Thinking about lac seul

[bigtimeelectric]

I've been going to Manitoba the last several years and am thinking about changing it up this year. Was thinking the english river near Ignace, but I keep reading threads on lac seul.they got me curius. couple questions Isn't wind a huge Issue or is there spots to fish when it raging?also someone was saying how tough it was on lower units last year, is there maps available so you know what spots to avoid? would like to catch lots of eyes, and have a shot at a 40 plus gator. finally can anyone recomend a resort which is near good fishin grounds so a guy doesn't have to run 15 miles each way to fish every day. if so some of my group will be renting resort boats, and will be bringing a couple boats. thanks any info would be great

[Drew]

Good questions, I'm heading to Lac Seul for the first time this year also. We're boating to a resort about 25 miles out in the lake. Looking forward to it as a couple of guys in our group have been there before and had a great time.

[BobT]

Two years ago the reservoir level was about 6' below normal and lower units were at risk. Last year it was closer to normal. As with any body of water one must always watch for hazards. Our experience has been that most are well marked.

In open areas it can get quite rough on windy days but this body of water is loaded with islands, bays and pockets so you can get out of the wind.

I will tell you it is a great fishery and as long as we keep excercising common sense it can stay that way.

Last year was exceptional. We caught and released average walleye running about 25" over a 4-day outing! We also caught northerns and muskies topping out at nearly 20lbs! It was great! Looking forward to our 7th year this year.

Bob

[Abrams]

Lac Seul is basically like many lakes in NW Ontario, good fishing, remote, and relaxing. It's a bit different because it's a reservoir. You will have a chance at a 40” pike, walleyes over 30” can be hard because of their slow growth rate. You will catch plenty of nice walleyes in the 21-26”. I think there is a slot 18-21 with only 1 over, there limit on walleye is either 2 or 4 based on what licenses you purchase.

The water levels can vary up to 7 vertical feet each year based on winter snow, spring rains and the “hydro” needs. I would have a guy on "spotting" until you become comfortable.

Not sure where to stay as I have a cabin on Abrams.

[MuskyBrian]

I'm not an expert on las Seul as I have only been out there twice, but I can say with certainty that if you stay near the Ear Falls Area you can catch walleyes all day in secluded parts of water away from the main lake/wind/hazards and probably travel about less then 5 minutes. I know there's a place called Gold Mines Camp, there's also a variety of other resorts. I can't help you out with big pike, as we only fished Eyes, but I can't see any scenarios in which they would not be present. I think generally the resorts are mostly in the East end or the West End, and being on the "ends" you are able to stay away from the big water in the middle if you choose. As for the hazards, they actually aren't marked all that great, so if you travel into new waters getting a map would let you safely navigate as all hazards I encountered were marked on a good map. Hope that helps

[CH47]

I've been going to Lac Seul for 12 years now and have no current plans on changing.

There is no map for that body of water that will show you all the hazards. As others have stated the water levels change from year to year exposing or hiding hazards. As a general rule if you feel you have to run wide open follow common sense boating rules and you'll be fine. If you end up at a lodge or camp on the lake then the lodge office should be able to point out any really bad hazards for the time you are there and mark them on a map. Most outfits should have maps for their section for you to buy. It's a huge lake so you have to know what section you are going to fish before you buy a map. A depthfinder is a definite must in my book.

As far as info goes, go to Yahoo and type in 'Sunset Country' and click on the first item on the list. At the bottom of the page you should see a link for a Free Maps and Adventure Guide. Fill out the information that pops up and in a few days you'll get more brochures than you'll know what to do with. That HSOforum is an Ontario tourism board site so you'll get lots of good info. They call the part of Ontario that Lac Seul is in 'Sunset Country'.

Guys that boat more than a few miles from camp are either going to a favorite spot, sightseeing, or are following someone else. You can literally catch fish everywhere on that lake. Find a likely spot based on weather, structure and species and start fishing. There is normally no need to go very far.

