Hello from Jim and Julie’s Wabaskang Camp, we just completed our second week of guests, and the fishing has definitely started to improve. The water temps are steadily increasing each day, and we are seeing some areas of the lake having surface temps of 66 degrees or slightly higher. Our guests had decent walleye fishing, but it was mainly a morning and evening bite that produced. By far the best bait was a jig and minnow combo or a tube bait. The walleye are very shallow and on sunny days didn’t want to cooperate unless there was some decent wind to stir up the water. The best areas near camp were Ruby Lake and Keynote Lake. It was a struggle to find walleyes in the 16” to 18” size but plenty of trophies were caught and released. Our guests must release any walleye over 18” but don’t seem to mind the conservation efforts the camps are adopting. Dan Crotty is a seasoned veteran of camp, and it was no surprise to me when he reported that he released a chunky 28″walleye. Father and daughter Neal and Tayia Kolb released many walleyes between 24” and 26” this week but both were humbled by son and brother Tristen, he released a 27”, two 28 3/4” and a giant 30” walleye this week, that’s a pretty good week I’d say.
Northern fishing was average as most fish were caught in shallow water on spinner and minnow combinations or small tube baits. Steve Taylor returned to camp this week and he started things off by catching and releasing a nice 32″northern. We ended up with two winners this week for big northern of the week. Tony Jones released a chunky 36” northern to win the biggest northern of the week caught using conventional methods. Crazy Keith Huck also won a hat this week for his 38” northern that his brother Kerry netted for him as it had grabbed a smaller pike he had on the line and wouldn’t let go so both fish were netted and of course the trophy was released after a quick picture.
Bass fishing had some really good days this week with plenty of giant bass being caught and released. Tayia Kolb released a chunky 18 1/4” bass, Jeff Gaerke was the bass expert in camp this week his top two bass were 18” and 19 1/4” respectively, he released both fish of course and did earn the free hat for the week.
Crappie fishing was very good mornings and evenings. Our guests used tiny jigs or slip bobbers to catch the tasty critters. Tayia Kolb was so excited to report her 14 1/4” crappie to me only to have her father Neal crush her dreams of winning a camp hat when he caught his personal best here on Wabaskang, a giant 15 1/2” beauty, wear your winning hat with pride Neal.
Only one trout to report this week, Craig Jennings caught and released a chunky 24” trout in shallow water near the entrance to Keynote Lake, he was very excited to walk out of our lodge with his big trout of the week hat.
Remember to bring us a copy of your fishing license when you arrive in camp or I can also copy it when you get here. The Whiskey Jack Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday so plan a meal or two up there during your stay at camp, best smoked meat you can get anywhere and always a pile of fries with your meal.
That’s all for now, this is Jim from Wabaskang.
