Lake of the Woods...Winter Lake Trout....Where to go?

[Mike Stark]

I am thinking about making a late ice trip with my Dad this April. Any recommendations on where to go or where to stay? Thinking about Sioux Narrows.

Thanks.

[Fred_Bear]

April is never a sure thing as far as ice goes... especially this year. So maybe look into moving the trip to March if thats a possibility for you.

You have quite a few options. Nestor falls, sioux narrows, pipstone area, and lower manitou are a few that are relatively close to MN. Personally I've been to Nestor and Sioux Narrows. Nestor is more of a numbers and adventure game whereas Sioix narrows is an option for the chance at a bigger fish. Nestor falls gives the possibility of fishing crow and 7 different portage lakes i can think of if you are looking for adventure. Sioux narrows pretty much limits you to Whitefish Bay. There also seems to be more pressure here.

Hope this helps. There are some resort owners on here who can give good info on the pipestone area and lower manitou.

[Mike Stark]

Thanks Fred Bear.

Where did you stay up there?

We are thinking about drive to resorts. We only have one sled for the two of us and it's not a 2up. So the closer to the fishing/resort the better. From what I have found it sounds like Sioux Narrows is the best bet for being close to laker fishing. The idea of big trout sounds better to me than numbers. What is an average day up there?

Does anyone know the conditions around Sioux Narrows and Nester Falls?

Thanks.

[Tolens]

Mike

the way things are goin with the weather I'd say no later then the end March for WFB ... Its a 20 minute sled ride from Morson to WFB.. I don't know if that helps

[welfedted]

Tolenspl, what has the snow done to the sleding conditions? Can a guy still get around, hows the slush? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks WFT

[Fred_Bear]

WFB is very inconsistent from my experience. Success seems to depend more on getting lucky with timimg that anything else. There are some real good days when its unreal fishing but there are more el skuko days here than other places I've fished. On average if I can get a good fish and a couple other hits (barbless hooks only) im satisfied for a day of fishing. Also it is different from other lakes i've fished in the aspect of structure we fish... not as much action on typical sharp breaking reefs and points. Crow is more of a lake where you can pick a good looking point and it will hold fish.

I know you are used to fishing lakers in MN using spoons, jigging raps, and other baits of that sort but IMO leve them at home. Tie on a white tube or at least some sort of white plastic and leave it on. I've caught fish on the other baits mentioned but not nearly as consistent.

WFB and crow both have fishing right out from resorts if your looking for easily accessible waters.

Use the ontario sunset country HSOforum to find resorts in the area. Traditionally I've stayed at Crawford's on WFB and Muskie Bay on crow but have been to other places when they are booked. We've had nothing but good experiences but without a doubt Muskie Bay Resort has the best hopitality I've come across.

[Mike Stark]

Thanks a lot Fred Bear. I am really wanting to catch a trophy trout. I am not too concerned with numbers. The lake I mainly fish here in Ely, MN does not put out big numbers either so I am used to slower action. I have heard that in Canada the white tube is the best bet for lakers day in and day out.

I have pretty much narrowed it down between Crawfords and Muskie Bay. I talked with someone at Muskie Bay today and he said they had 24-28in of ice with about 8in of snow on top. I just hope that spring doesn't come too early and melt all the ice.

Thanks again for the info.

[Eastwind]

Mike,

I've fished both Crow Lake and WFB. Hands down, WFB is your best bet for large lakers. In addition it is better mapped and you can get GPS map chips that will cover WFB. Not so with Crow.

[drewbop]

i will be heading to Crawfords camp this weekend for a trip from the 18-20. i've been up to WFB at crawfords for 3 years now, right around the middle of march. i'd say for the group of 4 of us that go, we typically catch between 15-20 lakers in the 2 1/2 days we get of fishing. last year our average size was 31", with biggest a 35" (best year for big fish).

i'll second what Bear said. i've thrown a variety of lures at them and IMO the white tube is your best bet. to be honest, i don't think we have caught a laker on anything but a tube in the 3 years i've been up.

the last two years i've been up in mid march, there was typically quite a bit of slush and almost no snow, so april might be pushing it-

[puddleduck]

Drewbop: Would you be able to post lake conditions when you get back? We are going on our annual trout excursion on WFB on 23rd through 27th. Be nice to know conditions.