Thomer Loc: Alexandria, Mn

I’m a novice fisherman, just moved to a spot on Lake Mary in central Minnesota. Been out trying to catch some walleye, but not having any luck. Been dragging Lindy rigs tipped with leeches and/or minnows. Could use some suggestions! Was out this winter and had success crappie fishing, but this spring has been dismal!

lipsticker Loc: Hartford Wisconsin

Thomer, tell us all a little more about Lake Mary. If we know what you have to work with water wise, one of us will put you on fish.

Thomer Loc: Alexandria, Mn

Lake Mary is a 2500 acre lake in west central Mn. Its shoreline is predominantly bulrushes and cattails. The deepest spot is about 36 ft. There are two points so to speak that are marked as shallow water. One of them is a rocky sort of reef that kind of separates Lake Mary from “Little Mary”. Little Mary averages about 6 to 10 ft, with a couple pockets up to about 15. Along the reef in the winter we’ve had success crappie fishing with many 12 inchers. Seems like many boaters are fishing in approx 20-25 ft , moving around with trolling motors. Wife and I fish out of a pontoon, back- trolling to get speed down to 1.25-1.5 mph. We’ve been using Lindy rigs with minnows or leaches.
Caught some bass, a walleye, and several hammer handle Northern Pike. The lake has bass, crappie, pike, walleye, sunfish, and carp. Surface water temp is 70 degrees. Oh yeah, the lake bottom is sandy and weeds.

Rock Hound Loc: Southeast Minnesota

Lake Mary in Douglas County? If so, you are on a good lake.

Drifting with a Lindy Rig should catch some walleye. The 1.25 to 1.5 MPH might be a little fast for a Lindy Rig. You could also cast out and reel in slow if there is no wind for a drift.

Otherwise, if you are going to backtroll, you could also look at using a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness. Jigs and minnow, leeches, or crawlers should also produce (and they would all work on a Lindy Rig as well. If it is dead calm, you might even want to try slip bobbers on the break lines in the morning or evening with a leech.

Lake Mary has nice break lines, I would focus on those, and also focus on a shoreline that the wind is blowing into or had been blowing into.

You may want to also focus on sunrise, sunset, and cloudy and / or windy days to break up light penetration.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Experiment with different depths outside the weed lines.

lipsticker Loc: Hartford Wisconsin

Hound has you pretty covered except trying some crank bait over the weed tops right around sunset into the evening. Don't be shy to move in tight on the wind blown shore and cast shallow running cranks.

Thomer Loc: Alexandria, Mn

Thanks guys! Gonna give your suggestions a whirl when our weather changes. Been dead calm with temps to the mid 90’s. This guys not big on heat and blistering sun ( except in January)! As many of you say, looking forward to some “ tight lines”.

PanelDude Loc: Alexandria Mn

Troll the east side of Mary in 12-16 feet in front of the Mary Wood.