The Grindstone

[Dunner]

First post here guys and gals lets see how this goes.   I was up to Kipawa last year twice....once in the spring and once in the fall and sure enough we are heading back June 07 - 14 to the Grindstone through Miwapanee with 8 guys and 3 boats.  This is a new area of the lake for us so I am just putting out the message looking for a few areas to concentrate on?   I am assuming up around mclaughlin lake could be a good area to concentrate since the river backs into it?  We will mostly targte walleys but some lakers and some pike.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[T-Bone]

Puckster and Kipawa Jim fish that area of the lake...I never have, but I will say this. Just because it's 'connected' and part of the same lake we all fish doesn't mean the structure or fish patterns will be common. Our experience has actually proved to be quite the opposite...each area is almost completely different. I recall an old-timer on this board that frequented the Grind/McLaugh parts of the lake in the '60s used to talk about Ferguson Bay a lot for epic walleye action. So, whatever that's worth.

Good luck...and safe travels...

58...and isn't it great...that soon I'll be whiggin'...on Kipawa while jiggin'.... 

[puckster_guy]

Hi Dunner, Grindstone I don't know yet, but both the Mclauglin lake I do know. I'm still learning them, but I do catch my fair share. I mostly troll. I don't get huge numbers but the fish tend to be bigger. Jigging catches more fish but generally smaller with a few larger ones to sweeten the pot.
Starting with a troll go up into mclauglin into the west half of the lake, you will find a large bay with a bunch of small islands.  Troll on the open lake side of the islands in about 15 to 25 fow. Experiment with shallow or deeper running baits, preferably jointed. Also my favorite lure is a ripplin red fin in chrome with a blue or black back. Also a white shad color and firetiger. Those colors work well in any lure. Bomber long a's are good. I've also had luck with long skinny rapalas about 7 inches long. they dive to about 12 ft.
Try trolling the north end of the lake on the west side of the narrows going north along the shore. Going thru the narrows troll around the islands and the north shore.
Jigging? try to find a shelf coming coming off an island or a point about 25 ft deep dropping off to deeper water. I seen a lot of guys anchoring in the narrows and jigging there too. go south thru the narrows and go south you'll see a point close to the west shore with a larger island to the east of it and a small island just off the point. Try there for jigging. 1/8 th oz jig(color doesn't seem to matter) tipped with a worm or leech. I tend to drift till i find the depth they're biting at, then anchor there.
That should get you started. Experiment with locations and lure choices based on this primer that should put a few pike and walleye in the boat. Lake trout? I haven't figured out how to catch the yet but then again i'm having fun putting pike and walleye into the boat. Lots of guys here will troll worm harnesses off the bottom with good success also using a slip bobber baited with worms or leeches.....whatever works bro. This should help you get started. I'm going up on saturday and staying till the following sunday over lapping you guys a bit.
If you come down to the red pine chutes look for a creme colored Crestliner with a black Suzuki on the back either on my dock or in the lake stop me and say hi or stop by for a beer......Hope this helps......Joe     

[Dunner]

Thanks for the info guys.  Joe so I see you live in Etobicoke??  We are all coming from the GTA as well.  Our office is right in Mississauga.   Joe.....so you are leaving on June 8th then??

[puckster_guy]

Hey Dunner. Yup on the sunday... Maybe on the monday....if I don't feel like leaving lol. I love going up but hate going back to work. I have a property at the red pine chutes and in the process of building a cottage. I'm up there almost every other weekend. If you can come by on sat. when you get there I'll get you a beer and show you around abit. I love it there:).

[Dunner]

We will probably not get up and there settled until late afternoon so Saturday evening will be fishing.  But will try to swing by in the afternoon on Sunday.....if you are there great.

[puckster_guy]

Ok cool