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| Message Subject: Is this trip realistic? | |||
Iowa03 |
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Posts: 5 | I do a lot of fishing but have never intentionally targeted muskie before. They're just not present in appreciable numbers near me. Here are some key points of what I'm considering: - I have a month off mid-summer to fish (flexible from late June to early Aug when I can take it) - I have a pedal kayak with side scan - I was looking at hitting maybe 3-4 lakes between LOTW and Lac Seul. Preferably smaller lakes as I just can't make big miles in a kayak. - Wanting to stay at a campsite(s) with electric hookup - Do not have the $ for a guide, I'm a college student on the GI bill right now I just want to know if it's realistic for me to drive up there and actually catch fish, or if this is going to be a waste of time considering my lack of experience. Thanks all | ||
| IAJustin |
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Posts: 2030 | Sounds like fun! Look around the Indian chain, Canyon, possibly little vermilion lake.. Stunning scenery and should give you action. I wouldn't be afraid to call lodges on those lake and talk about your idea even if you don't see campsites listed on their websites. I love late June in Canada. Make sure you have proper release tools I'd have several Knipex cutters with you. Good luck | ||
| Angling Oracle |
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Posts: 386 Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | We don't agree on some things, but I agree with Justin on those choices. Little Vermillion is the one I am very familiar with, kayak friendly and has a provincial park and campground that you can stay at. Number of lakes in the chain where a kayak to your advantage but a wee bit of a paddle. The other systems mentioned are very similar, all are kayak size friendly and if you research I think there is some powered camping available as well. | ||
| Slamr |
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Posts: 7055 Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | a. chat me directly, did much of what you're looking at from an Old Town PDL 120 in 2024 b. IF I were to do this trip, and I kinda want to anyways, I'd get a bixpy/torqueedo or newport. $1500 and you can fish a whole small lake versus just parts of it. c. The guys already gave away my suggestions: Little Vermillion, Canyon and the Indian Chain would be my suggestions. d. CAN YOU TAKE ME with??!!! | ||
| Angling Oracle |
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Posts: 386 Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Angling Oracle - 2/26/2025 2:25 PM We don't agree on some things, but I agree with Justin on those choices. Little Vermillion is the one I am very familiar with, kayak friendly and has a provincial park and campground that you can stay at. Number of lakes in the chain where a kayak to your advantage but a wee bit of a paddle. The other systems mentioned are very similar, all are kayak size friendly and if you research I think there is some powered camping available as well. Actually just did a little check as just recalling the Little V lakes (maybe a discussion with Larry). On the Little Vermillion lakes accessible in chain they still appear to be closed to fishing (musky refuges) - Muskie, Hooch and Cloudlet Lakes. They are a bit of a long paddle and probably a camping trip anyway - basically moose hunting only. On the other hand you can access Big Vermillion via the falls - not really any different than Little V other than bigger fish potential but also big water. Edited by Angling Oracle 2/26/2025 5:42 PM | ||
| Iowa03 |
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Posts: 5 | Slamr - 2/26/2025 2:37 PM a. chat me directly, did much of what you're looking at from an Old Town PDL 120 in 2024 b. IF I were to do this trip, and I kinda want to anyways, I'd get a bixpy/torqueedo or newport. $1500 and you can fish a whole small lake versus just parts of it. c. The guys already gave away my suggestions: Little Vermillion, Canyon and the Indian Chain would be my suggestions. d. CAN YOU TAKE ME with??!!! Glad to hear someone else thinks the same way, I have an Oldtown 132 PDL. OT makes a nice kayak, had mine on lake Michigan last year and it handled it great. I'll message you, definitely want to hear how that went! | ||
| miket55 |
