We have been asking for it for years, and they have finally done it. Last weekend they stocked Saganaga Lake with millions of fry-size walleye minnows. I would have rather seen some fingerlings mixed in, but I guess it costs a lot of money to rear walleyes until they reach the bigger fingerling size. I am happy with any efforts to bump some life back into my favorite lake.
The weekend of fishing was pretty productive in my boat, but I heard a lot of complaints about the walleye fishing. Monday was by far the best day, if you were willing to brave the elements. We caught a dozen walleyes on Memorial Day, one measuring 28 inches, and we only fished a grand total of four hours.
There were an awful lot of boats back in Curran’s Bay, but still nothing like it was even six or seven years ago. I was forced to fish the calmer side that I do not normally prefer. I managed one bite for a 33 inch Walleye, my personal biggest, and what a fighter! I could not get her to move from the bottom, then once it finally became annoyed with my efforts it decided to go for a swim. Thefishran so far I thought for sure it was a big Northern, but I was wrong.
Sagonto Resort in Canada is now selling minnows, leeches, night crawlers, and Canadian licenses, which has me really excited. Otherwise you have to drive all the way over to Northern Lights Resort to legally have Canadian purchased bait. Be sure to get your receipt and remember that your Canadian purchased bait can never cross the border or it is considered Minnesota bait again. Sagonto is however closed on Saturdays.
Saganaga has gradually become a trophy-only lake. What I mean is your odds are just as good of landing a trophy walleye as landing some eaters. Not too many places can make such a claim, but it is absolutely true.
The guides average one trophy walleye a day throughout the summer, which is a little deceiving because some days you get two or three and other days you do not get any.
My best day was ten hawgs on Northern Lights and the customers were upset that they did not get to keep any fish. They had a great time, but I overheard a comment from a fisherman who said his wife would not let him go fishing again if he failed to bring her some fresh walleye. I gave him directions to the Dockside Fish Market and told him to buy some walleyes there. His buddies reminded him that he just witnessed one of the greatest days of walleye fishing that he will ever see.
Some eater-sized walleyes are showing up in the bigger bays of Red Sucker, consistent with the usual post-spawn migration. Water temperatures were still in the high 50’s and reaching 61 degrees on Sunday.
The Minnesota side has been pretty good for big fish, but not too many little guys being found yet. James Bay, Devil’s Walk, and Red Rock are the places to concentrate on, but that could be said every year. It will still be a while before they start moving out to the rocks, so tie on some Lindy Rigs and drag the muddy bays for a few more weeks. Minnows are the best, but leeches have been producing bites as well.
Cory Christianson, a 2000 graduate of the University of Iowa, has worked as a fishing guide at Seagull Creek Fishing Camp for eight years and worked for Almost There Charters in Key West for nine years. If you have any fishing reports or stories to share, send an e-mail to christiansoncory@ hotmail.com or call 218 388-0315.
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