Fishin report from Gateway
Kabetogama-Namakan Fishing Report 12-26-15
Folks – seems as thou Winter may have finally arrived, quite mild, projected highs next week staying in the teens with some sub-zeros overnight, and our lakes have gone from soft water to the more normal hard water.
A brief overview of conditions is sure to confuse you.
Tom Cod Bay: perhaps 10-15 houses with 4-wheeler and snowmobile traffic. Snow cover and some slush on surface. Ice 5-8” + depending when it froze.
The Gappa Road State Landing is slushy with 4-6” of mixed ice, a good distance from shore you will find ice up to 8-10” where freeze up was after the heavy snow.
Anglers are just getting started in random areas where ice thickness is safe, results vary, but not favorable yet.
Spearing of pike varies, the majority are smaller fish with occasional plus 35” and bigger. Tip-ups providing mixed action for pike and walleyes.
Thus far most fishing has been shallow water, less than 12’ which favors pike. The colder temps should add ice and solidify slush letting anglers get out to the mid 20’ depth for walleye, sauger and perch.
The National Park staff will be checking ice starting Monday and give us updates with their findings throughout the week.
I don’t want to discourage fisherman from getting out and fishing, use good judgment and caution as you head out anywhere on our lakes.
From shore I observed several ice ridges that will have to be dealt with, often times open water strips accompany the ridges.
Looks like there will be plenty of hungry fish as we head into the end of 2015 – Visit our Northland and Enjoy!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!