Kabetogam/Namakan Fishing Report 8/9/09

[Gateway General]

Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report 8/9/09

Another spring-like week has passed by with a summer week predicted to replace it. The weather folks predict temperatures in the mid-80's--could this happen, stay tuned.

The walleye bite continued to be strong, quite unusual for this time period. Normally water temps would be in the high 70's to low 80's rather than the mid-60's. The cooler temps have provided walleyes a good environment, keeping them active throughout Kabetogama.

Leeches, healthy and still available, remain a good bait choice; however, warmer weather and warmer water should benefit crawler anglers the remainder of this month.

Jig and minnow activists should be satisfied with a deeper presentation at 25 - 35' in eastern Kabetogama and Namakan.

The majority of slip-sinker rig anglers using leeches and crawlers should find satisfaction in fishing 22 - 28'. With weather changing, a floater or worm inflation may be beneficial.

Smallmouth bass are becoming active. Be sure and check out rip-rap shorelines and rock piles. Surface lures on shallow sandbars and reef tops should be fail-safe.

Northern pike still must be deep chasing bait sources and this too should change with the warm weather coming in.

I would expect bass and pike action to heat up with the temps and in that case artificial lures will come into play.

Walleyes are still very active on the reefs and reef edges. Center Reef, Sugarbush, Chase Island all have good features. Shoreline drop-offs at 22 - 28' are a cinch.

Pike and bass should be active if the weather warms in Mud, Daily and Nebraska Bays. Lost Bay in eastern Kabetogama has it all.

Last week structured shorelines (as found along the Green, Larkin, and the Richie islands) were good producers. These same areas may be worth a try this coming week.

Readers looking for a new boat, a houseboat trip, or your very own spiritual totem pole--get your raffle tickets at area businesses. The proceeds will support the Kabetogama area as they host the 2010 governor's opener.

See you soon!
Phil and Ellen Hart
Gateway General
Lake Kabetogama
(218) 875-2121
www.gatewaygeneral.com
www.kabfishingreport.com