Equipment & Tackle List

We want you to have the most enjoyable fishing trip possible while staying here at Witch Bay Canadian Camps. Our professional staff of fishermen have put together an equipment lists and articles below that will better help prepare you to have that fishing trip of a lifetime!

WITCH BAY CAMP MUSKIE FISHING EQUIPMENT LIST
By Russ Warye, Witch Bay Fishing Pro, Wisconsin Muskie Guide

RODS: Basic muskie equipment includes a bucktail/spinnerbait rod and typically a heavier one for jerkbaits. "Twitching" minnow crankbaits can be accomplished on either rod, depending on what the individual angler likes. Obviously as a St. Croix pro, I believe they are excellent equipment. Be sure to check out their Premier line, including the Pro-Glass series.

REELS: Bait casting reels include the standard 6500C as well as Shimano's incredible Calcutta 400. Line preference ranges from the super lines to monofilament. Choose a line at least 30 pounds in test, but one that casts well. The super lines are worth consideration. Power Pro, Tuf-Line, and Berkley Big Game (and others) are good products.

TERMINAL TACLE (the Fun Stuff): A Witch Bay muskie box could include the following: Jerkbaits in the Reef Hawg, Burt, and Suick tradition: Minnow "twitch baits" in the Crane, Slammer, Grandma and Jake style - both 6-and 8-inchers: Crankbaits in the Cisco Kid, Depth Raider, and Ernie styles; and soft plastics including Live Actions and Bull Dawgs (both large and small sizes).

Bucktails with silver, gold, orange and red blades and black, brown, chartreuse and purple tails are excellent choices. Spinnerbaits are superb for weed-oriented fish. Surface lures are very productive (especially in late July and through August) and include the Jackpot, Top Raider, Hawg Wobbler, Pacemaker and others. Be sure to have one of each style - a "walk the dog" type, a straight retriever with blades (Top Raider) and a creeper style (Hawg Wobbler, Creeper, etc.). Topwaters are often used as "search" lures to find fish location.

COLORS: Lake of the Woods water has a light brown stain. Both natural and "hot" colors work well - at different times. However, I have to tell you the truth, color is rarely as important as presentation - the "correct" lure worked in the proper cover or structure at the right time. But choose natural colors in silver, blue/silver, black, brown yellow perch, etc. and also have chartreuse, fire-tiger and orange selections in the boat.

TOOLS: A quality Beckman or Frabill muskie net is essential. The net should be large enough so that a fish can be unhooked while remaining in the water in the bag of the net. Bringing a fish in the boat to unhook is absolutely not recommended because of increased stress and damage to the fish. Remember with a 54-inch size limit you must be prepared for a proper release. A camera, long-nose pliers and hook cutters are necessary. Have the camera ready to shoot to minimize time the fish is out of the water. Prepare the boat for handling a boat before the first cast is thrown!

SPRING WALLEYE FISHING AT WITCH BAY
By Russ Warye, Witch Bay Pro, author of WALLEYE! THE TOP LAKES AND RIVERS OF NORTH AMERICA

Today's walleye fishing is fantastic - the "good old days" are now. We have seen a dramatic improvement in the Woods in the last decade as the explosion of yellow perch coupled with anglers releasing fish over 18 inches is creating a superb resource. Spring fishing begins on the shallow shorelines and bays with round boulders, new vegetation and gravel points. Look to the warmer bays and coves to be more productive than main lake shorelines at least for the first few days of the season. Expect the fish to be post-spawn on the May opener and holding in these areas as they recuperate from spawning, getting ready to turn into "eating machines." In recent years, shoreline fishing has been outstanding for numbers and trophies in depths averaging 5 to 15 feet, depending on time of day, cloud cover (or lack of) and wind direction.

Jig and live bait (half a crawler, whole crawler or leech) or plastic combinations are deadly, and are highly recommended at this time. Jigs and plastics have become very popular with many choosing to tip with 3-inch grubs, 4-inch finesse worms and minnow bodies (Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops styles). The traditional jig size is 1/8 ounce although the box should have 1/16, ¼ and even 3/8 sizes (for those windy days). We believe strongly in using the lightest jig that makes bottom contact…you will catch more fish!

