Finlayson, Marmion Lakes

[walleyesucker]

Has anyone ever fished these lakes? They are near Atikokan. I haven't been there in 25-plus years. How about a local guide service?

[shamalex72]

I will be heading up there in July, my parents have a little cabin at Finlayson Resort. Lots of walleyes in Finlayson, a good spot to start is the two islands straight out from the resort.

If your after norterns head over to Marmion. It's a big lake and you have to travel slow until you get familiar with it. There are a ton of trees sticking out of the water and just as many that are just under the surface.

Our family has going up to that area for over twenty years and we never fished Marmion until about seven years ago. I wish we would have tried it sooner, we missed out on some awesome walleye fishing. Marmion is closed to walleye fishing now, not sure when they will open it up again.

[walleyesucker]

Thank you shamalex72 I have never fished Finlayson,I agree that Marmion was a good walleye and northern lake. Why did the MNR close it to walleye fishing and how long ago?

[shamalex72]

I think it was 5-6 years ago that they closed it, not sure why. You can still fish walleyes on upper Marmion but not lower.

[walleyesucker]

We are heading up there this weekend. Do you know if you can still fish where the Seine flows in? Do you see alot of other fishermen?

[shamalex72]

I am not sure about that. There is a fair amount of people but they are usually spread out quite a bit.

[KevRuss]

Went to Marmion last year with Canoe Canada Outfitters. Stayed on the north side of the lake. Walleye were near impossible. Absolutely need live bait to catch a "few". We were able to have one walleye meal and we're all decent walleye fishermen. Pike were difficult. A few small pike here and there. Smallmouth bite was real good. Had a topwater bite all week and caught several smallies around 21". Lots of water. It's a shame the walleye fishing was so poor. Cabins and service were spectacular. Hot shower, electric lights and appliances, clean large cabin helped make it an OK trip.

We filmed a show for Outdoors In The Heartland and the smallies cooperated but nothing else.

[walleyesucker]

Thanks KevRuss, What time of year were you there and were you fishing in the current? I was there a long time ago, the walleye and northern fishing was great. We had a big group and in five years never new there were smallmouth in the lake.

[KevRuss]

We were there last week of May last year. Smallmouth everywhere in the lake. If you have time, also try Steep Rock right in Atikokan. We nailed the smallmouth (up to 22") and caught one pike over 20# in five hours of fishing. It is well known that the walleye have slowed drastically ay Marmion. We had a professional fisherman with us whom fishes Marmion often and he caught only a few walleye on live bait in the current. Pike were just flat out slow. I fished walleye day, night, trolling, casting, drifting, plugs, live bait,jig/rubber, shallow, deep.....you name it. Smallmouth have become the staple as I am told and there are tons of smallmouth.....big smallmouth. Cast the rock walls, reefs, islands, etc. They were real shallow when we were there. We were catching them in nooks and crannies right on the bank in as shallow as a foot of water. Not sure about when you are going where they'll be, but you should find them quickly because there are so many.

Try topwater (mini chug type plugs), spinner baits and Chompers on a 1/4oz round head or attached to a Beetlespin type rig.

Good luck,

KR

[walleyesucker]

KevRuss we are heading up there this weekend. Where did you buy bait? Did you make it up to where the Seine River runs into the lake? Did you fly in or boat in?

[KevRuss]

We did not make it up to the Seine. Got bait right in Atikokan. We flew in with Canoe Canada Outfitters. Our cabin was up very north part of the lake in Sawbill Bay. Take a look at the lake through map.google.com....type in Atikokan, Ontario and then press "satellite". You can get a great aerial shot of the lake and pan the whole lake picture.

You flying or driving in? Where are you staying? I have some friends that went with us last year (to Marmion) going back. They will be up there the 9th of June through the 18th. They are going through Canoe Canada again. They are the bass fishermen of our group and had a blast with the smallies last year.

Good luck and have a great trip.

[walleyesucker]

We had a campsite with Finlayson Resort. The people there are very friendly and accomidating. We only had one day of fishing. Fished for walleyes only. They were not hot, but the four of us caught 60-70 walleyes. They were running small. The northerns were pretty aggressive also. The smallmouth were right off shore and hit whatever came by ther beds. The water is the highest it has ever been. It was a good trip but too short.

[KevRuss]

Glad you had a good time. Our group will be at Marmion this weekend for a week. I'll let you know how they do.

We're heading up to Armstrong June 23 for a week. Have always had success up there. Fishing with Trophy Fish Outposts up on Machawaian Lake. First time on Machawaian but have done fantastic on all their other lakes. These lakes they fish now have had very little pressure and the fishing is said to be nothing less than fantastic.

I'll let you know how we do.

Kevin