I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

[Silk]

We have a place up on Leech Lake in northern MN. The wonderful thing about this lake is its size over 112,000 acres, with tons of reasonabley sized bays and coves to sneak into and the multi-species fishing is outstanding.

But I have to confess, I am intimidated going out onto the main basin. I am in Steamboat Bay, a smaller, shallow bay (proably 3,000 acres) and I have gone out to Walker Bay, but I have yet to get into the main basin. I really want to get in there and over to another Bay (Sucker, Portage and Boy) for more fishing opportunities, but quite frankly the size of it intimidates me.

Advise from some of you big lakers on what to watch out for, what not do. I've poked my head out onto the lake, but so far have stuck somewhat close to shore. My boat is only 16.5 and its red and white color makes me feel even more like a bobber out there I cannot stay by the shoreline forever as it has hundreds of miles of shoreline, it would take forever for me to get to Boy Bay or even Portage.

I have included a map just for reference, but I would think big lake advise is universal. Thanks all

 

[oldjeep]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Main thing is to be prepared with fuel and bad weather gear. There will be days that you can cut right accross the center and have to hug the shore on the way back because the wind has come up. If you get cell coverage on the whole lake, thats a bonus as long as you have the number of someone to call for help if you need it. In a little boat even I'd wear life jackets all the time when crossing the big part.

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

i run a 15 foot boat in a lake 34 miles long 3 miles wide, and 200 feet deep. ive been out in 3 footers coming over the bow etc etc. ask yourself whats the big deal? whats that different compared to the large bay? as long as you have all the proper safety equipment. maybe a vhf radio, but i dont..... and a decent background and common knowledge of boating, have at it! is it the far from shore that spooks you or????? just curious...

not much advise to give. make sure boat is in good shape, safety equipment etc and try it! i remember the first time i was on my lake in a 21 footer in 4 foot nasty chop i was scared to death, but it quickly came to me, respect the water and she will take care of you...

 

[Silk]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

I think it is being out in the middle so far away from the shoreline and while I have boated on some decent choppy water, nothing as choppy as what can happen on the main basin. My main fear is the scenario mentioned, calm on the way out and super chop coming home...I think I would be less stressed if I did this the first few time with my husband only and no kids, even the older ones in the boat. My mom fear factor kicks in and I get more worried and tense with kids than without them, didn't get this grey hair leading a care free life, lol. :facepalm:
Life vests for all, a definite and I do have numbers for help if needed.

 

[Knightrider2]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

I have a place on Lake Livingston in Texas and I know how you feel. Lake Livingston is smaller than what your lake is. Lake Livingston is only 90,000 acres with 450 miles of shoreline, but is still a very impressive and intimidating lake. I have been staying along the shore line except to cross an area I know to get to my favorite marina and another spot to get to Pine Island where everyone hangs out.

I have experienced what oldjeep is talking about; you can cross the center early and have to hug the shoreline to get back because the winds can pick up pretty quick. I have a 20 foot boat and still feel uncomfortable with areas I am not familiar with. Be patient and try to explore when the weather is right, but be careful and be prepared for a shoreline return.

 

[JB]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Back in the '70s I fished every inch of Leech Lake from a 16' Boston Whaler Sakonnet (see avatar). Had to deal with the lake standing on edge a few times, but slowing down and quartering the waves did the job.

You say you have a 16' boat. Tell us more about it. That should be big enough and fast enough to deal with a small lake like Leech

 

[Silk]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Knight, its good to know I'm not the only one with the intimidation factor in tackling the bigger lake for teh first time, your obviously doing well conquerinjg it.

JB every inch, how awesome is that!?!? Well I have a 16.5 foot fiberglass Forester I/O with a 4.3L V6, manual says 205hp. The boat does pickup and go (a bit too fast for me, I keep it around 35mph, but it moves waaaay faster, but I don't )

Oddly enough, i come from a seafaring family. My Grandpa was a Portguese rum runnner in the Bahamas during the prohibition era, My dad was a Cheif engineer on a ship(prior to that he had his own commercial fishing boat) , my brother is a captain on a 400 foot ship going thru the Panama canal even as I speak. I have been out on the ocean, I have been deep sea fishing, I have done big water, but never have I been in control of the whole shebang nor been in something this small I think I'm a dissapointment to the family name :facepalm:

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

it takes a real boater to safely power a small vessel through some big water time and time again, so i disargee on the dissapointment to the family name thing! any ding bat can turn the key and drive across a lake with 3 foot chop in a thirty footer, it takes someone with brains and knowledge and maybe a few other things to power a 15 or 16 foot boat across that same lake in the same conditions, and succeed time and time again. IN MY OPINION...... now docking that thirty footer may be a different story! lol have at it, goodluck!

