2008 Fishing Seasons

Walleye................. May 17

Smallmouth Bass... All year

Northern Pike......... May 17                                                     

Musky................... June 21

Fishing on Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake is a large, diverse body of water. It features shallow, expansive, dark water in the east and gin clear deep water at the west end. The main sections of the lake and their adjoining bays are a combination of both. The maximum depth is 110 feet with an average depth of 22 feet.

In the spring of 2003 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources released the results of a survey they conducted in the fall of 2000. They concluded that Eagle Lake produces healthy, fast growing fish that reproduce well. Many feel that fishing has improved over the last 10 years and we have to agree. See our "Big Fish Board" from last year.

The lake is well known for it's trophy sized Musky, in fact it held the record for a while with a fish of over 60 lbs. caught at Coleman's reef (about 10 minutes from the lodge).

Each year Eagle produces outstanding numbers of fish in the 44 to 50 inch range, with several that approach the newly imposed 54" minimum size as well. From our location at North Shore Lodge, you can begin fishing for them almost right from the dock. Continuing along the shore to the east and all the way to Niven Bay, you will be on water that many believe is some of the best for Musky to be found anywhere. We have our best luck while casting bucktails on weed edges during most of the year with jerkbaits and crankbaits on the reefs coming into play in late summer and fall. Many of our guests however catch Muskies while jigging or trolling for walleye. In fact, it happens a lot. There's nothing like the feel of your drag singing out as you unexpectedly tackle one of these acrobatic brutes on light tackle. What a thrill!

Eagle also has excellent walleye fishing. In the early portion of the season we generally fish Osbourne Bay (about 35 minutes by boat), Stanton Bay (about 15 minutes), Mukluk Bay (15 minutes) and Spring Bay (12 minutes). These bays are for the most part shallow, dark water areas where walleye congregate in good numbers until the water warms. We generally use live bait rigs for walleye that include lightweight jigs, walleye spinners tipped with a minnow or nightcrawler. Artificials that also produce are shad raps, small Mepps spinners and a variety of shallow running crankbaits. In mid-summer and fall we fish the main body of the lake a bit more. Here we generally use a heavier jig or Lindy rig and target rock structure in 20 to 35 feet of water.

Locations we commonly fish are: Walleye rocks 1 and 2 (about 7 minutes away), The Barber Pole (about 15 minutes), Deadmans reef (20 minutes) and Viking Reef (about 25 minutes).Walleye are generally considered to be one of the best eating fish available and they also put up a nice fight on light tackle. They generally average about 16 to 19 inches, with many in the 20 to 26 inch range. Each season we generally get several that go over 30 inches as well.

Northern Pike on Eagle are everywhere. They will attack many different presentations and you will catch them while fishing for all the other species as well. Most fish run 24 - 30 inches with many each season over 36 inches and some that reach the mid 40 inch range as well. Our best catches for good average sized fish come from the deeper water while using vertical, live bait presentations. Those who target a trophy however generally cast weedy shallow bays with artificials. This pattern also produces the most action from pike of all sizes, not to mention the added bonus of perhaps tying into a Musky or large Walleye. Spoons, spinner baits and shallow running stick baits all work well. There are many locations that produce good Pike action but in general, weed beds that have some deeper water nearby are the ticket.

Smallmouth Bass on our lake have an excellent average size with many fish in the 18 - 20 inch range. Our best luck occurs in the fall when they come up onto shallow rock piles and reefs. Live bait presentations seem to work best at this time of year. In the spring time when they are spawning is another time when we have good luck with smallies. At this time of year small spinner baits, jigs tipped with minnows, tube jigs and small crankbaits work well. We work the backs of bays where there is a combination of weed and rock and target 2 to 4 feet of water. Heavy cover can make for challenging fishing but the reward is worth it when you see that big bronzeback leaping repeatedly out of the water. They are protected by law with special regulations until July 1st to  ensure as productive a spawn as possible. Please refer to the regulations page of our web site.

During the summer, Smallmouth are more difficult to catch. Casting crankbaits such as medium sized Husky Jerks to rocky points and shorelines works best. Spring, Stanton, Boulder and Outlet Bays some of the best locations.

Tackle Recommendations

Walleye

• Light to medium action spinning tackle with 6 to 10 lb. monofilament line. 
• Rod lengths of 6 to 7 feet are preferred. 
• Most Walleye are taken with live bait presentations. We recommend an assortment of jigs in the 1/8 to 3/8 ounce range, with 1/4 ounce being the most popular.
• Lindy rigs with weights of 1/4 to 3/8 ounce in the Spring and 1/2 to 3/4 ounce by Fall. The best colors are chartreuse, white,firetiger, and blue.
• Walleye spinners for minnows and crawlers in gold, silver and chartreuse.
• Crankbaits for shallow and deep water in perch, silver, orange and firetiger.
• Mepps type spinners in the #3 to #5 range with gold and silver being the most popular. 

Northern Pike

• Medium to medium heavy baitcasting tackle with rod lengths of 61/2 to 71/2 feet.
• We recommend no stretch lines, such as Spiderline or Whiplash in 20 to 30 lb. test.
• Popular baits include Husky Jerks in chrome and blue, chrome and black, orange and firetiger (6 to 8 inch range).
• Large Mepps such as the Musky Killer and large bass-type spinner baits in both bright and dark colors.
• Weedless spoons such as the large Johnson silver minnow and 1/2 to 1 ounce Rattle Traps in Chrome and Blue and Black and Firetiger.
• Steel leaders are recommended.
• Live bait presentations such as jigs and minnows and Lindy rigs take lots of fish also. 

Musky

• Medium-heavy to heavy action bait casting rods in
  lengths of 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 feet.
• Again we recommend no stretch lines such as Spider
  line and Whiplash in 30 to 80 lb. test.
• Bucktails in the 1 1/2 to 2 ounce weights. Colors that work well are black, white and chartreuse.
• Large, shallow running crankbaits in black, perch, orange and fire tiger.
• Jerk baits such as the Suick, Reef Hawg and Jerko in Black, Perch, Firetiger and Shad.
• A high quality steel leader is an absolute must. 

Smallmouth Bass

• Light to medium action spinning tackle spooled with 6 to 8 lb. monofilament line.
• Rod lengths should be 6 to 7 feet.
• Baits that work best are Mepps spinners in #2 to #4 sizes, Husky Jerks in chrome and blue, top water crankbaits, and tube jigs.
• In late summer and fall we use more live bait rigs such as Lindy rigs with egg or no snag sinkers in weights of 1/2 to 3/4 ounce.