Ignace Area

[WalleyeWrangler]

I will be up in the Igance area in Norhtwestern Ontario fishing Raleigh, Indian, KuKuKus, Sally, Arethusa lakes. Anyone have any info on these lakes or other area lakes?

[majorwom]

I have not fished either Raleigh or Sally Lakes. Have taken 18 trips into Kukukus. Great walleye fishing. Our group has taken one over 11 lbs and 2 over 10 lbs. from this lake. Numerous walleye between 7-9 lbs. I haven't been in there for about six or seven years now because the road going to the northwest landing has deteriated very badly. Last 10 miles into lake used to take about an hour. Now I would guess it would take 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Very narrow, rough and full of mud holes. A 4x4 is a must. I have stayed at Agimac Camp on the north end of Indian Lake 2 or 3 times in the last 5 years.
Walleye fishing can be tough on Indian although we had our best luck trolling shorelines with rapalas. There are lake trout in Indian and they can easily be caught fishing the deep holes (70-90 ft.) using heavy jigs and 4" white twister tails. I have fished both Arethusa and Flatrock lakes. Flatrock especially has a lot of walleyes and 30-40 walleyes/man/day is not uncommon. They do run small in these two lakes though. A lot of 14-17" fish. Barrel has walleyes and believe Victoria has lake trout. By staying at Agimac Camp and trailering one can hit 1 or 2 lakes a day without a lot of effort.

[Harmonator]

I have fished Kukukus for many years now. I have to agree with Majorwom, fishing on Flatrock is very good but the fish are smaller that Kukukus. I have been to Kukukus many, many times and have never been disapointed. As for the road, a few years back the loggers took a Cat through to widen and smooth the road, it is still slow but much faster. There are some nice campsites on Ku if they are not full. I could give you specifics if you wish.

Tom

[Animal]

Raliegh has lots of small lake trout that are fairly easy to catch with jigs and tubes or sonars. The other lakes you mentioned are top notch walleye lakes and fish are present just about anywhere there is a point, weedline or reef. About the only downside to fishing Arethusa and the other nearby lakes is the road can pound the H--- out of your equipment. There are usually lots of spare parts along side the road.

If you are going to camp in Arethusa area there are some real aggressive bears in the area. I was there in late June and one climbed up on my buddie's camper and tore off the vents and side window. We stopped by Agimac resort on the way out and Harold said there a two bears up there that have been hitting vehicles parked at the landings all season. He hopes to clean them out during fall season.

[majorwom]

Harmonator, I read with great interest your reply on the road going into the Kuk. I haven't been in there for a few years but would love to get back. If you have been in there in the last year or so, how was the road or cart path as I call it? Can one still camp at the boat landing on the northwest corner of the lake? In our earlier trips the northern fishing was fantasic with lots of 15-20 lbs. fish. We released all of our big ones except the 22.5 lb. northern my son caught when he was 14 years old. Had to mount that one for him. The last three or four times in there though the northern fishing has been almost non-existant. All of our bigger walleyes came from the lake itself fishing the points and outside weelines if you can find the. The Basket River is a numbers area but we have also caught a lot of 5-8 lb. fish in the river.

[Harmonator]

Hey Major,
The road.........I was going to Kuk when the beavers made a small lake on the road, for sure you needed a 4X4, but not now. Although it has been improved it is still worse than running down a bad dirt road in MN. Like Animal stated it will pound the heck out of you. We usually take a 17 Mr. Pike and 18 Alaskan, so it is good enough for that, but we are a little hardcore for fishing. As for camping on the access, I have seen evidence of camping, but not any campers. We usually stay on the big island with the large fallen tree just east of Basket river, or the small island east of Basket river. We too fish the Basket and breaks in front of Basket, or the flat in front of the island with big fallen tree, or the sunken grass island on the east bank. We haven't caught a 36" Northern for a while, they seem to have dissapeared, but we mainly fish eye's. Hope this helps
Tom