East side of LOTW

[mroyten]

Highly considering taking a trip to the East side of Lake of the Woods this summer near Morson & Bigsby Island. Anyone have any experience in this neck of the woods? If so how was it?

[VMS]

Decent area... Lots of fish and it does have it's share of pressure. Key to the area is finding secondary spots that nobody is fishing. Most people up there know the classic spots so they get hit regularly...

If you go, might I suggest staying on Cedar Island? Great people there and nicely protected...right in the heart of the east side with access out to the areas north of Morson without too long of a run.

Steve

[JRedig]

When are we leavin' matt!?

[10,000 Casts]

Lots of water and lots of good areas to fish. (for me it's to many areas and it intimidates me) Don't forget your walleye and smallie gear. When we were there, the walleye fishing was phenominal and the Muskie fishing wasn't so good.

[Cooter]

What is there to consider? Gotta do it!!

[Musky Buck]

I might add be careful in August or dog days of summer. I know Nestor Falls is a ways away from Morson but the algae bloom I luckily hit there in August one year was a trip ruiner. I basically packed up shop 3 days early and fished the Bemidji area and then headed for home.

[Cooter]

Good point muskybuck - I hit the angle in August and the bloom was tough.

[VMS]

Key to bloom is to be mobile...get out in the wind a bit to get away from the big bloom areas and water is moving through. Saddles, channel areas, etc is the way to beat it...

Steve

[Tim_Anderson]

I have this love/hate relationship with the Morson area. Beautiful scenery. I've got a good friend that has a cabin there, and I really like hanging out with that crew.

Seems every time I plan a trip up there, I hit really bad conditions. Usually, it's high pressure, flat calm, and about 100 degrees. I usually have to leave just as the storm is coming in. I've also hit it when it was really wicked rainy and windy. And I have hit the algae bloom in late August and early September that the other guys were talking about. I really can't remember an outstanding trip up there, but that's just my poor luck. Might have something to do with why I rarely go there anymore?!

Most of the fish I and my party have caught up there have been high 30's and low 40's.

I would really like to check out the Northwest Angle. That area really intriques me...have never been there, but have sure heard some really good things.

Good luck, whatever you do.

[TrophyEyes]

We are planning a trip up to Wiley Point over labor day weekend. Hopefully we can avoid any weather or bloom issues.

[MUSKY18]

VMS is exactly right. When the bloom gets to the point where you don't fish it, move. One of the best areas on the lake to get away from the bloom is the Big Narrows area. Why? Because there is a ton of current running all through the area and will continually push the bloom away from there. Wind and current will be your best friend when the bloom is on. Harder to fish your wind blown points and such, as the wind/current will be blowing the bloom up against them, but there are a ton of other areas that will have the bloom blown off of them.

[b1gf1sh1]

so when that bloom is going strong would that be a good time to troll around those narrows areas you mention or not?

[MUSKY18]

Troll, cast.....pick your poison at that time of the year. I would say trolling works but during that time of the year, the fish can still be up pretty shallow using the summer haunts, so I would tend to cast more over trolling. Later in the year, definately trolling. We did very well up in the Big Narrows in Oct trolling before. Once July is over, it seems that the pressure that the Angle/Narrows receives drops quite a bit, which is good for everyone!!!

[VMS]

You may also want to keep in mind that since the Algae floats, you can fish under it where the water will be clearer. Brighter, more contrasting colors will work well too... Rattles etc can play a big role at this time of year as well..

Lots of options, and no matter what, algae doesn't shut the fishing off...adapt and find something that works, even though you might end up with green carpet after some time...

Steve

[sledman]

Personally, I would fish the NW Angle or farther east near Nestor Falls area. Thats from personal experience, I do not consider myself an expert by any meas but have faired much better sticking with the NW and the Nestor falls area. Just my .02 cents

[PDXFisher]

I have access to a cabin in Baudette this summer. I had planned on driving to Morson every other day or so to go after Muskies and to launch out of Baudette for the 'eyes. If I want the Muskie experience and I'm staying in Baudette, do I have any other options? Also, is late June/early July a good time to go, or should I wait until September?

Thanks!

[VMS]

During late June/Early July, the fishing should be heating up. The Muskies will still be in the bays, but will be working their way toward more main lake areas (but...this is highly dependent on how cool or how warm the summer has been up to this point). If it's been hot, you might just time it right and be on the first hot bite of the year.

By september, the fish will primarily be on rock structures in the main lake areas. Some fish will never leave the bays and the weeds, so always check them.

Steve