Arvid's Fishing Report

It had been years since I fished lake trout in the winter so when Don asked me if I would like to go with he and his son, Brad, there was no hesitation; the answer was yes.

On Saturday morning we loaded the snowmobiles onto Brad’s trailer and were at the Border checking into Canada before 7:00. Our destination was Crow (kakagi) Lake near Nester Falls, about 70 miles NE of Baudette. It was five degree above when we left Baudette, but four below as we unloaded the snowmobiles and prepared for about a twenty mile ride to where we planned on fishing. What a difference these modern day clothing and snowmobiles are. In the “old” days we didn’t have helmets; the snowmobiles didn’t have hand warmers, etc. Running conditions on the lakes were good and we were soon zipping across Crow Lake at speeds up to 50 mph. We crossed a mile long portage; across another lake; another short portage and onto Rowan Lake.  As we started to fish the clouds began to break up and the sun came out. The wind was brisk at times which made it a little chilly, but it was still a nice day. Fishing wasn’t great, but it sure was OK for late February. We fished two different spots with one spot as good as the other. We all caught trout;  the three of us caught nine; most were between three and six pounds. We kept our limit and released the others. We had a great day and didn’t need to catch fish to make the day; that was just bonus.

Brad with a nice Lake Trout

Don with a nice Lake Trout

Last Fall when Don and I were picking cranberries he made the comment that we needed to fish together this winter. We have had a tough time getting together; both of us being retired, busy schedules and all.  But we did, and on Thursday we went to the Lake. He has a fish house out of Morris Point in about twenty-eight feet of water. It was a beautiful morning and we were fishing by 10:00 a.m. Fishing was much like it has been of late; slow. We were there until about 4:00 p.m. and ended up with three walleyes and three saugers; all nice. We released about that many small ones. On Friday we decided to give the crappies a try up by Nestor Falls, seventy miles NE of Baudette. The weather was great, but we couldn’t say that about the fishing;  it was worse than the day before. We spent most of the day on the ice and caught seven crappies, a few small perch and a tullibee. Others in the area were not doing any better; it was just a slow day, but we had a good time.

Don with a  walleye

Don with a nice crappie

Grandson Scott is just passing time and practicing  his fishing skills until he comes to Minnesota this summer to fish with Papa.

Fishing in Minnesota; there  is not much for change; it’s still January. After a few days of cold weather, the temperature got decent so I opened the holes in the shanty on Friday afternoon.  A short bite just before dark produced two nice walleyes; 14″ & 18″ and a very nice one that got off  just below the ice. I got a look at it and it was way to big to keep. Saturday morning it was back at the house by 9:00 and didn’t have a bite.

I’ve talked to some guys that have fished the Lake this past week and reports are not very good. Hopefully, as we get later into February things will change.

This is the crap (she meant Carp) they catch in Phoenix

Thursday morning; back at the house by 9:00 and didn’t have a bite. That’s fishing on the Rainy in January; pretty spotty.  The reports I’ve gotten the past few days on Lake of the Woods are not very good; some being down right bad.

The weather is suppose to put us back  in the deep freeze the next few days and the calendar indicates poor fishing for the weekend; two good reasons to take a break and sit by the fire.

Wednesday morning; up at 6:30; dress; make coffee; feed the cats; start a fire in the fireplace; have a bite to eat; leave the house by 7:30 and back by 9:00 with three nice walleyes.  A nice way to start the day.  Of course there are days when I’m back by 9:00 and did not have a bite as was the day on Monday. Tuesday morning was better; caught two saugers that were big enough to keep and a nice walleye that was close enough to the slot so I released it.  I have a calendar that supposedly has what days are better than others and whether mornings or evenings are best.  Being the fair weather fisherman that I am; normally I don’t pay that much attention to the calendar, but these past few days it has been right on the money; Sunday, Monday; poor and Tuesday, Wednesday; fair in the mornings. Maybe those fish do keep an eye on the moon.

A nice walleye to close to the slot size – released

We are having very nice weather for early November, but that’s going to change. The deer season opener this coming weekend has a forecast for rain/snow and cold temperatures.

After finishing some yard chores this morning, I thought that a couple hours on the river would be in order before the weather changes. Fishing reports have been mixed; some good and others not so good. I would say that the two hours I fished was not bad. I caught and released three walleyes in the slot; a 20″, 26″ & 27″;  kept two nice walleyes and a sauger; enough for a meal. I also caught and released a 50″ sturgeon. That fish put up quite a fight; maybe twenty, twenty-five minutes and when it was over I quit and headed for home. They were all nice fish.

There is a fish that is native to our waters and is caught with some regularity in the fall and it’s a Mooneye. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a Tullibee, a Whitefish and Mooneye. I’m told that if it has teeth, it’s a Mooneye. The Mooneye has large eyes and a small mouth which makes it hard to get a hook in them; they just peck away at a minnow and run.

A 50″ inch sturgeon

A 27″ walleye

Mooneye