LOTW Sabaskong Bay in June for Muskies

[10,000 Casts]

Hello, I am heading up to Red Wing Lodge on Sabaskong Bay for the Ontario Muskie opener. I have never been up there and I would really appreciate some wisdom from the fine Muskie fisherman that call this site home. I would like to throw a lot of Hair, Suicks and topwater but I don't know where to start. What colors, sizes, brands do you guys suggest? Silver, gold, orange or yellow blades, what color bucktales? Also, will the smallies be hitting? Well any advice is apreciated and I plan on buying 10 new baits for the trip (half the fun of a fishing trip;)and I would love hearing your suggestions. Also if you have any stories from the area I would love to hear them!!

Thanks,

John

[MuskyBrian]

Some of other guys here will probably know your area a lot better. I have fished Sabaskong on several occasions, however I have fished the Nestor falls Area which is a little aways away from you.

The guys I know who have stayed in Morson said they traveld a descent distance to get to their spots, I believe a lot of the fishing was centered around groups of Islands. In the area I fished Hair was by far the best producer. I used a Nickel Blade and Brown Squirrel Pattern, Black And Silver was also effective. I know some guys who swear by a Dark Red Hair/Gold blade pattern on Sabaskong, I didn't have that great of luck with it however. Sizes? I personally use smaller bucktails pre-July, although I am sure you don't have to. Get some mide sized Mepps Maribous( LOVE these things), or even a Mepps #5 caught me plenty of LOTW skis, and a mixed bag of other species.

Many a man swears by Suicks on LOTW, I see no reason why they shouldnt work awesome, I hear good things about black/perch/anything natural in colors.

As far as topwater goes, It will probably depend on the how the weather goes that time of year, you might run into lookers without takers but topwater is always a must, i did "ok" on top raiders, little disapointed with the topwater action though the times I have been there.

If you read Musky Hunter there was an article written the summer before last from a longtime guide who threw together a photo page of all his favorite Sabaskong Bay Lures over the years, I copied it before I went up and it was very helpful....Hope that helps a tad? Sure someone else has more experience here in Morson

Smallies?? I don't know,they certainly got caught many a time on accident with cranks and small bucktails, GREAT walleye fishing around though!

[MuskyBrian]

One more thing....Use your eyes when in the boat, a lot of spots are overlooked out there. Any patch of Grass that is getting pounded by wind, no matter how small, can be dynamite on LOTW

[Scoot]

I've been fishing LOW since the mid 70's. I get over in the general area you're talking about for seven to ten days per year. June can be tough on LOW for muskies. However, you'll find fish. Getting them to go is sometimes difficult. That early in the year head for the cabbage beds. Large expanses of cabbage beds in spawning areas is where I usually start (look for large blue areas on the maps). For me, I usually use smaller, relatively slow bucktails, suicks, spinnerbaits (love 'em that time of year), shallow invaders, super shadraps, six inch jakes, and a believer. Actually, a couple single spin Rad Dogs, a suick, a small bucktail, and a shallow invader will cover ya for the entire trip as far as I'm concerned. In June, if you don't find fish in the cabbage beds, look to the shorelines near them. Two years ago we found lots of fish in the cabbage on opening weekend. Last year, nothin'. However, we struck it rich on the rocky shorelines near the cabbage beds. Also, we caught a biggun' on a reef near a spawning area. Colors- I'm not a big believer in colors (usually). We catch fish on lots of natural patterns and tons of bright, flourescent colors too. By the way, topwater can be good in June, but I usually don't do great with topwaters up there until early to mid July. However, I've had days that were great on top in June. A spoon and a buzzbait might be worth a try. Had days that produced for each of them in June.

One warning- be sure you get June specific info. The great info you get about mid-summer doesn't really tend to apply to well up there. Where you find 'em at the end of July can be, but usually isn't, where you find 'em on June 17th.

Good luck.

Man, I can't wait until June 17th!!!

[Random guy]

10,000, First off welcome to Fishing Minnesota!

The guys above have given you some top notch advice for that insane body of water.

If you really want to get a interesting perspective on fishing Lake Of The Woods check out Dick Pearsons book "Muskies On The Shield". He has some great ideas and topics that he goes over in that book. From what I see of your employment you should be able to find one.

[MuskyBrian]

I second what Jon Says, Pearson wrote an awesome book there, Well worth the small investment seeing as how it has its own chapters on LOTW fishing, and that man knows that lake!

[Giant_Jackpot]

Another vote for Pearson’s book. I take it with me every time I go up there. One thing that struck me the first time I went to Sabaskong was how “dirty” the water was. Even though I had read about it, I guess I always had it in my mind that the water has to be super clear after driving for 10 hours. With that said you really need to keep your eyes peeled for the follows, and figure eights are a must. I prefer bucktails and spinnerbaits along with topwater. I feel you need to give the fish something to hone in on since the visibility is limited. One other thing to point out is that you do not need to go far from Red Wing to be in good muskie water but if you are like most of the rest of us, you will want to adventure out and see the sights.

Good luck!