Lake of the Woods Kenora, ON

[dseberg]

I'm going with some buddies for a 5 day fishing trip to Lake of the Woods by Kenora, Ontario. We're going to be there from Jul 30-Aug 2. I've fished but I'm prett much an ameture. What do I need to need to know to catch some monsters (Walleye, Northern, Muskie, Smallies). Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[JB]

Re: Lake of the Woods Kenora, ON

Hi, Winona.<br /><br />LOTW is my favorite fishing hole on the planet.<br /><br />I fish out of the Northwest Angle each summer for a week or two. We fish northeast from there. . .Monument Bay, Portage Bay and the islands east of them. I would expect that the fishing around Kenora would be similar.<br /><br />We have found over the years that yellow, green and fire-tiger colors produce consistently for all species, though the muskys also like black.<br /><br />Because of my bad back I don't throw anything over about an ounce and most of my favorites catch muskies, snakes, walleyes and big smallies without discriminating.<br /><br />My best all-species lures are 1 oz. yellow spinnerbaits, 18cm original floating Rapalas, my home-made Esox Doom (I'll try to get some pics posted of it) and DDKB-3 or DB-3 Bagley divers in firetiger or brown/yellow crawdad.<br /><br />Specifically for muskys the Mepps Musky Killer in black or yellow.<br /><br />Specifically for smallies and walleyes #3 Mepps Black Fury in black and yellow and the Bagley DDKB-2 in firetiger. Watch out when using the little Bagley. . . I have hooked many and landed several decent muskys on it; real scary on a very light walleye rod with 8# line.<br /><br />Bagley deep divers are getting hard to find, especially the DDKB series. I think the new Rapala deep divers would do as well.<br /><br />The Esox Doom is very easy to make from a #5 Mepps Aglia, a couple of #2 trebles, split rings and a variety of spinnerbait skirts. Ends up about 3/4 oz. Doesn't cast as well as a hair-dressed Aglia, but is deadly.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[dseberg]

Re: Lake of the Woods Kenora, ON

Thanks JB, I've already got several of the lures you spoke about. I've heard the crawfish bombers are really great lures up there. Thanks for the info, I can't wait to get up there. 9 weeks and counting.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Lake of the Woods Kenora, ON

JB forgot to add patience and some cover knowledge...Weeds lines and cabbage areas are excellant ambush points for Gator Eyes. JB pretty much covered most areas for you on the lures. Remember gator eyes are are ambushers and are more apt to hit your lure out of meanness and not because they are hungry. Look for areas you would hide if you were a musky...For myself ernies,cranks and terminators are my choice but your gots to have some arm to throw these all day and I don't.<br /><br />Try some speed trolling with some bigger lures....7in plus should about do it between 3 and 5 mph...they love speed.... also lets the ole arm rest....good luck..headn north next month myself....