Banks Lake Drawdown Opinions

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Permalink Reply by Yelp on December 5, 2011 at 8:48pm

The weedlines will come back..but I personally think the perch are getting hammered right now by them.  I live here and it will be an interesting learning curve.  I learned a lot while the lake was down.  Why fish were relating to certain structures, etc..  I think the punchbowl always is one of the first areas on Banks to warm up, it supports lots of life and is a great nursery. There will be a lull while new weedlines regrow around the lake.  I am going to look for the bait and on Banks we have several  types.  I have caught lots of big perch in past trips but not alot of small sizes.  I think other minnows that normally use upper water columns are now vunerable to Walleye diets..whitefish, rainbow, kokanee, sucker, carp, etc.. I also know there are other fish smallmouth and largemouth targeting same baitfish.  Minnows including walleye fry, fingerlings are game.  One thing about Banks is it has a very healthy walleye population.  I am not so concerned about it but I know finding the fish will be key.  I caught and this one this fall...  I am going out this week and going to try a little winter fishing.  We'll see.  Its a good opportunity for fisherman to try other areas.  I have a full set of those pictures by the way.  They are great.  I have taken several pics myself.  Been GPSing several spots too.  I posted one of them.

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• Fall 2011 013.JPG, 170 KB
• Fall 2011 014.JPG, 42 KB
• Banks Lake Drawdown 2011 028.JPG, 219 KB

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlecht on December 5, 2011 at 8:56pm

Great information and great photo's. Thanks a boat load!!!-M

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 5, 2011 at 10:07pm

Awesome... I love aerial shots like that, im planning on going over Fri. the forecast looks fine, but can anyone verify that theres no ice?

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlecht on December 6, 2011 at 4:45pm

No idea about the ice... Let us know how it goes please. Can I hope for maybe a photo or two??? M

Ryan Lamb said:

Awesome... I love aerial shots like that, im planning on going over Fri. the forecast looks fine, but can anyone verify that theres no ice?

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 8, 2011 at 6:29am

The camera is coming w/

My plans have changed but am going solo now, im going over primarily for a hike, but will bring a pole and get a few shots of the lake!

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 9, 2011 at 4:32pm

Well , the south end of the lake is frozen and whats left of the punchbowl is frozen. It was 14 degrees when I got there this am! Ill post pics up later if you wanted? nothing special though...

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlecht on December 9, 2011 at 6:55pm

Ryan, thanks for the status. I'm not going to lie, the condition of the punchbowl has me spooked... I guess I'll see for myself end of April... Dude, all your photos are stellar!!! I'd like to see what you saw. Thanks in advance!!! M

Ryan Lamb said:

Well , the south end of the lake is frozen and whats left of the punchbowl is frozen. It was 14 degrees when I got there this am! Ill post pics up later if you wanted? nothing special though...

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 10, 2011 at 7:42pm

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 10, 2011 at 7:43pm

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 10, 2011 at 7:44pm

Those are just from the turnout just North of Northrup

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlecht on December 11, 2011 at 1:37pm

Looks like it was a beautiful day... Was the Northrup ramp usable?? Why ice on the south end but not in the middle of the lake??? Thanks for sharing your photos Ryan.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on December 11, 2011 at 8:51pm

For sure, Northrup i was at back in Sept, and saw 2 people say forget it, but one guy did launch w/ a 18ft boat. To be honest it looked like only the wind prone areas were still liquid, Bc in little pockets there was ice, even the spillway at the south end was frozen over.