• GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

  • Join In - We Share Fishing Reports & Outdoor Information Here

     
      You know what we all love...

      The same things you do!!!! Share what you love & enjoy in the outdoors as well as thank those whose posts you 'appreciate.'

      Have Fun!!!

Fully Kraeusened

Down riggers in Voyageurs

By Fully Kraeusened, in Crane Lake Kabetogama-Namakan Fishing Reports - Hunting

Recommended Posts

Fully Kraeusened    3

Fully Kraeusened
Posted

That’s makes a ton of sense. Thanks guys! Wish I just asked right away. I wasted an hour on google. :crazy: I know way too much about aspen trees now. 

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sushilicious    11

Sushilicious
Posted

I maybe stating the obvious but make sure u pay attention 2 the wind report. There have been plenty of times where we have driven from crane to namakan and not been able to fish the main part of namakan.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Fully Kraeusened    3

Fully Kraeusened
Posted

Yes sir. Nothing wrong with stating the obvious if you intent is to keep people safe. I’ve been beaten up quite a few times by Namakan. When I first started visiting vnp in the late 80’s my dad only had a 14’ Alumacraft with a 25 hp Merc. I was 10 and I was fishing with my dad so it seemed like the Titanic to me. We would take that boat from the Ash River all the way to Pat Smith. Took a little over an hour. Maybe I’m remembering wrong but I feel like more people had smaller boats back then. 

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Wanderer    861

Wanderer
Posted
7 hours ago, Fully Kraeusened said:

 Maybe I’m remembering wrong but I feel like more people had smaller boats back then. 

Oh, no; you’re not remembering wrong. :whistle:

A 16 foot boat was considered big when I was growing up too!

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread.  I hope you have a great time in VNP.

  • Thumbs Up 2

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Fully Kraeusened    3

Fully Kraeusened
Posted
47 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

Oh, no; you’re not remembering wrong. :whistle:

A 16 foot boat was considered big when I was growing up too!

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread.  I hope you have a great time in VNP.

Thanks man. Worst trip I ever had to vnp was outstanding. 

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Satchmo    21

Satchmo
Posted

We run a lot of leadcore trolling rods w/ cranks to troll for mid summer walleyes out in the main lake basins. Way easier than down riggers, and you can slow down your main engine with a couple of 18" - 24" trolling bags from AmishOutfitters.com. Very simple to do and fairly inexpensive method to get in to.

  • Thanks 1

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

BRULEDRIFTER    31

BRULEDRIFTER
Posted
On 2/28/2018 at 3:07 PM, Fully Kraeusened said:

Hey guys. I’m new to this site. I’ll be visiting the park early June. While I have made several trips up there I’ll be bringing a friend who never has. He is a very experienced angler, but has yet to catch a walleye. A lot of his experience comes from using down riggers on Lake Michigan. He was asking about using them on a vacation this year and I had no answer for him. I can’t recall ever seeing anyone using that method in Voyageurs. Does anyone have a thought on this? I’d appreciate any advice. Want my buddy to have a great trip! 

Tight lines!

Fully Kraeusened

No need to down-rig that early in the season.  Late summer/fall it's well worth having riggers on board.  I was on Nam late Aug last summer and we spent the first part of the day jigging with no luck. Then we drifted over some deeper water and found some suspended fish. We plucked one or 2 out on jigs, but due to the wind picking up, was impossible to stay on top of them long enough to pick more off.  Out came the boards and raps and we proceeded to put on a clinic for a few hours. Lot's of keepers and plenty of big girls. Fish were holding around 20-25ft, over 30-45' so releasing them was a non-issue. No bloated swim bladders. Good luck! 

  • Thanks 1

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

BRULEDRIFTER    31

BRULEDRIFTER
Posted
52 minutes ago, BRULEDRIFTER said:

No need to down-rig that early in the season.  Late summer/fall it's well worth having riggers on board.  I was on Nam late Aug last summer and we spent the first part of the day jigging with no luck. Then we drifted over some deeper water and found some suspended fish. We plucked one or 2 out on jigs, but due to the wind picking up, was impossible to stay on top of them long enough to pick more off.  Out came the boards and raps and we proceeded to put on a clinic for a few hours. Lot's of keepers and plenty of big girls. Fish were holding around 20-25ft, over 30-45' so releasing them was a non-issue. No bloated swim bladders. Good luck! 

I meant 'Out came the riggers'.... just caught my error and too late to edit apparently. 

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Fully Kraeusened    3

Fully Kraeusened
Posted

Thanks Bruledrifter. Since I’m coming early June it seems  the consensus is leave the riggers at home. Trip can’t get here soon enough. I only make it up these days every other year. 2016 the weather was miserable. Still enjoyed myself, but was my worst trip up there by far. 

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Go To Topic Listing Crane Lake Kabetogama-Namakan Fishing Reports - Hunting


  • Similar Content

    • Fully Kraeusened
      Inland lakes
      By Fully Kraeusened
      Wondering if any of you ever fish the inland lakes throughout Voyageurs and if so which ones? I have fished the Locator chain, Ek and Net lakes. My favorite of those three is definitely Locator. Seems to have a lot of northern and I also caught a good sized largemouth. Had a rough day on Ek. Was fishing with light tackle because I’ve been told it’s a good crappie lake and was broken off once otherwise nothing. One small pike on Net. This is a picture of the bass from Locator. 

