Riceburner
07-02-2000, 08:43 AM
Just returned from LS....The weather had been unstable, cold, rainy, and windy....exactly what we had too. The sun did come out for some of the time-but water is 58-60 degrees most places, with 62 in Sunlite and Broad Lakes. We found warmer water in some back bays--but really stirred up-so was even dirtier than normal. By the end of our week we did find some fish on the midlake humps-but shorelines were by far most productive. We took a 30" eye, in Sunlite, and a 28" and 29.5" from Sand Banks area, and each day had 10-12 over the 18-21" slot. We ate a dozen 15-17"ers and released everything else. The small fish will drive you nuts on minnows--95% of our larger fish were caught on leeches with a spinner rig or plain lindy snell. Orange, red, or chartreuse blades worked. Some other people worked the minnows on jigs and caught fish too--we preferred to cover more ground--once you find fish they will bite. Water is about a foot higher than 1999-and going up--watch out for floating wood. Everybody was fishing mainly Big and Small Sandbanks, and Broad and Sunlite. Heard the Wenesaga was full of small fish--an indication to us that it's early yet--warmer water should help.
Gas is about 77.9 per liter at Fort Frances, and leeches were $24 canadian at the bait shop there too-nice size too. Exchange is about 46% at VISA. Border crossing took about 30 minutes Saturday 10AM--but the line going back into the USA was looooong--we heard it took some body 6 hours----so we came back through Baudette--only 28 miles out of the way for us--there was no-one in line when we got there about 10AM Saturday--were about 20 rigs waiting to go North. Gas at Ear Falls was 84.9. Road construction on the road North to Dryden for about 25 miles, road is rough too. Gas in I.Falls and Baudette was 1.79/gallon.
All in all, a decent trip for us.....we burned 200 gallons of gas/2 boats and pounded us and the boats, so it would be nice to fish closer to where you stay. We ran 25 miles to McKensie, 45 to Sunlite, from White Wings. Take good rain gear--rained several times each day on us.
Gas is about 77.9 per liter at Fort Frances, and leeches were $24 canadian at the bait shop there too-nice size too. Exchange is about 46% at VISA. Border crossing took about 30 minutes Saturday 10AM--but the line going back into the USA was looooong--we heard it took some body 6 hours----so we came back through Baudette--only 28 miles out of the way for us--there was no-one in line when we got there about 10AM Saturday--were about 20 rigs waiting to go North. Gas at Ear Falls was 84.9. Road construction on the road North to Dryden for about 25 miles, road is rough too. Gas in I.Falls and Baudette was 1.79/gallon.
All in all, a decent trip for us.....we burned 200 gallons of gas/2 boats and pounded us and the boats, so it would be nice to fish closer to where you stay. We ran 25 miles to McKensie, 45 to Sunlite, from White Wings. Take good rain gear--rained several times each day on us.