Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report 5/31/09

[Gateway General]

Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report 5/31/09
If catching fish is your game and you had a vast wardrobe to choose from to handle the weather changes, it was your week.

Nearly all anglers reported catching walleyes both big and small including many nice fish in the 13 thru 15" size range.

The steadfast rule this week was big fish and saugers in shallow, that being less than 10' deep. Smaller, keeper-size walleyes were caught mostly in the 18 - 25' range on the west end of Kab, and a 28 - 35' range on the eastern half of Kabetogama and Namakan.

Walleyes, throughout the week, favored minnows and some anglers started having limited success with leeches, near the weekend.

Folks knowledgeable with the lakes' structure did well with jig and minnow, and other anglers newer to the lake used slip-sinker rigs and minnow, keeping the bait presentation in the strike zone while moving over various depths.

Northern pike still on the sly. Anglers targeting pike are having a tougher time finding the big fish.

If and when the water warms, bait fish will move in and the bigger pike will follow. Pike are hanging outside their favorite summer locations in deeper water.
Small mouth fishing is off due to slow warming water that favors spawning.

Crappie action is picking up as they begin the spawning process--look for them in shallow bays mostly on the eastend of Kabetogama.

Many of my report followers know of, or have met, the lakes' most famous and talked-about guide, LeVern Oveson.

My friend and my American Idol, LeVern, passed away Sunday morning May 31, at the age of 94. Someday in the future I hope to meet up with him again for another fishing trip. Goodbye ole friend, I'll tell the walleyes they are safe again.