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Posts: 1284 Location: E. Tenn | Angling Oracle - 2/26/2025 5:33 PM Angling Oracle - 2/26/2025 2:25 PM We don't agree on some things, but I agree with Justin on those choices. Little Vermillion is the one I am very familiar with, kayak friendly and has a provincial park and campground that you can stay at. Number of lakes in the chain where a kayak to your advantage but a wee bit of a paddle. The other systems mentioned are very similar, all are kayak size friendly and if you research I think there is some powered camping available as well. Actually just did a little check as just recalling the Little V lakes (maybe a discussion with Larry). On the Little Vermillion lakes accessible in chain they still appear to be closed to fishing (musky refuges) - Muskie, Hooch and Cloudlet Lakes. They are a bit of a long paddle and probably a camping trip anyway - basically moose hunting only. On the other hand you can access Big Vermillion via the falls - not really any different than Little V other than bigger fish potential but also big water. I was up there last year, and checked the 2025 regs. Those bodies of water are open from the third Saturday in June through November 30th.. One barbless hook per lure, and no possession of musky, pike, or smallmouth. Yes it takes some work to get there. | ||
| Angling Oracle |
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Posts: 386 Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | miket55 - 2/26/2025 7:51 PM Angling Oracle - 2/26/2025 5:33 PM Angling Oracle - 2/26/2025 2:25 PM We don't agree on some things, but I agree with Justin on those choices. Little Vermillion is the one I am very familiar with, kayak friendly and has a provincial park and campground that you can stay at. Number of lakes in the chain where a kayak to your advantage but a wee bit of a paddle. The other systems mentioned are very similar, all are kayak size friendly and if you research I think there is some powered camping available as well. Actually just did a little check as just recalling the Little V lakes (maybe a discussion with Larry). On the Little Vermillion lakes accessible in chain they still appear to be closed to fishing (musky refuges) - Muskie, Hooch and Cloudlet Lakes. They are a bit of a long paddle and probably a camping trip anyway - basically moose hunting only. On the other hand you can access Big Vermillion via the falls - not really any different than Little V other than bigger fish potential but also big water. I was up there last year, and checked the 2025 regs. Those bodies of water are open from the third Saturday in June through November 30th.. One barbless hook per lure, and no possession of musky, pike, or smallmouth. Yes it takes some work to get there. Good stuff. I thought it had opened up but I just quickly checked on the Fish Ont app and showed the no fishing symbol so though it would be poor form to send someone in there given all my regulation talk. Thanks for update. | ||
| chuckski |
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Posts: 1454 Location: Brighton CO. | WOW that will be a great trip with great memorable memories. | ||
| Iowa03 |
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Posts: 5 | Which app are you talking about - I'd definitely like to stay legal. It would be pretty foolish if I went and got myself banned from Canada haha | ||
| Angling Oracle |
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Posts: 386 Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Fish on-line - good for seeing what species in different lakes, etc. It is obviously not updated with the new regs which do allow fishing in there now. Do use the actual regs and read carefully for whatever waterbody you are fishing - especially in the sioux lookout area as a fair few lake specific regs. | ||
| Iowa03 |
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Posts: 5 | Angling Oracle - 2/27/2025 1:29 PM Fish on-line - good for seeing what species in different lakes, etc. It is obviously not updated with the new regs which do allow fishing in there now. Do use the actual regs and read carefully for whatever waterbody you are fishing - especially in the sioux lookout area as a fair few lake specific regs. Gotcha. This does look like it'll be a big help, thanks! | ||
| North of 8 |
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| Don't know if you are a writer or tech savvy, but that kind of trip, by a veteran, might garner some commercial support if you create a blog about it. There was a fellow who followed the Wis. River from it's beginning to where it joins the Mississippi, and he got some financial support that way. Just a thought. | |||
| Slamr |