Rock reefs or humps (with boulders) within the smaller bays will be important holding zones for spring/early summer fish. Weedlines become more important, often on a day-to-day basis as the cabbage starts to grow. Fish will be in the weeds as well as occupying the outside edges. Look for the presence of minnows to be a significant clue. Casting light jigs and "horizontally" jigging with the retrieve is deadly. Again, look for shallow shoreline points, humps or weedlines, exposed to prevailing breezes.

Polaroid glasses are as an important tool as the depthfinder during this May to late June period when the majority of fish are relatively shallow. Expect water temperatures in the mid-to-high 50's ranging upwards into the high 60's. The shallow water pattern tends to hold up well into June - some years longer than others. Each spring is different as weather (fronts), wind direction and forage availability are always different from year to year.

Don't overlook casting crankbaits to the weedlines as well as boulders, rocks and gravel, rocky points. The Shad Rap, Wally Diver and Shadling styles are important, as are Husky Jerks, Rogues and ThunderStick types. Perch, minnow finishes (gold, silver), and silver combinations (blue/silver, green/silver, etc (are excellent colors).

A word on lines… we all have opinions that range from monofilament to super lines. Generally, most recognize that Fire-Line is superior for trolling with many still preferring a quality monofilament for horizontal and vertical jigging. But use what you believe in…and have had success. Generally, I recommend 6-or 8-pound test for jigging and trolling crankbaits.

SUMMER WALLEYE FISHING AT WITCH BAY CAMP
By Russ Warye, Witch Bay Fishing Pro

Summer walleye patterns start to emerge by the 3rd and 4th weeks of June, although they can be later, depending on the season. What this means is that fish start to move towards main bay and main lake humps, rock reefs and long, tapering points. It is a predictable pattern that Witch Bay regulars have come to appreciate.

Fish typically hold in a depth zone that ranges from 16 to 26 feet on reefs, humps and points that top out at 14 to 20 feet. Shoreline points on the main lake basins can be terrific as fish move up and down the point (from first light to sunset) in a fairly reliable pattern. The presence of forage determines fish location. If perch are not present (sometimes crayfish, beginning in late July) the fish will be elsewhere.

Jigging, bottom bouncing, and crankbaits are the important presentations of July and August. Quality depthfinders are important tools for locating structure, fish and forage. The active depths will vary from day to day, again depending on the usual variables - forage location, sunlight intensity, cloud cover, fronts, and wind. Look over structure with the depthfinder, looking for a corner or a depth zone that is holding forage and fish. Tapering points are always important.

Bottom bouncing is the significant tool for finding fish during this period. It allows for covering water, if a concentration of fish cannot be found with the depthfinder. Weights should range from ¾ to 2 ounces, although most of the times many will find that 1 ½-ounces are good selections. Snells, weights and Quick Change clevis components are available at camp, if you are unsure of the equipment. The standard Witch Bay snell is a three-hook snell, approximately 30 inches in length. Spinner blades range from #3's to 5's with hammered nickel, gold, chartreuse, orange, and red offering a range of colors.

Jig sizes in summer range from 1/8 to 3/8 in size with the standard rule always applied - use the lightest jig that makes reliable bottom contact. A couple of generalizations apply - 1/16 for down to 12-foot depths, 1/8 for 12 to 24, and ¼ for 24 to 35 feet. Of course, wind is a significant factor, offering forcing us to reach for a larger size to make the all-important bottom contact. Nightcrawlers and leeches are the bait of choice, although plastics - Twisters, grubs, finesse worms - will have their moments, especially in the evening or on dark days.

Casting crankbaits in the Shad Rap tradition is an important Witch Bay tradition, pioneered by the Tennant party from Iowa. Shad Raps in the 7 and 8 sizes can yield the trophy fish when large round boulders are targeted on shoreline and reef areas. The usual colors are important - yellow perch, minnow finishes, and crayfish. Casting crankbaits is not a numbers game…but a trophy presentation.

