Posted by Rainman from dialup-166.90.84.248.dial1.chicago1.level3.net on February 18, 2002 at 19:23:09:
In Reply to: Re: muskie fishing@lake of the woods posted by Deb on February 17, 2002 at 12:19:45:
I've never fished out of the Kenora area, but it shouldn't be much different than the rest of the lake. Most of LOTW (excluding whitefish bay) is the same type of structure, fairly shallow and fertile. Early July should not have a bloom problem. You can always find areas that are clear. The wind moves the bloom pretty effectively. I've never found algae blooms to effect walleye or smallmouth fishing.
Walleye should be on shallow humps that top out 3-10' below the water and on long tapering points. Crankbaits in blue/silver, perch, & firetiger are my fav's...try shad raps or deep thunderstick jr.s
Smallies can be in the same areas really thick or you may have to go to reed edges or even to secondary humps and rockpiles in 12-20'. Try 3/8oz spinnerbaits in white or yellow combos with silver blades(& 3" twistertail).
One thing that I've found (maybe no correlation) is that when bigger crappies & perch can be caught easily from the under the docks the smallies are on the shorelines. When there's no crappie and perch are small the smallies are deep.
Pike tend to run small in the thick weeds, if you chuck for muskie you will probably pick up some 35-40" pike as a bonus in classic muskie areas(island saddles, reed points, reefs surrounded by weeds)...especially if it's raining.
Oh, one more thing...if you start catching rock bass, move from the spot straight away. These little buggers are a sign that you have picked a spot that is cursed. Count your blessings & run far far away!
You should be able to find walleye at just about any channel marker that is red or green...just dont bust your boat up!