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Posts: 9
| Just wondering if anyone on here has fished Wabigoon or Dinorwic Lakes? If you have, any suggestions or comments about the water. Have heard several things. Some good some bad. I was thinking about the trip there is summer. Thanks for any info. Is it spring yet? Time to hit the spring bite at Cave Run! |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Yep. Call me at 715.362.1760 and I'll help. I'll even mark a map... |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | If I can add one piece of advice...
pay attention to Steve's map.
S. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | sworrall - 1/22/2008 1:50 PM
Yep. Call me at 715.362.1760 and I'll help. I'll even mark a map...
I'll take that map off your hands when your done with it! |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | To each their own for sure. Personally, I vote a big no. Are there big muskies in there?? 100%, for sure.
Is it worth driving 12 Hours to fish in Root Beer, wake up to the smell/sight of a paper mill, avoid the Canadian wild by being right by downtown Dryden and the houses/sailboats/locals?? Not for a whole week in my book.
I have fished it in June and done very well...I have fished it in August and wondered if I should take up another hobby. Whatever you do, and whoever tells you how great places are, weigh out the pros/cons versus other locations and make sure you make the best decision for yourself. |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Now Brian, you are overstating big time.
There's over 50,000 acres on that water one can fish. Yes, you can fish near Dryden and the Mill, or fish miles away FAR out into the Canadian bush and in nearly gin clear water.
I've fished it in August and done VERY well. One day in August I boated two 54" class fish, both in sight of Hannah when she ran Claybanks. Another day in August my sons and I had a 9 fish day, smallest was 47", and we were fishing miles from the nearest building or person.
I happen to like the clay particulate in that water, and use it to my advantage.
I've had incredible days there catching big pike, and likewise with walleyes and even smallmouth. I've seen Muskies there that keep me coming back, and I've fished all the other really big fish 'hot spots' lakes and rivers up there.
And, your accusation aside, I always tell anyone who talks to me that the Goon can be all of what you say, and yet all of what I say, too. One thing for certain, at this point I bet I won't run into you there.... |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | I don't think I overstated anything...I mentioned I was there in June and I did very well. And the bad fishing in August, I am able to put that aside as conditions, water level, weather, ME, etc..
But, I feel people who go there need to know what they are getting into. It's not exactly a classic Canadian experience. The way I look at it, you won't care about the paper mill and the water when you are catching fish. But when things go bad, all of a sudden the *potential* negatives become more obvious and I feel someone looking to go there should be fully aware of them.
That's all |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Potential negatives are a factor on any water.
If the fish are not going for any reason, and one wants to head for a backwoods clear water 'Canadian experience' lake, it's a short trip from the dock to just that.
And, as I said, I'm pretty careful to let anyone I know is headed there knows this trip offers everything from Metro style fishing in front of $250,000 houses to Moose in the shallows shore lunch on an island out in the Bush experiences.
That said, no one is bending this fellows arm. And yes, I already spoke with him on the phone.
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| i've been there.
true enough, the north shore especially near Dryden is pretty developed by Canadian standards.
of course, the entire south shore is undeveloped crown land. and there's an awful dang lot of lake out there.
even when fishing miles from any building or other person, i never had the sense that i was "way out there", but then again i never ran into one single other boat that wasn't from our group in an entire week. i guess you don't have to be remote to be remote.
i found the clay-colored water interesting and challenging, though the shoreline is pretty easy to read to locate structure and current areas. we had a brutal week weather-wise, and only put one fish in the boat for our group...and yet everyone in our group says they'd like to go back some time.
i've fished Eagle a couple of times, too, and that's a much prettier lake no doubt and very different fishing. i'm sure i'll go back to Wabigoon before Eagle simply because i liked being alone and i liked the type of fishing it offers.
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Posts: 389
Location: Corning, Iowa | We were there two years ago for the first time. Hope we can go back this year. Steve, I'l let you mark my map, PLEEEASE |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | Just fish 'Crazy Old Man' Bay. It's a lock for a good time!
S. |
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Posts: 2378
| sorenson - 1/22/2008 8:34 PM
Just fish 'Crazy Old Man' Bay. It's a lock for a good time!
S.  |
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Posts: 96
| Been there a number of times myself. We always stay at Merkels camp on the opposite side from Dryden so no bad smells, etc. As far as fishing, it's typically out of this world. Had one tough year due to weather but on the flip side we followed Joe Bucher around the entire week (& vise-versa) and never saw him boat a fish that week either...I'm sure he did, but it made us feel better not knowing any how! 
I guess the only tip I have is to find the cabbage and fish it until your arms fall off. We've pulled 90% of our ski's out of a couple weedy bays, and the others off either rock saddles or shear walls. Saw a couple fish I swear were nearing 5' so I know there's some monsters in there. The smaller off-shoot lakes were superb for bass/eyes, the main lake always seemed to be better for skis.
