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Posts: 33
| After getting in trouble 15 years ago as a teenager, I finally got the golden ticket to go fishing in Canada!
We are going to LOTW week of Labor Day. Bro and I have a 40hp Crestliner Canadian. Not a big water slayer, but should suffice.
A fishing buddy goes to NW Angle every year. We are going to give that a shot. Northwest Angle resort or Angle Outpost? We want to fish the giant island clusters northeast of the big channel.
Which Hydro maps specifically do we need to get? We are going after a muskie or six and as many walleyes as we can catch per day. A few pike and smallies are fine as well.
Any advice for a first timer besides boat safely, bring extra gas, only have a 6.6 gallon tank.
What will the fish be doing in September? Walters back on the minnows? Spinners vs. regular lindy rigs?
Thanks in advance, Ryan. |
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| I don't know what maps you will need, but my advice would be to stay at the Outpost and not NWA resort. Outpost is about 3 miles closer to the end of the angle and closer to the water you want to fish. Plus if you get a big west -NW wind, getting all the way back up to NWA resort may become a wet ride. |
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Posts: 366
| If you want to stay even closer to the action, try Walsh's Bay Store Resort on Oak Island. Owner Frank Walsh is one of the best at putting clients on fish, whether you go out with him or just on your own, for what ever species you desire. The charts you want are 6216 and maybe 6215 and/or 6212 depending on how big of a range you aquire. Frank has the charts for sale in his store at the resort.
Check out his site: www.baystorecamp.com
You can post specific questions and read what is currently going on, on his outdoor reports section, and get advice from him and other anglers where ever you choose to stay.
Last year August and September were thee months to be up there for Muskies, lots of action and plenty of big fish. What will happen at that time this year is anyone's guess, but when that time comes Frank can give you your best shot at connecting with what you want.
Ryan
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Posts: 33
| Thanks for the info. i trusted the lady I spoke with this mornign and I purchased the 6216 map. Sounds like I made the right choice.
The area my brother wanted to go to was the Kenora/Keewatin area around 11/71.
Ryan, i will check out the site. Frank sounds like quite the guru. I love talking fishing with guys like that or anyone when on trips to dial in the fish. I will let you know.
Angle Outpost takes the lead for now. |
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Posts: 33
| Ryan
Are you the Ryan that posts on the Bay Store forum with Dick Pearson? Looks like a fun group.
I had a hard time pinpointing the location of the place. Do you park ride and just motor over to oak island and stay there, or it is actually on the main MN portion? |
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Posts: 366
| Yes, that is me. There are a great group of muskie nuts that call Frank's place their home away from home. Some very good sticks as well, myself not included. Yes, you have to park and boat over to the island. I use Young's Bay's paid parking lot and launch, as do most people that stay on Oak. It is about a seven mile boat ride to Frank's dock. The resort is on the north shore of the island in a protected little portion of the main bay. The Canadian border is a few hundred yards straight north of the resort, and a couple of my favorite spots are in view from the cabins. I've been staying there, I think, 10 years in August.
Ryan
Edited by Fishwizard 6/29/2010 5:31 PM
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Posts: 376
Location: On the River | Walsh's Camp Bay store is a great place to stay!
I will be there bright and early this Saturday morning.
Can't wait, 5th year going there |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | Hi!
I've been at Angle Outpost for around ten year. They have a very nice drive-to resort and that makes the trip a lot easier. gas prices will be cheaper on the main land than in the islands also.
Bay Store is a great resort just telling you how it is.
Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 33
| Thanks Doug. I think my buddy Chris Kelley has gone out with you a couple times. We are from Illinois.
What are the normal gas prices at the resorts? Say $2.90 normally.
I have you and Mr. Pearsons musky legends DVD. Wish I could work the suick like you do. I plan on practicing during my week in Canada. |
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | Gas on the Angle is $3.25 at Jake's and $3.50 at NW Angle Resort (as I type). Of course that price will vary. It was around $4 last summer. Jake's has the most reasonably priced gas on the angle.
My vote goes to the NW Angle Resort. I like the convenience of the customs phone at the dock! Kevin and Lori are great hosts. Not to Mention the bar/restaurant on site. You will find their rates VERY competitive.
The added boat ride does not bother me at all.
I'm leaving in 27 hours!!!  |
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Posts: 33
| I think so far that is 1 vote for each
Bay's
Angle Resort
Angle Outpost
Keep the votes coming |
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| Baystore Camp is the host resort for Operation Muskie; Frank and Laura Walsh have rolled out the red carpet the last few years for the veterans involved, and that kind of thing matters in my book.
http://www.baystorecamp.com
The accomodations are clean and comfortable. The opportunity to benefit from the wisdom of Frank and possibly bump into his surly next-door neighbor Dick is probably worth the price of admission, too. 
I can't wait to get back up there in a of couple weeks for another shot at ringing the bell!
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| When navigating, watch out for rocks. Make sure your kicker is running well for emergencies.
This is a possible scenario: "that rock should be right about...here, BOOM!"
Brian
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | Two classifications on the woods: Those that have hit rocks and those that are going to hit rocks.
Watch out for hazards that are not on the GPS! |
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Posts: 33
| I have heard that warning before. I am wondering if I should buy a spare prop for the trip?
