Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report 7/26/09
Weather fronts producing low pressure conditions combined with determined anglers added up to a good walleye harvest for most.
Walleye bite remained strong; smallmouth action kicked into gear, while northern pike remain elusive.
Leeches lead the pack as best bait choice, depths of under 28' a slip-sinker presentation is favored. In deeper waters, a jig head with leech is preferred.
Reefs on Kabetogama that include flats like Center reef have been putting out walleyes consistently. Various depths over at the Martin Islands have been another favored spot.
Smallmouth and walleyes tend to hang together on sharp vertical drops found on reefs and rock piles. Bass favor crank baits that imitate crayfish. Walleyes again favor leeches or minnows.
Crawler action again is hit and miss but is now working better now than last week.
Northern pike action remains slow; enthusiasts tell me they are deep still, and they don't appear to be interested on anything but deep running crank baits.
Water temperatures are still in the mid-60 degrees, which relates to early summer fishing conditions not mid-summer as the calendar displays.
This past week fish that were lying on the bottom moved up some to 2 – 4' off the bottom.
See you soon!
Phil and Ellen Hart
Gateway General
Lake Kabetogama
(218)875-2121
www.gatewaygeneral.com
www.kabfishingreport.com