Lake Namakagon WI

[Wingmann]

I am taking the family to Lake Namakagon next week for the first time. Can anyone tell me how the fishing has been and give any advice on trying to find some panfish for the kids? I will have a boat if that makes a difference. I am also open to suggestion for walleye, northern or bass when I get a chance early in the morning before the kids wake up.

Thanks for any advice.

Wingmann

[bountyhunters]

single hook /split shot and a leech. will get you eyes off the weeds ,pan fish ,big crappie jig and tail .best color green .[chart]stayed at the small private camp grnds yrs ago .nice people .he showed me the hook /leech set up .

[JMD]

Good time of the year to fish Namakagon. There is a lot of mid lake structure, so you will definetely need a depth finder. If you concentrate of finding cabbage beds in relation to deeper water, and fish the outside edge of these, you will do well. The trick with Namakagon is to keep moving around until you find active fish. Plain jig and minnow (1/4 oz) and slip bobber and leech are the presentations of preference. Namakagon is not a great early morning lake. I've fished it for the last 19 years and my favorite time to fish is that 2 hour period before dark. So you might want to hang w/ the kids in the am and cook them a lucious breakfast. Play the wind, and don't be afraid to anchor and work a spot for 20 minutes, then move on to another spot. A contour map of the lake is a must because there are distinct sub lakes that make up the lake as a whole. Good luck.

JD

[CMD]

My husband just wrote you a brief note, but my suggestion for the kids at this time of the year is to fish Janes Bay for crappie. It's a small protected bay, and it warms up quickly in the spring. Work small crappie minnows in 1-3' of water on the north and west ends of the bay. You might also want to try the distinct weed bed in Garden lake, just to the left of the narrows when you leave Janes bay going into Garden. Good luck.

CMD

[bountyhunters]

hey ,just curious, is that small camp grnds still there ? its just before you go over a bridge, been long time since I been there ,they sure were nice folks . found it by acident one yr.

[Wingmann]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am really hoping to get the kids on some fish. If anyone else has other suggestions, I am always willing to listen.

Thank you.
Wingmann

[s-bone]

bountyhunters, I have not been up there in a while but I think Larry and Mary Jung own it yet. Nice people. I knew them from central WI years ago before they bought it, I believe it is called Island view campground. Their son Rob owns the bar on the other side of the bridge, also very nice. It is located on country trunk D. I think they bought it from Virgil Holtz about 15 years ago.

[bountyhunters]

THATS IT <thanks .

[anglingadv]

The bluegills are spawning and they are in less than 1' of water.The northerns and muskie are in the cabbage weeds.We are having extremely warm weather and the water temps are at75+. Bass are also spawning. Good luck
if you want more info send me an email www.anglingadv.com

[Wingmann]

Just got back from Lake Namakagon today. The fishing was a little tough. At least we got the kids on some bluegills thanks to everyones advice. The kids had a great time! It was tougher on the adults who were trying to catch some walleye. Only got 1 eye in 5 days of fishing. We mostly caught bluegills and rock bass in the shallow weeds on a nightcrawler or leech in 5 feet or less under a slip bobber. The northerns were active in the weeds but were small. Caught all but 2 on either a white or chartruse spinner bait tipped with a 3" twister tail. Did get one nice 3lb smallmouth on a spinner also. All fish were returned to the water except some bluegill and rock bass. Had to at least get one meal of fish.

Thanks again for all your help everyone!
Wingmann