We don't have a kicker motor. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | a spare prop would be a good idea...completely destroyed mine last year on the woods, thank god I came prepared or I would have cost myself a lot of money and/or time. Never hit anything before fishing 10+ years in Canada, all it takes is one small mental lapse to do a lot of damage out there |
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Posts: 431
| Buy a cheap composite prop for your motor if you can find one. Last few years we've been lucky, but have definitely destroyed a couple props up there. GPS has helped substantially. |
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| A kicker and spare prop would be a good investment. Some of the remote areas do not have other boats for hours or days.
I used to be a "rock free" snob. I spent three weeks on Eagle and two weeks on LOTW without hitting a rock. I was cautious and always thought guys who hit rocks were careless. However on my last trip, I was humbled. I was lucky to get away with only a $150 prop replacement. It can happen to anyone.
On the map, pay special attention to the rocks that top out at 1, 2, or 3 feet. Because of fluctuating water levels, those are the ones that can get you.
Brian
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Posts: 366
| Indeed. And then there are the rocks that aren't on any maps. There are enough of those that, if you spend enough time, or are just real lucky, you will find one. Or maybe, you're lucky if you don't find one. Nothing like watching the map, and then pow, "WTF? There isn't supposed to be a reef here."
Good luck on the trip, you'll have a great time no matter where you go. Chances are pretty high you'll be back again.
Ryan
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Posts: 431
| Also, don't let all of these stories scare you. You need to be careful, no doubt. Follow the main travel routes and you'll be fine. When you get off the route, slow down if you don't know where you're at. As my dad likes to say, you can hit anything if you're going slow enough. Once you learn a path through a certain area, keep using it even if it adds a few minutes to your trip to the next spot. Don't go blazing between a couple of islands that you've never seen before. Use some common sense and a bit of caution and you should be fine.
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| I agree with momuskies post. And Bay Store is the place to go for sure.
You'll catch as many walleyes as you want by slow-trolling with a crawler spinner harness behind a 1/2 ounce bottom bouncer. Bring gulp crawlers instead of the real thinkg -- they work as well or better and you'll end up catching more fish because you won't have to re-bait as often. Pull up to any hump that comes up to 10-15' out of the basin and you'll find walleyes on it.
For muskies, you should consider hiring a guide. If that's not part of the budget, Frank at Bay Store will absolutely point you in the right direction. |
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Posts: 431
| we stayed at Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge at their Eagle Ridge Lodge last year. Staying there again this year. Same island (Oak), just on the other side with very few people around. Right on the canadian border. Another tip-get a Remote Area Border Crossing permit. |
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Posts: 33
| What do you need to do to get the permit. I know to bring my passport, but do you need to apply beforehand for the permit, or can you pick it up once you get close to the resorts? |
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Posts: 56
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes | It is easiest to get the RABC permit before your trip. Here is the info/link
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.html
I am headed the NW Angle tomorrow for a week of chasing Muskies...will report back next Sunday |
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Posts: 222
| Ryan,
Baystore hands down gas maybe cheaper on the mainland but @ Baystore you are in the heart of muskie country. You don't need to do that 7 mile plus ride to the mainland in the morning and at night plus you can push the prime times a liitle more being "IN" the lake then on the mainland of the lake. It has worked for my wife and I many times. Expecially if you are not comfortable running around in the dark. And believe me no matter how good you "THINK" you know an area there is always that "NEW GROWEN" rock that shows up.
Darren |
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Posts: 33
| So basically, you park the truck and trailer. Load up the boat and head out to the Island. From Oak Island are all the visible islands on a map, to the north, are they within a reasonable distance?
Then just load up the boat, hitch it up and head home? Sounds like a good time and a lot of gas. Cutting down that travel time in and out from the inlet each day would be huge as well. |
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Posts: 33
| Baystore - I'm sure they have all the bait we need for the waldos. Leeches and minnows, as they might be back on the minnows in September. Anyone use the Gulp pumpkinseed nightcrawlers. Do those work on spinning harness?
What about cold beer? How much beer can we bring with us for a week long trip?
Canpass permit
first aid kit
spare prop
spare gas tank
passport
hydro map - $33 shipped - yikes!
Are the HotSpots maps worth picking up, or are they worthless? I heard from a friend that there is a good map that the locals use. Maybe the Baystore has that as well?? |
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| yep, you park at the Angle, load up the boat and head out. You can take a case of beer across without paying any fees. Get your Ontario fishing license beforehand also. Don't know how fast your boat will move, but mine tops out at around 40 with the comp prop and load, so I'm not flying all over the place. Closest fish I caught to the cabin was 10 minutes away last year. Lots of good water up there. If it looks good, fish it. 2 years ago over labor day sandy south facing pockets were money. |
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Posts: 33
| Roger that on the Ontario fishing license.
Can you buy beer once on the Island, or what you bring with is all you'll have? |
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| You only need the RABC permit if you are staying in MN such as Baystore and traveling into Canada for the week. If you are staying in Canada you do not need the permit. Otherwise you would need to call in every day you cross the border which is a hassle. There are numerous islands with a phone but the permit is $30 and much more convenient. If you have any blemishes on your record-DUI, etc you may be denied the permit and charged a couple hundred dollars to get into Canada. Once you pay the $30 there is no refund. |
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