TARGET FISH SPECIES

Northern Pike

A man holding a large fish on a boat in a lake or ocean, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Pakwash Lake and Lac Seul are renowned for their ferocious Cisco eating trophy Pike. The 35 – 40 inch wide bodied Pike are numerous and 40 – 45 inch “Gators” are common. Anyone who has caught one of these big Green Back Pike will say it was definitely the best fishing experience ever! In the early spring after the spawn the big Pike move into shallow bays to begin feeding on bait fish and migrating Ciscos.

Michael’s Technique:

Michael will concentrate on these areas with slow moving lures and jigs. Once the main lake waters begin to warm Michael will begin to fish the rock structures and deep water basins. Both deep jigging and large lures are very effective. By mid-August the Pike will migrate back to the shallow water basins and bays to begin heavy feeding for the long winter months ahead. Shallow running plugs and jigs are the “go to” lures.

Walleye 

An older man with a beard, sunglasses, and a plaid shirt holding a large fish on a boat, with a young boy in a hoodie and sunglasses in the background on a lake under a partly cloudy sky.

Pakwash Lake and Lac Seul promote trophy Walleye fishing as well as huge numbers of quality fish. Each and every year anglers catch “Fish of a Lifetime” with  40+ Walleye over 30 inches caught each season. The sheer number of 26 – 30 inch Walleye caught is staggering.

Michael’s Technique:

Michael will move with the migration of the walleyes as the season progresses, changing techniques as the walleyes move from shallow to deep water. When in shallows Michael will throw primarily jigs and minnows/plastics at them. When the walleyes turn fussy a bobber with a small minnow or night crawler will be presented. In deep water Michael will hunt down fish with his forward facing sonar and fish them vertically. Presenting jig and minnow, jigging raps or Berkeley finishers. If the walleyes don’t bite on any of those presentations Michael has a few other tricks up his sleeve!

Smallmouth Bass

A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a camouflage jacket, holding a large fish on a boat with a lake and a cloudy sky in the background.

With miles of rocky shoreline and underwater reefs Pakwash Lake and Lac Seul are fantastic Bass fisheries, with an average bass weighing between 2 – 6 lbs. This makes a day of Bass fishing worth every minute!

Michael’s Technique:

Early in the summer when the Bass are shallow preparing for the annual spawn Michael will target shallow bays looking for 4 - 6 lbs Bass waiting for a lure to be pitched its way. Top water plugs are also used at this time.

In mid-summer Michael will use his FFS Sonar to target specific Bass laying await in deep water structure. Both jigs tipped with large minnows and deep drop lures are the techniques used to catch these ferocious fighters.

Limits

  • Daily Limits for Walleye and Northern Pike are 4 per day, 4 in possession

  • Smallmouth Bass: Dec 1 to June 30 are 2 per day, July 1 to Nov 30 are 4 per day.

  • Note: That while you may only possess the quantities isted at any given time, you are allowed to eat all the fish you desire during your trip. You’ve probably figured out what is typically on the menu for lunch!

Slot Size

  • Northern Pike: None between 27.6 and 35.4 inches in length, only one over 35.4 inches

  • Walleye: No fish between 18-21 inches. Only one over 21 inches.

  • Smallmouth Bass: Dec 1 to June 30 are only less than 13.8 inches, July 1 to Nov 30 no size limit.

Live Bait

  • Michael will provide all live bait as well as artificial lures.

  • Note: Live Bait can not be imported into Canada; however, live bait is available in Ear Falls.

REGULATIONS

Open Season

  • Walleye: 3rd Saturday in May to December 31

  • Northern Pike: All year

  • Smallmouth Bass: All year