August fishing report 2014 update

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August Fishing Report Update
Weather has been relatively stable and pleasant with few, if any bugs. It has been a nice time to be in NW Ontario and the fishing the last several weeks has been very consistent which is all good because we’ve been full to maximum capacity with wonderful guests having a great time. Water temps have stabilized in the low to mid 70’s ranging from 72-76 depending upon weather, wind, and area of the lake. Thermocline is thin at around 25-28’.

The walleye fishing can only be characterized and is being described by the guides as “stupid” meaning excellent and very easy with lots of quality fish in the slot and over 20-30” and as has been the case the past several years a bumper crop of eligible “eaters” 14-17”. Spend your time on main lake basin humps, reefs points, and hard bottom areas just off of structures. While there are always some walleyes using the weeds and deeper grass, right now it is better now to target these areas during lowlight pm periods for any consistent success. Keep presentations simple with lindy rigging and jigging and no one should have any trouble catching walleyes on Eagle. As is the case this time of the season a number of live baits including crawlers, leeches, fathead and sucker minnows will catch fish but if you have big 3-5” pearl dace minnows in your bait bucket and you’re on fish you should have an excellent day. Concentrate efforts on depths 20-30’. As we move through Mid August into early September expect the bite to slowly drop deeper as the thermocline does. If you are looking for eaters fish the concentrated schools and if you are targeting bigger fish or looking for a trophy look for smaller, loose pods, or isolated bigger hooks off to the sides or shallower/deeper of the bigger schools. The West Arm, Portage Bay, Viking Reef basin, Dead man’s Reef, and walleye rock areas are all producing. The pm trolling bite is hitting a peak right now and the stable weather we’re experiencing sets it up for day to day consistency. The stretch reef area, and Viking reef areas are two of the most consistent areas. Target depths of 50-80’ with marked schools of baitfish running cranks off planer boards 8-15’ down from 7-9;30 pm. Try some #9 flicker shads and Berkley flicker minnows besides the standard Rapalas, Storm, and Yozuris in cisco imitating patterns . The hotter and flatter the day the shallower and higher in the water column the fish tend to be especially the last hr of daylight. Expect fish boated to avg. 18-26” most evenings.

With the past several weeks of stable weather the musky activity has been good with a number of 50”+ boated weekly and lots of 38-47” fish. Sadly, even more big fish have been lost than boated as the fish are nipping with most strikes at boat side.
As far as locational patterns there is one common denominator, the fish are active but using a lot of diff types of structures and lure presentations even on the same day. The patterns are frustrating but simple….fish it all. Most action has been coming off reefs, rocks and rock related combos but go by and pass on a weed bed and you could be making a big mistake as some big fish have been encountered in weeds even in nook and cranny weed beds, small and seemingly insignificant especially if it has some reed, sand, or rock component to it or in often overlooked small coves. Then there’s Big Muskies grabbing walleyes deep off the reefs. Get the idea? Those that have been most successful have been fishing not only the consistent named spots but are also poking around on secondary spots.
Most action has been on cranks, minnow baits, rubber, and blades but the last week or so 80% of the eaters have been on blades and speed is key. If you can’t keep up the pace with the bigger blades drop down in size and keep the speed up that’s more important when it comes to actually getting fish to bite regardless of the bait style except for perhaps a Top water.
Considering the reports from across musky country the musky fishing on Eagle has been very good with always one of the best shots at a true Giant in NW Ontario and….with the way the season has progressed from spring to now, current and projected long range weather patterns, the steady increase in big fish action over the past 3-4 weeks, the stage is set for some of the best fishing coming up into the grand finale of the Fall Trophy Musky Hunts in Sept-Oct.

The Bass, Pike, and Lake Trout fishing has remained very consistent in patterns both locational and presentations with the previous end of July report with the exception of a few more bigger pike showing up shallow while casting for Muskies than in July. By next report expect that to increase, some big Smallmouth Bass should start moving up into bays and shallow humps, and a terrific pre spawn lake trout bite to start.

While we have had to regretfully turn away some last minute bookings in August because of full occupancy there are some scattered openings coming up at the end of Aug, Sept, Oct, to get in that much needed getaway at one of the most beautiful and productive times of the season.
We still have some prime time limited availability for the weeks Sept 6-13, 13-20, 20-27 & Oct 4-11, so Do Not Hesitate to call 1-888-727-5865 or email info@andymyerslodge.com and come join us for a Trip of a Lifetime!!

Tight Lines
Julian
AML

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