Kabetogama/Namakan Fishing Report July 14, 2008
Most anglers found fishing to their liking this past week, until the weather dealt us a knockout blow beginning on Friday.
Storms and strong winds challenged anyone on the waters giving fish a break from eager anglers.
Overall the weekdays provided great fishing for walleyes and smallmouth. The best presentation for walleyes proved to be slip-sinker rigs with a leech, making a spinner blade a good option.
Good walleye action was found throughout the day at depths between 18 and 28', forcing anglers to move with the fish.
Soft bottom windblown shorelines or reef edges still provide the best results, probably as a result of mayfly hatch—mayflies in July, go figure.
Smallies now after crayfish, use plastics or semi-surface lures on rocky shorelines or rock piles; rebel crayfish lures are a sure attractant.
Northern pike remain quiet; look for them to pick up the pace in weeks to come. Your best opportunity may be to troll artificials along shorelines or outside weed edges.
Water temps are hanging around 66-70 degrees, about 6-8 degrees below normal for this time of year; as it slowly warms up, start thinking crawlers.
Pike enthusiasts might try bobber fishing with sucker minnows in pike holding bays like Mud, Daily, and Nebraska on Kabetogama; or Junction , Rudder, and Kohler on Namakan.
Campers should be zeroing in on largemouth on the inland lakes; artificial baits are the only choice by law, and they are working and producing bass by the numbers.
Have a Great Day!
Ellen & Phil Hart
Gateway General
9378 Hwy 53
Kabetogama, MN 56669
(218) 875-2121
www.gatewaygeneral.com
www.kabfishingreport.com