Fishing Wet Lake – Ontario OUT of DOORS
After I was a child, I saved up my grades at school, however most of my examine time was spent poring over fishing magazines. My Grandpa, Wally Stewart, was a giant affect. He took me fishing and subscribed to many fishing mags. I nonetheless have a whole lot from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, together with Ontario OUT of DOORS, Angler and Hunter, In-Fisherman, and US-based Fishing Information.
These magazines supplied my first introduction to Wet Lake. Rising up in Kenora, I used to be a few hours north of Wet, so I didn’t get to fish there as a child. I can keep in mind taking part in in hockey tournaments in Fort Frances, seeing indicators for Wet Lake, and hoping to fish it sooner or later.
Wet Lake bass match
In 1995, my household discovered that the city of Fort Frances was beginning a bass match. Though I used to be solely 12, this additional piqued my curiosity. We didn’t join a number of years, and I finally fished within the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, which I haven’t missed in additional than 20 years. The occasion remains to be going sturdy and stays a summer time spotlight, principally as a result of I like the lake a lot.
Along with bass tournaments, I did lots of guiding there for Campfire Island Lodge throughout my college years. On the time, my buddy Dean Howard owned the place and let me information throughout his busiest weeks. This gave me a possibility to spend so much of time on the lake and expertise its wonderful multispecies fishing. I’ve many nice reminiscences from these journeys.
Wet bays and arms
Wet presents numerous bays and arms, and three distinctive basins — the north and south arms, and Redgut Bay, every with a wide range of alternatives. It’s the important feeder of water to Lake of the Woods, through the Wet River. A number of rivers move into the lake, creating vital present all through. This present is noticeable in lots of the neck-down areas, the place the fishing may be actually good. Fish are present in predictable areas, behind rocks and corners, the place the present pushes meals previous. On windy days, these areas are sometimes protected and might supply nice multispecies fishing.
Lush cabbage beds all through the lake are at all times fish magnets in summer time, particularly dur- ing the warmest stretches. Crayfish are plentiful on the sand and boulder-strewn shorelines and supply an ideal forage possibility. Perch, cisco, and smelt are additionally present in open water.
I grew up on the busy Lake of the Woods, so I admire that there’s a lot much less exercise on Wet. Typically, you may solely see one other boat or two there. Resorts dot the lake, some providing full American plans, whereas others are extra modest. Not like many northern waterbodies, Wet is nicely charted, making it simple to get round. Many sections of the lake have boat ramps, however many sections are additionally nowhere close to roads, so there’s additionally loads of alternative for journey.
North arm
The north arm of Wet, operating north to south, is positioned completely in Canada and presents the clearest water on the lake. It’s well-known for producing above-average pike and walleye and presents wonderful smallmouth fishing.
All species spawn within the many shallow bays within the spring and by late June, migrate to important basin areas earlier than organising on important lake factors, humps, and flats. Anglers can fish shallow areas in spring and have nice success, however as summer time approaches ought to transfer to deeper water, within the vary of 15 to 25 toes, to maintain encountering fish.
All through summer time, the various cabbage beds that dot the north arm at all times maintain all three species, particularly throughout good climate. These cabbage fields supply among the finest topwater fishing for smallmouth you’ll expertise.
Among the hottest areas of the north arm embody Northwest Bay, Ash Bay, Woodchuck Island, and Hopkins Bay.
South arm
Recognized for extra tannic water, the south arm of Wet runs east to west and contains among the greatest open stretches of water, together with Seine Bay. The worldwide border splits the south arm in half between Canada and the US. The southern shoreline is in Minnesota.
Quite a few walleye may be discovered on the various important lake humps through the summer time months. Whereas smallmouths and pike numbers will not be pretty much as good as within the north arm, the south arm is understood for producing among the largest specimens within the lake. It’s unknown why muskie aren’t plentiful all through Wet, however the Seine Bay and river space hosts a superb muskie inhabitants and has produced among the greatest fish that I’ve ever heard of from northwestern Ontario.
The far east part of the south arm is distant, with none street entry on the Canadian aspect. Anglers can entry this part by boat however some consideration must be given to the climate forecast as a result of huge stretches of open water on both aspect of the Brule Narrows are unforgiving and must be averted on windy days. Among the prime fishing areas within the south arm embody Swell Bay, Seine River, Cormorant Bay, and Brule Narrows.
Redgut Bay
Redgut Bay is positioned between the north and south arms, completely in Canada. The world has a wide range of water to fish, together with deep-water basins and a number of other shallower, fertile bays. It has essentially the most stained water on the lake in among the shallow bays. This makes for a superb shallow-water chew for all species all through the summer time.
