Balsam Lake
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Balsam Lake Fishing Reports
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MacoyJohnson
Bronze Ambassador
4/13/25
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Structure Jigs
Structure
Brush Piles
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
51°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Structure Jigs
Structure
Points
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
43°
The outing was for 4/12/2025. Fished from about 8am to 2pm. Water temps were primarily in the 43 to 44 range. Found up to 47 in a very small protected bay. This is where I caught my one small fish of the day on a senko. Otherwise very slow day. High pressure, blue bird skies for the start of the day with wind builing all day out of the south. Started out with air temps below 40, eventually warmes up into the 50s. We tried some of everything in the normal prespawn areas outside of obvious spawning areas. Jerkbaits, nope. Jigs, nope. Drop shot minnow baits, nope. Bloody mary at the Thirsty Otter was the highlight of the outing!
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Neko Rigs
Structure
Docks
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
41°
Tough day! Water temps still pretty low. Find warmer water and you'll find the fish whether or not they bite anything is the question!
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
41°
This is probably one of very few fishing reports where no fish were caught. However, it felt great to get out in the boat for the first time of the season to scan around, check water temps and test out some new gear. I tried out my new Ark rods Tharp series 7'4" B-Hittay and Cobb series 7'3" fairy wand. Although I didn't get a chance to set the hook, the sensitivity and action on these rods was fantastic. The B-Hittay will be my go-to chatterbait and crankbait rod for this season! The fairy wand will be the rod of choice for hair jigs and small swimbaits! Here's to a great season for everyone!
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Points
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
47°
Outing was April 21, 2024. Clear bluebird skies, high pressure with winds increasing from the NW. Water temps ranged from 45 to 50, fish were definitely prespawn. Small males up shallow in the warmest water, but no females. Overall fishing was tough. Overall we caught 4 bass and 2 pike. Most bites came just outside of spawing areas. The 4 bass were on a range of baits, jerkbait, drop shot and jig. Pike on chatterbait and drop shot. Nice day fishing with my brother, but tough fishing.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Laydowns
Water Temperature
51°
Pre spawn stained water is a great time to fish laydowns. I like to cruise areas with a chatterbait and then slow down with the jig thorough key areas or areas that just look extra good. I like to fish the chatter on straight fluoro this time of year in particular. It slows everything down a bit. The jig I also like on straight fluoro. Look for wood with warming dirty water and you should find some big ones.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
50°
The warmer weather front from last weekend pushed them up to 4-10 ft of water. Chatterbait was productive along with crankbait
Alex Yang
Bronze Ambassador
5/13/23
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
63°
Fish seem to be in all 3 stages of the spawn. Caught most of my fish on an inside turn leading to a spawning area in 5-7ft of water. Majority caught on a 1/2oz green pumpkin jackhammer. Go get em!
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Structure Jigs
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
43°
Outing date 04/06/2024, fished from 8am to 230pm. Cool morning, clear skies, warming up. Wind was light to begin and picked up throughout the day, to end quite breezy. Water temps ranged from about 41 to 47 at the warmest. Saw largemouth and pike and panfish up shallow in the warmest water, but no interest in baits. Tried drop off near rocky point and caught two sow bellies in about 9 to 10 feet of water flipping and dragging an All Terrain jig with Yamamotocraw on back. 19.5 and 18 inches within 5 minutes at about 1pm. Had another biggie follow to the boat in the same location, about same size or bigger. Tried the Mastiff line but didn't notice much difference over my typical Invisx and Spro Gouken fluorocarbon lines, more time needed to see if it is better or not. Overall a good day with the two big fish.
