The Pelicans are gone and a few trees are starting to show fall color.  Loons are losing their bright black and white color and beginning to gather in bigger bunches in preparation for the journey south to the Gulf of Mexico.  Loon chicks, otter pups and fawn deer are getting more curious and starting to venture, sometimes a little too far away for moms liking.  If you listen carefully you can hear mother otter calling to their pups much more frequently.  Bald eagles are a more frequent sight and as I write this two eagles flew not 100 ft from the docks.....and another.  Cool evenings and clear skies are making for some awesome horizon to horizon star gazing and northern light displays.  Days have been perfect in the mid 70's and much lower dew points.  

Still some summer left here in the north but almost for certain all indicators that fall is just around the corner.

Water temps have remained fairly constant but slowly starting to drop.  The mid lake reef bite that was consistent through August has started to waiver and the bite is picking up on the west end (sucker creek, gold portage and hacksaw pass) and the east end towards Namakan including Lost Bay.  Minnows seem to be taking over the walleye bite but lindys and jigs with leeches and half crawlers are still producing fish.  Don't overlook the deep weed lines as I have heard many reports of walleye being caught frequently in these areas.     

A few crappie are being caught but not in their traditional fall areas but that will start to heat up.  

A somewhat overlooked fantastic small mouth bite is still in full swing with many trophy class fish being caught.  I would have to say Kabetogama has some of the best, if not the best, small mouth fishing I have seen anywhere in Minnesota and southern Ontario.  The guests that focus on bass fishing say it is world class.   Why cross the border when you have it here?

The lake has definitely quieted down with young adults back in school and most thinking summer is over but as far as I'm concerned it could be one of the best times of the year to explore the park and all the adventures it has to offer.  We are gearing up for a great Labor Day weekend so stay safe and we'll see you soon! 

August is generally thought of as hot, humid and can sometimes be a tough time to find fish but the first two weeks of this month have been nothing less than great for those willing to do a little scouting.  Walleyes are being found with frequency on almost all the mid lake reefs in 24'-32' and along deeper weed lines.  Slow presentation with a leech or crawler on the reefs and trolling spinners on weed lines has produced best.  The minnow bite has been almost non-existent but should pick up as fall closes in.  Obviously sunny days are better fished morning and evening but the bite is still consistent during the day in deeper water.  There have been reports of limits coming in with best areas on the mid lake reefs and on east around Pine and Headlight islands, the shorelines east and west of Slatinsky bay and then northwest near sucker creek and Camelback.  With the passing of the most recent cold front we found fish even deeper out in 35'-40' of water but somewhat reluctant to open their mouths.  The more stable weather pattern we have in store should turn the bite around quickly.

Pike and bass fishing is still typically good trolling over deeper water adjacent to shallow bays and casting weed beds with Lost Bay being most consistent.  Keeping your distance and throwing long casts are more productive as the fish are a little smarter these days!

The meteor shower we were all hoping to see didn't exactly work in our favor as we had cloudy nights which hindered viewing.

Deer are walking shorelines trying to escape the most recent bug hatch (pesky non biting midges, NOT mayflies thankfully!) so there is a good chance of seeing a nice buck in velvet.  In a couple weeks they will be anxious to start rubbing it off and shining up those antlers to get ready for fall and the battle for does that follow.

Recreational boating with skiers and tubers have been a common sight with the warm weather and everyone trying to get in those last few weeks on the lake before the kids head back to school and fall sports!  

It's crazy to think where the summer went but there is still plenty of time left to spend on the lake and enjoy the amazing Voyageurs National Park!