August, in like a lion

A great night for top water. 

August has brought us ample amounts of moisture thus far.  Ten of the eleven days have provided some form of rain in the Opasquia Provincial Park.  The rain is welcomed considering the fire situation we experienced in July.  Now the fires have been extinguished and the lake levels have begun rising.  At Central Lake the water levels have risen approximately six to ten inches.  The rain has cooled the water temperatures slightly.  Water temperatures range from 67-69 degrees.

Walleye

Walleye are descending to their late summer patterns.  Most fish are being caught on rock reefs and deeper points.  Smaller fish have been found on the edges of weed beds. Locating 16-20 ft spots are key.  These deeper reefs and cut banks will hold the bigger fish.  Trolling crankbaits along a shelf is a favorite tactic of mine.  Today for example, we caught fish jigging on top of a reef however, we could not break the twenty inch barrier for walleye.  We switched to trolling a jointed Rapala Shad Rap (black/orange) and a Berkley Flicker Shad (blue/silver) and promptly boated five walleye between 20-22".  

Pike

The big pike have been scattered between points and deep weed beds.  Many big fish have been following schools of walleye.  While fishing for walleye on reefs, anglers should be pitching for pike at the same time.  As I have mentioned in previous blogs, deep diving baits such as Depth Raiders and Bull Dawgs are great for fishing deeper rock reefs.  Large jigs coupled with 5-7" tails are also key baits in a fishermen's arsenal this time of year.  Working weed beds can be frustrating.  Some fish embed themselves deep within foliage and reaching those fish can be cumbersome.  To combat heavy weeds I utilize the infamous Johnson Silver Minnow with a white twister.  The Silver Minnow glides through the slop with minimal hang ups.  In deep foliage I also prefer braided line over mono.  The lack of stretch braided line possesses cuts weeds with little effort.  Two other baits in my tackle box are a Rapala Gliding Rap and a Top Raider.  

Burnt  

Several forty inch pike were boated and released last week.  An impressive 28" walleye was also boated and released up on Sabourin Lake.  Bigger fish were caught in the northern half of Burnt.  

Central

The north narrows once again produced several 40 inch trophies last week.  Trolling Wind Sock island was effective for walleye.  The deep reefs on the north end of the lake also held some big fish.  Jigging walleye in 18-20 ft with a 3/8 oz tube jig was favored by bigger walleye.  

Cocos

The majority of bigger fish were boated in the Sagawitchewan River.  The deeper pools in the SE sections were "impressive" according to guests.  Duckling Island is harboring several large pike at the moment.  

Lemonade/Favorable  

The deeper water of Favorable located closer to the camp have been great for walleye.  The Three Sisters have held some amazing walleye over the past couple days.  Pike Alley and Wally Point have been other notable spots.  Lemonade is still churning out quality walleye.  

South

Once again South has produced another 30" walleye.  Several 28" fish were also boated and released.  The bigger fish were boated in 25-30 ft of water.  The weeds just NE of camp were productive for both walleye and pike.  

SW 

SW lake held up it's reputation as the fish factory in the Opasquia Provincial Park. Spoons are still incredibly effective for walleye in the shallows.  

West 

The north and east end of the lake have been outproducing the "fish bowl".  The deeper sections of West have been holding quality walleye.  Last week several 25", 27" and 28" walleye were released. 

-Good Luck on the water everyone. 

Nathan

www.bighookcamps.com