Fishing in September

[tylergordon3]

Does anyone have some experience fishing mid-september? We have fished in June and July but never this late in the year. Are the walleye still back in the bays? If so how deep are they?

[Administrator]

Tyler,

John and I have made 2 trips to Canada in September. They were both the week after Labor Day, so we were coming home in the middle of the month. When we have some of the beautiful fall weather, I just go crazy and want to get back up. Now for the fishing, unfortunately, there are better people to answer this than I. One trip we went to Lake of the Woods to chase musky and a few walleyes for a meal. No one was catching much of anything that week, they told us the lake was rolling over that week. Like always, they were catching fish like crazy the week before we got there. We also went to Ogascanan one year the same week, and couldn't get it figured out, @Jay Thomas told us they would be deep. We fished everything from 15-40 feet of water, the day before we left we found lots of fish at 50 feet, whether they were walleye or lake trout, I do not know. Since then, John and I have wondered if Ogas wasn't rolling over that week also. I would guess they are not in the back bays, but since we did so poorly on both trips, I am not the one to ask.

[puckster_guy]

I was up last weeked on the maclauglan lakes. I had no problem catching walleye, about 15 and a couple of lakers over 4 days. Sat to teusday. All my normal trolling or jigging spots found fish. I had work to do so I wasn't in the boat much. Just early and dusk. you shouldn't have any trouble fishing the local spots. When jigging I drift a lot to find fish then anchor. Jigs are tipped with a worm. Good Luck 

[tylergordon3]

I appreciate the answers but to be more specific, we are thinking of going to fish Kipawa, around the sunnyside area in the upcoming weeks. Has anyone fished this area of Lake Kipawa in mid September? Would the fishing be good or would it be a wasted fishing trip?

[john c]

There is no such thing as a wasted fishing trip!  May not catch a lot of fish but still a good trip.

John

[Jerry "SKO FSHN"]

Have fished Kipawa 50+ years and still travel north from North Carolina each mid June. Only 1 time did I fish the 1st week after Labor Day. Normally each person catches 60-100 walleyes  per week but that Sept trip I only caught 2 walleyes for the week. Weather changes quickly but when you can't see minnows or insect activity in the shallows, you will not find walleyes. I fish near Kipawa Lodge and have only fished the Sunnyside a few times.  I once saw 15-20 boats in there nailing small walleyes jigging leaches and worms. Alwaki camps near Sunny Side could possibly help answer your questions. Brian (the owner) just sent all his old clients an email saying they have camps open with special Sept. rate reductions. Check their web site
www.alwkilodge.com   Lastly, this is my first post so please excuse the mistakes. A few days ago I was reading on the Kipawa Forum that when the waters get cold and short sunny days, you will have trouble finding eyes. I still enjoyed the Sept. trip, fish or no fish. Some people Love NY, but this is one crazy fisherman that Loves CA.  Hope this helps???

[Dunner]

We were up last year at the Kip Lodge and while we did not catch any large fish every evening and some mornings lots of small eaters were caugh in 25' - 35' of water in a neck down area close to shore.  I was able to get a few fish trolling the shorelines during the day.   16 of us will be back up thursday night and staying till Monday.   I am going to venture out a little further this time and do some snooping up around Corbeau Island area....no some people that had some good success there in August

[Jay Thomas]

I've probably done a half dozen trips to Lake Kipawa and surrounding lakes in Sep. Latest Sep trip was 22-29 Sep. We were always able to find and catch walleyes (Lake Trout season closed yesterday). Set up your electronics properly and then trust them. There's an old adage that seems to hold a lot of truth "20% of the water holds 80% of the fish". You just have to find that 20%. Look in all the usual locations (e.g. long points expanding into deep water basins, wind blown shorelines, mud lines if you can find any, narrows (e.g. Hunter Passe and Butney Passe), bottom transition areas and the tops of underwater humps) and keep a constant eye of your sonar screen for bait balls and/or arches. Walleye can go off the bite and the only walleye you'll catch then are reaction bites. However, they have to eat sometime. somewhere. As for a productive depth, that would be pure speculation. I usually troll in S curves (shallow to deep and back again) until I establish where the walleye are at the time I'm on the water. Try all methods and don't forget to try casting or trolling swimbaits (3 1/2 inches to 5 inches) Have patience and you'll no doubt be rewarded. I can easily concur with John - there are no wasted fishing trips. Contacting Brian at Alwaki for some advice is sound advice.

Jay

[Dunner]

Sorry I meant to say Miwapanee Lodge

[tylergordon3]

I'm coming to Kipawa on the first of Oct. to go fishing.  If anyone has fished the sunny side area and has any pointers, I would be greatful for the information.  I have never fished it this late in the year. Mostly need to know the area and depth that would be best for waleye.  Thank you in advance.

[Dog]

@tylergordon3 so how you'd do? catch anything worth sharing?....

[tylergordon3]

only a  few small walleye  had  a great time i  think  fish  had  left the  bays good times  poor fishing