I'm putting together a route through Sarah and Kahshahpiwi area in the Q. My paddle partner and I are fishing nuts and are looking for good walleye lakes in the area. If you'd care to share some info we'd greatly appreciate it. I don't need your hot spot, just lake suggestions so we can throw together a route, alternative routes, and lakes to think about while we're out there.

Thanks!!

Walleye lakes? Cross Sarah off the list. Better for Lakers and smallies.

I generally do not target walleye, but I have caught quite a few trolling along the western shoreline of Kahshahpiwi.

Thank you both.

KF, Sarah is our day one goal with a plan to stay two days, then move. Are there lakes around there you'd suggest? We are going over to Kahshahpiwi probably by heading North through Sarah and then up and over.

Sarah is very pretty drewfus but extremely clear........as in crystal clear........as in hard to catch 'em clear  ;).

Topwaters will take some nice bass in the clear lakes.........

I can't remember where I heard this.......but someone told me about catchin whopper walleyes at night on Sarah. Hang a runners reflector from a tree in front of your campsite and have a decent headlamp and you can pick up your campsite from quite a distance.

The big smallies like to chew at night as well, especially on those real clear lakes. A large (1/2 ounce) single spin/colorado blade spinnerbait with plenty of thump will take them if you fish the rubbly rock where they look for crawdads. I have even popped a few walleye on the big spinnerbaits as well........surprise surprise! Upgrade your line.......no place for wimpy stuff. 12 or even 15 lb test will keep the big spinner from sinking to fast. You need a beefy rod to set the hook as well.........

Prospect in the day.........wait at least a few hours after the sun goes down before you start. If the moon (regardless the phase unless it is new) is directly overhead all the better. Plus the skeets seem to calm considerably later in the night........and of course the stars......very beautiful. (man, I'm getting myself worked up  ;D )

Drewfus wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 12:25am:

Thank you both. KF, Sarah is our day one goal with a plan to stay two days, then move. Are there lakes around there you'd suggest? We are going over to Kahshahpiwi probably by heading North through Sarah and then up and over.

Consider a day trip to Tuck. The short potage is super short and easy. On the way though troll for lake trout across open water. Then as you approach the bay containing the portage to Tuck switch tactics and cast for smallies. Depending on time of year you may find the bass in as little as 4' and can sight fish. Spinnerbaits (white) make good search baits.
Once on Tuck troll shoreline contours maintaining contact with the bottom starting at 15' and as deep as 30' again depending on time of year and brightness of the day. Tuck also has very good bass fishing.
If you want to fish for what's "easy", time of year is critical. Anytime in June(maybe late May this year) watch for smallies in shallow water. If you find them in some phase of spawn you could have a fishing bonanza.

One more note: If you actually find smallies on their nests you will need to slow down the presentation as they will ignore a fast moving spinnerbait. The male bass are interested in protection at this time more than feeding. Any bait/lure that lingers near an occupied nest will be attacked. Large 4" tubes and grubs work really well for this.

Kingfisher wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 4:51am:

One more note: If you actually find smallies on their nests you will need to slow down the presentation as they will ignore a fast moving spinnerbait. The male bass are interested in protection at this time more than feeding. Any bait/lure that lingers near an occupied nest will be attacked. Large 4" tubes and grubs work really well for this.

Agree 100%.  Chompers skirted doubletail scented plastics are da bomb for this scenario. Cast past any nests you can see and work them in, just letting them drop and rest with a few twitches inside the nest.  The males will pick them up to move them off the nest. That's when you slam it home and hold on!

Thank you again. We're planning on night fishing for sure, I'll remember the reflector suggestion for the campsite, we were just going to mark it on the handheld GPS or hang a glow stick.

Can't wait for the stars, we selected our trip dates specifically for the new moon phase.

I've traveled the route out the north end of Sarah twice (just last week for the second time) it is beautiful and I would be willing to bet on good walleye fishing in Irene and the unnamed lakes around her (there are somewhat primitive portages to a few). Irene is clear water but I saw lots of good structure. On the portages between Irene and Kahshahpiwi I've found the tallest white pines I've ever seen, damn near redwood in their length.

Drewfus wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 6:21pm:

Thank you again. We're planning on night fishing for sure, I'll remember the reflector suggestion for the campsite, we were just going to mark it on the handheld GPS or hang a glow stick. Can't wait for the stars, we selected our trip dates specifically for the new moon phase.

New moon? Great for stars......not so great for night fishing IMO. The good news is the DAY fishing should be GREAT! Still.....go out and paddle around but be careful as it will be dark, dark dark. Kinda spooky on the new moon without a q-beam  ;D. So, no sleepin in! Those fish will be very hungry first thing in the morning since they didn't chew all that well all night (even a fish has to have some light to feed).

check this out.......here I'm telling you not to night fish on the new and as soon as I finish this here bowl of oats I'm off to catch bait in the keys and then fish round the clock for 3 days AND nights in the Tortugas. Every time I go on the new I always say the same thing........never again  ;D.........But I'm the quintessential optimist and I always go in thinking it will be good if not excellent. The only total bummer is they are calling for 9' seas by sunday, we will be rockin and rollin (hmmmm........I wonder if that will fire those fish up  8-) )

This just happened and might be one of those things where "you had to be there" but it was pretty dang funny...........

It is my wifes birthday today so I said........."Honey, today is a very special day for a very special person"..........there was a long pause and she responded....."oh, someone is going fishing today?" We both laughed rather heartily at that.

MT, thanks for the tip about early mornings. I've heard mixed results about night fishing on the new moon. Guess we'll see how it goes...

Nicely done with the wife Bday comment :)

MT, would love to know how the Tortugas were, I'm VERY jealous.

Drewfus wrote on Apr 25^th, 2012 at 12:05am:

MT, would love to know how the Tortugas were, I'm VERY jealous.

The trip report is in "Back to Civ" Drew.........
No need to be jealous.......come on down. If your a "nice" guy and don't smoke or curse or drink to excess then you might be a candidate. Just fill out forms 26451-B and provide the required info for a background check and show up with a wad of dough and your set. I have even invited a Lib or two........ ;)