I was able to hit a number of Minneapolis Metro lakes in the past 6 weeks during a few trips down there. These became the content for my recent YouTube videos showing I approach them during the summer heat from shore and public piers. The goal was just catching fish, not targeting trophies. There’s a big challenge that exists here: pressured fish, heat, no live bait, no boat. But with proper techniques, you can put the odds in your favor. For this newsletter, this focus will be from this recent YouTube video.

Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) is the largest lake in the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, sitting at 419 surface acres with a max depth of 82 feet. It was known as Lake Calhoun until being renamed in 2018. Nearly the entire shoreline is shore-fishing accessible, backed by a full walking path around the lake and paid parking throughout (pay by app, card, or coin). I fished this on three different occasions this summer and only about one hour each time. But I have fished it a few times in the past and still scratching the surface on understanding the lake and looking forward to seeing it this fall for walleye.

During the summer heat, I targeted bass. On one of the days there was a light to moderate wind blowing in, which is great for shore fishing there. A young angler down the bank from me caught his personal best bass on a white spinner bait. I actually netted it for him. That was a great bait choice for those conditions.

There are also pike and muskies roaming these waters. I hooked into a (bonus) pike while drop shot fishing the north pier. It was released healthy after a quick lift for the camera.

And on the subject of bigger fish and summer heat. Here’s that monster muskie (R.I.P.) caught in a canoe back in 2021:

1️⃣ Drop Shot. This is an obvious and sometimes overlooked rig. When weed growth is moderate, this can be the ticket. During my YouTube video I used a 6" Green Pumpkin Rapala Crush City Janitor on a 1/0 VMC Finesse Neko hook. This hook has a bait keeper and also more stream lined than wide gap hooks, less chance of snagging weeds. I did between an 8 lb and 10lb fluorocarbon leader with braid mainline. For the drop length from the hook to the weight (just a lead 1/4oz cylinder) it varied from 16-24”. I do prefer a longer drop to keep the worm higher off the bottom. Of course, rod angle and structure contour can play a major factor in this.

The approach was simple — cast it as far out as possible, count it down to find bottom, then work it back with slack line in a drag, drop, shake, and repeat cadence, watching for the line to jump or twitch as the main bite indicator. When it gets stuck on a weed, I’d rip it off and let it fall on a slack line. I had a couple of bites on the initial fall near the deeper part of the weed line. At least, as far as I could reach.

Bonus tip: I was using a matte finish old school lead cylinder weight. This shape pulls great through weeds. Also, most anglers overlook the sinker's finish, not just its weight. Shiny, unpainted tungsten sinkers flash light and most times bluegill will attack it on the fall or anytime it’s off the bottom. They may still attack the worm, but you’re not giving them two options now. Matte or painted sinkers can kill that effect.

2️⃣ Wacky Rig. This is always great to use around fishing piers, the slow fall is great for pressured bass. During filming, I went with a 5” Green Pumpkin Rapala Crush City Pig Stick on a 1/0 VMC RedLine Drop Shot Hook. I used an “O” ring on the center of the bait. This was fished on 8lb Sufix Fluorocarbon leader to 8lb braid main line. When fishing along the shore at Calhoun, I made very long casts, and after it hit the water surface I kept the reel bail open letting more line out. I wanted it to fall on slack line and had many bass bite on the initial drop. The other bites were about half way back.

Bonus tip: Because most bites came on the initial fall, dragging a wacky worm all the way back to the shore can waste time. I’d recommend working it about half way back, then reeling in and recasting to another area. If it was spring time, this would be a different story with bass cruising shallower. For now, late summer into fall, the former approach (long casts/deep weed line) is best to maximize casts and save time.

There are two new videos up on my channel, both featuring Minneapolis Metro fishing. Here’s the video that this newsletter’s content was gathered from:

If you’re ever in the Twin Cities and have a taste for ice cream, stop by Pumphouse Creamery. Ann and I have stopped in many times. It’s located close to Lake Nokomis and not far from Lake Harriet, if we are gauging distance from nearby lakes. The flavor selection does change, so check their website for current offerings. Two of my favorite flavors are: Sea Salt-Caramel-Praline Pecan and Mango w/Carolina Reaper Pepper.

If you made it this far, THANKS! Next week, we will dive deep into more Minneapolis Metro lakes and techniques to catch fish off docks/piers. Maybe some other things too. I’m editing the next YouTube video now, which is from a road trip up to Winnipeg, then flying into Eagle Nest Lodge for the best shore lunch I’ve ever had! Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!