Fox's Den Lodge Fishing Tips
Fishing Rods
We advise fishermen to bring along the rods an reel they feel
comfortable with using. Casting and spinning outfits are the most popular.
Medium to light action are recommended the allow the best action and good hook
setting ability. Ultra light can be used but hook sets are more difficult but
offer tons of action once the fish is hooked. If you have a stiffer rod they can
come in handy for Pike and for jigging in deep water.
Reels
Regardless of the manufacture or type of reel, always insure that the reel
has a good drag system that allows smooth release of the line through out the
range of the reels drag setting and allows for easy setting of the drag. If the
reel has erratic release points or is difficult to set, consider the purchase of
a new reel. The drag is the most important part. Our guests land big fish on
light equipment but it always comes down to proper drag settings while fighting
the fish
Walleye
Use weighed jigs weighing 1/8 to 3/8 ounce, dressed with a minnow, soft-
plastic twister tailor shad body, marabou feathers or buck tails, is one of the
easiest and most effective ways to fish. Hungary Walleye dispersing from
spawning areas seldom refuse a jig tipped with an appetizing meal. Vertical jig
or cast to rocky shorelines, shoals and weed lines. Early in the year when the
water is stained use chartreuse, lime green, yellow, pink, and white are
effective colors.
During the late- spring/ early summer peak, these fish will also hit a variety
of minnow plugs and crank baits that imitate shiners or perch. These lures can
be cast or trolled around shoals and weed lines.
Walleye love live bait and a variety of slip-sinker and bottom bouncer rigs can
be used to put a minnow, worm or leech in front of them. Drift with these rigs
when wind or current allows it, back-troll, or inch along with an electric
motor.
By mid-summer, Walleye move to deeper structure, such as sunken islands,
main-lake points, drop-offs, shoals and mid-lake weed flats. Spring tactics
still take them, but are fished with heavier jigs and deep diving lures are
called for.
Summer Walleye often move shallow on cloudy and windy days, with mornings and
evenings are always a prime time. One method is to suspend leeches, worms, or
minnows on a single hook beneath a slip float. Anchoring upwind of the structure
or shoreline assist in making a stealthy presentation.
In Autumn, many Walleye move deeper and gorge on forage fish, including ciscoes,
smelt, and perch, which have grown in size over the summer .In general a move to
larger bait in fall pays off. Three to six inch minnows excel when back trolled
over key structures or jigging using a vertical presentation in waters 15 to 30
ft deep
recommended tackle
| bring a large assortment of jigs |
Storm Hot'n Tots |
| Mepps Black Fury |
worm harnesses |
| Berkley Gulp |
assorted Rapalas |
| Wally Divers |
Heddon Prowler |
| Mister Twisters |
bottom bouncers |
| Canadian Wiggler |
Smithwicks |
Northern Pike
In spring, hit reedy spawning bays and river mouths, A large baitfish such as
a sucker or Cisco under a float a slip float is irresistible to the most sluggish
'gator. Active Pike hammer minnow crankbaits, jerkbaits, spoons and spinners.
Post-spawners (mid May to June) cruise bays and hunt for prey.
Floating minnow baits twitched just below the surface are effective at this time
.For Pike that are in less than 3 ft of water rig a white or black soft
soft-plastic jerkbait on a thin wire bass worm hook. Retrieve it with short
gliding pulls .A small treble stingers increase hookups, and thin wire leaders
deter bite offs from toothy Pike.
In summer, large pike often hold 15 to 25 ft below the surface. Thick cabbage
weeds adjacent to deep water are key hang outs at feeding time .During the day
,big Pike often suspend nearby over deeper water A prime layer is a large point
with a weedy tip. Many of the larger pike taken at the camp are caught in 50ft
of water. Work spoons, jerkbaits, and a 1 1/2 oz inline spinner along deep weed
edges.
In Autumn, fat Pike return to shallow reefs and cabbage beds. Cast glide baits,
minnow crankbaits and spinners to fool wall hangers. For scattered Pike trolling
can't be beat.
recommended tackle
| wire leaders a must! |
Rapalas (deep and shallow) |
| Heddon Prowler |
spoons (Daredevils, 5 of Diamonds etc) |
| Johnson Silver Minnows |
Smithwicks |
| spinner baits |
Northern King |
| inline spinners |
Mister Twisters |
Lake Trout
This member of the Char family thrives in deep, clear boulder strewn lakes and
they love cold water. In the spring Lakers will be shallow feeding with the
Walleye following their spawn. At this time, live bait, particularly minnows,
and jigs with minnows work well. Try some Mr. Twister type jigs with tails and
Rapalas as well. In summer Lakers go for the deep water and with holes over
250ft in Dog Lake, they will go down. At this time of year we bring out the
downriggers and troll an assortment of spoons. A form of jigging can also be
very effective .For this you will need medium tackle spooled with a braided no
stretch line like spider wire or Berkley's Fireline. A large white jig tipped
with a piece of sucker meat or a white twister tail works well, or try a Swedish
Pimple type spoon in silver or gold .Depths will approach 100 ft so bring plenty
of line.
some recommended tackle
| portable down riggers |
Swedish Pimples |
| Sutton Silver Spoons |
5 of Diamonds |
| Mepps Little
Cleo |
white twister tails |
| Flutter Spoons |
Lehr Jensen Crippled Herring |
| Assortment of large and small jigs |
Williams Spoons |
| Rapalas |
cow bells |
FISHING AND HUNTING • MISSANABIE ONTARIO CANADA