WITCH BAY SMALLMOUTH - "The Brown Battlers"
By Russ Warye, Wisconsin Guide and author of SMALLMOUTH! The Top Lakes and Rivers of North America

Witch Bay smallmouth action starts in May, peaks in June and is reliable from July through September. These ultimate fighters move with the season making them a game of finding the preferred cover and structure they are occupying at any day of the fishing season. Populations are improving as the catch-and-release season until June 30 protects the larger spawning adults. Remember these fish are extremely slow growing in these northern climates, taking at least 10 years to reach 15 inches in length. We suggest catch-and-release throughout the season.

The basic tackle box could include the following (The author isn't sponsored by any lure company).

Plastics (Finesse Fishing) - Finesse fishing is the deadliest presentation for smallmouth throughout the season. A selection of Twisters or grubs (Kalins) in 3-and 5- inch sizes is a great beginning. Additionally, 4-inch Berkley Power Worms and finesse worms (Kalin, Zoom, Berkley, etc.) are recommended as the second component to finesse bass fishing. These are matched up with 1/8 and ¼-ounce jigs heads, ranging from standard round jigs (with a larger hook) to darter-styles and Mushroom jig heads. Colors are basic - black, blue, brown, pumpkinseed, crawdad, etc. Again, color is rarely important, or the most significant factor. Pre-rigged plastic worms, especially the 4 and 6-inch size are often overlooked. Again, choose natural colors.

Spinnerbaits and Spinners - Aggressive bass love spinnerbaits, especially in a ¼-and 3/8- ounce sizes. Don't forget Beetle Spins or Twister Spins, again in a ¼-ounce size. Silver and gold blades paired up with white, brown or orange bodies (read skirts in the case of spinnerbaits) are suggested. A large bass is quite capable of hitting a pike-sized spinnerbait - sizes in the ½ to 1-ounce size, if they are feeding. In-line spinners in the Mepps, Blue Fox and Rooster Tail styles are famous for taking bass. Start with #3 and 4 blades (silver, gold, red/white) with or without bucktail. Plain spinners can be tipped with a 1 ½ or 2-inch Twister in orange and it becomes a great combination.

Minnow Baits - "Twitching" Rapalas on a quiet morning or evening is a blast. Bring #5's, 7's and 9's. Additionally, Husky Jerks and Rogues are excellent suspending minnows that must be in the box. Stick with the smaller sizes. Countdown Rapalas are always suggested.

Crankbaits - The Shad Rap is a Lake of the Woods tradition. Others in this class are the Wally Diver, Berkley Frenzy, Yo-Zuri and Shadling. Try a couple of the new suspending Shad Raps. Deep-running baits, like the Hot N' Tot also have their place. Additionally, Rat-L-Traps in silver and gold have a well-deserved reputation.

Jigs and Live Bait - Finally, when everything is tough, going to a jig tipped with a whole nightcrawler or leech is a good bet. Orange jig heads are a great color, because of the their tendency to focus on crayfish.

Topwaters - Smallmouth fishing wouldn't be complete without a couple of topwaters, including Chug Bugs, Pop-R's, Tiny Torpedoes, even a downsized Hula Popper. All can be effective on a quiet morning or evening.

NORTHERN PIKE - SPRING AND SUMMER
By Russ Warye, Witch Bay Fishing Pro

Lake of the Woods northern pike grow quickly with ideal forage of yellow perch and cisco. Witch Bay clients have noticed the excellent size range in the last couple of years, and this will only get better, with the recently imposed slot size limits. With northern pike spawning early, often by the first weekend of May, expect topflight action by the 3rd weekend of the month, on the walleye opener.

Bait casting gear is suggested with reels spooled with 12 to 14-pound line, in combination with a medium action rod designed to handle lures of ½-to 1-ounce. Make sure the rod has enough backbone to effortlessly cast the lures.

New weeds are always the key…not rocks, reefs, humps or boulders. The story is weedlines, weedlines and more weedlines. But there are a couple of keys. Look for bays off the main lake to hold post-spawn fish that are ready to eat. These typically are the ones with protection from the prevailing winds, often protected by a narrows from the main lake. Witch Bay's "Hayfield" is typical of this situation as is Witch Bay itself.

