Morson reef ettiquette

[Wild Thing]

Marknamy raised an interesting point. He mentioned it was hard to find an "open'' reef. I assume he meant a boat or two already were on the reef fishing when he got there.

What's the gentleman's rule on that on the big lake?

I get extremely frustrated when I'm on a reef and some boat shows up and pushes in. That's why I stopped fishing in Minnesota where people keep crowding in.

Usually it's not a problem on LOTW, there's so much room on the Ontario side of the lake. But two weeks ago it happened to me on LOTW. I'm catching fish with my family and a guy slows down, putts around me pretending to be looking for something, then tosses out another buoy! All pretending I wasn't there! He set up right at the far end of a 100-yard run I was making.

Fortunately, we had already caught a limit and released more and were ready to go.

But with at least 6 other reefs within eyeshot, did that guy really need to block my trolling run?

What's your opinion, folks? I say, find your own spot, or fish on Mile Lacs or Winnie or somewhere else if you like crowds...

[Scoot]

I generally agree with you on this one, WT. However, it depends upon where you're at and how busy things are. If I can find an open spot nearby, I'd rather fish that than one that's occupied- always. However, sometimes there's more traffic around than others. Also, some reefs are meant for one boat (i.e., small) and some can accomidate a few with no problem. However, it takes common sense and some people really seem to lack that. My favorite is when I'm drifting over a reef with spinners and some screw ball comes in a anchors right in the middle of my drift path.

Anyway, I agree with you- if there are other open spots nearby, give them a try.

[marknamy]

I will do everything possible to avoid fishing over another boat. The only exception I would make is Fall fishing. We all know where the walleyes and crappies hang out and we are all going to fish the same area. But as far as reef fishing goes there is no excuse for pulling in and fishing on top of another boat. It's a big lake with enough structure for everyone. A guy may have to travel a little further some days or try a new spot. Like Wild Thing said it isn't Minnesota.

[Hemlock]

I agree on the keep your distance rule. I would never pull up on someone if they were where I wanted to be. I'd move on. It's a million acre lake. Go to your next spot.

[Wild Thing]

Thanks for the input.

I think we're all on the same page. Unfortunately, not everyone is with us. I think some people just don't think straight on vacation (or mabye any time!) I've actually asked people fishing on large reefs if they mind if I fish at the other end. I think they appreictae that.

It will be interesting to see what happens next week, likely the busiest week of the year. I can honestly say I've never felt crowded up there. Always some place to hide. But that could change over Canada Day.

Any new reports?

Looks like the weather is about to settle down after a series of storms. I like settled. I hate wind!

See you on the water Friday!

[Hemlock]

I don't know about settled...we just got hammered again this morning with heavy rains and strong, strong winds here in Kenora. I'm hearing reports of the walleyes mostly deep, but by no means concentrated like they should be...still spread out.

[benelli_dude2002]

Hey Wildthing! Hope we can get the old man to take us out and show us more reefs huh. I had it happen a few times. I dont mind it if it's someone you know. A couple of years ago we were fishing a bay near Rabbit Pt and 4 boats come roaring in and started making shore lunch within talking distance ( maybe 20 yards or so ). They asked us how fishing was and I didnt answer. Just fired up the outboard and took off about 1/2 planed out ( so there was somewhat a big wake ) I told my buddy that this wasnt the only shorelunch spot and there is more places to fish. He wasnt too impressed how them dudes come roaring in that little bay. But thats another topic. Oops better stick with it huh. By the way I will thinking about you when you are out fishing on friday and I will be cruising the blacktop on my home most likely somewhere out in ID or MT. Have fun and hope to see you up there next week. B-dude

[Eastwind]

If the reef is very large or very popular (ie. buoy 12) I really don't care if others show up to fish it, as long as they don't try to push me off. If the reef is like many out of Morson, just big enough for one boat,it is irritating when another boat shows up and crowds me. I have traveled for a few miles several times and when I've gotten to my intended spot, someone else is already there. I just keep going and fish somewhere else. That is what's great about LOW. There is always somewhere else within a couple miles to fish. This sometimes forces you to go and learn something new. What a concept, eh, a walleye fisherman learning his or her own

spots . Too bad there is not a way to teach this to the minority of fishermen that think that "Other boats" is what the term structure means.

[Shorelunch]

I agree with you EW. We passed by quite a few spots this past weekend because there was a boat already there.

I would guess it's generally boats unfamiliar with the lake doing the boat hunting since they really don't have a milk run. You can usaually see/tell/pick out the folks that aren't familiar with fishing and/or the lake.

There's certainly community spots on the lake and I don't mind fishing them with others - and generally, the second boat there is usually curtious.

[eyeballs]

If I am ever close enough to someone that they can here me, I let them know that this is a very small lake and that fishing really close to each other is the best way to catch fish on LOW. I then let them know that they have done a really good job researching the lake maps, just to find the one reef out of thirty thousand that I happen to be on.