View Full Version : Rough Rock Lodge
jvfisherman
01-26-2001, 05:55 PM
Anybody ever been to Rough Rock Lodge? How's the walleye fishing and/or accomodations. Any info would be appreciated.....
Blake
01-26-2001, 08:14 PM
My brother-in-law has been going up there for five years. He said it is the best fishing he has ever encountered. He has been fishing canada for 25 years. Let me know how it was. We were going to go this year, but are going to Lake of the Woods for the first time. Good Luck.
I have not stayed at rough rock lodge but the fishing on the winnipeg river system is GREAT! I have made 2 trip every year for the last 9 and I love it!! There is alot of fish and alot of people! If you want walleye's they are there! If you want musky you will love it. The northern, smallmouth fishing is also great!! There are lots of resorts on the system. But as the problem with this board is when someone asks a question about resort everyone has to say how great the other resorts are, or If it was a boat question everyone gives you info about other manufactures. so lots of luck
thanks bill
jvfisherman
01-27-2001, 01:27 PM
When you say lots of people, how bad is it. I don't want to end up fishing among a buch of yahoos....
I Fish GS
01-27-2001, 08:00 PM
Rough Rock is about the only resort in the area and there is a few cabins but there isn't to may people. Lately there is more musky hunters than walleye boys. There is alot of lake you can always find a place to hide.
good luck
jvfisherman
01-27-2001, 08:27 PM
Thanks for the tip. I've just read on a couple different posts that there are a lot of people in that area...
Well, after reading the many posts slamming the area of Minaki & it's surrounding lakes (which do include Rough Rock) I would like to address the issue of "crowded / too many boats etc"
First off, I have been in that area since early 80's, built a cabin up on Big Sand Lake & have been fishing / guiding for a few thousand days. To be honest, I'm really pissed off that this slamming has been taking place BUT hey we are all entitled to our opinions & I have no problem with that.
I would like to clarify & state that in MY opinion, the lakes in the area are not crowded. Yes, you can & will see other boats fishing on one of the 5 lakes or miles of river system but the area is by no means a super highway. If you wanted to go to a remote lake & never see another boat this is not the place for you, I would suggest to you then PAY the outrageous fees camp owners want and go to the fly-ins. The amount of fishing boats in the area is not alot, the # 1 problem is that the people who are operating the boats don't know the lakes or river system. So, what takes place is that everybody follows everyone else.
Now,I'm sure you all think I'm nuts but I have seen it many,many times. IF I had 5 cents for every time I was followed, I would be retired. The other problem is that most boats are running marine radios & monitor them.....they hear of "so & so" just caught ???, with in a few minutes boats start arriving. To test & prove this theory we have transmitted "false" catches & sure enough we will get company. Also Big Sand has a reputation of a crank bait bite / long lining which can (and is) be fantastic. I have seen sometimes 20 - 30 boats out yanking cranks but the area is big and not really a problem. During this time I see boats from far away as Kenora, Rough Rock, & even boats from Tetu camp area. You guys who know Minaki & do fish the cranks know exactly what I am talking about. But I will ask, is 30 boats, heck even 50 boats a big amount of boats for all of the lakes & river ? I think not.We should not base our opinions on the fact that when "we" go out cranking & there is a lot of other boats that the area is crowded. I know for a fact then when I go out, I can & do go many times without seeing other boats. I also have fished next to a few boats & I have no problem doing that nor do I find it to be "crowded". Do I venture to all the other lakes/river ? Absolutly. Do I find them busy ? No. (I did find out why they call it Rough Rock though...)
Now, maybe some peoples opinions on the "crowded" aspect of Minaki is based on the fact that the resorts in town (like Paradise Cove)have people wandering around & therefore make the place "crowded". This I would agree to. The town can be "busy" at times, the bar packed, but this after all is a town. IF you don't want to be close to the "action", then a place like Rough Rock is the place to go. Minaki offers road access where as Rough Rock doesn't. Just remember though, when @ R.R you can still fish 4 other lakes & the river. The cost difference & difference in "plans" is also varied. In Minaki, say like Paradise Cove, you do it yourself.Own food / cooking / cleaning etc.At a place like Bayview, I think you can get either self service & full service ( I Hear that the food is great) Birch Island is full service & costly (but nice I hear) Big North is similar to Bayview. Birch & Bayview don't have road access, but PC & BN do. All depends on the Ole'budget.
