Balsam Lake
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Balsam Lake Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Balsam Lake. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Largemouth BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructurePointsOuting 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.
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLaydownsPre 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.
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueStructure JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureBrush PilesFlipping Cage Fighter within floating bogged lily pad roots for this 5.3lb Wisco GIANT
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureSubmerged Vegetation
The warmer weather front from last weekend pushed them up to 4-10 ft of water. Chatterbait was productive along with crankbait
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureSubmerged Vegetation
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!
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueStructure JigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructurePoints
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!
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueNeko RigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureDocks
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!
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureLily Pads
The fish were pushing shallow to spawn and was just getting them on the incoming pad stems and roots. Super aggressive and would just burn the chatterbait right over the tops of the pads.
