Let's chat about late Sept-Oct fishing on Sand Point / Namakan

[carlsonmn]

Guys/Gals,

 

Going to stay at King Pin camping at Sand Point lake late this Sept. into Oct for a few days.  Me and a few buddies stayed there Sept-Oct in 2021 and none of us had ever fished the area - we had limited success but caught some crappies that we could mark in some of the bays, the occasional small walleye in shallower areas (15-20') and a couple eaters we found in 30-35 feet when I could barely keep us over the reefs on west side of main body of Sand Point due to wind out on the big lake - was able to mark some fish drifting over the bumps there.  Since then I have added a Terrova with spot lock which I think will help fish the area.  I talked to a guy at the ramp heading out who said he uses down riggers to even fish this area for suspended fish, but I don't have any gear for that.  I'd prefer to stick to jig/minnow as that's what I know from fishing Canadian walleye lakes.

 

The usual game plan... would be nice to try to figure out where walleye hang out this time of year in this big, deep lake - find a 15" eater fish per person for a shore lunch... although we are more so bass fisherman and might try to find the smallmouth too for some action, although I'm not sure if they'll be near shore this time of year or not either.  

 

Basically, we have very little experience in the area and would appreciate any advice from anyone that knows this are in this fall time period.  I have a 1989 Alumacraft Trophy 170 with the original Mariner 100 so I can get around Sand Point but she burns too much gas to get much further than the Namakan narrows.  Bringing extra fuel of course.  So mostly will stock to that area down through body of Sand Point and to the west bays.  What tactics should I try this time to find more action?  

 

Couple pics from the first trip... Thanks for any tips guys!

[gim]

You may want to double check the US Coast Guard stamp on that boat for the maximum weight capacity.  I don't know how many passengers are going to ride in that boat as its currently pictured, but you already have a lot of stuff in it.  Exceeding the weight capacity of a watercraft voids the insurance policy on it, not to mention its unsafe should you encounter rough water.  Just a suggestion.

[Kettle]

I'll be on Kabetogama in Mid September. I run crawlers on jigs until it gets under 55 degrees then minnows. I anticipate fishing 25-30 ft on structure 

[Mike89]

the boat isn't even sitting low in the water the way it looks to me...  

[gim]

1 hour ago, Mike89 said:

the boat isn't even sitting low in the water the way it looks to me...  

Not the point.  Every watercraft has a weight and/or passenger capacity.  Waiting until the boat is "sitting low" in the water and then adding passengers is a disaster waiting to happen.  I'm sure the PFDs are tucked away in a compartment under all the gear too...

Edited July 21, 2023 by gimruis

[smurfy]

 sheez Gim.......whats it like to be perfect and never push the limit now and then. 

[smurfy]

by the way carlsonmn.........thats a real nicely neat packed boat!!!!!!!!!!

[carlsonmn]

Thanks guys.... I think haha.  Yes for a trip like this the boat is LOADED with lots of beer, coolers, tents, grills, wood, full tank of fuel and other goods plus 3 200lbs guys getting in it for the trip to the campsite.  A lot lighter coming back!  Gets on plane and rides great!  Alumacraft made a good boat back in 1989!  

 

I will plan on still focusing on fishy looking structure in the 30' range and try some methods to cover some ground out there as well.... maybe some bottom bouncers.  

[bronzebackchaser]

I can’t help you much with the walleye and crappie as I’m a bass fisherman. So I’m only gonna speak to the smallie fishing which can be amazing that time of year…or extremely frustrating. The bite can change on a dime that time of year. Here are a bunch of random thoughts on the smallie fishing for that time of year:

 

·        The fish will be schooled up shallow and/or deep. I haven’t done a lot of hump fishing in the past because of the wind. I could just never keep the boat in position in the wind to give it an honest try. However, I now have a Garmin Force with spot lock so will probably give it a go this year (will be there 9/16 – 9-23 staying on Crane but fishing Sand Point and Namakan).

·        For the shallow fishing I like to use ½ oz. crawdad traps, soft plastic tubes (3” w/ a ¼ oz tubejig) and spinners. Fish windblown rocky points and flats from 10’ to 1’. I prefer the traps and spinners because I get hung up less. The windblown part is critical…no wind, then no fish from my experience.

·        My favorite spots are on Namakan but I have several spots on Sand Point I love near where you will be staying. Most of these spots are on the Canadian side.

·        Send me a PM and I’ll give you some exact locations.

 

Best of luck!