Well, I hope I didn't start a firestorm but hopefully I stopped this rumour of Minaki being "crowded"
Good Fishen
Rob
HEY ROB
That is a very good post ! I think you covered it all. The only thing is you did not mention barbers. It is a house keeping only resort and the owner peter is the nicest person. I my self have stayed at some of the other resorts and for the money, barbers is the best! I have seen the system make a great come back on the walleyes, and i agree most of the fishermen are musky heads, we have done the same thing with our radios and it is true . if you say it they will come. lots of luck.
BILL
Oh my.......I did forget Peter. My apologies to him (guess I'll have to provide the next beverage...hehehehe)
Yes, Barbers has a nice place but kinda too close to that riff-raff Curtis @ Jacks......hehehehehe. All inside jokes to tohose who don't know these above people. Barbers has nice accomodations but from what I have heard kinda hard to book there ? (##### repeat customers) Also Rosie had a nice place also.
Not sure if you are aware, besides Paradise Cove 1 & 2 Duane also has a few lake front houses (sorta between Petes & Paradise 2) and that complex / area where Jo's used to be.
Seems he's turning into the "Donald of Minaki"
Good Fishen y'all
Rob
IaCraig
01-29-2001, 09:13 AM
Good post Rob.
I have been going to Minaki for years, and I agree with your post. Sometimes I wonder if people post negative things about a place just trying to keep other newcomers away? Personally I book my cabin at Minaki for the next year about the same time I check in for the current year.
I have a question for you Minaki residents??? In past years I saw a guy(s) netting around the mouth of Big Sand, but they have been fewer and last year I did not see any netters. What are the regulations there on netting???? Just curious because each year the fish seem a little more plentiful and a bigger average size. I wondered if this was a reflection of the 18 inch sport fishing slot regulation or if a change of commercial fishing practices is contributing some too????
IaCraig
The guy you see netting is a local oldtimer. He nets all over the lake so from year to year his nets move. Now, having said that I will also say that he DOESN'T net walleye. He is fishing for white fish (yup, there is white fish out there) The nets he uses are rather large and easily allow any "sport" fish to pass thru. I know this to be a fact because I have been in his boat when he pulls up his nets & I also know where he stores his nets.He keeps his nets at a local place that is owned by a good friend of mine...(thats how I got to ride in his boat)
I originally was horrified years ago when one winter I was riding across the bottom of Little Sand and stumbled apon nets that were strung under the ice. I thought "OH MY GOD" their netting walleye in the river ! Then after that I looked for nets in the summer and found the odd one....after inquiring about this I found out the real story....whew !
NOW, here is the sad part:
I wish I could say this doesn't happen, but I know for a fact & have seen it with my own eyes PLUS others from Winnipeg have seen this at one time or another....
In years past, the walleye season was open later in the year than here in Manitoba. The season was open until April 15 where in Mb it closes April 1. SO, what was created was effectivly a CDN version of Rainy River. Most of the fishing always took place @ The Dalles. BIG FISH, big fun, big lies,great times had by all & almost 99.9% catch & release. I personally seen a 17lb walleye pulled out of the river. Then the ministry decided to change the laws & give the fish a break. Great Idea ! ! !
HOWEVER they cannot change what some of the "local" peoples do (I won't name any one particular group, BUT ? ? ? )
Anyways these local peoples can & still do fish, WITH NETS and haul out some big quantities of fish. Big & small, they keep them all. Onetime I seen 2 guys hauling out nets from the river that had so many fish / weight to it, that they were in danger of sinking their boat. Honest truth.
These local peoples have the right to fish, but sometimes I wonder why common sense isn't used ?
I can also state that I also have HEARD that other local people types have exercised their options / rights and have races up and down the river. To even the odds in the races, the ONLY rule is that you must drag a steel cable with a downrigger ball attached to the cable. I nave no information on the results of the races but I have HEARD that they are a success and will be held yearly. No idea if a trophy is presented but I'm sure all involved are winners.....