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Posts: 7055 Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Just an FYI on the Little Vermillion idea: I did it, not actually great for kayaking. Little Vermillion itself, great size for kayaking and unless you get a really nasty West (or East, cant remember) wind, you can pedal to good water. BUT, the trip to Cedarbough is a 5 mile pedal from Fireside and probably 2 from the public launch. Then getting through the creek to Cedarbough was an adventure....3 hours with a chainsaw and it would have been a breeze. The "sanctuary lakes" are another 2 miles. And I cant recall the name of the 5th lake but its up and over a hill that dragging a 120lb kayak up and down will be a huge challenge AFTER you pedal 4 miles to the portage area. BUT, south of Sioux Lookout and (what I know) in closer to Vermillion Bay you have Corner, Stewart, Canyon (will be some pedaling but you can troll on your way and probably get bit), Fluke and I am sure many other "hidden gems". OR, get a Newport 300 and you're set for whatever! | ||
| miket55 |
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Posts: 1284 Location: E. Tenn | Slamr - 2/27/2025 4:33 PM Just an FYI on the Little Vermillion idea: I did it, not actually great for kayaking. Little Vermillion itself, great size for kayaking and unless you get a really nasty West (or East, cant remember) wind, you can pedal to good water. BUT, the trip to Cedarbough is a 5 mile pedal from Fireside and probably 2 from the public launch. Then getting through the creek to Cedarbough was an adventure....3 hours with a chainsaw and it would have been a breeze. From Fireside you don't want a southwest wind going out, or conversely a northeast wind returning.. I saw a video starring one of our senior club members going through the creek to Cedarbough in his 20' center console using his bowmount trolling motor. It was a breeze, at least that time. In '23 it took us 40 minutes to get to and from, the creek was all but dried up.. We agreed early on we'd get through come hell or whatever.. (if only it was high water)., and not try that again that trip. In '24 I'm guessing the water lavel was 18" higher, and that knocked the push poling time down to around 10 minutes, though I'm sure that beaver is still peeed at us for constantly destroying his work near the L. Vermillion end of the creek. As for the "other two sanctuary lakes" were you referring to Terry or maybe Closs? The latter is maybe a 50 yard portage, over a hill kinda sorta.. Fireside and Anderson's both keep a boat at dock over there for their guests. Neither myself or my fishin' buddy felt like making the trek over to Terry. Edited by miket55 2/27/2025 10:30 PM | ||
| Clark A |
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Posts: 627 Location: Bloomington, MN | Your plan is very realistic! Now if your goal is to get a 50" fish, you will probably need to fish some big water. My suggestion is base yourself out of Cliff Lake RV Camp which is off the 105 north of Vermilion Bay. Very nice people run the camp. The lake with lots of muskies is Fluke Lake. It is SW of Cliff Lake. You pretty much have to drag your boat down an embankment. There might be an opening now. There is also Mystery, Twilight, and Evening. Do not expect a fish over 40", but there could be a couple. Cedar Lake has nicer fish, but also 5 camps. The lake is fished hard, but there is a public boat ramp less than 5 minutes away from the RV camp that is in a bay that would be fishable if the wind was light. The RV camp is on a skinny arm of Cliff, which would be fishable in a Kayak. If you are doing this solo, invest in a satellite phone. Cell phones don't work so well up there. Be safe, and post how you did. | ||
| Iowa03 |
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Posts: 5 | Clark A - 2/28/2025 7:29 AM Your plan is very realistic! Now if your goal is to get a 50" fish, you will probably need to fish some big water. My suggestion is base yourself out of Cliff Lake RV Camp which is off the 105 north of Vermilion Bay. Very nice people run the camp. The lake with lots of muskies is Fluke Lake. It is SW of Cliff Lake. You pretty much have to drag your boat down an embankment. There might be an opening now. There is also Mystery, Twilight, and Evening. Do not expect a fish over 40", but there could be a couple. Cedar Lake has nicer fish, but also 5 camps. The lake is fished hard, but there is a public boat ramp less than 5 minutes away from the RV camp that is in a bay that would be fishable if the wind was light. The RV camp is on a skinny arm of Cliff, which would be fishable in a Kayak. If you are doing this solo, invest in a satellite phone. Cell phones don't work so well up there. Be safe, and post how you did. Honestly just catching fish is the goal this time. I might spend the last week or so on big water if I do well on these smaller lakes folks have suggested. I love my kayak, but man is it slow covering distances. Can't hurt to try though. Cliff Lake RV camp looks good - very fair rates. Thank you for the suggestion! | ||
