Lodge Blog

New Website & Fishing Report

If you are reading this new blog then you obviously have seen our new website.  We hope you like the new look and find it useful.   We are still working out the bugs in the new site so if you find anything that you feel we missed or is not working correctly, let us know.

One of the main issues that we are currently working on is the reliability of our webcams to stay active.  We know that they are not working all of the time and we have some options that we believe will help resolve this.  The cameras take up alot of bandwidth to be able to upload live streaming video so we are working on an entire new system dedicated solely for the webcams.  We know they are a big hit as we see alot of hits everyday so we appreciate your patience.

We cannot believe that we are already into our 4th week of the fishing season.  As most of you have read from our previous blog post the winter and spring periods were very warm and dry.   The lake levels were considerably lower than normal for this time of year which warmed our lake temps up higher than normal.  The weather the past couple of weeks have really been quite opposite in terms of temps and humidity.  Last week was very hot, dry and calm where as this week it is very cool, wet and windy.   Fishing also was very different the past couple of weeks.  Last week Walleyes were active very early in the morning and then again in the evening but were almost none existent during the day.  This week they are on a more normal pattern and are biting all day long.  In fact, Walleye fishing has been very good this week with size of Eyes being on the larger size.   Our secret lure continues to dominate for Walleyes.  Each week we are converting more guests over to our new lure for Walleyes and they are convinced they stand out.  Even our guides are warming up to our new secret even though I am fairly confident they can catch Walleyes with a piece of a Walmart shopping bag tied to a jig.

Most of the Walleyes have been in 6-14 feet and are still on most rock points.  Our reefs are starting to kick in with alot of the larger ones being taken there.  Crank baits have been very popular but live bait is definitely outfishing artificial which is no surprise.  Many guests have heard me say that I would rather eat a real apple compared to a wax apple anytime.  Walleyes are the same way, they like live bait over artificial most of the time.

Bass & Pike have been absolutely fantastic right from the start of the season.  Bass came up from the deep very early this year which allowed our fisherman to crank for them with rattle traps and the like.  Flukes, Tubes, & Bass Assassins are also killin'em on the rocks.  It has been common to hear guests talk about catching 25-40 Bass in one particular outing.  They have been on the beds the past few days and we beleive they are just done spawning.  Many Bass in the 16-19 inch range are being caught on a regular basis.  Topwater is in full force also which personally I think is some of the most fun fishing you can experience.   We are very lucky to not only have incredible Wallaye fishing but also have some of the best Smallmouth Bass fishing in North America.

Pike have really been on the larger size this year so far.   Live suckers have been the most effective method for the big critters but trolling or casting Rattle Traps or larger type stick baits has also produced some great fish.   We have seem thousands of small Perch Fry at our dock so we know Pike are on a feeding binge and we are taking advantage of it.

We have seen more Muskies caught this year at this time than any other season.   The largest caught was 48 inches and was caught on 6 pound test line.  The season is not officially open so all of the Muskie caught were by accident and on light tackle.  This makes for all the more fun when a big monster grabs your small bait and takes you for a ride.

I think I better stop writing for now and get back to the dock. 

Comments to this blog are greatly appreciated.  Don't be shy.  We think this is a great way for our guests to communicate and tell everyone about there experiences at Manotak Lodge.

Dave @ Manotak

Posted on Wed, June 13, 2012 by Dave Becker

5 comments (Add your own)

1. Mark Melius wrote:
I have to admit that I am coming around to your "secret lure" for walleyes. I reflected back to my walleye fishing at the Lodge last September and again at this season's opener and realized that my best outings for walleyes involved the "secret lure". I'm not saying that other lures wouldn't have worked too, but I have to believe there is more than coincidence to having my best walleye outings on the lake with the "secret lure" tied to the end of my line. On the last evening fishing during my May trip, I burned through almost four dozen minnows with the "secret lure", with the average walleye being around 19-20 inches. You can bet that I will have more of these lures in the tackle box come August!!

P.S. - I like your new web site!

Wed, June 13, 2012 @ 3:39 PM

2. Lou Ciminieri wrote:
Dave,

Please have all guests stop fishing immediately. We want all the fish to be hungry and rested when we get there.

You are not the only one with secret lures. Tony has a one-of- a-kind home made lure that he thinks will catch a ot of fish this year. However, as you know, Tony is better at thinking than catching.

We leave in the morning and will see you guys on Saturday, something we've waited all year for.

Believe it or not I was on your website a few days ago when I saw it switch over to the the new version. Big improvement.

See you soon.

Lou

Wed, June 13, 2012 @ 3:59 PM

3. Dave @ Manotak wrote:
Thanks for the comments guys. Every day a guest comes up and says they are doing really well on our new found lure for Walleyes.
Lou, I am not sure Tony will have time trying out his new lure when he will be netting all of your fish, correct?
The weather is still overcast which is making Walleyes bite all day long. We had one group of 4 guys fishing on one of the reefs and all of the Eyes they caught were over 18". They have been fishing Perrault Lake at Manotak since 1967 and they stated this was just fantastic. And even better news was that they were quickly convinced that our secret lure is a big reason.
Bass have slowed slightly today but still better than average. Leeches are best but tubes are still working well. One guest is using a Crackin Crank which I have never heard of but it has worked well for him on Bass.

Wed, June 13, 2012 @ 9:20 PM

4. Ayoub wrote:
First, make sure the season is open beorfe you keep the fish. I know bass and musky close for the winter here in Wi. The rig I use for Northern Pike is as follows: A tip up with braided 20 or 25 lb ice line for the main line. To this I tie a large swivel snap. I then put a loop into an 8 to 10 ft. piece of 20lb monofilament line for a leader. The loop is hooked onto the main line, then I slide a 1/2 to 3/4 oz egg sinker onto this leader. At the terminal end I tie on a 20lb, 10 in. wire leader, then attach a #8 treble hook to the wire leader. I then hook a large golden shiner just under the dorsal fin with one of the three barbs on the hook. Drop this set-up into the water until the sinker hits bottom, then feed out 2 to 4 ft more line. This keeps the minnow within a few ft of the bottom but allows it to swim fairly free. I've pulled Northern's up to 35 inches/15 lbs through the ice with this set-up.

Mon, September 10, 2012 @ 3:30 AM

5. vhsygoyazm wrote:
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Tue, September 11, 2012 @ 9:30 PM

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