Lower Manitou Lake Fishing Reports by Camp Manitou

[Dave33]

Hiddenbay,

That's the only place i've ever caught walleye on that lake. The thing is they're bigger than what i'd like to be eating. Can't stand the thought of killing a 4+ lb walleye for filets. I'd like to get into some smaller ones.

I've seen muskie in Mosher(haven't caught one there) and a buddy of mine on his first trip to Canada in 08, on the first day of the trip, caught a 44" muskie. The VERY FIRST FISH HE EVER CAUGHT IN CANADA! Needless to say, he's freaking hooked.

[Hiddenbay]

Thanks for the note.

I have fished the lower Manitou for years and have caught some big Muskie but never any Walleye.

[SimilarIsland]

We stayed May 23 and May 24 at Cabin five at Camp Manitou and the 25th througth the 29th at their Outpost Cabin. This was the best trip I've had yet to the Manitou in more than 25 years. The fish catching was non-stop. The smallies were on their beds, the northerns were crusing the shallows and the weather was perfect. Without targeting them, the muskies were continually playing with us. The water Temps when we were there were 62 to 65 in the bays, with some of the small off shoot lakes much warmer. Caught 43 straight bass out of one waterfall, one bay had over 70 northern, average at 100 fish a day. I told my son not to expect this every year. He told me "that's what you said last year!".

This 42.5" was in a shallow bay with a bunch of northern and caught on a small grub (yes, Hidden Bay, Cotton Candy).

She was very beat up from spawning, but we revived her and watched the area to make sure she was OK. We left her in the large net for quite awhile. Only had her out of the water for a few seconds.

I love the central location of the Outpost Cabin.

Thanks Matt for the awesome memories. My son is now hooked beyond his control. I trust his addiction will last a lifetime as mine has.

[Hiddenbay]

Wow, sounds like a great trip. Your timing this year was perfect. Did you get a chance to fish the bays off the big lake or did you do most of your fishing near the stretch?

[SimilarIsland]

Kaminni, Meridian/Weasel, Hailstone, Hidden, Phairs, Flossie, Peep, Mosher, Jackfish, Garnet, Doyle, Olsen, Watson Falls, and a bit of Esox the first day(rained out in Canoe Bay). I tried to cover 2 areas per day. My friend's son also caught a Walleye and a 44.5". My friend said he caught a "striped" walleye with no teeth. After looking at the picture, I regretfully informed him it was a perch!(broke his heart!)Yes, the timing was good this year.

Here's my huge 23" from Olsen (Mine is prettier though!).

[Outfitter17]

6/5/10

This week the bass fishing has been nothing short of fantastic. The bass have been on the beds just about everywhere we fish that is shallow. Along with the main lake, Alonghill, Dogfly, and Gates have also been hot. The hot baits right now are watermelon flukes, motor oil colored tubes, cotton candy colored grubs, and gulp leeches.

Musky season hasn't started yet, but a few guys have caught them just fishing for bass.

The cabbage is really up compared to the last couple of years, right now we are looking at early july weeds instead of early june. I have found a few spots where we already have 8' cabbage and trust me they holding alot of pike.

[Dave33]

Outfitter,

Is the water level on the Manitou coming up any? We'll be there this sunday. Can't wait!

[Outfitter17]

Dave,

It's up about 7" from the time we arrived early this spring, but it's still down about 16"-18" lower than last year at this time. If you make it all the down to this end, stop bye and say hi. Good Luck.

[frydog21]

Seeking advice from those that have fished on Lower Manitou. We like to fish for smallies, but also would like to land the occasional pike and/or muskies that hit too. What's the best overall fishing line to use to catch both smallies and big fish? The water is clear, so I'm wondering if a braid like PowerPro might show up too much? Yes/no? How about fluorocarbon or mono? Any suggestions, pound test, etc. are appreciated. Thanks ~

[Hoffer]

frydog 21-

I will pipe in. Have been up there twice. Both times the smallies were on the bite. I had low vis green stren and also clear stren. It didnt seem to make a difference - as they were really biting well. I would think if the bite is softer - I would stick with clear for the clear water - and I say that even though my all time favorite line is low vis green xtra limp line.

I have never used high pound test flurocarbon for Muskies. I really like the low diameter - high pound test like the powerpro stuff. Maybe others will chime in to go with the clear fluro...but I havent put that to the test much.

Matt...any other suggestions?

Hows the bite up there!

I a thinking you guys are really still going strong on the spawn bite - or maybe its post spawn topwater action now...or maybe they are all done?