Good Fishen
Rob
Eye' Hound
01-29-2001, 06:31 PM
Hi Rob,
Do you have an e-mail address that I could contact you at? I would like to discuss some things about Minaki.
Thanks
Sure do.....
walleye@budweiser.com is a good place to find me.
Good Fishen
Rob
IAPat
01-29-2001, 10:21 PM
Rob,
I've been going to Black Sturgeon Camp since I was about 12 years old, that makes for about 38 years. We come out of Black Sturgeon Lake, go over the rollers (where Black Sturgeon dumps into the Winnipeg) and come into the Winnipeg near The Dalles. Have fished the Winnipeg near The Dalles, Silver Point, Cache Point, and up to Minaki. On a few occasions we've snagged nets in this area. Never have run all the way up to Big Sand, need to do that sometime, maybe this year (we'll be there first two weeks of July)! Usually have pretty good luck in the Winnipeg. By the way, do you know Larry Snow? Carl his brother is our great host every year at Black Sturgeon Camp. I believe Larry does some guiding out of Minaki and up on the English River. Good to hear from a Minaki resident. Looking forward to getting back up to your area this summer!
Wow, that sounds like fun. I have seen the rollers but have never gone into Black Sturgeon. I have fished for pike up in that area in the spring and I can tell you that there are some BIG pike up in that area. No, can't say I know Larry Snow (at least not by name) but likley do by seeing him.
Keep in touch, kinda neat hooking up with y'all Minaki types.
Good Fishen
Rob
Just a quick comparison,
http://www.roughrocklodge.com/rrlrates.htm
http://www.paradisecoveminaki.com/accommodations.htm
http://www.paradisecoveminaki.com/rentals.htm
http://www.minaki-bayviewlodge.com/Bayview-Vacation-page8.html
http://www.birchislandresort.com/rates.htm
Wow, what a difference in costs.
Just fyi, Bayview is located across from the Minaki Lodge. The Lodge is closed. The camp is located just around "the corner" from the train bridge that crosses the river. It is about a 3 min boat ride to Paradise Cove 1 or 2 , from Bayview and it is also located right next door to "Sunset" lodge. I'll have to track down some info on them, I completely forgot about them.
Birch Island is located on Gunn Lake, about a 5 min boat ride from Minaki or about 8 mins from Bayview. Paradise Cove has multiple locations both right in town (love that 4am train)
and right in the subs of Minaki (hehehehehe, little joke)
To go from Minaki to Rough Rock is about a 20min or so boat ride, depending on size boat etc. With a 40 on a boat, I'd say 30 mins approx. The trip is easy if you know the water OR if you can read a map & follow markers....
Well, hope that helped
Good Fishen
Rob
IAPat
01-30-2001, 10:56 PM
Thanks Rob for the reply. One question about Big Sand. Is it relatively easy to "navigate" or are there allot of shallow areas or rocks that you need to watch out for? Was just curious as to how much care to take if I head that way this summer. Any topo maps of Big Sand?
Well, it is easy to navigate if you make the trip up the lake with someone who knows the area. Once you see it & where the markers are chances are you would never forget them. HOWEVER there are some spots that are not marked, and these spots can & do claim the odd prop or lower unit.....of course when the water levels go up & down these things change.
Yes, a topo map is available here in Winnipeg. There is one for Big Sand / Little Sand, the river right from Kenora all the way up to the Whitedog dam. We keep our maps on the wall in the cabin & always use them for reference. I can't remember, but I think that we also have one for rough rock (or parts of it)
I could contact the maps branch here & get a list of what they do have. Also, if you stop @ Paradise Cove 1 or 2 in Minaki, Duane had a map made of the lakes a couple of years ago. Besides all the local "fishing spots" marked, I think he also has it marked as close as possible for navigation. Not 100% sure on this. I have looked at his map and it is very well done. Think he charges around 20 bucks CDN for this map. Maybe one of the other guys who post here or read the posts, who stay @ PC might have one of these maps & could help out with more info.
