June 8-15th Report

Summer will soon be upon us in the Opasquia Provincial Park.  Signs of summer are everywhere: deciduous trees have fully regained their foliage, dandelions now cover most lawns and unfortunately the mosquitos have taken flight.  Just last week clouds of pollen were so thick most people thought forest fires had begun.  However, there is an old saying up here in the north country, "When the pollen flies, the fishing gets good."

Weather

An east wind with warm temperatures has dominated for the past five days.  Such a prolonged easterly breeze is an unusual weather pattern for us here in the Opasquia Provincial park and it has caused some interesting fishing patterns. I can't even remember the last time we experienced a west wind. Temperatures have been stable "ish" for us here in the great white north.  I say "ish" because as north as we are, the weather can turn in a heartbeat.  The pleasant weather has heated the water temperature to an average of about 63 degrees.  Low 70's are forecasted for the week ahead with moderate sun.

Fishing

Weeds have begun to pop in some of the shallow bays but are far from mature.  Some pike are starting to hold in these premature weed beds.  As the weeds keep growing the pike will continue to migrate into these areas.  Most big fish boated last week were still in warm shallow muddy bays.

Walleye are still really shallow chasing baitfish throughout bays.  They are also holding in current.  Stick to depths around 8 ft.

Burnt
The narrows north of the camp was the hotspot last week and should continue to produce well into July.  Jigging here is the method of choice for catching plenty of walleye.  Moose creek held plenty of pike.  The narrows leading northbound held some scattered perch.

Central
Above the north rapids produced numerous 40" pike over the course of the week.  All the portages, with the exception of the north, held lots of fish. For some reason fish were not present below the north falls, I blame the east wind causing the unusual fishing patterns. South narrows were holding lots of walleye late in the day as they moved into the mudflats before evening.   

Cocos
A 43" and 41" pike were boated on the last day of the guests vacation last week.  Talk about going out with a bang! The water has dropped considerably over the last week and guests should now finally be able to navigate both rapids. Bays adjacent to the cabin were producing a surprising amount of walleye.  Fishing just off the flowage from the rapids was consistent.

Favourable
Lemonade was producing plenty of walleye on the west side of the island.  Ample amounts of perch were holding on the west shoreline along the weeds.  One of my favorite spots is still 100 ft off the dock. Favourable's hot spots were in Pike Alley, and numerous creeks flowing into the big arm of the lake.

West
Five fish over 40" were boated and released last week.  The horseshoe was the hottest area of all, holding plenty of both species. The narrows to the Fish Bowl began to get active as the week progressed.

SW 
Guests found best success to the east of the camp.  The large mudflat/weedbed about one mile east of camp was a mainstay the entire week.  Trolling or casting along this large area produced great results.  The guests also commented that they enjoyed a perch dinner just about every night.

South 
The narrows just southeast of camp was a go to spot.  The hook near the portage was also hot. A 27" was the biggest walleye for the week and lost of 20+" fish were boated and released. As mentioned before all fish are still rather shallow, but getting more and more active as the week progressed.

Hot Lures

Walleye
1/4 jig with white gulp tail
Hot N Tot
Lazy Ike

Northern
Perch Shad Rap #5
Doctor Spoon Silver
Mepps Agila #5
Hell Hound

Good luck on the water everyone.
-Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com