Lake of the Woods Trip

[Steve Smith]

I just got back yesterday afternoon from fishing Miles Bay on Lake of the Woods from May 26th to June 2nd near Nester Falls Ontario. The weather was pretty rough with wind, rain, and cold nights. Air temps ranged for high 40s during the night to high 60s during the day. Water temps running pretty cool too in the high 50 degree range to low 60’s. Northerns, muskies, crappie, and smallmouth were mostly deep in the ten to twenty foot range and scattered. When the sun did come out, we could catch pike and smallmouth on the rocky points near deep water. Crappie were running deep too, but caught several 8 to 12 inch take-homes. Walleye were scattered from 7 foot deep all the way out to 28 feet with no distinct pattern at any depth, and most running 16” and smaller this year. Last year, we couldn’t catch a walleye under 18”. Our group of ten only caught four walleye over 20” all week long. I’m not complaining though because we caught hundreds of fish during the week and a wide variety of species all running together. Best bait were leeches and minnows tipped on gold plated or yellow painted jigs, with minnows edging a little ahead of the leeches. Of the notable catches last week; a seven pound 28” walleye caught and released on a leech and gold jig combo near Tolton’s Island on Miles Bay. A 38” 17 pound muskie caught and released on a Mepp’s #3 Black Fury spinner also near Tolton’s island. And, there were at least four 18 inch plus smallmouth and several slab crappie caught during the week. The smallies were all released. A great week as usual on LOTW.

[Tightline]

Nice pics Steve,I have always wanted to go to LOTW,my dad use to go years ago,and he would complain about his arm hurting and cramping from fighting so many fish.Where abouts did you stay?

That OAF hat sure shows up good in the pic!

[Steve Smith]

http://www.rextoltonsmilesbaycamp.ca/

[CMAC]

Great trip, just had some friends get back from this week, on average 50-60 smallmouth a day was the report. Is that possible?

[Steve Smith]

50 - 60 fish if you're targeting smallmouth is absolutely possible. Canada has some very strict limits on smallies and protects them during the spawn. That makes a huge difference in the numbers and quality of fish caught. Smallies are also not the fish of choice like walleye, so many are released. Prespawn you can only keep 2 under 13.8". Post spawn, you can keep 2 of any size. The majority of smallmouths I caught this year were 15 to 18 inches. I am still looking for that 20" five pounder

[CMAC]

That is awsome, the best bite from what they told me was topwater. I hope to make the trip next year, it's only like 800 miles?? That ain't bad.