Canadian Crappies

[Lundman1701]

Hi Guys,
I was up to the Nestor Falls area of Lake of the Woods last week, and here are the results.
Day one consisted of trying for trout on Crow Lake for about 4 hours. After only marking about 4 or 5 fish, and no hits, we decided to bag it up and head over to Lake of the Woods for crappies. Got set up about 2:30 p.m. Fishing was rather slow, although we did manage 15 or so. Second day we woke up to 20 below zero, with a pretty stiff wind. I have no idea what the wind chill was, but, well, put it this way, if you didn't have a house, you were screwed, Ha! There was a small run of biters right away in the morning, but it didn't last long. Then it was hit and miss the rest of the day until about 4 oclock, when another run of biters came through. Bite times were about 8 to 9 in the morning, and 4 till 5 in the afternoon. Sporadic in between with no consistancy. By Lake of the woods standards it was pretty slow. I managed to get my limit of 15, and left the skins on those to bring them back. The third day was not quite as cold, but still, chilly enough. Thankfully, not much wind. Same times, and intensity as day two. I ended up with 18 that day, so was able to fill out the limit of some that were having a hard time hooking up. Fish bit very lighty, even during the bite times. A few fish I couldn't even feel the take, just lowered the rod tip, and saw slack line, and set the hook.
We fished the Hay Island area of Stevens Bay. Water depth was about 40 feet, and the fish were anywhere from 4, to 10 feet off the bottom. The best colors were definately glow. My best jig color was a blue and glow small gemini jig, with a minnow hooked through the back on the jigging rod. On the bobber rod, I used a #4 Gamagazu hook, with glow paint on it. Both seemed to work just as well.
I know most people don't think of a Canadian trip as a crappie outing, but if you haven't tried it, you should, it's a blast. The fish are plentifull, and, usually, more cooperative than they were on this trip. Also, for those that like to smoke fish, there are tons of Tulibee to be had. The limit on those is six. All in all, it was a great time, and I'll be going again, no doubt.

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

[Tom]

Lundman
what is a Tulibee?




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[Toxie]

I was wondering the same thing, here is what I found out.

http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/cisco.htm

[Lundman1701]

Toxi is right, it's a lake whitefish. And they do stink, but, we kept three of them, I cleaned them, and just for the fun of it, we fried them up. They were actually very good, similar in texture to a crappie, but not quite as mushy. The only drawback I see to them is a pesky row of small bones in the back meat section of the fillet. Other than that, there were yummy.

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

[Tom]

I learn something new everyday, tulibee huh.




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Lundman you have found my honey hole!
I have fished the south end of hay island for 5 years now.
I still havent found a better crappie spot in my life spawn or not.
I go usually in january and stay on a island in stevens bay where a friend ownes an island with a cabin 1 mile from hay!
Its about 44 feet deep and we fish approx 6 feet off the bottom.
We use tear drop jigs pink and white tipped with crappie minnows.
Bar none the best crappie fishing ive had time and time again.
I have only seen indians there and was amazed that I saw a post on this.
Small world!
Nutin like a sabaskong slab on the hook!

Forgot about the light bite.
We use dead sticks and hand line them, works everytime.
The crappies for whatever reason only will bump your bobber we would really watch close.
They are the lightest hitting crappies I have ever fished but the most constant.
The limit has dropped to 15 in possesion from 30 and thats all that has ever changed with spot.
Small World.

[Lundman1701]

Uh oh, did I let the crappie out of the gill net? I was told they took something like 32 thousand pounds out of there last summer. Seems like the fish ran smaller, so I'm told anyway. This was my first time there. I might be making two trips next year. I had a great time.

Set the Hook!!

Lundman

Yea you did!
The honey hole has now been violated! LOL
Yea the indians stepped up there efforts and now are netting the wonderful reasorce.
How wonderful, the natives taking care of the environment again.
We did not notice any smaller crappies this year but are very concerned that it will be depleated.
I dont know though there are so..... many crappies there only a gill net could phaze them.
Lund man we fish alike, I am curious to know how many more of my honey holes you know about? LOL
Good spot way to find it! I dont know how you did!

[Lundman1701]

I can tell you how I found it. I have a very good freind who fishes the Sabaskong/Stevens bay area of Lake of the Woods a lot, and I mean, a lot!! He has taken me with him a few times, and I suspect, I'll be there more now, since the partner he usually takes can no longer cross the border. But that's a whole 'nother story. Anyway, he's the one that turned me on to it, so, I can't take the credit for hunting it out on my own. It's a beautifull area, and I really enjoyed being there, summer, and now in winter too. If you are up there a lot, maybe we'll see you up there sometime. We'll be the guys in the green 1800 Pro-v with Pro-v Yamaha 150. Like there isn't about a hundred of those boats up there at any given time....LOL. Anyway, good luck, and don't forget to......

Set the Hook!!

Lundman