Minnesota Fishing Tips at Shady Rest Resort for a MN family vacation near Alexandria Minnesota

Shady Rest Resort

Fishing at Shady Rest

Going "Up to the Lake" still means, "We're going Fishing!" At Shady Rest Resort near Alexandria Minnesota, we offer a great opportunity for great fishing during you family vacation on the incredibly beautiful Lake Amelia.

"Fisherman Dan" Langhoff 6 1/2 lb tournament walleye sunfish-sunfish-sunfish 7 lb walleye

In fact, more and more anglers are turning their attention to Lake Amelia. The "Old Timers" remember Lake Amelia and its' sister Lake Villard as being the premier Pan fishing lakes in central Minnesota. One pound Sunfish and Crappies near 2 pounds were not uncommon and are still being caught today. Amelia and Villard are connected by a small channel that can be used by small boats.

Click on the lake picture or map t to make it large

Lake Amelia is about 940 acres and is quite clean and clear.
It is made up of mostly sand and gravel so you don't have a lot of heavy weed growth and it has a lot of structure- sandbars, mid-lake humps, points, steep drops, and wide shelves all which add up to a lot of choices for the angler. Max. depth of 71 feet. Amelia was regularly stocked with Walleye in the '80's and was well maintained in the '90's making them abundant and with good size. You'll also find Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Bullhead, Yellow Perch and lately some Smallmouth Bass have come in.

First: A quick note on keeping Lake Amelia a great lake to fish.

Lake Amelia has always been a very good fishing lake. Shady Rest Resort wants to help maintain this good fishing for our guests as well as for the residences of the lake by encouraging catch and release. This has been proven to be very effective in keeping any lake's fish population healthy. Of course, we know that having a fish dinner or two is always an important reason to fish. Please be selective in the fish you keep.

Obviously there is a number of factors that come into play when releasing a fish including at what depth was the fish brought up from, how tired the fish is, how badly was the fish hooked, what type of net or instrument was used to bring the fish out of the water, and how long the fish is out of the water. (these are just a few factors)

It has been proven that big fish produce big fish. We suggest you bring a camera with. If you do catch that big fish, take a picture of it and there are companies that can produce a graphite reproduction of that fish for you. Plus, you'll know that the fish you caught will only be bigger the next time you catch it.

Here's some of Minnesota's fishing regulations. For complete details, here is a link to the Minnesota DNR's web site www.dnr.state.mn.us .

Nonresident. Important info: All nonresidents age 16 and older are required to have an appropriate fishing license while angling. Nonresidents under age 16 don't need a license if an accompanying parent or guardian is licensed. Children of an adult who has a Minnesota nonresident family license may possess their own limit of fish. However, if the adult has an individual license, the child's fish are included in the adult's limit. Nonresidents under the age of 16 may purchase a license and possess their own limit of fish.

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Fishing Tips from "Fisherman Dan"

Dan Langhoff has been fishing Lake Amelia for more than 30 years and knows the lake better than just about anyone. You can find Dan around Shady Rest's Tackle Shop most of the day and he would be happy to give you his tips on how to land a few fish. There is a state wide size limit for walleye and northern pike. Please see the regulation link below for more information. We would like everyone to follow the practice of catch and release.

"Fisherman Dan"

Late Spring-early Summer:

Opening weekend- water temp is a big factor, look for areas with laid down weed growth where the water temp will be higher, the south side of the sandbar, the north end where the sun warms the water the most and also where water is stirred up a bit (like near where the water flows in from lake Villard), that will raise water temp- that's where the walleyes will likely be. Water temp of 52-56 will see the most activity.
We still have been seeing a lot of big crappies the last couple of years, but not many near the 2 pounds we got in the past! Last year, many were in the pound to pound and a quarter range. Dock fishing is good for sunfish.
Later on, the walleyes will move out near weed lines or drop-offs however, look for them to come on to the shelves to feed at dusk. Bass opener is excellent. Northerns very active.

Summer:

Panfish very active, good size Crappies and Sunfish found, look for Walleyes in deeper water or in weed-beds. This is a clear lake and if you know how to fish through the weeds, that will be where many nice walleyes will be found even during the day. This is a great night-fishing lake but only use artificial lures. The best times is earlier in the day or towards evening. Northerns & Bass very active, mostly in the shallows and near weed lines.

Late Summer-early Fall:

Fishing is still good but it really heats up around the middle of September. As the water begins to cool, fish become very active. If you're looking for great fishing, this is the time. #Note: The lake turned over very late in 2007, 1st week in Oct. This pushed the summer fishing deep into September.

The first thing to remember is that what works on one lake may or may not work on another. Be ready to change strategies, presentation and colors. What worked in Canada might not work here. Don't be stubborn. If they aren't biting- change is good. THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT FISHING AND NOT CATCHING.
Best colors for the lake are yellow or chartreuse for jigs and spinners. Live bait is best during the day, artificial lures are good at night. Late spring, when that water temp starts to reach 55, is when you'll see some big walleyes and crappies get pulled in.
Look up Dan at the bait shop, he'll let you know where you can find them.

For the official Minnesota
DNR Site and updated regs. Click Here
(You can buy your fishing license, view all regulations, and more at their site)

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