Fishing Lake Kipawa first time

[WalleyeSashimi]

Hello all,

Will be fishing Alwaki Lodge for 4 days for the first time in mid-July. Obviously mostly targeting eyes.

I can read through for specific tackle/gear suggestions, just wanted to see if anyone had any general impressions of fishing this lodge or the area near it.

Cheers.

[Fort Wisers]

Welcome to the forum and to Kipawa,

You're in a good spot, I'll leave more detailed responses to the folks who have fished the area more recently than I have.
Have fun!

[T-Bone]

You're in a great location...plenty of fish of all types within 10-minute boat ride. We've stayed at Alwaki Lodge many times and (12) of us will be there again late-July this year.

[Ozzy30]

Tons of fish close by (walleye and lakers, great people at the lodge and very helpful if you ever need anything.  If you have any questions that you can't find on the site just send me a pm.   Thanks.   Good to hear you're heading back to Alwaki again this year.  Going to finally try the lakers? 

[Greg]

Hey WalleyeSashimi -

Its a great place, beautiful, relaxing and lots of fish close by... lots of shore-line to fish and Alwaki lodge is top notch (always great support from Brian, Tina and Rob) ... well equipped cottages (propane fridge/stove and generator for some power in the evening), hot water shower houses, fish cleaning huts, ice, bait, and licenses available right on the island. 

I caught my largest walleye ever last year within sight of the cottage docks just trolling along a shore line in about 20 feet of water.

When you say "mid-July" - what dates are you there?  I am there from July 16 to 20th...if you are there at the same time, I can show you on my map some key areas and common points of interest....   are you renting a boat from the lodge are bringing your own boat?  I ask simply because of the range/distance you may be interested in going - its an overwhelming large lake.

Greg

[Canuckbass]

Always catch walleye on shoreline directly across from docks. Lots of fish nearby.

[WalleyeSashimi]

Thanks for the replies all. To answer some of the questions raised here:

- Will be there roughly July 8-12 - if anyone's around, let me know

- Using one of their boats

It sounds like they provide some baits - anyone know more? In your experience is it sufficient to use their baits + plastics, or is there any need to bring in live bait?

As far as specific locations, it sounds like the hosts and other guests there should be able to point us in the right direction.

For walleyes that time of year, is it really just jigs with a bit of live bait or an appealing plastic and try to cover as much water as possible?

[limacharley]

The lodge will provide approximate locations.
Bring a sonar to find humps and shoals.
Jig, jig, jig....worms and leeches.
Minnows not allowed unless dead and bought in Quebec. Keep receipt.
As dusk approaches, fish closer to shore.

[Robnfl3]

Welcome, you will really enjoy the area and find that the hosts are super.  I will be there from the 10th to the 16th in cabin 6 feel free to stop by for a a beer and compare notes.

Greg is right on when he says it's a good area, he had some real nice ones last year.

Robert

[Canuckbass]

3 or 4 inch Berkley Power Minnow is all I use in smelt colour. 1/8 or 1/4 jig head.

[Ozzy30]

If you are going with a large group it would be beneficial to buy leeches in bulk before you go in.  If just a couple guys not really needed.  My wife and children use worms and catch just as many if not more fish during our week.  I do take up a bulk container of worms in with me.  We are there July 2nd to 9th in cabin 5.  Stop in and I will let you know how our week went and leave any extra bait I may have.  I also do quite a bit of trolling in deep water around the island with deep diving lures or harnesses.

[WalleyeSashimi]

Hi all,

Just wanted to check in on a few things before I go:

- what's an optimal kind of line to use?
- at Alwaki I know the host provides baits/boats/license (correct?).. is there anything at all in that vein I should bring?
- planning to jig and cast with bait and powerbait to cover as much water as possible and rely on local suggestions. Any other general tips?

[smitty55]

Boy oh boy, I sure wish I was spending a week at Alwaki lodge again. Literally some of the best weeks of my life have been spent there. Also camped twice in the shortcut my first two times up there and stayed at Corbeau lodge a few times. Unfortunately I haven't been back since it was sold, so my experiences aren't recent lol. Carl and Mary were superb hosts IMO. A licensed bar overlooking the lake. OMG we had some good times in there every trip. On year we rented 3 cabins, which included a bunch of guys from the Carleton Tavern. Well they didn't fish very much lol, one guy actually ran a tab well over two bills that week. He loved it, one of his best vacations ever he said hehe. Back then it was $500 for the cabin for a week. So with four guys it was under $18/day. Amazing when you think about it nowadays. Carl being native had it's benefits as well. He was a good man with a great wife.

As for my fishing suggestion for larger Pickerel, the best hint I could offer would be to fish dusk till at least 2 hours after dark. The big boys come out to play at night.  Go with the lightest line you can with a good sensitive rod. 4 to 8 lb max. My preference is to slow troll with the electric using a jig and/or bottom bouncer spinner rig or else anchor on/beside shoals and slip float or cast with light jigs and trailer or bait of choice.
As for spots to try...
The first easy spot would be the evenings at Sandbanks, you'll see the boats usually. Smaller fish. I always wanted to try trolling it at midnight with minnow baits but it never happened.
Next, there are two big main lake shoals between Alwaki and Corbeau. Most boats just go zipping by on their way around the hub. Don't neglect them, even in the daytime on a windy day. The bigger one is better. You can anchor and then let out rope as you work an area.

Lastly, my PB Walleye ever, 31.5 inches and 11.5  came from that little island on the extreme north west corner of Corbeau Island. It was close to 10:30  at night slow dragging in 8 ft with an Ugly Bug and a worm with 4lb copolymer on a ul lightning rod. Buddy missed it first time with the net. It's a great jig for rocky bottoms. There is plenty of other good structure on that west side of Corbeau too worth checking out including for Greys.

Enjoy your trip. Cheers

[WalleyeSashimi]

Thanks. So for line, aim for 6-8 lbs range? Any preferred brand or type?

[T]

I like Cabela's brand mono and Suffix for braid.