Water temperature is everything. As waters warm into the 50's and then 60's pike will have completed the recuperation process from spawning. Moving in and along the newly emerging cabbage and coontail, active pike are looking for yellow perch and shiners. The best weather is always steady with gradually warming days. In summer, move to the deepest weedlines, working presentations parallel with the cabbage. When water temps exceed 70 degrees quality pike will move deeper, often 10 feet or more.

The lures of spring are basically the same as summer. It's the retrieve that is different with spring best with erratic ones better than steady. Spoons are important as are in-line spinners (Mepps, Blue Fox) in #5 and the Musky Killer sizes. Silver, red/white, and gold are excellent blades. Try tipping the hook with a 3-inch Twister in white or yellow. Use a steady retrieve for spinners, letting the blade do the work. Use your Polaroid glasses to determine weedline edges.

Twitching minnowbaits is great fun…and productive. Large Husky Jerks, Rogues, ThunderSticks, Rebels etc. are excellent examples of this class of lures. Just be careful unhooking pike when they have a mouthful of trebles. Nickel, clown color, fire-tiger and blue/silver finishes are excellent choices. The retrieve is "twitched" that is, pausing the lure during the retrieves. Spoons are always a good choice, including Dardevles and Cleos. Johnson Silver Spoons in silver are always productive, especially in the thick cover.

Remember, that sunlight is a positive factor. Northern pike apparently don't have eyes that see well in low light conditions. After walleye fishing in the morning, try pike fishing when the sun is high in the sky - late morning through mid-afternoon. They will strike in the early evening hours, after dinner, but clearly afternoon hours are best. Pike are great fun, and a trophy fish may be but one cast away….

LAKE OF THE WOODS NAVIGATION - It's Easy With A Map!
By Russ Warye, Fishing Hot Spots Senior Research Editor

Witch Bay Camp has a great location in the protected waters of the bay. Ranging from camp westward to the very end of the Hayfield, anglers have over 3 miles of water, shoreline cover and structure to choose from. Most of our clients choose to expand their fishing opportunities into the larger waters of Andrew Bay and points north and south.

Clearly, a quality map is an important tool and is always encouraged by the Witch Bay fishing pros. Your map allows us to mark hazards, important weedlines, and most important, what spots are holding fish. Maps are available at camp. Truly, navigation is easy at Witch Bay.

A quality map is one based on the tremendous work accomplished by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. These maps have navigation buoys on them, including the buoy numbers to assist in location on the map. Witch Bay Camp offers a couple of different maps including two based on the CHS map. One of these is the Fishing Hot Spots waterproof map that is the only one with researched fishing information and spots to fish (but kindly remember the author has a "slight" bias). However, it is also the only map with latitude and longitude lines, a grid scale (to plot waypoints) and location waypoints.

If the group is new to the Witch Bay/Andrew Bay region, be sure to do the necessary "homework" before hitting the water. Get a feel of the area, the east-west direction of the bays, and what to look for on the water. When moving out onto Andrew Bay, make sure the partners are looking at what things look like, when returning towards camp down the lake. You will be amazed at how easy navigation is on this portion of the Woods, when equipped with a quality map.

Global Positioning Systems - both dash mounted and handheld units - have grown dramatically in popularity in recent years. They have changed the navigation of big water, making it quite simple, once you have learned the unit. Be sure to do that long before your arrival at Witch Bay Camp. With a GPS unit and a Fishing Hot Spots map, waypoints obtained while fishing can be plotted on the map, including those "secret" walleye spots. Additionally, routes can be plotted using waypoints that guarantee a safe route and if a map plotter is part of your equipment, icons can be placed outlining the reef, submerged island, protruding point, inside turn, etc. Waypoints marking hazards are an important tool, especially when used with a map. On the map, mark them in red, including the waypoints.

Some prefer to mark the walleye spots with a "w," the smallmouth with a "s"…and so forth. The Witch Bay team of fishing pros will sit down with each group and mark up the active fishing regions. Most importantly, take the time to study the marked hazards as well as the fishing areas.