Kenora next week: (Hemlock??)

[DLoutdoors]

Hey guys, we are heading up on our annual father/son fishing trip to L.O.W. next week: Tues-Sat. I have been watching the weather and it looks like Kenora has had the same weather as we have. We go out of Northern Harbor and stay on Hay Island: We have fished the area for the past 20 years and always have fun. But I am wondering what the fishing has been like, what to expect, seeing if anyone has any "insider" info: We do a lot of jig fishing with crawlers, any other suggestions would be great! How are things looking besides the water being down a little? Help!

[Hemlock]

DL, no need to worry. Even though I haven't been out personally for walleye yet, almost all reports coming in are great. I've recently added bait and tackle to my business, so I am hearing alot of chatter. Most guys are getting them deeper (25-35,40') but I've also had reports of 5'. Even though those depths don't really jive, that's a decent sign that the fish are all over, and on the feed.

[DLoutdoors]

Thanks for the report: We must buy our bait from you then :-)

On the "good years" we find the big fish up shallow, a lot in the 4-6 ft. range: When the bigger fish are elusive, we usually find the numbers in deeper water. This year, apparently the water is warmer than I like The cold weather usually helps! We will try our usual haunts, and probably fore-go- the back bays that hold the pike: Our best trips are when the water temps. are colder than I have heard they are now....It is always a fun trip, any idea what the weather is supposed to be like? (I can read the reports, but would rather have a "local" give me the scoop.) Thanks

Tony

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

DL

What dates are you going to be up on LOTW? June 5 or June 12? Our group will be up June 9-15. We are staying at Smith's camp. What part of Hay island are you. I assume private cabin??? I don't know of any resorts on Hay Isl. We fish all that area.

[DLoutdoors]

the 5th-9th: We stay at Pipestone Pt. Resort:

We fish the area, looking for anything that will bite: Spend time over around Queer, French Narrows, and usually trek over to Witch's bay for a pike outing. What areas do you fish?

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

Needle Pt, Copper Island, Moore Bay, Storm Bay, Route Bay, Scotty Island, One day trip down to Chisholm Island. We always stop by Guy's place when we travel through French Narrows. He towed us in one year.

Is Witch Bay the closest area you've found for Pike? My buddy Ronn is the pike chaser. You guys ever fish up in Hades islands east of Middle? Looks like that could be decent pike area.

[DLoutdoors]

You are speaking my language! We have found big pike and ski's in Moore Bay, and the bays off the French Narrows. Witch's bay is just a traditional place to go, and a buddy got a 52" Muskie, and I picked up a 44" ski, and a 38" pike there last year: We used to spend a lot of time up in the Hades, but with the low water, and cost of props, we don't venture too far up there any more: Good pike/ski fishing however. We have had some of our best luck with jig fishing in 4-6 ft. of water for eyes.

All we use is crawlers (in bedding) so we can bring them across the border: I would say that 99% of the fishing we now do up there is jig fishing for eyes, and casting bucktails, etc. for pike. What do you guys use up there? any hot tips? Never been down to Chisholm island: What do you guys fish there? Not familiar with Needle Pt. or Cooper Island either: Suggestions or tips? Only 16 hours till we leave!

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

Al Smith put us on jig and twister tail fishing for eyes last year. We had a blast. ***fish the west facing sandy shore with weed growth*** We use crawlers or leach on spinners or live bait rig. Picked up allot of good techniques for bottom bouncing. We use these techniques in about all our spots. Down near Chisolm we are bottom bouncing or rigging.

Needle Pt. is a bit funny. Some maps label Needle Pt on the North and Heenan on the South, some maps have it reversed. Not sure which is correct but we call Needle on the North side (it looks more like a needle)

Do you have a cell phone number? We should compare notes. We'll probably go past you guys when you're returning home. We usually have breakfast in Sioux Narrows on the West side.

[DLoutdoors]

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