big_marine_article2001

Big Marine
Gregg Linblom
June/2001

When Rob and Chris asked me to write a few paragraphs for our web site, the first thing I thought about was how could I write something about Big Marine Lake and only keep it to a few paragraphs? Big Marine is about as diverse a lake as you will ever get a chance to fish for largemouth bass. Bass can be caught in less than a foot of water all the way down to 25 or 30 feet. Let me take you back to the lake's glory days and show you what I mean.

Back in the 70's and early 80's, the water table in most of Washington County started to rise. Lakes like Big Carnelian, Lake Elmo and Big Marine grew to new sizes due to these rising waters. Flooded shallows provided ideal spawning grounds for the largemouth bass and several years of above average spawns took place. Several years of productive hatches, along with lush green weedbeds providing cover, made Big Marine a prime Bass lake not only in the state but in the entire Midwest. In the early 80's, trailer license plates from Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and others became common in the parking lots after the St. Paul Pioneer Press published an article claiming that the next state record largemouth would come from the waters of Big Marine.

A decline in water clarity which reduced the weedbeds and the relentless fishing pressure took a big hit on the fishery near the beginning of the 90's. Many wall mounts and taxidermy shops had some real monsters which came from Big Marine. The lake could not keep up with this slaughter and the success of the fisherman proved that the lake was on the down slide. Five fish limits during tournaments dropped to weights of under 10 lbs, then later under 8 lbs to win. What was once a bass fisherman's paradise had become an average lake in Minnesota. It still had fish, but the lake was now on the decline.

As it ususally happens, the fisherman left for happier waters and low and behold the fishery made a comeback. Big Marine is well on her way back. A Military Bass Anglers tournament held in the summer of 1999, won by John Laub of Lindstrom, MN had a winning weight of 18lbs 2oz. Fifth place was almost 16lbs for the five fish limit. This kind of fishing does not happen all of the time, but these kind of numbers should get us all excited for the opening round of the MinnMasters 2001 season.

Now that we have the history, how do we fish this lake? Take into account that we are in a late Spring and that spawning may be late this year. That should put us in the post spawn patterns (ouch!). when we visit Big Marine. DO NOT WORRY! If you are forced to fish a lake during the post spawn season, Big Marine is a good choice! Look for the long tapering flats to start with and try to cover as much water as you can when you pre fish the lake. Rattlin' Raps, spinnerbaits, Husky Jerks and an old favorite, Floyd's Buzzer, are great baits to use to cover these flats. Start on the shallow side of these flats (4-6 ft.) and work your way to the deep weed edge, which on Big Marine will be 14-18 ft. or more. The bass seem to prefer these long, slow tapering flats during the post spawn over sharp drop offs or ledges. If there is a variety of cover, such as reeds shallow, cabbage at mid depths and coontail way out on the edge, so much the better. One thing I always look for and have had good success with is a sand pocket or hole in the middle of these weed flats. They can be hard to find but well worth it if you can spot such a hole and fish it properly. Use Texas rigged worms or soft jerkbaits and don't move. Slow is the key on these spots. You can actually spook the fish by running over them with the boat, but if you wait long enough, they will take your bait if you have time and wait them out.

This is longer than I had hoped, but I am so excited I could keep rambling for a long time. However, Chris and Rob will probably edit anyhting more I write because it is so long. The best advice I could give anyone fishing Big Marine is to be confident because the fish are there. Try all depths and try to get to the lake to practice if you can. If you have a favorite way to fish, you will probably find a way to make it work on Big Marine.

Have Fun!!! Steve and I will seWhen Rob and Chris asked me to write a few paragraphs for our web site, the first thing I thought about was how could I write something about Big Marine Lake and only keep it to a few paragraphs? Big Marine is about as diverse a lake as you will ever get a chance to fish for largemouth bass. Bass can be caught in less than a foot of water all the way down to 25 or 30 feet. Let me take you back to the lake's glory days and show you what I mean.

Back in the 70's and early 80's, the water table in most of Washington County started to rise. Lakes like Big Carnelian, Lake Elmo and Big Marine grew to new sizes due to these rising waters. Flooded shallows provided ideal spawning grounds for the largemouth bass and several years of above average spawns took place. Several years of productive hatches, along with lush green weedbeds providing cover, made Big Marine a prime Bass lake not only in the state but in the entire Midwest. In the early 80's, trailer license plates from Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota and others became common in the parking lots after the St. Paul Pioneer Press published an article claiming that the next state record largemouth would come from the waters of Big Marine.

A decline in water clarity which reduced the weedbeds and the relentless fishing pressure took a big hit on the fishery near the beginning of the 90's. Many wall mounts and taxidermy shops had some real monsters which came from Big Marine. The lake could not keep up with this slaughter and the success of the fisherman proved that the lake was on the down slide. Five fish limits during tournaments dropped to weights of under 10 lbs, then later under 8 lbs to win. What was once a bass fisherman's paradise had become an average lake in Minnesota. It still had fish, but the lake was now on the decline.

As it ususally happens, the fisherman left for happier waters and low and behold the fishery made a comeback. Big Marine is well on her way back. A Military Bass Anglers tournament held in the summer of 1999, won by John Laub of Lindstrom, MN had a winning weight of 18lbs 2oz. Fifth place was almost 16lbs for the five fish limit. This kind of fishing does not happen all of the time, but these kind of numbers should get us all excited for the opening round of the MinnMasters 2001 season.

Now that we have the history, how do we fish this lake? Take into account that we are in a late Spring and that spawning may be late this year. That should put us in the post spawn patterns (ouch!). when we visit Big Marine. DO NOT WORRY! If you are forced to fish a lake during the post spawn season, Big Marine is a good choice! Look for the long tapering flats to start with and try to cover as much water as you can when you pre fish the lake. Rattlin' Raps, spinnerbaits, Husky Jerks and an old favorite, Floyd's Buzzer, are great baits to use to cover these flats. Start on the shallow side of these flats (4-6 ft.) and work your way to the deep weed edge, which on Big Marine will be 14-18 ft. or more. The bass seem to prefer these long, slow tapering flats during the post spawn over sharp drop offs or ledges. If there is a variety of cover, such as reeds shallow, cabbage at mid depths and coontail way out on the edge, so much the better. One thing I always look for and have had good success with is a sand pocket or hole in the middle of these weed flats. They can be hard to find but well worth it if you can spot such a hole and fish it properly. Use Texas rigged worms or soft jerkbaits and don't move. Slow is the key on these spots. You can actually spook the fish by running over them with the boat, but if you wait long enough, they will take your bait if you have time and wait them out.

This is longer than I had hoped, but I am so excited I could keep rambling for a long time. However, Chris and Rob will probably edit anyhting more I write because it is so long. The best advice I could give anyone fishing Big Marine is to be confident because the fish are there. Try all depths and try to get to the lake to practice if you can. If you have a favorite way to fish, you will probably find a way to make it work on Big Marine.

Have Fun!!! Steve and I will see you on the water!