[Hiddenbay]

I have fished up there for many years and the line I always use for the

SM Bass is Trilene XT 8 pound test clear.

For the Muskie and pike I would use Black 45 lb. braded dacron. The nice thing about this line is that it will not snap on you and send those expensive Muskie lures to the lake bottom. You can also cast a mile with this stuff. Make sure you are using a good 7 foot rod and quality bait casting reel. A strong 12 inch leader is also a must.

That is my two cents.

[Agent Andy]

I am making my first trip to L M. We are fishing mainly for lakers. Are they in any certain depths and are there any certain spots they are in at this time of the year? We will be trolling with heavy weights so we will be able to fish at any depth with no problem. Thanks.

[frydog21]

SimilarIsland: can you tell me what type of fishing line that you were using to fish smallies, but were able to land the northern and muskies as well? I'm looking for a line that might be able to catch all fish at least reasonably well. Thank you ~

[Hiddenbay]

Where are you staying? On the Manitou it pays to have a good guide. The rocks up there can be very dangerous. Plus a guide up there will put you on the laker holes. There are a lot of great places to fish for Lakers on that body of water.

[Hiddenbay]

Frydog21: I have caught two 40 plus inch Muskies on 8 lb. test on the Manitou. You have to be lucky and good because you are not using a leader. A good casting reel here pays off. Watch your drag. Same thing with Northern.

[Hiddenbay]

Similar Island:

Great pictures! How was the fishing in Mosher Bay? That is a long run.

[SimilarIsland]

SimilarIsland: can you tell me what type of fishing line that you were using to fish smallies, but were able to land the northern and muskies as well? I'm looking for a line that might be able to catch all fish at least reasonably well. Thank you ~

I usually just use 50 lb (12 lb diameter) Power Pro up there for everything with no leader. I don't like the 30 lb. Power Pro because it embeds itself into a baitcaster and you will snap lures off during the cast. I have two spinning rods rigged with 8 lb. Trilene XL for smallies only, like at waterfalls (grubs, tubes). I just hate to lose a $9 XRap to a northern. 95% of the time I'm throwing the 50 lb. Power Pro.

Funny story about 30 lb. Power Pro and why I hate it:

Made a cast while fishing for Northerns in Dogfly with a large new Husky Jerk. Snapped it off during the cast because it had become embedded in the spool. Put my friend's 15 HP tiller in reverse to retreive the lure that was cast behind us. The motor picked up the lureless line and proceeded to drag my Loomis rod into the propeller and shorten it by 6". I hate 30 lb. Power Pro!

[SimilarIsland]

Similar Island:

Great pictures! How was the fishing in Mosher Bay? That is a long run.

Good, it is a very diverse bay and probably the easiest part of the Upper to get to.

[frydog21]

Thanks for the thoughts on line.... I am going up next week - any suggestions on best lures/locations for smallies, northerns, muskie? I have 2 teenage boys that I need to keep entertained. Thanks!

.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((°>

[SimilarIsland]

Where are you staying?

[frydog21]

At Camp Manitou. Was there 6 years ago, so its been awhile and I'm trying to find out the latest and greatest

.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((°>

[Hiddenbay]

I have taken many young men up to the Manitou and the one lure you should have is a Mepps #5 Sliver Blade spinner with a bucktail. Just have your sons keep casting that and they will catch a lot of fish. Another great lure to use is a 5 inch Kalin "cotton candy" collored grub. Make sure you buy 1/4 oz. darter jig heads for this bait. All you have to do is cast and retreive. Outfitter17 should be able to tell you where to go and what to use. I would spend a lot of time in Esox. That part of the lake has great Bass fishing and giant Muskie. Also make sure you get a good map.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[SimilarIsland]

Can't go wrong with what Hidden's telling you. Matt will know the hot spots from his guides that are going out every day. Good luck, have fun, and post some pics when you get back!

Here's some of my favorite pics from the fall of 2006:

[frydog21]

Thanks for the pictures and advice. Six years ago we used the #5 Mepps but specifically without bucktail...it worked great, but I'll get some of both. On the Kalin's grub...do you know who sells them? (Gander, Cabela's, Richard's). I found some online but they won't get here until after we leave. Best,

.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((°>

[SimilarIsland]

You might try Bass Pro. If you can't find the Cotton Candy, I've had good luck with Salt & Pepper also. I think the main thing is to stick with a natural color with the extemely clear water.

Also, set the kids up well to make long casts. With the clear water, the longer casts, the better.