The govt maps run around the 20 - 25 dollar mark. I know, you're thinking "Why would they sell Ontario maps on Manitoba ? "
Our maps dept here is really good, and we consider NorthWest Ontario really part of Manitoba. (few years ago NWONT talked of seperation from the rest of Ont) I don't know if these maps are available in Kenora (you'd think they should be) but Kenora is a funny town sometimes.....
Anyways, I'll check to see what exactly they have here & will let you know.
Good Fishen
Rob
IAPat
01-31-2001, 12:10 PM
Thanks Rob for all the info, much appreciated! It's alway a comfort when you venture out into new waters up there to do so with someone in the know. That's why it's so comfortable for me to hang around the Black Sturgeon area as I know it like the back of my hand. But, it's always nice to learn new areas and explore them too!! Thanks again.
Hey Joey, don't leave without me, Bro. Any word on the water depth in this river system? Good for trout?
IaCraig
01-31-2001, 10:45 PM
It seems to me that one of the brochures I saw had lake trout listed, but I have never heard of people fishing for those grease monsters. The water is deep enough though, I forget the max depth of BIG SAND, but it has lots of area over 125'. Plus there are several places in the river 100'.
IaCraig
No there are no lakers in Big Sand. for some reason there is none, yet they are in Lake of the Woods. Go figure. The deepest part of Big Sand that I have found over the years is 207ft deep.
I do know for a fact though that there is sturgeon in Big Sand. Never seen one caught, nor have I seen one. BUT, I do have friends who are very reputable anglers, one being Alex Keszler. he & his partner Phil Killen were fishing the big beach when one of these monsters decided to launch itself like a rocket. Sturgeon like to jump......anyways, Alex is not one to tell fishing stories so I do believe him. He said it scared the **** outta him ! I have on many occasions marked fish in water that was well over 150ft and they are big at that ! I have also been tricked when fishing on the rockpile. I was marking fish on the east side if it, in the 30 - 40 ft range. BIG Hawgs I'm thinking.
This was during the pre-fish for the pro-am. So, I pop a nice wally 18inch range, I think "Nice Slot". But I still want to get 1 hawg, just to confirm in my mind that they are down there. So I work them hard, get hits but nothing takes...then **BANG**
"Hawg On" Not a chance.....##### Burbot ! Thing was about 38inches & it fought just like a wally ! So I keep trying, **BANG**, yup you guessed it......another one just as big.
I have heard that there is lakers in Rough Rock, but have never met anybody that could confirm that story. If you want lakers, there is a lake that you can walk up to that has them. The lake is Vermillion Lake. the lake is approx the same size of Big Sand and has some big fish in it. The pike in it are huge & the lakers are also big. Some of the locals keep small boats on the lake. Not sure what camps have boats there, but there is a couple that do. The walk in isn't bad, the trail is a nice one.
I have only ice fished it for pike & have always done well in it.
Good Fishen
Rob
No there are no lakers in Big Sand. for some reason there is none, yet they are in Lake of the Woods. Go figure. The deepest part of Big Sand that I have found over the years is 207ft deep.
I do know for a fact though that there is sturgeon in Big Sand. Never seen one caught, nor have I seen one. BUT, I do have friends who are very reputable anglers, one being Alex Keszler. he & his partner Phil Killen were fishing the big beach when one of these monsters decided to launch itself like a rocket. Sturgeon like to jump......anyways, Alex is not one to tell fishing stories so I do believe him. He said it scared the **** outta him ! I have on many occasions marked fish in water that was well over 150ft and they are big at that ! I have also been tricked when fishing on the rockpile. I was marking fish on the east side if it, in the 30 - 40 ft range. BIG Hawgs I'm thinking.
This was during the pre-fish for the pro-am. So, I pop a nice wally 18inch range, I think "Nice Slot". But I still want to get 1 hawg, just to confirm in my mind that they are down there. So I work them hard, get hits but nothing takes...then **BANG**
"Hawg On" Not a chance.....##### Burbot ! Thing was about 38inches & it fought just like a wally ! So I keep trying, **BANG**, yup you guessed it......another one just as big.
I have heard that there is lakers in Rough Rock, but have never met anybody that could confirm that story. If you want lakers, there is a lake that you can walk up to that has them. The lake is Vermillion Lake. the lake is approx the same size of Big Sand and has some big fish in it. The pike in it are huge & the lakers are also big. Some of the locals keep small boats on the lake. Not sure what camps have boats there, but there is a couple that do. The walk in isn't bad, the trail is a nice one.