| Slamr |
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Posts: 7055 Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | miket55 - 2/27/2025 10:23 PM Slamr - 2/27/2025 4:33 PM Just an FYI on the Little Vermillion idea: I did it, not actually great for kayaking. Little Vermillion itself, great size for kayaking and unless you get a really nasty West (or East, cant remember) wind, you can pedal to good water. BUT, the trip to Cedarbough is a 5 mile pedal from Fireside and probably 2 from the public launch. Then getting through the creek to Cedarbough was an adventure....3 hours with a chainsaw and it would have been a breeze. From Fireside you don't want a southwest wind going out, or conversely a northeast wind returning.. I saw a video starring one of our senior club members going through the creek to Cedarbough in his 20' center console using his bowmount trolling motor. It was a breeze, at least that time. In '23 it took us 40 minutes to get to and from, the creek was all but dried up.. We agreed early on we'd get through come hell or whatever.. (if only it was high water)., and not try that again that trip. In '24 I'm guessing the water lavel was 18" higher, and that knocked the push poling time down to around 10 minutes, though I'm sure that beaver is still peeed at us for constantly destroying his work near the L. Vermillion end of the creek. As for the "other two sanctuary lakes" were you referring to Terry or maybe Closs? The latter is maybe a 50 yard portage, over a hill kinda sorta.. Fireside and Anderson's both keep a boat at dock over there for their guests. Neither myself or my fishin' buddy felt like making the trek over to Terry. I was thinking of Closs. Yeah, it's a 50 yrd portage, but it's a 4 mile trip before you even get there. Lots o' pedaling! Not saying it cant be done but...same with shlepping a kayak up the hill. Do-able for sure. And I am sure the creek to Cedarbough can be easier and harder at different times! Love the lake system, and the folks at Fireside are top cnotch! | ||
| miket55 |
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Posts: 1284 Location: E. Tenn | Slamr - 2/28/2025 12:49 PM miket55 - 2/27/2025 10:23 PM Slamr - 2/27/2025 4:33 PM Just an FYI on the Little Vermillion idea: I did it, not actually great for kayaking. Little Vermillion itself, great size for kayaking and unless you get a really nasty West (or East, cant remember) wind, you can pedal to good water. BUT, the trip to Cedarbough is a 5 mile pedal from Fireside and probably 2 from the public launch. Then getting through the creek to Cedarbough was an adventure....3 hours with a chainsaw and it would have been a breeze. From Fireside you don't want a southwest wind going out, or conversely a northeast wind returning.. I saw a video starring one of our senior club members going through the creek to Cedarbough in his 20' center console using his bowmount trolling motor. It was a breeze, at least that time. In '23 it took us 40 minutes to get to and from, the creek was all but dried up.. We agreed early on we'd get through come hell or whatever.. (if only it was high water)., and not try that again that trip. In '24 I'm guessing the water lavel was 18" higher, and that knocked the push poling time down to around 10 minutes, though I'm sure that beaver is still peeed at us for constantly destroying his work near the L. Vermillion end of the creek. As for the "other two sanctuary lakes" were you referring to Terry or maybe Closs? The latter is maybe a 50 yard portage, over a hill kinda sorta.. Fireside and Anderson's both keep a boat at dock over there for their guests. Neither myself or my fishin' buddy felt like making the trek over to Terry. I was thinking of Closs. Yeah, it's a 50 yrd portage, but it's a 4 mile trip before you even get there. Lots o' pedaling! Not saying it cant be done but...same with shlepping a kayak up the hill. Do-able for sure. And I am sure the creek to Cedarbough can be easier and harder at different times! Love the lake system, and the folks at Fireside are top cnotch! Alan and Audrey no longer own Fireside. They had the place on the market for several years, and it finally sold in late '23. They were supposed to stay on through the '24 season, but that wound up not happening. | ||
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