Time for another “late” update on fishing here at Jim and Julie’s Wabaskang Camp. Week six saw our guests catching and releasing plenty of trophy walleye and northern but struggling to catch smaller “eater” sized fish. We are getting dry here again and could use a few inches of rain for sure, still some smoky days whenever the wind is coming from Manitoba or Saskatchewan. The water level is still decent, and our guests haven’t had any issues on the lake.
The walleye bite is best early and late each day with plastics and crank baits doing the most damage. The fish seem to be heading into the cabbage weeds now and are eager to take any offering that swims by. Brent Minett isn’t known for his fishing acumen, but he did release a chunky 25 1/2″ walleye, Kristy Lammers released her 25 1/2″ walleye as well. Kevin Schellhorn stumbled into a nice 26″ walleye he released after a quick picture, Nolan Ginther had a chance to fish with his dad this week and he impressed his father when he released a beautiful 27″ walleye. Reid Lammers is known to over-think a few things and everyday he would come into the office and explain to me how great his electronics were—boring, anyhow he did release two 26 1/2″ walleyes and a chunky 27 3/4″ trophy—barely good enough for third place in camp this week. My fishing phenom son-in-law once again reported a giant 28″ walleye he released after getting it in the net then dropping the net into the lake then retrieving the net with the fish still inside it, incredible skill level exhibited for sure. The biggest walleye of the week was caught and released by Mark Schellhorn; his 29” beauty gave Mark a big “wink” as it swam away.
Northern fishing for big fish was good this week with numerous trophies being released. The big baits weren’t really working well but medium sized plastic enticed the most fish. Cabbage weeds are emerging everywhere on the lake now and the toothy critters are hiding in the weeds and ambushing anything that swims by. Charlie Zender is still the man to beat when he is in camp and he released two 34″ brutes this week. Zayden Inselman is known for his bass fishing, but he released a 37″ northern, David Pickle traveled all the way from Arkansas to catch giant northern and he impressed his wife Jennifer when he caught and released a 38″ and a 38 1/2″ northern. Cade Sandager came here from Florida but impressed Grandpa Charlie with his 37″ trophy he released. Bodie Inselman is the guy who always has his name on the board each time he comes to camp, he released a chunky 38″ and 39″ trophy northerns his personal best so far. Big Mike Lammers made the leader board this week when he released a toothy 42″ brute but his dreams of a free hat were quickly crushed by his son Reid who skillfully caught and released a 40″ and 42 1/2″ monster pike to finally put an end to Mikes bragging about all the big pike he always catches.
Smallmouth bass fishing was great this week with most of our guests casting the shorelines with tube baits and crank baits. Colors that resemble a crayfish worked the best but purple or pink also caught fish. Husband and wife combo Jennifer and David Pickle were the ones to beat this week. Jennifer released a chunky 19″ trophy only to see David catch and release a 19 1/4″ bass to claim top honors for the week and proudly walk away with his free hat.
We saw a huge largemouth bass released this week, Bodie Inselman caught his 20 1/2″ bass fishing Keynote Lake, great catch Bodie.
We had a guest catch a 30″ musky this week, Mark Schellhorn released his “rare” catch in hopes of catching an even bigger one next season.
Crappie fishing has definitely slowed since the beginning of the season, but we did see some decent fish being caught mainly mornings and evenings in Aerobus and Keynote lake. The fish are moving around in loose schools and are harder to find and catch but Andrea Scheit impressed her husband when she landed a chunky 13 1/2″ crappie. Steve set his pole down to help her land her fish and when he went to pick his pole back up it was gone but after a lengthy search of the area, he was able to snag it back and avoid a catastrophe.
Remember to get your license before arriving at camp and bring us a copy to keep on hand or we can copy your original when you get here. The Whiskey Jack restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday and are ready to serve you with a sumptuous meal, let Laura and Graham do the cooking a night or two for you. Remember to have clean and dry boats when crossing into Ontario as the border agents are concerned about invasive species entering Ontario waters from the U.S. That’s all for week six I’ll be back soon with week seven update.
This is Jim from Wabaskang,
