Lower Manitou Lake Fishing Reports by Camp Manitou

[Outfitter17]

Hey guys thanks for reading the summer reports, we just finished our deer season, so here are a few pictures. If you are planning a winter trout trip, just let us know - we have a discount for FM members. Email to find out more. Enjoy.

[prov1900]

That second pic deer is a "hoss". Nice pics. Nice deer.

[Outfitter17]

We have had quite a bit of snow early this year that really slowed down our ice production, but after a few nights at -30F lower manitou has finally frozen all the way over. The stretch by the camp was froze last week, but it took a week more to cover the big lake.

The lake isn't safe by any means yet, but things are really improving.

[Robin]

New Year's Trout and Northern fishing was good out on Barker Bay on the Lower Manitou! The photos below are from last weekend.

Ice conditions today are about 12 inches in Barker Bay and 6 inches out towards Sandpiper and the opening to the Stretch. There are some areas of slush but only a few inches deep. Fishermen today did well.

[ZAGS]

How is it looking Robin?

[Robin]

We had fishermen out on the lake today, the trout fishing is a bit slower than the first two weekends but they did pretty well anyway. The slush is in pockets, some not bad and some about 8 inches deep or so. The ice out on the big lake was 13-14 inches deep. Snow today with a brisk wind, forecast calls for subzero temps in the next few days.

[superbee]

Condtions are very bad with slush right now. I just had a group that fished Dogfly and tried to fish the Manitou but there was too much slush. Dogfly was slush from one end to the other and never got out of it the entire trip. They had 2 smaller machines with and they were stuck everyday. Sleds with high power got around ok when not towing, but you need waterproof boots when fishing.

[ZAGS]

Well that is not what I wanted to hear...... thanks for the info though...

[uffdapete]

Sounds similar to when we were up there 3 weeks ago - maybe worse. We did find places to get out of it so weren't standing in water when fishing. Bottom line - slush is miserable -

[superbee]

It is definately a mess. Somehow it is only in pockets a few miles away, even though it is a mess everywhere else.

[Robin]

There is a lot of snow in the bush and on the lake now and yes there is slush. My fishermen report some spots not too bad and some spots 10-12 inches or so deep. Some got stuck a time or two but they were able to find places to fish without standing in water.

A few photos of fishing Jan 27-31

[ZAGS]

Awesome pictures Robin... thanks for the info, keep us posted on ice conditions, I would like to try one more trip before baseball starts.

[Outfitter17]

Ice fishing/slush conditions went from some of the worst in recent years to some of the best in just a week. Here are some pictures from some guys that were up this past weekend. If you put off your trout trip earlier this year, now is the time to get up here. If anyone has questions about conditions in the area, just let me know.

[Robin]

The slush has settled and travel is good. There is about 17 inches of good blue ice on the big lake. Pretty good fishing overall last weekend.

[Agent Andy]

we are coming up 2/27 for 5 days and one of the guys asked about using a camera. Is the water clear enough to use a camera?? As this is our first trip ice fishing on L.M., can anyone let use know what has been working for hooks and bait??? Thanks.

[Outfitter17]

The conditions are great right now, we are building ice each night so it looks like we will easily go into the first weekend of april with safe ice. Travel on all the lakes in the area is good right now and fishing has been good on the Manitou Stretch, Dogfly, Alonghill, and James. Here are some more ice fishing pictures.

[Agent Andy]

Great pictures. We are coming up 2/27 for for our first time ice fishing. One of the guys is wondering if the water is clear enough to bring a camera with. Also can anyone offer advice on what is working for hooks and bait??? Thanks.

[Outfitter17]

Hi Andy,

The water is defiantly clear enough to use one, however you are going to be down 45-80fow and it will be really dark, so that may be your issue.

I have some guys from Cabelas coming up to test some new products this weekend as well as do a little filming and I know they will also be bringing a color underwater camera to try.

Some of the best trout lures right now are just simpley a 1/2oz jig head with a white or glow tube, Northland Slurpie Jerk shad in White shad or Silver Shad are also good. Heddon Rattl' Sonar in the white/blue pattern. Simple bucktail jigs with a minnow head on them. On your second line just run a tipup with a cisco on it.

Good Luck on your trip,

Matt

[Agent Andy]

Thanks for the quick response. I will have to do some shopping. Sure would be nice to talk to the Cabela guys if they will be there on Monday.

[Outfitter17]

The Cabelas guys will be leaving camp Monday Morning. I am sure if you got up early on monday and came down to camp, they would be more than willing to chat with you. If you do run down and they are already gone, and you want to do some fishing, just fish off our flag pole or just to the ease side of the island just north of the camp. You will see holes already drilled in the area. These two locations have been really hot the past couple of weekends.

Are you going to be on the water on Sunday or just arriving late sunday?

[Agent Andy]

Thanks for the info. How far down the channel from the lake is the camp?

[Outfitter17]

Approx. 6 miles, didn't you pass right by the island on your summer trips to LM?

[SimilarIsland]

Matt,

Hope your new little girl's doing well!

[Outfitter17]

Craig,

She is doing great, just got back from a couple of sport shows and I think she got more people to book a trip than I have in the past couple of years;) The people really like a newborn, I couldn't believe the attention she got. I will post some new pictures of her next time I download the camera.

Thanks for asking about her.

[Agent Andy]

We did go by 2 different places and we weren't sure which one was yours..Thanks again for the info.