A couple of completely different rivers feed into right here, creating some enjoyable locations to fish in present. This a part of the lake is understood to have among the lake’s finest muskie and crappie fishing, as nicely walleye, pike, and smallmouth.
Whereas I’m glad fishing wherever on Wet, if I needed to choose one space as my favorite, it will be right here. It’s usually distant, presents nice fishing in any climate as a result of you’ll be able to at all times discover locations to cover, and it has among the most lovely, pure seashores of wherever I’ve fished. It’s my glad place.
Over time fishing the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, I’ve spent many days fishing the Redgut space and it has been good to me.
Bass championship huge draw
Talking of the championship, it is without doubt one of the longest operating, most prestigious fishing tournaments in Canada. The three-day occasion takes place yearly in July and attracts of us from throughout North America. I’ve made many pals over time whereas collaborating on this match and have been lucky to win it a pair occasions (2013, 2014) with my long-time buddy from Minnesota, John Peterson.
This community-run occasion has develop into one of many greatest occasions in Fort Frances and generates loads of media consideration as a prime bass occasion in North America. It’s famend for the large crowds that present up for the day-three weigh-ins.
Resorts out there
Anglers from throughout North America go to Wet Lake yearly to expertise to top-notch fishing and exquisite surroundings. It’s not exhausting to discover a good enjoyable place to drop a line alongside the greater than 3,000 kilometres of pine-covered Canadian Defend shoreline.
For guests, there are lots of locations to remain.
American plan resorts supply full meal plans, house-keeping cabins, and boats with guides. Some outfits supply cabins, the place you take care of your self, whereas others supply choices in between. The Sundown Nation web site presents a full itemizing of resorts.
Wet Lake is the place I’ve created a few of my fondest on-the-water reminiscences. It’s large enough that you could at all times discover new water to discover and distant sufficient that each outing is an journey.
Three Wet Lake resort house owners share some suggestions
Dale Labelle
Labelle’s Birch Level Resort
Favorite spots
Walleye: North arm
Pike: North arm
Smallmouth: Redgut Bay
High baits
Walleye: Jig and minnow
Pike: Jerkbaits
Smallmouth: Topwater
Resort document
Walleye: 34″, 14 lbs
Pike: 46″, 28 lbs
Smallmouth: 22″, 6 lbs
Matt Goldamer
Sundown Nation Outfitters
Favorite spots
Walleye: North arm
Pike: North arm
Smallmouth: South arm
High baits
Walleye: Smeltinator underspin jig with swimbait
Pike: Chaos Double 8
Smallmouth: Marabou jig
Resort document
Walleye: 31″, 12 lbs
Pike: 45″, 25 lbs
Smallmouth: 22″, 6 lbs
Tom Pearson
Camp Narrows Lodge
Favorite spots
Walleye: North arm
Pike: North arm
Smallmouth: Redgut Bay
High baits
Walleye: Stay bait rigs
Pike: #4 Mepps Spinner
Smallmouth: Gentle jerk shad
Resort document
Walleye: 34.5″, 14 lbs
Pike: 44″, 25 lbs
Smallmouth: 23″, 6 lbs
Lake details
Wet Lake is shared between Ontario and Minnesota, with roughly 70% of the lake on the Canadian aspect. It’s the fifth largest lake in Ontario outdoors of the Nice Lakes and has practically 2,200 islands. The outflow of the lake is the Wet River, the first supply of influx for Lake of the Woods. There’s a well-known mermaid statue positioned simply off the primary channel, on a small rockpile close to Swell Bay.
Sharing the lake
Whereas most of Wet Lake lies inside Ontario, the south aspect of the lake is positioned in Minnesota. There are alternatives to fish in US waters, however fishing is best on the Canadian aspect. Anglers can cross the border for day journeys with out checking in so long as they don’t contact land, anchor or hover with one other boat. Most limits are extra conservative for non-resident anglers than they’re for residents.
Ice fishing
Whereas Wet will not be as common as close by Lake of the Woods for ice fishing, it has wonderful choices for anglers trying to catch crappie, walleye, or pike. There’s at all times an enormous present, so slender, neck-down areas must be averted. Most anglers entry the ice of Northwest Bay, the place all three species can be found.
A number of areas on Wet Lake are fish sanctuaries and due to this fact closed to fishing. Test the most recent Fishing Laws Abstract earlier than you go.
Initially printed within the June-July challenge 2024 of Ontario OUT of DOORS
