Lower Manitou Lake Fishing Reports by Barker Bay Resort

[Robin]

Well we had our first week of ice fishermen in for 2012! I can report that ice conditions in Barker Bay are good with 14 inches of clear solid ice with about 6 inches of snow. Out by Lonesome Charlie at the entrance to Barker Bay there is 7 inches of ice, at first there was no snow, now with 1-2 inches. The main body of the big lake is not safe yet to travel on. Temps today are to hit 37F with maybe even some rain before cooling off again tomorrow night. The guys got good numbers of trout and below are a few photos of some nice trout and a Northern caught this past week in Barker Bay.

[SimilarIsland]

Robin,

Some nice fish there! Hope you and Wayne are doing well.

How's the lake level look so far? Are you and Wayne handling the dam now?

Craig

[Robin]

Craig,

We are doing fine thanks...busy with ice fishermen now. The lake level is still low, it was a good 2 feet down before freeze up. No, we are not involved with the dam management, that is through the MNR.

[prov1900]

That pike is a monster! Trout 'ain't' bad either

Thanks for the pics!

[Wanderer]

I'm liking what I see!

As far as numbers go, what's an average day's catch for lakers up that way? I see the size can be nice!

[Robin]

Wanderer...that can vary but they generally do pretty well.

[Agent Andy]

Hey Wanderer, even the small trout are nice sized. As far as the numbers, in late Feb last year we caught many each day. The best part is you can't find a nicer place or better service than you will at Barker Bay Resort.

[Wanderer]

Thanks. I figured it was more than the average we see in MN on the lakes with the bigger fish but was just curious.

A nice place to stay run by nice people would just double the fun I'm sure!

[MNdreaMN]

Robin,

Great looking pike. Do you have any idea how big it was?

NP

[Robin]

It was 15 lbs, not sure of the length. A very nice one!

[Robin]

The trout seem to be all over yet...guests are finding them shallow and way down to 80-100ft! Some nice Northerns too.

[Robin]

Some nice fish and scenery our latest guests have found.

[Robin]

Some nice Manitou Trout, Bass and a sunset at our Ranger Bay Outpost cabin...also had a lot of thunderstorms and some hail yesterday.

[Robin]

A couple nice trout from this past week.

[Robin]

I haven't posted much this summer, but here are a few pics of some October fish caught right here in Barker Bay. The Muskie was just under 43 inches and caught on a fly rod! The Bass was 19 inches.

[Rick]

Is the fishing done for the year?

[Robin]

Rick...We are anxiously awaiting the start of the Trout season on the Manitou Jan 1st. We will be up there a few days before to open up and check ice. Barker Bay freezes before the big lake and we do well with the Trout and Northern right in our bay. The temps are going to be pretty cold this week up there, currently it is -11F in Dryden. We are open in winter by reservation...just call or email with questions or to reserve a spot.

Our last soft water fishermen were in late Oct.

[Robin]

First couple Trout of 2013 Lower Manitou Lake Jan 1st! There is 8-10 inches of ice in Barker Bay, about 5 inches ice closer to the big lake, some slush.

[Robin]

Ice is gone and the Trout fishermen are in...sure is nice to see some open water!!

[Robin]

Lower Manitou sure has some great Trout fishing!!

These recent Barker Bay guests always find the Trout!

[Robin]

Some great Laker fishing and some really good blackened fresh Lake Trout for dinner!

[Robin]

Trout fishing has been great!!

[Robin]

This is a really nice big Laker...36 plus inches and over 20# caught and released today on Lower Manitou Lake.

[ZAGS]

Hey Robin,

Are you still taking ice fishing reservations this year?

[Robin]

Mike...we sure are! Give me a call 218-206-2440 or email [email protected]

Thanks,

Robin