    • Dock Boy
      Kabetogama Ice House Rental
      By Dock Boy
      Voyageur Park Lodge on Lake Kabetogama recently purchased brand new Ice Trek brand fish houses to rent on Lake Kabetogama.  The houses themselves are all aluminum with spray foam insulation, clean, warm and comfortable!  If your looking for something different from the usual LOW, Red experience check us out.  These are day use houses only and we will offer lodging at Voyageur Park Lodge.  We will only have one lodging unit open in the winter, so fishing parties will be the only guests at the resort, so lots of privacy and no other parties around.  Fish houses will be private out on the ice also! 
      We are excited to be the only angling houses on Lake Kabetogama!  If your looking for  something different let us know!
      Voyageur Park Lodge (Reef Runner Ice houses)
    • Kab Kid
      Good Opening Weekend on Kab
      By Kab Kid
      Good opening weekend...great weather for opener and more boats than normal I would say.  Fishing was good, not great.  I'm sure others have differing opinions, but for us we found larger walleyes in 6-12 feet when pitching jigs.  You had to put up with the large number of small northern that must have been hungry!  Most of our walleyes came by way of a jig and minnow, in 30-35 ft of water...most of these 9-13" and went back, but every 4-5 fish was keepable and a fair number of sauger's were in the mix.  Problem was you could catch 3-5 fish in a spot and then you needed to move.  So, lots of boats running all day Saturday.  Saturday night/evening the bite improved and keeper fish were coming from 22-28' of water, again with a jig and minnow for us.  Sunday sunny and beautiful day to be on the water!  Similar patterns with the evening bite producing most of our keepers that day.
       
      As far as scenery, you simply can't beat this area.  Kabetogama, Namakan, Ash River, and Crane lake is truly beautiful and the fishing is just bonus.  Listening to other fisherman, it seems the slot is frustrating some people...again lots of small fish (future fish) and many 20-22" walleyes but not many trophy's and eaters were tough to find.  All and all, great opener again on Kabetogama, hope everyone else had fun and a safe opening weekend.  Happy to talk fishing on Kabetogama, enjoy the season...
       
      Kab Kid
      http://www.kabkid.com
       
    • Slopfishin
      Fall Smallmouth Fishing Namakan/Sand Point/Crane
      By Slopfishin
      I realize that walleye is kind up there, but was hoping there were some smallie fishermen here on the board that could give me some advice on the fall smallmouth fishing on Namakan, Sand Point and Crane.  I've been coming up there for many years to fish for smallies in the springtime but have never tried it there in the Fall.  Was thinking that I may try my hand at some fall smallmouth up there while they're trying to fatten up for the winter. 
      Right now I am planning on coming up at the end of September.  I'm hoping to find the fish in less than 20 feet of water.  Jigs, tubes, jerkbaits and topwater is what I'm hoping they will be biting on.  I know water temperature plays a huge role in the fish moving back shallow to feed so I'm hoping my timing is right.  Do you folks think it's worth the trouble around that time.  I really don't feel like hauling my boat 1,100 miles (I live in Kentucky) if I'm gonna be fishing the dead sea.  Would Rainy Lake be a better choice?
      Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.
    • Nipper7272
      Namakan fishing Report
      By Nipper7272
      Hello staying on Namakan later this week for first time with my wife a two boys. Any fishing tips would be helpful.
      Thanks
    • Kab Kid
      Wbl High School fishing club
      By Kab Kid
      Hello Fishing MN Family,
        As a resident of White Bear Lake, and fishing guide on Kabetogama I'm attempting to reach out and ask for a little help to raise awareness and some donations or prizes for White Bear Lake high school fishing club.  I understand it is in a "club phase" currently and hoping to get recognized as a team sport in the next few years.  They are hosting a banquet to raise money and prizes on May 1st, and reached out to some fishing people...I'm turning around and asking if anyone has tackle still in the package, access to hats, bags, or boxes in like new condition that they would be willing do donate.  We are looking for donations for these kids as prizes that they will earn through challenges and fishing activities this year.  If you can help I can get you a tax ID number for your donation.  Please let me know or I can give you information to contact the coach of this fishing club.  I'm a huge fan of getting this next generation on the water!
      My email: [email protected]
      www.kabkid.com
    • fishin
      Namakan Kabetogama Fiahing Reports
      By fishin
      Wind set the pace for anglers this past week. Some thought it was too much of a good thing.
      Windblown shorelines were good to anglers that could manage boat control and stay in the 10-15’ depth. Baitfish get directed into those shorelines which usually leads to good fishing.
      If the wind dies down at anytime, or the following day, concentrate your efforts accordingly for great results.
      A suggested method of fishing while the winds are blowing, is troll artificial lures at depths between 12-16’, or use lead line and troll deeper waters. All fish species relate well to this, and boat control isn’t as critical.
      The walleye bite remains very scattered, reports of anglers catching fish on all baits, shallow and deep, the only common denominator is, only a few fish from each location. It’s safe to say walleyes aren’t schooled up as would be expected.
      Live bait rigs, a slip sinker or bottom bouncer, with a 3’-5’ snell, plain hook or spinner and beads using a crawler or leech is the preferred methods these days.
      Pike taking artificial crank baits by casting or trolling deep weed edges is attracting pike of all sizes.
      Casting stick baits, spoons or buck tails up to weed edges or clearing is working well for pike and smallies.
      No favored areas of the lake to fish with them being so scattered, however best reports coming from say Sugarbush Island down to the Ash River entrance into Kab.
      Some deeper water success on Namakan using jig and minnow in the 30’ plus depth range.
      Biting flies still a nuisance as are evening mosquitoes - be prepared. I might add, lots of UV rays so lotion up and enjoy your time in Beautiful Voyageurs National Park.
      BINGO continues on Kabetogama at the New Community Hall on Tuesday and Thursday Nights at 8:00pm.
      Great Time for Planning a Trip,
      See you Soon,
      Crabby Phil & Ellen Hart

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)