Been to Cedar, Eagle, and LOW but Wabigoon is a special place for me. |
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Posts: 584
| Question for you Wabigoon guys. Do you get down to Dinorwic much? I don't have the map in front of me, but if I remember correctly, it is a bit of a hike from Dryden. If so, how does it compare to the Goon proper, in terms of fish density, water clarity, structure, etc.?
Please feel free to p.m., if you wish.
[email protected]
Thanks in advance. |
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Posts: 104
| I fished it quite a bit at first, but came to the conclusion that the best fishing on that system is where you are, so to speak. No need to take the ride for me, if I'm staying at Indian Point Camp I'm in big fish heaven right there. |
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Posts: 9
| Thanks for the info Steve. Since someone brought up the subject . . . what about Dinorwic Lake. I was told there are big pike and plenty of them in there. Also, any insight on lures to use in either lake. Any suggestions on colors. I was told last year to either throw orange and black or don't throw anything on Eagle Lake. Thanks to all who reply! |
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Posts: 457
| Had a lot of fun on Goon the times I've fished it (3). Its a great lake once you get a pattern, which can be tough. Stayed at Bonnie Bay, and Lone pine. Both were great.
I'd have to say our best baits were Single spinnerbaits, followed by weighted Suicks and bobby baits. We move a lot of fish on gliders of various sorts, as well, but the Spinnerbaits and Suicks were far better.
I caught more fish on Sucker/Walleye patterns than anything, but the rest of our group popped fish on loud colors, Nuclear Bee was probably their best.
I'd go back. Strike that, I will go back, when time and fortunes allow. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | When the fishing was on for me, blk/orange was certainly effective as were gold bladed bucktails...To be honest, I'm not sure it really mattered because there certainly can't be much visibility in the Root Beer Water.
Whoever told you about the Pike was 100% correct, the average sized fish in that sytem is probably the best I have ever seen for a Canadian shield lake. I also noticed that unlike some other lakes, the Pike and Musky are often in the same areas, I literally had one cast where 2 pike missed my bait and then I caught a Musky on the boatside figure 8. YOu will also notice that fish tend to really HAMMER your baits on that lake, I think it's due to the fact they can't see well and they need to be agressive as soon as they hear/see something. An agressive 34" pike on Wabigoon felt like a typical 40+" Musky strike
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Posts: 20278
Location: oswego, il | You know it's a good lake when you see most of Buchers musky segments filmed there!  |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | And it's FAR from a Shield 'lake'. Wabigoon is a portion of a relatively 'new' impoundment, and that's why there was so much particulate in the water; it's been eroding and finding it's normal pool for years. There are weeks now where the water is really pretty clear. |
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Posts: 9
| Steve, I was wondering if you could list some colors to bring to the "goon". I enjoyed our conversation the other night. Is orange and black better than say, red and black. Also, do you do any good with crankbaits? |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Really, any color will work great. I used yellow alot last year because that was the color of the only double 10 we had, and we caught lots of fish on it. Black and Orange, Firetiger, red and black, just make sure whtever you are throwing has bright AND dark colors.
Crankbaits sure do work. The In Fisherman Super Pro event last year proved that. 4" to 6" seemed to be the ticket. |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | Bandit: Your best option would be to attend one of the Muskie First outings on the Goon. These outings really shorten the learning curve especially if it's a new lake to you
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Posts: 9
| Please explain what a "Musky first outing" is? Thanks a lot guys for all the info. Everyone has been a big help. My buddy and I have booked a trip for 2 weeks. We are going up the last week of June and the first week of July. We are going to fish the "goon" and Dinorwic. Hopefully, out of 14 days to fish, we will learn some spots on the lake and get some good weather. We coach football in Ohio so that takes most of July and all of August away. Kinda limits our days to take a trip. If anyone has anymore info, please share. If anyone is going up one of those 2 weeks pm me and let me know. |
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Posts: 568
| Bandit --transplanted Ky'ian living in portsmouth ohio . I fish about 60 miles south of there (Dryden) on a trout type lake with ultra clear water. Have not been up to fish the Goon but would love to . We strictly fish musky. Located on the Manitou . Would love to hear your results. my email is [email protected] or PM me here. We will be in camp the 3rd week of July this year . ManitouDan Dan S |
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Posts: 568
| Steve --how is your catch ratio on the clear water portion of the Goon vs the area closer to where you normally fish ---I'm not familiar with the Goon , how far do you have to travel to get to clearer water ? How hazardous ? Thanks MD |
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Posts: 32955
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The clear water isn't too far a trip no mater which camp one stays in. I found that the Muskies in all that water are active pretty much at the same time; if I have action in the Western Arm at 3 PM, others might have action at the same time in Butler. I like the more turbid water; keeps the fish shallower and easier to contact.
One has to take care on the Goon, no hazzard markers out there. The maps are pretty good once you are in a river channel, but the shorelines and bays or reef laden and the reefs are very hard to see. |
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | Fish Shallow. Shallow I say! That's all I have to say about the goon. |
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has anyone fished Wabigoon Lake?