White Otter/Clear Water West

[nblasin]

Staying at Brown's Resort again this year over Presidents weekend. Has anyone ever had any luck for walleyes on White Otter in the winter? We have gotten into good eater walleyes on surrounding lakes but would like to find some big girls. Thanks.

Nate

[dmc]

Nate:

It doesn't seem like many people on this forum get over that way. I wish I could help you on White Otter, but my experience with that lake is very limited. I mainly fish White Otter for lake trout, and not very often at that. Every trip we say we should fish White Otter more, but time goes so fast. I will be up at Brown's on February 27th for 5 days. We always stay at the north outpost cabin. Nice short run for evening walleyes at the little lake we saw you on last year. Last year was tougher fishing for us than past years, but the scenery and lack of people sure makes it worth the trip. Please let me know how you do and what the slush conditions are like. Good luck up there! Dave

[nblasin]

Hey Dave-

I'll try and report how we do up there this year. We've added 3 more people to our party so hopefully if the weather cooperates we'll be able to do a little more exploring. Also planning on spending more time on Clearwater West. Found some real nice structure last year but no fish. The lake you saw us on last year is becoming our stand by and hopefully continues to be. Good luck.

[nblasin]

Hey Dave-

Have you spent any time chasing brookies or splake up there? We haven't but am hoping to spend a little time this year.

[Xplorer]

nblasin,

Definitely give the splake lake a try, you wont be disappointed. Last Feb we had a group of 8 up there and spend one midday there and did very well, I caught 7 between 17 and 21". Glow green or red #4 doodle bug and a salted crappie minnow under a bobber was all that was needed. I stayed on the splake lake while the other guys headed up to the brookie lake and they did good there also.

Havnt ever fished for eye's on WO, just trout. Figure I can get eye's down here. Have either of you spent any time on grey trout? We have meant to, but always dead back into WO. We did fish some nice looking laker spots in clearwater a little ways before the portage into WO, but didnt catch a fish.

Have great trips, I wont be able to make it up this year.

[dmc]

Hi Nate:

I haven't fished for splake or brookies up there. I'm glad Xplorer was able to respond. Good luck; I look forward to hearing about your trip. Dave

[nblasin]

Didn't have time to do the splake or brookies this year. Next year for sure. Best weather we have had up there. The lakes are real ruff due to hard drifts. Could not go over 20 mph pulling the portables. Still broke stuff during travel. We caught trout on White Otter and Clear Water this year which was a first. Nothing real big, largest was close to 10 lbs. The traditional spot was alright as well. Not many people around this year. Best depths for lakers seemed to be 75-45'. Good luck. It is so beautiful and peaceful up there. Browns run a good shop. Good Luck.

Nate

[dmc]

Thanks for the report Nate! Did you encounter any slush? It's too bad it's so rough out there, kind of makes it a pain to travel long distances. One week til we go up there; looks like decent weather

at this point. How was the walleye fishing? It's nice to cap off a day of trout fishing with some walleye fishing. Dave

[nblasin]

Dave- the slush was all froze up. Don't think you'll have to worry about any of it. The eye fishing was pretty darn good. Better size this year and great numbers. Largest was 22.5" but lots of eaters in the 14-17" range. We had better luck a little north of our normal spot in deeper water. Good luck.

[dmc]

Thanks very much Nate! Did you catch many during the day or primarily in the evening? I'm happy to hear you had a good trip, and yes, Barry and Carolle are very nice people. Dave