 

[MN-WaterGuy]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Silk, I've fished Leech, Rainy, Red, Mille Lacs, Vermilion and Lake of the Woods for the past fifteen years - I understand what you're saying about the weather sneaking up on you. It sounds like you've got plenty of boat (quite a bit more than me!), and provided it's in good shape w/ a reliable motor, you shouldn't be concerned crossing the main body. On the other hand, if you're not comfortable, you shouldn't do it. I'd recommend spending as much time on the water as you can to build confidence. As mentioned earlier, you can always hug the shoreline if the weather goes to heck. Since you're in MN, you can also expect that if you have to beach or use a stranger's dock, he'd probably invite you in for venison stew and a Busch Light. Every cloud has a silver lining...

 

[kfa4303]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Nah. Maybe you can make the first trip with a buddy boat. If you have a friend with a boat y'all can cross the lake together one day. Or you could follow behind another boat that is making the crossing just to keep another craft in site. I think it's mostly mind over matter though. Your boat doesn't know if it's in deep or shallow water. There's no reason it should die out in the middle of the lake anymore than it should on the shoreline. Kind of like being on a balance beam; 12 feet isn't really any harder than 12 inches, except in your mind. Take care of your boat and she'll take care of you.

 

[badkins50]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Oh yeah not a problem with that motor thats for sure. It's plenty more than enough for that boat. You will be fine. Just time and bravery will kick in one day and before you know you will be laughing about the nervous breakdowns you use to get while the family enjoys the waves like a roller coaster. I use to be that way about erie until my dad took the helm and showed me a thing or two as to what my boat could do. There is always something to learn from dear ole dad. Good luck.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Easiest and safest solution, trailer your boat to the section you want to fish. That way you don't have to worry about crossing big open water should the weather turn sour. There's no law that says you have to travel by boat to get to the other side of a large lake.

To get to know your way around a lake start out close to home and then venture out a little further every time you go out and gradually get the feel of the lake.

 

[cribber]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

Just learn the shoreline around your lake first. Then when the weather kicks up you'll know where to go to avoid the worst of the chop to head back home. I boat the Harris Chain and even a 20 mph wind can kick up some serious water depending on where the wind is piling up. Doesn't take much to stir up our lowland lake waters down here in Florida. If you can't ride across the top of the waves then nose it up until you can!!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

All very good advise here. I would like to say that being intimidated and even a little scared is a good thing, not being scared can get you into trouble. I do lake Erie in my 16'er and there are days when I go out reluctantly and get that uneasy feeling, it's no fun and usually makes for a very short trip. Other days I've sat and fished listening to radio and just having a good ol relaxing time. You have to pick good weather days.

 

[sasto]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

I wouldn't think of it as intimidation....my household and friends get it, whether fishing, docking, launching, going to unknown waters.....

I don't care how many times we have done situations....we get more adventuresome.

Boating? Not for the timid.

Good Luck!.....in your newest adventure.

 

[ewenm]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

yeah our lake scares me to, especially when i cant see the shore and i know the other side is over near south america hehehehehehe

 

[southkogs]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

I grew up boating on a lake that was 271 acres. When I moved to TN, I started boating on the impound lakes down here and they were considerably bigger - 18,000 acres or more. Honestly, it just took some getting used to. I've been on the Great Lakes too, and that's different even more. Just a few years ago, I got to run on the Pacific in a 24' boat ... again, a whole new game.

Take your time. If you're nervous - don't do it. Do what you're comfortable with. On a day when you've got some extra nerve ... drive out in the main lake and take it on. When it starts feeling overwhelming, go home. Heck, who's gonna' know you were tense besides you? Don't worry about it. Have fun with the sections you know, and learn the other ones when you can/want to. Nobody's keeping score.

 

[Silk]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

It didn't work out so well guys, the lake won, take a gander

http://youtu.be/Qfl7IWfHz_Y

 

[jigngrub]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

... and that's exactly why I recommend trailering/towing your boat and launching at the new part of the lake you want to fish. It's much quicker getting there and getting back home and much safer too.

The getting home quicker will come in handy if there's ever a need for you cut your trip short because of an emergency at home.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: I confess: I am intimidated by my large lake

I had the same feeling (even on a smaller lake) as Silk. I have always been a little intimidated by rough water. I have a 1991 Ranger with a 150hp motor so its a small boat with a big motor (so to speak). I took my wife out for the first time this weekend and wouldn't
you know it--the wind was blowing 18 to 20 mph and was white-capping but I followed the rules and even my wife was comfortable. It was a big boost for me and don't feel the intimidation as much now. I was so supprised how stable the boat was. I have been in some boats in this type of wind and it really beat you to death. It's like my dad has always told me--for driving and boating--drive defensively and
when things aren't comfortable just slow down and pay attention.