DECEMBER 11, 2018 KAB FISHING REPORT
Let the fun begin! As we now have a solid 6-10 inches of ice throughout most of Kabetogama, more anglers are venturing out to their favorite fishing hole and finding success. The cold weather and lack of snow has helped make some good ice this past week. Working soft bottom areas during the day and then fishing edges of reefs early morning and just before dark has been productive. Changing up your presentation as needed is key to being successful. On a recent two day stretch, one day jigging aggressively was the ticket and the next day almost everything was hitting on a plain hook under a bobber. Make sure to have a little bit of everything in your minnow bucket as we also found shiners working best one day and then chubs/fatheads the next. Bottom line, be willing to change it up if you are marking fish and they aren’t taking what you are offering. Local ice fishing outfitters have begun putting their houses on the lake.
Spear fishermen are having a great start to the season. Many reports of 40 inch plus pike have been coming in.
With the lack of snow, most trail activities are at a standstill. Below is the latest report from the National Park. This was dated almost a week ago and we have gained quite a bit of ice since then. Always make sure to check in with someone knowledgeable with the area before venturing out.
Attached picture is mJessica Bright with her 43 inch/24 lb pike she speared!
Hope to see you soon!
Gateway General
Voyageurs National Park-Updated: December 06, 2018
Voyageurs National Park urges visitors to stay off the ice at this time.
(Full press release). ALL snowmobile, ice roads, and ski trails are not yet open for the season. The Echo Bay trail is currently packed but not tracked due to insufficient snow. New this year: park staff will be grooming one side of the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail that connects Minnesota Highway 11 with the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for classical cross-country skiing. While one side of the trail will include a set ski track, the other side will remian ungroomed for snowshoeing, winter walking and other non-motorized winter activities. The Recreation Trail is packed on one side and not tracked due to insufficient snow.
Most snowshoe trails (specifically Blind Ash Bay, Oberholtzer, Sullivan Bay, and the unpacked side of the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail) are open with minimal snow. Please use caution this time of year!
Please check back, or like our Facebook page for the most up-to-date conditions. Thank you.
**Voyageurs National Park Facebook page is a public page, one does not have to have an account to access and view postings.
Snowmobile Trails
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Not Open
Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Not Open
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Not Open
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Not Open
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Not Open
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Not Open
Rudder Bay (Orange Trail) – Not Open
***Please remember the snowmobile speed limit within the park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages. Speed limit signs are posted at trail heads and overland portages.
Ice Roads
Rainy Lake Ice Road- Not Open
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road- Not Open
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road West and East Spur Roads- Not Open
Ski Trails
Echo Bay Ski Trail- Packed
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail- Packed
New this year: park staff will be grooming one side of the Rainy Lake Recreation Trail that connects Minnesota Highway 11 with the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for classical cross-country skiing. While one side of the trail will include a set ski track, the other side will remain ungroomed for snowshoeing, winter walking and other non-motorized winter activities.
Black Bay Ski Trail- Not Open
Tilson Connector Trail- Not Open
KabAsh Trail- Not Open
Snowshoe Trails
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail- Not Open
Blind Ash Bay Trail- Open with minimal snow
Oberholtzer Trail- Open with minimal snow
Sullivan Bay Trail- Open with minimal snow
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail- Open with minimal snow
Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski loans are not yet available for the season at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center due to insufficient snow.
