Any Fishing Advice is Appreciated!

Questions about water transportation and fishing on the island.

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willieborwege
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Any Fishing Advice is Appreciated!

Post by willieborwege »

Hi everyone! A couple buddies and I are planning our trip to IR in May and wanted anything advice for trying to catch fish on the island. We probably aren't going to try and eat any, just want to enjoy some of the sport and participate in catch and release. Mainly, we want to know if we should try fly rods or casting poles. We would also like to know what times of tackle or flies work the best on the island!

Also, if anyone is feeling generous, we would love to get some tips on the people's favorite locations to fish on the island! Right now, our plan is to go from Windigo to S. Lake Desor, then Hatchet or Todd Harbor (depending on how we are feeling, then to McCargoe, Moskey Basin, and then Chippewa.

All responses are appreciated!
Last edited by willieborwege on Sun Apr 07, 2019 6:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Midwest Ed
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Re: Any Fishing Advice is Appreciated!

Post by Midwest Ed »

This response is mostly a duplicate from an adjacent post.

Lake Desor and Hatchet Lake are officially devoid of game fish. There have been some very minor anecdotal contradictions to this. A greater number of failed fishing anecdotes supports the report. (Lot's a leeches though.)

Todd Harbor is a fairly typical north shore location with rocky cliffs. Instead of a stream it has a small waterfall. There are not shallow areas easily reachable from shore but there is a small dock that might produce a Lake Superior species, maybe a Lake Trout or Salmon, depending on water temperatures.

Both McCargoe Cove and Chippewa can be productive. Even though they are Lake Superior waters, your chances for Northern are good, especially in weedy shallow areas. Your best bet for success along your route would be a stop at Lake Ritchie. It might be the most productive spot for Northern. Chickenbone Lake has some shore fishing locations and can produce walleye and perch, in addition to northern.

I would leave your fly fishing rods at home. There are no real rivers on The Island with the possible exception of Big Siskiwit River. Almost every stream or creek that might produce a Brook Trout is so small, over grown or under cover that fly fishing would be very difficult even with a canoe or boat. Washington Creek might be another exception, but in the Spring, this and other similar places can often be the nesting locations for Loons, thus putting them off limits.
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johnhens
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Re: Any Fishing Advice is Appreciated!

Post by johnhens »

I have flyfished for Northern (highly recomend it). Not many places for trout. If hiking I carry a 2 pc 6 1/2 ft med spinning rod with a 2000 series reel spooled with 10# test. I attach a 12" 20# wire leader (I have used 30# florocarbon). I bring a #4 mepps squirrel tail with gold blade and same with a silver blade. A 5/8 oz Daredevil Five of Diamonds (my fav for IR). #9 jointed perch Rapala. All hooks have pinched barbs. I carry a pair of hemostats for removing swallowed lures. I have caught pike in Richie, Chickenbone, off the dock at McCargoe, Sargent.
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