Namekagon

[smitty]

Going to fish this lake (north of Hayward) in June. Would appreciate any info. anyone could give me. Going after 'eyes and 'skis mainly, but would chase the crappies if that is a good time for them. Any info. on hot baits, colors, etc. would be appreciated.

[Mouskie]

Smitty:

The Nam is a 50" muskie lake, as you likely know. And lots of little walleyes due in large part (as I've been repeatedly told) because of Indian harvest during spring spawning. Slip bobbers and leeches seem to be the most common practice, anchored over structure. I've also had pretty fair luck jigging --of all things --with black Heddon
Sonars just off the bottom (maybe the walleyes think them leeches). These are 2-inch blade baits more commonly used for casting or trolling. Lift about two feet and let it flutter back to the bottom, then repeat; I walk very slowly around the boat doing it, making every effort to straight-line. I first learned this trick out here on the Columbia River, where it's much more difficult maneuvering the boat due to the current and rock-strewn bottom, but sometimes deadly when (and if) you can get it synched just right and they're on the bite. I'm still not expert at it; very frustrating. As an aside: it would make you ill to see the Columbia King Kong walleyes the Klickitats get in their salmon nets by accident -- the biggest I can personally attest to is 18-1/2 pounds, and scads between 10 and 15.

My best luck -- and not a lot of that -- with Nam muskies (sadly never longer than a skinny 45") has been with large custom-made spinnerbaits (not bucktails). Black/orange hair combo, some with 3-4 mylar strips for flash, is a personal favorite. Give me a shout at scriptony@hotmail.com and I'll send you a used one--I got ankle-deep piles of 'em-- and you can take it from there. Hey--I've been a drowning man myself a time or two!

Then get out on those cabbage flats and flail away. And don't neglect night-time fishing with a Bucher TopRaider or its like, over these same submerged weedbeds. Also, be prepared mentally when walleye fishing: many are bite-sized and it's not unheard of for a passing muskie to glom on to a hooked walleye (happened to me at boatside twice, over the years). Pack some nitro-glycerin tablets; they work good to get your heart pumping again.

Other than that -- I know NOTHING-- including the correct spelling of Namakagon (I have three different maps w/three different names).

It Ain't Worth A Dime,
If It Ain't Got That Slime.

[smitty]

Thanks for the info. Mouskie. Yeah, I know the lake is a 50" lake. And I had heard that there was an abundance of dink 'eyes. No size limit on them I believe. I make my own lures (sonars, jigs, bucktails, spinnerbaits) so thanks for the color schemes. I may give you an email for one of those spinnerbaits, how about a new one in exchange for some jigs? I make all the way from 1/80 to 1 oz. with a variety of head designs.

[hooksetcpr]

Lots of dink walleyes is correct. The smallmouth can be great though, and the crappie can also be good if you can find them. For crappies look for the reeds and hit those spots just befor dark.Say hi to Eric at the Chief.

Good Luck

Jerry

[smitty]

Any size to the smallies? Is there a good top-water bite in June?

[hooksetcpr]

>Any size to the smallies? Is there a good top-water bite in
>June?
Yes they can be trophies, most in the 2 to 3 lbs class, some top water action but you might get musky so be ready for anything......

I fished this lake for about a ten year period until we decited to move on because the walleye fishing was so poor. With that said the small mouth fishing was very good, we used slip bobbers with leaches and fat heads, with some crawlers. The key to the smallies was finding weeds close to the rock piles. The fish are spawning in early to mid june depending on the weather. This also puts you in a good location for walleys and the musky that feed on the walleys. Quick strike rigs with large suckers work well for the musky but the locals seem to frown on this. If you like to throw your arm out use the suick,sucker perch and walley pattern.

Check with the locals for info on the season for the smallies I thought it was not open until june 15th which is probably why their still there. GET OUT IN FRONT OF THE YELLOW BOAT HOUSE ask the Chief. I think its on the west to north west side toward garden lake side.

I will get my old map out and confirm the locations....
Try around the D bridge aswell (weeds close to rocks)
Good luck and send in a report

Jerry