I have only ice fished it for pike & have always done well in it.
Good Fishen
Rob
No there are no lakers in Big Sand. for some reason there is none, yet they are in Lake of the Woods. Go figure. The deepest part of Big Sand that I have found over the years is 207ft deep.
I do know for a fact though that there is sturgeon in Big Sand. Never seen one caught, nor have I seen one. BUT, I do have friends who are very reputable anglers, one being Alex Keszler. he & his partner Phil Killen were fishing the big beach when one of these monsters decided to launch itself like a rocket. Sturgeon like to jump......anyways, Alex is not one to tell fishing stories so I do believe him. He said it scared the **** outta him ! I have on many occasions marked fish in water that was well over 150ft and they are big at that ! I have also been tricked when fishing on the rockpile. I was marking fish on the east side if it, in the 30 - 40 ft range. BIG Hawgs I'm thinking.
This was during the pre-fish for the pro-am. So, I pop a nice wally 18inch range, I think "Nice Slot". But I still want to get 1 hawg, just to confirm in my mind that they are down there. So I work them hard, get hits but nothing takes...then **BANG**
"Hawg On" Not a chance.....##### Burbot ! Thing was about 38inches & it fought just like a wally ! So I keep trying, **BANG**, yup you guessed it......another one just as big.
I have heard that there is lakers in Rough Rock, but have never met anybody that could confirm that story. If you want lakers, there is a lake that you can walk up to that has them. The lake is Vermillion Lake. the lake is approx the same size of Big Sand and has some big fish in it. The pike in it are huge & the lakers are also big. Some of the locals keep small boats on the lake. Not sure what camps have boats there, but there is a couple that do. The walk in isn't bad, the trail is a nice one.
I have only ice fished it for pike & have always done well in it.
Good Fishen
Rob
On my first trip to Minaki, in September 3 years ago, my buddy hooked a sturgeon on 8 lb test with a 1/4 ounce lead head and minnow. Until it breached like a whale, our guide and we had no idea what it was. It dragged us across the channel in Little Sand, approx 200 or so yards. My buddy fought it for about 2 hrs. It breached twice and appeared to be about 5-6 ft long and weigh perhaps near 100 lbs crudely estimating, with a back width of over a foot it appeared. The guide is Dave, who is a native guide, for those who know him. Eventually, my buddy tightened the drag down, since it was apparent that the sturgeon had not fatigued at all to us, and that it was past time for shore lunch, and so the line was broken. Right before we started fishing the little bay on the west side of Little Sand for walleye, the guide told us that a fisherman had hooked a fish there a year or two previously that broke his rod. It was the first cast into the bay that hooked the sturgeon for my buddy.
I can guess what the fish was that broke that fellow's rod the year before.
Don
IAPat
02-01-2001, 12:34 PM
Heard a similar sturgeon story where the brother of the camp owner where we stay on Black Sturgeon Lake hooked one at the mouth of the outlet where Black Sturgeon dumps into the Winnipeg. He marked several large fish on his electronics, dropped his line, hooked something and was drug around for some time before he broke the line. Sounds like they are relatively prevalent in the Winnipeg system!
IaCraig
02-01-2001, 02:32 PM
LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-01 AT 03:34PM (CST)[p]I was going to say that the area in Big Sand where we troll some evenings was over 200' deep, but I couldn't remember for sure. (200' sounded too deep). For any fishing I do anything over 125' becomes inmaterial.
But I would love to hook into one of those huge Sturgeons, now I'll be daydreaming about that next summer too.
IaCraig
I too have hooked into something rather large, under the bridge in Minaki. Never did know what it was, always assumed it was a log or a body........yes, the Wpg River system is known for it's large sturgeon. I guess all the way from LOW right up to Lake Winnipeg. I have caught 1 sturgeon in my career, at Nutimik Lake @ Sturgeon Falls (go figure) Anyways she was just a baby, around the 20lb mark. Have never seen one caught on Big Sand or even heard of one caught on the lakes.