Every year I've been there someone in our group has boated a 40+" Northern and a 30" walleye. Last year (in June) I had a 23" and 24" Walleye and a 38" Northern on 3 successive casts, with the same lure (#11 Jointed Rapala in Gold & Black color), out of the same weedbed. It's not always like that but even bad days are great. (I also caught several 20" smallies on the trip too.)

As another post said, as long as people practice good catch & release techniques as much as possible we'll be able to have days like the one above for a long time.

I hope you find this info useful. Good luck wherever you end up going.

[Down Deep]

I don't think I can add much to what has already been said except that if you are planning a trip in late May or June you better get on to making your reservations soon. The resorts on the entire lake are usually booked solid during these weeks. Wind can be a problem when moving about the main bodies of the lake but we find that there is always fishable waters around. Catch Lac Suel on a bite and you will have the fishing trip of a lifetime.

[SCONASOTAN]

My family and I have gone to Lac Seul 2 times a year for the past 5 years and that is because it is the best lake we have ever fished on. (Have fished several lakes on Ontario from Eagle Lake to the Thunder Bay area.) We boat on the East side of Lac Seul, this area has the most islands and channels to fish to get you out of the wind. An excellent resort on this side of the lake is called Lac Seul outposts/Ojibway outfitters and it is a boat in camp that rents out boats as well as bring your own options. They set up shop in Sioux Lookout, ON with a tackle and bait shop and take you out on the lake out of Deception Bay just north of Sioux Lookout. There is a ton of walleys and big ones guaranteed. Huge northern and Musky available too. My neighbor got a 56" Musky last year. We see a 40+ inch northern every year latched on to our walleyes. We don't single out northerns but we catch many and there isn't a single one that would be considered a hammer handle.

If you find a better destination within that driving distance from Minneapolis, please post it here!!!

good luck fishin'

[bigtimeelectric]

sound awesome. so how far of drive is it to the east end of lake then from int falls.sounds like the east end of the lake has more spots to fish if its windy? ever been there in July? thanks for all the info, keep it coming..I'm going to the northwest sportsshow friday to check it out,I imagine there will be a few outfitters from lac seul there.

[CH47]

According to Google Maps Sioux Lookout is about 177 miles from International Falls. Parts of the trip are on two lane bumpy blacktop with no shoulder. It can be very interesting depending on the day and time of day you drive it. Many large logging trucks hauling pulp logs flying at you on a narrow road. Also the first time you see a dead moose on the side of the road you get a real sense of what kind of damage it can do if you hit one. Knock on wood, we've never had any problems but chance favors the prepared as they say. It's a very scenic trip though. Last year we saw several Bears in the 'ditches' as well as lots of other wildlife.

[SCONASOTAN]

God I love this talk. It is about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from I. Falls to Sioux Lookout. You take 502 out of Ft. Frances and turn right on 11 in Dryden. Then turn north on a road (can't remember #) at a bump in the road town of Dinorwic (40 miles fron there). 502 is narrow in spots but they have done work on it. Just take it easy and enjoy the scenery. 2 years ago we saw 4 bears and 12 moose on just the drive to and from. We see at least 1 bear every year and the moose will be seen if you are doing any driving at dawn or dusk. Make sure to get spare bearings for the boat trailer and grease them well before each trip.

We have been going up the 3rd week in June and Either the end of July or beginning of August. My father-in-law and I have always done better in July for size (numbers are about equal) and the weather in July is always more consistent in July than earlier. The fishing is excellent on the east side but I have not been to the west side so I am not the guy to do a compare and contrast. I'm sure the west side has places to fish out of the wind.

good luck

[Abrams]

502 has improved in recent years believe it or not. Many years ago it was gravel! I always laugh at guys who speed by me pulling trailers. Out of any road in North American 502 is not one to speed on. There are some serious ruts and of course moose, especially at night. Hitting a moose at 60 is a bad deal.