Hey guys I'm heading to lake of the woods in mid september. Just wondering if anyone had any advice.
More specifically
1. Should I hire a guide for the first day?
2. I plan on camping, bad or good idea in september?
3. Is there going to be a different pattern on that lake for that time of year?
4. How should I approach finding fish if I don't hire a guide?
And anything else you can think of, after spending 99% of my time on the Antrim Chain I'm excited for some density 😀
Well LOTW is massive, and unless your on the west side where the highest density of Muskies are, it could be a humbling trip.
When in September are you going? Id expect it to get down into the 40's at night at that time of year. At least it was last time i went to canada that time of year. Camping can be ok, but id research the area as well as you can first for bear activity etc..
Also what size of boat are you using? That lake can be unforgiven especially with high fall winds, some of the bigger bays could have you dealing with 4 fters at some point.
Got stuck in an open bay my first trip to LOTW with my dad, and the winds were brutal and in a 16 ft metal boat we nearly tippped over several times. Def the scariest time ive ever had in a boat.
"Steve S" said:
Will, I know I'm never going to make it to LOTW, but how is the muskie fishing on the MN. side? Didn't get to ask Jason V but how long of a drive is it to AML on Eagle Lake?
I don't think many people fish the MN side of LOTW, especially since you have to drive past Vermillion. From what I've heard the MN part of LOTW doesn't compare.
Seriously though… I would look long and hard at the UP west end
What would be the best option there, any lakes with high density/decent size
I don't think many people fish the MN side of LOTW
Yeah from what I understand the MN side is mostly a huge main basin with outstanding Walleye fishing. Most of the muskie fishing takes place in the Northern Angle and I was hoping the eastern canadian side. Could be wrong.
I have gone to Eagle for the last 2 years and it is a great lake but the drive is a killer. You should seriously consider spending your time on Lake St Clair in the Fall. It is a great numbers lake and you have a solid shot at a 50. You could hire Chad Sandy for a few days and really learn the lake. You would save 3-4 days of driving to Canada and have a lot less hassles and it would cost you less money.
If you end up going to lotw I would:
Definitely hire a guide.
Get good maps of the area and do your homework.
Post questions on muskys1st.
Call Dan Moats from Spanky baits and see what he would throw on that water.
Good luck!
"Chris Musselman" said:
Seriously though… I would look long and hard at the UP west end
What would be the best option there, any lakes with high density/decent size
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Ed, somehow I'm guessing that LSC is not quite going to substitute for LOTW!!! 
Chris- the eastern arm of LOTW is fantastic for muskies! The Sabaskong Bay area from Nestor Falls to Morson has world class density. I don't have specific info for camping or fishing patterns, but I might consider camping at a resort- that time of year they will have off-season rates and should have camping options. Will you be bringing a generator to recharge your trolling motor batteries? If you are near a camp with other fishermen that will help with the learning curve so you definitely wouldn't need a guide (and get you electricity). You could replace the guide fee with the resort fee for camping and kill a couple birds-one stone. But even if you go off completely isolated on your own, you probably will still do fine without a guide as far as the fishing goes.
I like your ambition and wish you the best of luck!
I think half of the desire to go to a place like LOTW is the love of the wilderness and to get away from civilization and into God's country…Detroit/St. Clair isnt exactly the most beautiful area
Chris, cant help ya much on advice for LOTW since Iv only seen it in my dreams but I wish you luck…if you are looking into the UP at all in the future, look into Craig Lake in Baraga County if you dont mind fishin from a canoe that is, Iv never had a disappointing trip there. If you would rather take a real boat try Lake Michigamme in Marquette County…I have caught some huge pike (40+ers) in both these lakes and have seen a decent amount of muskies too, although the muskies are usually/always on the end of my partner's line
Good luck at LOTW, I am certainly jealous
I forgot about the nestor falls area as i have read and heard good things about that and Sab bay area.
Bring a good map as well because there are more islands in that lake then you will ever see anywhere. Easy to get lost if you don't have a good map or photogenic memory.
Member to be careful in any windy open water.
So use to the drive up to vermillion bay area by eagle and all the other lakes i always forget that it takes that long. Think this year it took us 16 to get to dryden
Chris- the eastern arm of LOTW is fantastic for muskies! The Sabaskong Bay area from Nestor Falls to Morson has world class density. I don't have specific info for camping or fishing patterns, but I might consider camping at a resort- that time of year they will have off-season rates and should have camping options. Will you be bringing a generator to recharge your trolling motor batteries? If you are near a camp with other fishermen that will help with the learning curve so you definitely wouldn't need a guide (and get you electricity). You could replace the guide fee with the resort fee for camping and kill a couple birds-one stone. But even if you go off completely isolated on your own, you probably will still do fine without a guide as far as the fishing goes.
Thanks duke, I found that extremely helpful and encouraging. The resort I was planning on camping at has a docking fee that includes power right to the boat. From what I've gathered though the Northwest angle is where its at and I may try to manage a trip up there. Looks like I have just a little more research to do before I make my decisions.
"Steve S" said:
Wll was that Perry Smith?
Yes.
Here's a few years of Perry's catches in the Sabaskong area during September (sorted by size).
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I was planning the trip to be at Redwing lodge right in morson. I'm alright with hiring a guide and I think thats the best bet since i've never fished a canadian lake with such a huge body of water and different structure.
Camping would save me $100's of dollars and they have a shower house and electricity. My only concern at this point is if I will be unprepared for weather, bears, temperature. I called the lodge and when I asked if the campsites would be available in September the lady laughed and said, "yeah I don't think anyone is planning on camping in september but they are available"
Ha, Red Flag
Maybe to get my density fix in I'll plan a trip to St. Clair and to get my wilderness fix in I'll hit up the Cisco Chain.
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