New to Kab, Any help is appreciated!

Hey everyone,

I am new here so please bare with me.

I have been to Kab once about 12-15 years ago with a buddy. Fishing was decent from what I recall. We caught a mixed bag all week. It was a fun trip. Paper map and a basic depth finder 40hp tiller lol. That was the good ole’ days. We are coming back in late August / early September and this time my buddy is bringing his boat. A 17.5 ft 115 hp boat with nice electronics and a lake master chip.

My question is where would you recommend we start that time of year? And what are some Kab trends that we should be keen to? Any certain colors or bait presentations they prefer then? Would we be better off jigging, rigging, trolling, etc. for that time of year?

We also really wanted to go to fish Namakan lake if we could. We have heard the fog may get in the way early morning that time of year? Just wondering bout how long of a boat ride would it take to get to Namakan from the Kabetogama visitor center?

Thank you for any help, tips, locations or any information at all on these questions! I can not wait to come and enjoy VNP for hopefully 8-10 days. We would sincerely appreciate any inside tips, spots, colors, anything to give us a little help.

Thanks again,
Theo

20 to 30 minutes to Namakin from the Ash Trail Center. I would guess 45 minutes from Kab?

Welcome to In-Depth.

Dutchboy wrote:

20 to 30 minutes to Namakin from the Ash Trail Center. I would guess 45 minutes from Kab?

Welcome to In-Depth.

Dutch, I thought you Lund would go a little faster than that. It’s about 12 miles max (straight line distance) from the Kab visitor center (not the Ash River visitor center) to Namakan Entrance (campsite N26). From there, Namakan runs about 15 miles east to Namakan Narrows going into Sand Point Lake.

I gave him the time to where the fish are biting.

OK…I know just where you mean.

To the OP’s request for tips, there’s a lot of history here:

Kabetogama, Lake

Dutchboy wrote:

20 to 30 minutes to Namakin from the Ash Trail Center. I would guess 45 minutes from Kab?

Welcome to In-Depth.

Awesome. Thanks Dutch. Gives me a general idea.

Ron wrote:

OK…I know just where you mean.

Annnnnndddddd where might this be? lol any help at all I sincerely do appreciate. I can find some decent stuff on Kab on here but very little on Namakan. I have only fished Kab once and would love to feel more confident this time around.

Again thank you guys for any info at all you are willing to shed.

Just curious on the water level this time of year? Is the water up, down, or where it should be for this time of year? Heading up in about 3 weeks and can not wait. Thanks in advance

Just got back the 31st, water levels are about normal.
You can check on levels here: http://www.lwcb.ca/waterflowdata.html

Click on Namakan, it will give you Gold Portage (Kab outlet to Rainy) and Kettle Falls. Levels are in the lower half of the rule curve but fine.

Was just up at Kab all last week. Fishing was very good for us. Most productive method for us was pulling bottom bouncers until we found a big pod of fish then we’d park over them and throw out the slip bobbers and jigs. Caught most of our fish in 25-30 FOW. Although one day we did get on a good bite in 7-9 FOW in the weeds. I’d focus on offshore structure off the main lake basin if you are going for size. Biggest we caught was 26.5”

Walleyeguy34 wrote:

Was just up at Kab all last week. Fishing was very good for us. Most productive method for us was pulling bottom bouncers until we found a big pod of fish then we’d park over them and throw out the slip bobbers and jigs. Caught most of our fish in 25-30 FOW. Although one day we did get on a good bite in 7-9 FOW in the weeds. I’d focus on offshore structure off the main lake basin if you are going for size. Biggest we caught was 26.5”

Thanks Walleyeguy, we do appreciate all the help. From the gateway report every week it sounds like it has been a great year for fishing. Now that is a bait shops report I’m sure they are not going to say fishing is bad ever lol but from all the reports I can get my eyes on it sounds like a great numbers year this year. Hoping the trend continues when we arrive later this month into sept.

My fishing experience is all at the opener so not much help, but I would recommend taking a lunch at the Ellsworth rock gardens, looks cool in early May when there are no flowers out so can only imagine it looks that much better now.

I will say this spring was our best year of the 7 years we’ve been going for mix of big and eater fish. A good sign since we mostly target bigger fish in spring.

Hey Steve! I am new to Kabetogama as well and have been invited to go for the first time Aug 29- Sep 3. If we are there the same time we should swap contact info and keep in touch to put the hurt on the fishing! I think we are gonna find a tent camping site somewhere. My buddy is gonna try to find a spot. Let me know! [email protected]

Welcome to Kab guys!! Winds are howling and the rain can come in sheets but it should be clearing soon. Feels more like Oct. up here right now. Stay safe and enjoy your vacations!

Hi Poomunk,
I’m headed up for this year’s opening week of fishing. I’ve never fished the lake before. I purchased the Fishing Hot Spots map. We’re staying at the Pineair Resort. In your opinion are the fish generally back in the bays for the opener or still out in the main lake? I’m from Stone Bank and fish smaller lakes in Waukesha. Thanks!

Didn’t see the post before I PMed you, we stay on the opposite end of peterson bay(sort of) at northern lights. Lots of good areas to try not far from the resort, hard NW to NE wind can make water a little rough on the south end of the bay but we’ve really not had too many days where I wasn’t comfortable going out with my little 1600 prosport.

That time of year the fish are wrapping up the spawn and are still located in areas adjacent to spawning grounds. That would be areas of cobble/rubble along shorelines with some (but not too much) wind exposure. That can be in the bays but also main lake shorelines. Islands with those features are particularly good.

I never fish deeper than 12 ft that time of year. Trolling a husky or a flicker shad around in 6 feet will keep you busy. You can jig around the same areas mid-day as well. But I find that Kab fish absolutely crush a husky trolled at 2mph in 6 feet that time of year with the occasional monster pike thrown in.

That trip is something to look forward to. Call me jealous.

J

Thanks Poo and Jason!
Your insights and feedback are very helpful and very much appreciated! The trip will be fun and I always enjoy exploring new waters. If either one of you are up opening week I’d love to meet you and tip a cold one with you!
Thank you again!
Dave