TR: 8/2018 [Canoeing/Fishing - McCargo Cove to Malone Bay]

[4gen]

What a trip, we went from 8/18-8/23 Started in McCargo Cove portaged to West Chicken bone where we were greeted by a cow moose in the water. Campsites were full and only one left when we got there. Campers were very nice and let us walk through from the water to our inside site. I did not trust the water on Chicken bone due to the way it looked and they quarantined it after they dropped us off on Saturday(we asked they said all was good with the water). Trust your instincts. The next morning we caught some walleye(we did not eat any of the walleyes) and paddled to the portage and proceeded up the steep and short trail to Livermore. Went through Livermore and filtered water from the other portage. Then we started the climb out of Livermore to Lesage and we were greeted by several hikers, canoeists and another cow moose. Paddled our way across the Lesage and then started to work on the trek from Lesage to Richie. Once we made Richie we went right to the canoe campground and got the point site which was great for our hammocks. Fishing on Richie was really good, the lake is full of 24"-27.5" pike they are extremely aggressive and we got tired of catching them. We did stay an extra day to make sure the bigger pike were not biting. Started our trek to Intermediate and we were greeted by 3 otters at the portage. After watching them we started our trek to Intermediate, slick rocks and steep climb out was the worst of the portage and it wasn't long and we were at the lake. The wind made the paddle across intermediate very enjoyable and we got to the portage very easily. The portage to Siskiwit was the best portage so far lots of thimble berries and fairly flat. We paddled our way to Ryan island and the wind switched, now the West wind started and we had 1.5-2' waves with a loaded canoe. We used the island for cover and stayed behind them as much as possible ate a snack on the island south of Ryan Island and them behind the long slender island on the way to Malone. Malone portage was all down hill except for the moose crossing in the middle. We saw a bull there and then another bull south of the campground the next day. We fished Siskiwit for Lakers and caught our fill, largest was 29" and we ate fish 2 night in a row, Yum. This was by far the most rewarding trip to Isle Royale that I have ever been on an I hope my father and my 2 boys enjoyed their time on the Isle together. We are already planning next years trip as we speak. What a great place!

Mod Note: Modified subject line to represent a trip report.

[Midwest Ed]

What a great area of the Island to paddle. I'm glad you did so well fishing. What were you using for Lake Trout in Siskiwit and how deep were they? Were you trolling or jigging? You'll have to go back eventually to add Wood Lake, Lake Whitlesey and Chippewa Harbor to your memories. Exploring the waters on the Northeast Superior shores is also a great trip.

[4gen]

We were trolling and jigging, we had to be in 70-90' of water. Jigging was longer between fish. Trolling was about every 5-10 minutes. Having the a phone sonar really helped pin point the trolling depth out of the canoe. We also used 4 oz. drop weights and trolling spoons. That is the plan next year Chippewa Harbor to Malone Bay!

[johnhens]

We were trolling and jigging, we had to be in 70-90' of water. Jigging was longer between fish. Trolling was about every 5-10 minutes. Having the a phone sonar really helped pin point the trolling depth out of the canoe. We also used 4 oz. drop weights and trolling spoons. That is the plan next year Chippewa Harbor to Malone Bay!

Can you explane the phone sonar? App?

[4gen]

Type in Sonar Phone from Vexilar. Weighs about 6oz. wifi to your smart phone and you have a portable, chargeable(solar charger needed) depth finder that can hang off of your pack and just drop it in the water and you have instant readings, well until you lock in WiFi. Use it all of the time ice fishing and kayaking.
http://www.sonarphone.mobi/pages/home