Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report June 30, 2008
Anglers and lake enthusiasts had a great week weather-wise; till the weekend, when rough wind and 2" of rainfall dampened spirits.
Most catches brought into the resorts for cleaning found fish stomachs with Mayfly larvae, meaning the hatch is close and being this late might be short.
When walleyes are gorging on Mayfly larvae, your bait presentation must be fresh and in that same zone.
Fish the windward sides of reefs and shorelines with slip-sinker rigs using crawlers or leeches keeping the bait within a couple of feet of the bottom.
Northern pike will be seeking live bait, sucker minnows, or mid-depth artificial lures. Keep your bait selection outside weed lines moving steadily with artificial; or slip bobber your sucker minnows.
Smallmouth prefer spinner baits like Mepps, or crayfish imitations; rocky shorelines and rock piles should produce.
As summer takes its grip on our Northland lakes, expect walleyes to move onto reefs; soft bottom presentations will give way to reef structures with gravel and rubble bottoms.
Pike will stay in 20-35' water adjacent to weedy bays where they move up for baitfish, making stick baits like suicks and X-Rap magnums a good choice.
Water levels were rising after heavy rainfall but should drop significantly with the dams wide open.
Fishing the proper structure and bottom types are important factors for success this time of year. Your hotspots map or the new Navionics map are a must for learning structure.
Have a Great Day!
Ellen & Phil Hart
Gateway General
9378 Hwy 53
Kabetogama, MN 56669
(218) 875-2121
www.gatewaygeneral.com
www.kabfishingreport.com