of water with a jig and minnow and crankbaits have been producing fish during the the afternoon hours and in the evening after dark in shallower water as well.  Our fisherman on Big Rice have still been consistently catching good pike numbers with daredevils and spoons.  With the bass season opening last weekend, smallmouth and largemouth fishing will be fast and furious in the next couple of weeks.

We will continue to keep you updated throughout the summer on fishing reports and the kids fishing contest photos.

“See You At The Lake”