Will be heading up to Grand Rapids area in a few weeks and was wondering if anyone has tips for a “first timer” to the area. Am intersted in walleyes, bass, muskie, ands pike on Sugar, Pokegama, Deer, Moose. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on where/how to find fish! Even panfish for the family would be great.
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Will be heading up to Grand Rapids area in a few weeks and was wondering if anyone has tips for a “first timer” to the area. Am intersted in walleyes, bass, muskie, ands pike on Sugar, Pokegama, Deer, Moose. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on where/how to find fish! Even panfish for the family would be great.
This hot weather left a lot of us scratching our heads. On Pokegama there were no fish to be found in the typical spots. Also there was a huge smelt die off. Zorbaz was shoveling them off the beach with a snow shovel for the 4th of July weekend. A fair amount of perch and panfish have died as well.
I marked a lot of fish in the 80′ range. Not sure why they’ve all dove so deep. Water temps were only 70*.
On Winnie I guess the fish have gone deep as well. Walleye guys are finding them in the 20′-30′ range.
Sugar is a tough lake to fish. Can really pay off though if you hit them.
Big Splithand is a decent option. I’m sure the walleye are deep there as well. Lots of panfish and pike.
Deer and Moose are always great options. Extremely clear lakes (can be 20′ water clarity). Usually they are a late evening option. I will say though, you can cruise the shallows (with troller) and see huge muskie up in the shallows sunning themselves. Might be a cool thing for the kids to see. I grew up on Moose and we used to do this all the time. There are some 50″ fish in there. At least there used to be.
All great lakes. You should do good. For eyes, graph deep points and structure in each of them until you find what you’re looking for. Don’t stop to fish till you see a wad of them. Don’t forget any cabbage either. It holds fish year round. Was just up in the area and caught alotta eyes. Didn’t fish any of those lakes, but ones quite similar. 
Trolling can be very productive on Pokegama. I normally focus on the 12 to 18 foot range with crankbaits, you will catch Pike, Bass and Walleye. If you are into night trolling try out around the islands that can be great for Walleye. Sugar is also a good night trolling option. Pokegama is a good bass lake, Largemouth and Smallmouth, look for some midlake rocks or weeds and you should do well, I normally just use jig/twister tail combo. Have fun and good luck dodging the jet skis and water skiers.
Thanks for the great information. Maybe things will improve in the next week or so. Fishing reports for the area are tough to find online, unless I’m looking in the wrong places! We’ll be staying on Sugar so I guess I’ll start there.
Sounds like a lot of recreational traffic on Pokegama. I’m definitely interested in the bass action- largemouth and smallies in the same areas? Did well on smallies today on Mille Lacs. Had a nice muskie follow and caught a 25″ walleye to boot! Beautiful day on the lake.
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Sounds like a lot of recreational traffic on Pokegama. I’m definitely interested in the bass action- largemouth and smallies in the same areas? Did well on smallies today on Mille Lacs. Had a nice muskie follow and caught a 25″ walleye to boot! Beautiful day on the lake.
Pokegama is the Minnetonka of the north. Jet Skis and cruisers all over the place on the weekends. They are all over the lake but they like to hit Nesbit and Drumbeater islands as they have unbelievable beaches. Plus there is Zorbaz and Grand Harbor where you can boat up and dine.
Sounds like a great day on the pond. Congrats.
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Thanks for the great information. Maybe things will improve in the next week or so. Fishing reports for the area are tough to find online, unless I’m looking in the wrong places! We’ll be staying on Sugar so I guess I’ll start there.
Coming from up there to down here was a culture shock. Sites like IDO are where people south of HWY 200 seem to come and share info. North of 200 it seems to be a “MINE” mentality. Fisherman and hunters covet what they think is theirs and don’t really share info. When they do share, it’s usually BS.
I can say I really enjoy this site and others where we can share our passions and meet new fishing buddies. That just doesn’t seem to happen up there. Unless you are in the clique.
May have to adopt the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” mentality at least for the weekend. Are these island beaches public?
I can understand that most guys don’t want to share their personal hotspots on the worldwide web which is why I’d be happy with general information. Last year a guy offered gps coordinates (via pm’s and email) for Gull which proved helpful so I agree that there are some great folks on these sites that are willing to point a rookie in the right direction w/o the B.S. It’s a great site!
Yes, these islands are public, and the beaches and adjacent sand bars are REALLY nice, great for kids. I’ve been to Nesbitt many times, my parents are on that lake.
Have fun!
Dave
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