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Posts: 172
| Thinking of going up to Sabaskong Bay for the opener, which I believe is June 16. Probably stay @ Splitrock Lodge. I have been there in the fall a few times and had decent luck but would appreciate any hints for being there that early. Is there any reeason to not go that early? I assume it can be as good(or bad) as any other time. Will muskies & northerns be in shallow bays that time of year? Although we will be hunting muskies 90% of the time, any hints on smallies or walleyes. Thanks! |
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Posts: 336
Location: Wheeling, IL. | last time I was in Sab Bay was two years ago. Saw nets from the indians that where 1/2 mile long and madt he eyes and norther pretty tough. I also hear the lake has been down about 4 feet this year.
Good luck.
Bob Dourlain |
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Posts: 136
| I would wait until July if you can |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | The lake is definitely low. As I sit here looking out my window I can see a whole new lake shore because of the low water. Opener should be decent this year. The suckers spawned early and the lake has warmed up. However, Monday they are saying that the high will be 6 degrees celcius and there might be some snow showers. We'll see.... There will probably be a diminished weed presence with the low water. I would concentrate on the rocks and walls just out from the traditional spawning areas. Wind blown points, saddles and humps will still be good, but don't be afraid to start a little further out. The low water of 2003 produced my best ever season in 54 years of muskie fishing. But...BE CAREFUL out there. You will hit those spots marked 4' down this year and caution is a good idea. Split Rock Lodge should put you right in the heart of some good fishing. Say hi to Mike. |
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Posts: 2017
| Opener can be very good! Is there a reason to not go?... Nope, if the weather is decent probably my favorite time to be up there.. If you find good weeds - muskies will be nearby that time of year....for eyes- rock humps toping out 8-15 feet surrounded by deep basin - work the top as well as the sides 1.5 oz bottom bouncer 14"-16" spinner rig (keep them short) with leech or crawler, moving slowly with your electric.
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Posts: 172
| Something came up that might make me unable to go then. I will find out in a couple weeks if I still can go. Can't make a firm reservation until some things pan out so I hope Mike still has room . If not then, probably in Sept. Thanks for the advice. If anybody needs advice for Sept. muskie fishing near Splitrock, let me know. |
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| Heading up to the Northwest Angle for the 5th time in 5 years but the first time in the month of July, we've always gone in October! Always a blast dealing with snow!! So were in for something new this year! It's like a totally new trip to us because everything is dead by the time we get up there in October and do the trolling thing so does anybody have any suggestions, secret weapons? anything? I guess its doesnt matter to us. Just looking for something out of the ordinary!!
Thanks,
Mr Musky |
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Posts: 336
Location: Wheeling, IL. | Double check with your resorts before heading up.
There is a posting MI Chapter 39 about a resort in the Angle that is increasing their rates even if you had booked. It also states about half of the resorts in the Angle are not even opening this year. It appears that it all stems from the lack of snow this past winter and the lack is about 4 feet below normal.
Bob |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | Bob:
I would be very suspicious about the resorts not even opening due to low water. The lake is not down 4 feet, although I hear this a lot. High average this time of year is an elevation of 1060.5. Low average is 1058.8. The lake currently sits at an elevation of 1057.8 (approx).
So it is 2 and a half feet below the HIGH average and only a foot below the low average. Is it low? You bet. It's at least as low as 2003. But 4 feet? No way.
As far as closing down for the summer....if you make your living operating a camp are you going to close down for the season and eliminate all your source of income? Not likely. Your fixed cost of operating remains the same whether you are open or closed. Not to mention the ill will you will create with your repeat customers...Bye..Bye.
Here is a link to the Lake of the Woods water control board website. It lists all the information on lake levels, averages, historical data, etc. covering many years. The information I gave above is gleaned from that website. I have said it before and it bears repeating....2003 was an extremely low water year and it was the BEST muskie season I ever had in over 50 years of fishing LOTW. Others, whom I respect like Doug Johnson and Steve Heiting had similar results in 2003.
I don't know where these rumors start, but they have an definite impact on the livelihood of the resorts in the area. Here is the link:
http://www.lwcb.ca/waterflowdata.html
I hope everyone has a safe and successful season.
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | NW Angle resort is open and has very reasonable rates if anyone runs into trouble. I had my best year for numbers in 2003 when the water was extremely low! I'm looking forward to July. I count the days from the time I leave, only 42 days until take off!! 
Bring on the low water. Navigate with extreme caution! There are those on LOTW that have hit rocks and those who are going to hit rocks. I joined the later group last year  |
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Posts: 58
Location: Oak Island, MN | Good job explaining that Bob. Pretty funny notion that half the resorts in the Angle will not be open this season. I'm not aware of anyone not being open. Just someone's wishful thinking justifying a price increase. Whoever it is should get a job working for the oil companies giving us the daily logic for gasoline going up twenty cents.
As you state, the water level is a bit low. May affect some docking and will probably make some bays un-fishable (like last year), but no big deal. If you hit a rock because of this slight difference in water lever, you were way too close anyway. Just be careful pulling up to docks, fishing spots, and shore, and your prop should stay shiny! |
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Posts: 336
Location: Wheeling, IL. | Here is the info as posted by Phil Gutman.
N ot trying to start anything, just passing on info fron a MI post.
pgutmann
Posted 2007-05-16 6:43 AM (#4549)
Subject: Club Outing LOTW 2007 "URGENT"
Offline
Member
Posts: 44
Due to the current conditions on LOTW presently, many if not all resort owners in the NW Angle (and probbaly other areas of the lake included) have had to incur some unforeseen expenses in getting their resorts in order for the upcoming season. Some have determined not to even open for 2007 at this point. Because of this, the club rate for our trip has been increased from $55 to $57 per day which still includes ice and docking fees. Angle Outpost (Jessica and Dave) have been long time supporters of the club and will continue to do so in the future. If anyone currently has an issue with this minor increase, please call me at my office 847-434-2143 to discuss.
P.S. If anyone has use of approximately 3000 cubic yards of prime LOTW dirt, please call Dave at Angle Outpost. He needs to get rid of it. (LOL)
Message from Dave and Jessica:
Dear Fox River Valley Muskie Chapter,
May 11, 2007
WWW.ANGLEOUTPOST.COM
Dear Resort Guest:
Due to unforseeable events there will be a slight rate increase for
the summer 2007 season. Please note that this will effect the rates
quoted to your group from $55 to $57 a person. A current rate sheet
is posted on our website. We apologize for any inconvenience and
look forward to having you come up and stay with us.
David & Jessica Fandrich
Angle Outpost Resort LLC
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Posts: 58
Location: Oak Island, MN | Not saying it was not posted. Just saying that it is not true. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | The LOTWs has been this low at this time of year four times in the past 30 years (2003,1988,1981,1977). In most cases the lake was near normal levels by the end of the year. I know of no resort that has ever closed in the Angle or anywhere else on the lake for that matter because of low water, and as far as I know there are none this year.
I see nothing in Dave and Jessica's note to Phil that there are any resorts not opening because of low water, so that must be conjecture on someones part.. The reason Angle Outpost is adding a small up-charge to their rates is to help cover the additional cost of dredging their channel out of their dock area, but otherwise it's fishing as normal.
I usually do quite well with low water.
Doug Johnson |
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LOW questions.