Kabetogam/Namakan Fishing Report 8/16/09

[Gateway General]

Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report 8/16/09

Summer arrived in the Northland and was greeted by most folks with open arms until we came within a hair of 90 degrees. Grumbling from anglers was heard--too hot, too sunny, no wind--most often the curse for good fishing conditions.

Walleye continued to bite, mostly before or after the mid-day heat. The depth choice dropped some--reports of 26 - 32'. Slip-sinker rigs, with your bait choice, was the best presentation.

My preference of leeches is giving way to night crawlers and artificial lures. Minnows vertically jigged or used with slip sinkers will be the common denominator on sunny hot days and more so as fall closes in.

Finally northern pike are showing their aggressive personality. Crankbaits, stick baits or big spinner baits outside the weed lines and tossed-up shallow in bays--like Mud, Daily, Nebraska, and Tom Cod--should yield some favorable results.

Smallmouth are hitting crankbaits along shorelines and the windblown sides of rock piles and reefs. Crayfish imitations or Mepp's spinners are favorites.

Look for your walleyes to suspend a little off the bottom. Floaters or inflated crawlers should be in the strike zone.

Favorite places for these summertime situation: Center Reef, Chase Island, Martin Islands, Green Islands. Best bays: Blind, Ash and, of course, Lost Bay.

All the aforementioned locations have fast break lines offering fast depth changes that suit the walleyes and the baitfish they are after.

See you soon!

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