Countdown

[superbee]

The ice on the smaller lakes in the area is getting real rough shape. On Off Lake it is starting honeycomb and is broke away from shore. I would guess the ice will be of here and the smaller lakes around April 26, and a couple extra days for the bigger lakes. We'll have to see what the weather brings us.

[Hoffer]

Hey Superbee - thanks for the update!!

How does that date compare to prior years??

Similar is going to be up there in early June - and my brother and I are going to be there June 10th to the 16th.

Was wondering how you think we will hit it for the smallies, Norts and trout?

Thanks!!

[Hiddenbay]

Superbee,

Last year the Bass did not bed up until late June on the big lake. I am hoping that ice out comes earlier this year. Any word on big Muskys caught last year? The largest one my group caught was 49 inches.

Thanks Hiddenbay

[SimilarIsland]

Here's Superbee's 52" from last year:

[Hoffer]

Yeah I agree with hidden bay - we are heading up about 2 weeks earlier this year. Last year was around the 22nd of June or so - and the smallies were really active. Last year was a very late Spring - so I am just wondering what this Spring is shaping up to be compared to last year. Hopefully the Spring will be a little warmer earlier this year and that earlier time frame will be good.

[superbee]

Last year the ice on Off Lake went out April 25, then we had a cold spell and the bigger lakes were around May 9. I am guessing if everything keeps progressing like it has, it will be around May 1 for the big lakes. The smallies should be excellent the first 2 weeks of June if the ice goes out like normal and we have decent weather after that. Be sure to fish Flossie and Phairs as they are shallower and warm up quicker. If I personally had to pick dates year after year, I would take the 1 st or 2nd week of June. Excellent smallmouth and pike, whether it's an normal ice out or a late year. They might be in slightly different areas, but still some of the best fishing of the season. Lake levels will be high to normal this year with all the run off. Off Lake is very high right now. I haven't seen it this high since a few years back when we had the flood rains.

[Hiddenbay]

Great looking fish! Did Superbee catch this in the Manitou?

Hiddenbay

[Hoffer]

Superbee-

Hey - thanks for the report. Sounds like things are going pretty well now for the first couple week of June. If you dont mind feel free to post some future updates on the Spring thaw and how things are going compared to "normal".

Thanks!!

Hoffer

[SimilarIsland]

Great looking fish! Did Superbee catch this in the Manitou?

Hiddenbay

That's a pig, isn't it? I believe it was Esox.

[Hoffer]

I would like to hear the story from Superbee - but the word is that it was caught on light line and a pink twister/jig with no leader?

I am stocking up on those for my trip in June!

[Outfitter17]

Mark,

You are right it was caught on light tackle with a pink twister while fishing for bass in esox lake. The guys he was guiding were just as excited about the fish as he was.

[SimilarIsland]

Any Flamingos in the area?

[Outfitter17]

There was a flamingo on the north side of the island he was fishing

[Hiddenbay]

Ok I am hoping to top Superbee with a 55 inch Musky this year. I am hoping that giant I saw near Smoky Bay is ready to bite. I will make sure to take pictures before I let him go. Pink jig? Wow that sounds crazy. By the way, Esox has got to be one of the best big Musky lakes in Canada. Last year in one afternoon a friend and I caught three Muskys there with the largest being 45 inches.

Hiddenbay

[Outfitter17]

Hiddenbay,

I have to agree with you on that one, Esox has some of the best structure for rock related fish that I have ever seen. For some reason people just drive right through it and don't fish it thinking they need to get to the big lake? They are passing over probably the best water on the system for muskies and they don't even know it.

[SimilarIsland]

The Smallies aren't bad in Esox either.

[Hiddenbay]

You got that right! If you hit that place right you can burn up the reel. I have spoken with some Southern Bass fisherman who thought they had died and gone to heaven after a few days in Esox.

[SimilarIsland]

Now you guys are going to make me sorry I'm staying 8 miles further from Esox.

[Outfitter17]

Similar,

Don't worry, you still have flossie, phairs, plus a few other spots

[SimilarIsland]

Oh, I'm not worried, just too many places to fish up there and not enough time. I always feel like a kid on Christmas morning that doesn't know which present to open first.

[Hiddenbay]

Superbee,

What are your favorite lures to use for Bass and Northern on the Manitou?

Hiddenbay

[superbee]

For the smallies I use tubes, flukes, raps, and of course Mepps. The pike I use big stick baits, spinnerbaits, #5 Mepps, Doctor spoons, and KB spoons. I enjoy fishing for lakers the most though. Can't beat jigging lakers.

[Hiddenbay]

Superbee,

What are Flukes? And when you say Raps I assume you mean Shad Raps. Right?

Thanks for the info.

[Outfitter17]

Superbee,

What color flukes do you like to use? I personally like white ones.

[superbee]

Flukes are a soft plastic bait, kind of similar to a slug-go. I do like the white, I also like them with the silver flakes. The Raps are shad raps, and black/silver is a hard one to beat.