The sun is back!

It has finally stopped raining. For a while I didn’t think our guests this week would see the sun. The forecast looks like decent weather in the near future with temps in the low 70’s. The cloudy and rainy weather this weeks got the walleyes snapping. Nice sized walleye were easy to find this week in 13-18 feet of water. Jigging with minnows or leeches was working really well with the hot colors being pink and gold. The biggest walleye so far this week has been 27 ½ inches and last week a 13 year old girl for camp caught a monster 30 incher. In the 13-18 foot range there seemed to be more walleye between 22 and 25 inches than I have ever heard of, with reports that guests were catching one over 18 inches to every one under, which is a really high ratio.
The Northerns seem to be in a funk a little this week. Casting with lures is pretty much a waste of time as far as I can tell. The method working the best is finding the main depth where the walleyes are and trolling rapalas through those depths. There have been many reports of giant Pike smacking walleye on the way up which means right now they are definitely feeding on walleye. The weeds are just coming up now which should bring the Northern to the weeds soon.
Here is a pic of a 42 inch Northern caught last week. This Northern held our leader board for one day until someone caught a 44 incher which was the biggest of the week.

June 13-20 a week to remember

I can never remember a week where every day was perfect weather and the fishing was so good. Weather in the 70’s with a little walleye chop every single day. There seemed to be only one major hot spot this week. Ranger Lake and Ranger Bay opened on the 15th and was really good with several of my guests having 100 and over walleye days. We had lots of pollen on the rest of the lake that I think made the other part of the lake a little slower bite. The warmer weather seemed to get the big fish going with a 30 ½ inch and 31 inch walleye and also a dozen Northern over 40 inches with the biggest two 42 and 44 inches.
Water temps have warmed up significantly this week to around 62 on the main lake and 67 in the bays on average. We are starting to see signs of weeds now but they are still way behind. For those who know where the weed beds are supposed to be are catching nice Northerns off of those spots. The walleyes seem to be concentrated the last couple days in 18 -20 feet of water ever since they moved out of Ranger and more into the main lake. This week coming up I expect the walleyes will be moving towards the sunken island and get the more popular summer areas going like Burnt island and High Wall.
This week Northerns liked dead bait and spoons 50/50
Walleyes were hot on Dark Green and Dark Blue. Crawlers are working decent now, but minnows are still the best.

Is This Spring?

Our weather network says we are in for a decent week of weather. Winds from the E and SE for the majority of the week with temps in the mid 50’s and Low 60’s. Hopefully some more consistent weather will get the fish on the bite. Last week we had our first 30 inch walleye reported which came off of #12 dock. The docks have been hot the last couple weeks and many fishermen and women have been spending the evenings jigging in front of camp. Northern fishing has been a little slow so far this year compared to last year. The biggest reason I think is the really cold water temps, and also we are getting really cold at night making the bays they usually hang out in colder for longer periods of the day. So far we have had reports that walleyes are being caught in 8-12 feet of water in the morning and moving out to 20-25 in the afternoons. They eyes are moving slow with the cold water and anchoring and slow drifting seems to be the best plan for getting them.
The last couple weeks the Police have been making a few appearances and giving warnings about beer in the boat. I am sure if it continues the warnings will turn into fines and we are asking our guests to save the cocktails for when they come in for the day. One discrepancy is that some people think they can pack a couple for shore lunch. But, that as well is illegal, since you will be drinking them on crown land which is in public. Once again our luxury of having one or two beer while out on the water is ruined by a few people who can’t be responsible enough act decent.
Hot baits for Northerns have been-spoons with a wide slow wobble like Big Doctors and KB spoons and also dead bait is still working well
Walleyes have been hitting on minnows and starting to hit on crawlers pretty good. Jigging and slow drifting is the ticket.

Week No. 2

Well our season is well under way. We had a challenging opener this year with unusually cold weather and even snow on opening day. We have had some slightly warmer weather the last few days which is making the leaves finally pop out and grass green again. Our local weather shows days for the next week in the 50's and 60's which will start to warm us up. The water temps are around 45 in the bays and 42 on the main lake which is making the fish move slow and less aggressive. Although many guests this week with light tackle are still boating 50 or 60 a day and a few reports of 100 fish days already this year.
The biggest Northern of the year so far was caught today (May 28th) and measured 45 1/2 inches. Biggest walleye was 29 3/4 which came opening week. So far we have had reports of 8 lake trout caught with the biggest being 37 inches.
Hot tackle is:
Ciscos on two single hooks presented horizontally on a bobber for Northerns.
Dark color jigs -black and blue for Walleye.
Water level is really high right now -over a foot over normal.

An Opener to Remember

This was definitly an opening week we will never forget as guests were greeted with nearly ten inches of snow! People gawked and discussed the absurdity of the situation, but no ones spirits seemed to be dampened by it. All were able to head out fishing as usual.
The biggest walleye caught for the week was 29 3/4 and the biggest northern 44 1/2 inches.

Looking Forward to Another Season

Yes, it has been a while since our last post. Since then, Andie has grown into a pleasingly plump 4 month old, who is full of smiles and sparkling eyes. She seems to be a generally happy baby and we are pleased that she sleeps through the night.

Sullivan has embraced his position as big brother, and is always ready to offer a hug of comfort when Andie is 'out of sorts'. He is also enjoying the warmer weather and could spend his entire day outside if permitted.

A.J. is the only one who is sad to see the snow go, and is likely anxious to shed his winter coat.

Both Lee and I are looking forward to this coming fishing season and having guests in camp once again. Lee has been spending long days out in the yard doing all that is needed to open camp. And I have been roping both my parents and in-laws into babysitting so that I can get the cabins in tip top shape.

Chris joined us yesterday full of energy and optimism. Not a moment was wasted before we put him to work.

For a while we were worried that the ice was going to linger like it did last year, but it is already showing promising signs, and is looking quite dark. Lee's bet was that it is going to be off by the 8th. My bet was for the 13th (I think I'll be closer to winning this one).

Welcome baby Andie!

Welcome friends,

For those of you who have not yet heard, Lee, Sullivan, and I are pleased to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Andie Elizabeth Wright on January 3rd.

Weighing in at 7 lb 15 oz and 21 inches.

She is absolutely beautiful, and is proving to be to be an easy baby thus far (has spent most of her life sleeping).

We can't wait to show her off this summer.