Canadian Crappies

[Guest]

Hello all,

I posted this before, but somehow it got blown to cyberdust. Anyway, I promised a report on the trip when I got back, so here goes.
Day one consisted of trying for trout on Crow Lake for about 4 hours. After only marking about 4 or 5 fish, and no hits, we decided to bag it up and head over to Lake of the Woods for crappies. Got set up about 2:30 p.m. Fishing was rather slow, although we did manage 15 or so. Second day we woke up to 20 below zero, with a pretty stiff wind. I have no idea what the wind chill was, but, well, put it this way, if you didn't have a house, you were screwed, Ha! There was a small run of biters right away in the morning, but it didn't last long. Then it was hit and miss the rest of the day until about 4 oclock, when another run of biters came through. Bite times were about 8 to 9 in the morning, and 4 till 5 in the afternoon. Sporadic in between with no consistancy. By Lake of the woods standards it was pretty slow. I managed to get my limit of 15, and left the skins on those to bring them back. The third day was not quite as cold, but still, chilly enough. Thankfully, not much wind. Same times, and intensity as day two. I ended up with 18 that day, so was able to fill out the limit of some that were having a hard time hooking up. Fish bit very lighty, even during the bite times. A few fish I couldn't even feel the take, just lowered the rod tip, and saw slack line, and set the hook.
We fished the Hay Island area of Stevens Bay. Water depth was about 40 feet, and the fish were anywhere from 4, to 10 feet off the bottom. The best colors were definately glow. My best jig color was a blue and glow small gemini jig, with a minnow hooked through the back on the jigging rod. On the bobber rod, I used a #4 Gamagazu hook, with glow paint on it. Both seemed to work just as well.
I know most people don't think of a Canadian trip as a crappie outing, but if you haven't tried it, you should, it's a blast. The fish are plentifull, and, usually, more cooperative than they were on this trip. Also, for those that like to smoke fish, there are tons of Tulibee to be had. The limit on those is six. All in all, it was a great time, and I'll be going again, no doubt.

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

[Steve Foss]

Well, you adapted to what the fishing offered. Lakers are probably more what people imagine when they think of ice fishing in Ontario, but LOW crappies are a good fishery (I've got a buddy who fishes them every winter) and they were what was going on when you were there. Sounds like it was fun. I imagine the scenery was nice, and it's always good to get far away from home for a few days' fishing. Any size to the crappies?

Your tulibee talk reminds me that we got a smoker awhile back and are just waiting for decent weather to fire it up and smoke some frozen whitefish, salmon and looper we've got. Mmmmmm.

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Steve ([email protected])

[Guest]

Crappies ranged in size from too small to keep, to around 13 or 14 inches. The average was about 10 or 11, nice, not huge, but decent. It was a blast.

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

[Guest]

you need to know about nortwest bay of rainy lake! i've been where you have and this is kick ass crappies!!!! back in the late 80s, i was the only one out ther fishing,till the res people saw me. but you want to see honest 15" ers, they are there. the only people fishing up there now are canucks.! talk to me ,if you cross the border again.

[Northlander]

Hey Rigaman if you ever need someone to hit that Canadian Crappie spot with you I would love to check it out. Crappies thru the ice are my favorite! You can e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like to hook up.

[Guest]

Rigaman,
Tell me more about the Rainy Lake Crappies please. What bay specifically, that is, don't need spots, general area and I can figure it out after that. E-mail me if you don't want to post it.
[email protected]
Thanks,

Set the Hook!!

Lundman