Well last Thursday thru Sunday was spent up near the border of Canada for the annual Camping getaway. Stacie and I have been hitting different lakes the last few years (Sand Point & Namakan in the past), but this year it was Lake Kabetogama. It’s nice getting to see new areas of the park and the awesome scenery this part of MN can offer. Our crew consisted of our good friends Chris & Angie for their 2nd trip with us and Stacie’s brother Tyler and his girlfriend Lacey who joined us for their first trip up to the beautiful Voyagers National Park. With beautiful and steady weather we experienced a pretty good bite this year as shown here with Laceys largest eye to date. Read on to find out what methods worked for us.
We started out Thursday evening by rigging a few well known “community” spots along with some of Daves, AKA Slipsinker’s (from the site) secret spots. 
Thanks again Dave. 
We boated some decent slot fish. The fish seemed to be hanging on a steep break line that had a definite muddy clay to rock/gravel transition. The fish were hanging in the 24-28’ depths early in the evening, but moved up closer to the 20 foot mark towards dark. We used lindy rigs with 4-6 foot snells tipped with leeches and we vertically jugged leeches and minnows. We took some decent slot (13-17”) slot fish. Nothing fast and furious but some fish came to the boat. We spent the late morning and afternoon the next day chasing some smallies on some boulder fields around a group of Islands. Again we caught some fish, but nothing to picture worthy as far as size goes. Those smallmouth had a preference that day and it was a steady dose of Clown X-Raps. We threw about everything at them, but they wanted clown X-Raps with a slashing retrieve with some pauses mixed in.
After spending the first half of the trip with some limited success, I was looking at my Lowrance 3500c GPS with my Navionics premium North chip that I bought from Wade @ Jolly Ann and I saw one word that hit close to home on the map. "FLAT". During mid summer and hot temps when I see that word I think Deep Water trolling. So we headed out there and pulled out the trolling gear and it did not take long to figure out this was a good idea, as both boats started to land some real nice walleyes pretty much instantly. There was also no question these fish were also liking the brighter colors. We trolled Clown and Fire Tiger Deep Tail Dancers around 2.0 mph and the fish were smacking them. 
The depths we concentrated in was 24’-32’ deep. It did not matter if you had boards on or not, just find a school of fish near the reef or in “no mans land” and hold onto your rod. 
One thing we noticed was, that not many fish were being caught rigging the adjacent structure. A few fish here and there, but nothing like the torrid pace of trolling the deep "Abyss". 
Most of the fish that were coming to the boat were in the 20-24” range. Not only were these fish pretty good size, these things were chunky and had some shoulder to them, like I have not seen before on that size of fish. Chris and Angie also got into a few low 30” pike. So if you are wondering if deep water trolling or planer boards work in other places besides Mille Lacs? Well……………. I know they work on Kabetogama 
Well we had a great 4 day weekend and for the first time we had the weather cooperate to make it even better. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the regular routine was exactly what I needed. I slowed down and just let things happen. I probably did not get as much fishing in as I wanted to, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Enjoying time with Friends and Family makes the time fly by. I’m not sure what we will be doing for next years adventure or where we will be going, but I’m already looking forward to it. I will post a few non fishing pictures and hopefully Angie can add her and Chris’s fish pictures to mine here. The fish on Kabetogama really seemed to like the transition areas (clay to rock, rock to sand, etc.). The Navionics Premium North chip was a huge help locating these areas as they post the bottom contents for Kabetogama on their chip. I would go to those areas and then use my Sonar to pinpoint these transition areas. A good understanding of what your sonar unit is telling you is also a huge help. I think many fisherman often overlook this. They just look to see if there are fish or arcs on their screen and don’t realize these other details of why there is fish there. Is it because only 10 feet earlier there was a different bottom content??? Or perhaps it is on the bottom of the break, or was it an inside corner??? I guess, I’m suggesting to make sure you are reading everything your electronics are telling you. That is the “LIP TIP” tip for the week. I’m not sure of my next location or fishing adventure, but I know it will be a good one. Until next time, have a great and safe time on the water!
**CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE**
I know it is frowned upon on giving out GPS locations, so I will give you a visual of where we were this past weekend.
Kabetogama Sunset
Another
Anyone that has never made it up there to those chain of lakes is robbing themselves of the true beauty our Country has. That chain has everything from Commercialized Resorts, to House boats, to wilderness Camping. Something to fit everyones style. Namakan and I think Sand Point do not even have a boat launch on the Amreican side. So you are able to get way out away from everything if you choose. A few of our phones did have Cell Phone service on Kabetogama if you are wondering. Plan a trip to get up there, you will not be disappointed. Is there better fishing lakes with bigger fish??? Perhaps, but you need to take in the whole experience this area gives you and these lakes have tremendous fishing.
Lacey, with her First ever walleye and a little hesitant on posing for a picture.
Notice the girth on this fish. 
Nice report and pics Lip..
GREAT REPORT.
I didnt read any of it, did you get any fishing in?
Hey Rob, thanks for the Kabby report.Sounds like you had a great trip. I avoided the open areas for years until I expanded from my traditional favorites. I like using 3 ways with a original floater and cover a lot of ground till you find them. My “problem” with the slot is that the fish are to big!!! and find it harder to get a mess together for a fish fry !! The slot has definitely increased the walleye size. I have noticed that pike are not as big or plentiful as they once were.We used to have a cabin on Spunge Island for 30 years and spent summers growing up there.The island camping is great and is a good alternative when the women tire of roughing it in the BWCA. I remember when hardly no one camped on the lake but now you can travel all over the lake and everything is full on a good weekend. Soon they will probably have to go to a reservation system??? Hybes
Great report Rob! I always enjoy your reports and it looks like you guys had a great time again!
Great report Rob with some fantastic Photo’s as well. When did the “Lip Tip” tip of the week start? I think they are fantastic. Love2Fish.
Good report Rob!
Your marketing program is right on target, you told us you were going, when you were going, and to expect a report when you got back. Under promise, Over provide, you’re doing it right
Good to see the pup didn’t get rained on
dave
Thanks Guys.
I did not get a ton of fishing in, but that is ok, I still had a blast with good friends.
Hybes, never thought about pulling cranks on 3 ways up there. We also caught a few on Spinners with about a 2′ dropper on 3 ways. The speed didn’t seem to matter, even with the spinners. I pulled the spinners along with the cranks around 2 mph.
Love2FishYes, “THE LIP TIP” is new
. Have you been out to our favorite Local lake lately? I snuck out there for about an hour a few weeks ago before a nasty storm chasing Muskies. I had one hot fish erupt on a top water and then follow me in on another bait. 
Emover, We had a little rain one evening and some threats of other storms, but nothing to bad. The pup loves the camping thing.
I’m with ya on that one!
Thanks for the Photos, Lip! I knew the scenery was nice up there, but apparently nicer for some……. 
Great Report Rob!
Nice looking fish once again
Here is a few Pics from Chris & Angies Boat.
Angie with a nice Kabby Eye!
Angie with the Biggest Smallie of our trip!
Crhis with one of their low 30’s pike they caught trolling deep!
Chris with a nice dark colored Kabby Eye!
Great report Rob!! Beautiful photos and fish!! How far north is Kabetogama compared to say pool six…
For you, I’d say go SOUTH….you will probably get there faster!
Luke Kab is another 4.25 to 4.5 hours form the North side of the Cities. South might be closer option 4 U.
Nice report Rob, I know the lake well.
Has always been a favorite of mine. 
It’s nice to go to a area that resembles the boundary waters but you can use real boats.
Looks like you didn’t have any trouble getting on some of them beauties.Did you stay at one of the resorts or camp? later……BB
Sent you an email Bruce!