Hey guys,

First I have to compliment everyone for this great site. I'm from MN and am on the staff of Anglerinsider.com which covers MN,WS,IA,ND,& SD. I've been reading mainly your bass forum in preparation for a bass trip April 5-10 trying to decide which lake or lakes we should hit. I'm really impressed by the numbers of posts and info you have here.

My partner and I would like to get into some good spring fishing. Everything is still frozen solid here, -3� as I write this, and we are in need of some open water action. We want to find decent numbers of maybe 3lb + fish with a chance for some over 7lbs. I know Fork fairly well, I used to fish it during the fall in the 90's and know it could be good but we also don't like crowds. I've been reading a lot of posts about Ray Roberts, good and bad, and think it might be a good choice for numbers with a shot at some nice fish. We know what we're doing and aren't looking for spots. We hope to hit some fish on the spawn, what are our chances for each lake? Which lake would you recommend for the week we'll be down? If another lake in the general area might be better we'd be interested too.

Thanks for any advice and if you guys ever head up our way check out AnglerInsider.com and we'll help you out.

MNbasser

fork ...raybob is in a slump lately

Fork now ray roberts april and may

If you want numbers in April go to Fork but for Big fish in April, I fish Ray Bob...Just my opinion and Good luck.
Did you say -3^ that's cold for sure...

Ya, -3�F in March sucks, you guys are living in the right spot. My personal best is 7.5 out of Fork years ago and I would like to top it this trip. I was thinking Ray Bob could best that in April.

If you decide to fish RR, I would hire Danny Golden on day 1 to help you the rest of your trip. I would invest to learn the many years of experience he will share with you and help eliminate unproductive water. The problem with RR is everything looks good because their is so much good looking water.

Good luck and welcome to TFF!!!

Flip a coin that time of year....

Both have the potential to be really good. Check the wind forecast when you come. If its calm go to Ray Bob. Windy go to Fork because you can always duck the wind at Fork.

Ray-Bob! Timing should be perfect.Less crowded.

If you want to avoid the crowds, then definitely go to Ray Bob and spend a day on the water with Dannie Golden. He put us on some serious fish in April last year and it was EASY fishing. Our best 5 went something like 27-28# that day and included a 7+. Also, the grass has made a HUGE comeback on that lake and I expect 2011 to be a banner year. A buddy of mine (Delvec on TFF) fished out there last week and said he caught 23 fish up to 5# with a bunch in the 2-3# range.

Thanks for all the fast replies guys! Any idea of the water temps in the backs of the north facing coves right now?

You could have a great day on either lake in April. Personally, I think that the first part of April is "PrimeTime" on RR and on any given day, you could come away with your PB. However, never count out Fork. Fishing will be good on fork as well and there will be crowds on both (more on Fork). If I had to suggest a lake, I would go with RR, but you can't go wrong either way.

Don't know on Fork but last weekend on RR I found water anywhere from 53 to 59 degrees and warming up fast.

I would pick fork...Ray Bob can be good but Fork is always good and you're one cast away from a fish of a lifetime.

+1

Just come to Fork. With an extended stay, you should be able to figure out what exactly is going on with the fish and just flat out get on them. Temps in the creeks now are from 55-60+