Good Fishen
Rob
TCbassmaster
02-04-2001, 10:35 AM
Where are the best places to catch old sawtooth in this system?
jvfisherman
02-04-2001, 04:41 PM
There's only one Ole Sawtooth and he was caught at Smirch Lake last June (See the In-Fisherman Big Fish Gallery for evidence).
TCbassmaster
02-06-2001, 10:25 AM
Smirch, never heard of it.
IaCraig
02-06-2001, 12:01 PM
TCbassmaster- What do you mean by old sawtooth??? I imagine you mean muskie (or northern pike), But I've also heard the name sawtooth in reference to gar??
I think 1 reason you are not getting replies is because there are so many bays, quiet backwaters and rocky ambush areas that muskies prowl on the right days. Even though I personally don't go casting very often (we focus on walleyes), I do see them surface/boil almost every trip especially if we accidently catch a few perch that swim away sickly. I'd checkout some of the many obvious bays and backwaters along with some other popular places like the rocky shallows around bud's bouy and/or the quiet areas around the fast currents at the Minaki RR bridge or the entrance to Rough Rock.
IaCraig
TCbassmaster
02-06-2001, 04:08 PM
I was referring to the great Northern Pike when I said old sawtooth.
LAST EDITED ON Mar-26-01 AT 05:51PM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-26-01 AT 05:49*PM (CST)
For rtmg!
I`m making a trip up there the first week of August with my 10 yo daughter.What works best for walleyes that time of the year?What kind of structureand are they pretty deep then ?What do you charge for guiding ?Thanx,Kurt
CarlBob
03-26-2001, 06:01 PM
Rob,
when and why did the Minaki Lodge close. I havent been up there for 3 years. Is it permanently closed or will some other big Corp. buy it and reopen.???
thanks.
Well if you been there in the last 3 years, you know the part about the hotel chain selling it to the "locals". They ran it into the ground in less than a year. Some big amounts of cash are missing as well as some of their "management" team. What happened after that was the lodge was sold to a guy from Dallas. He was, to put this as politically correct I can, a immigrant to North America. Years ago our wonderful political system decided to offer to people from certain countries, $60,000.oo a year to come here.This pgm was a 3 year deal. So after he gets our 180,000 he runs off to the USA where he purchases run down businesses, run down hotels etc. Then pretties them up & sells them for a profit. WELL, the lodge was put up for sale by the trustee and this guy jumps at it. First thing he does is ride into town & procede to piss everyone off. He TELLS the guides he only pays $100 a day, they use their own boats & fuel etc. So no guides @ the lodge. He closes the golf course, knocks down a few buildings, hires a staff of 6 & attemps to run the lodge. he applied for a liquor license but was rejected due to objection from other area companies. He then tried to get stuff always on credit from local companies, and no one would touch him. He always claimed "I can get it cheaper in Dallas", so he was basically told to go back to Dallas. He closed the main building about 2 months after opening the lodge. The lodge has been for sale ever since. He is demanding around the $2.5mil mark. I do know someone that has been trying to get the lodge & property, in fact they almost had a deal done. He balked at the last second. SO, where it stands today ? I have no real idea....
BUT if this party does get it, there will be some good changes.
First, them "condo" rooms will be knocked down & replaced by 7 luxury log cabins. The golf course will be made into a 18 hole course. The pool inside is to be repaired. The restaurant will be made into a more complete "restaurant". (better menu) The lodge will cater to people who fish, not just people who want to lay around a hotel. The dockside area will be expanded to include bait,tackle,boat rentals, fish cleaning etc. A bar will also open dockside. They are also looking at really making it affordable to most anglers, not just the guys who like throwing their money away ! Basically they have a good plan, they have good business ethics & they do have the resources to do this. All we can do is sit & wait to see if it (the deal) ever happens.BUT until then, the lodge is closed & the greens are about 4 ft high !
Good Fishen
Rob
I`m going to Minaki the first week of August with my 11 yo daughter.I`m not a very good walleye fisherman as I spend most of my time chasing muskies.Where are the walleyes then and what works best?What do you charge for guiding?I`ll be staying at Bayview.I`ve been there 2x before.Thanx,Kurt