| Imagine planning a fly-in fishing trip for | | | | retrieved steadily over shallow (6 to 10 |
| walleyes and northern pike then discovering | | | | feet) bars. On our sidetrip to Hiawatha Lake, |
| that not one, but two of this province's | | | | drifting a jig & worm combo proved the |
| premiere fishing lodges are situated on that | | | | undoing of scores of walleyes. Our best |
| very lake. Furthermore, indulge in the | | | | catches (biggest fish) came off the head of |
| fantasy that both of those full-services | | | | the Banana Shoal where we carefully located |
| lodges have made a commitment to providing | | | | and marked a "bite" out of an otherwise |
| your fishing party with a memorable, | | | | regular edge. Everytime we drifted to that |
| relaxing, trouble-free angling vacation on a | | | | spot we picked up fish, including the three |
| little-known, top-rated wilderness lake. | | | | largest fish of our stay and the largest |
| Yeah, right. Can't be, you say. Verify this | | | | caught at camp that week. A tiny "something |
| data at Nagagami Lake.Big Nagagami Lake first | | | | special" spot.Don't overlook weedbeds and |
| drew my attention several years ago as we | | | | weedlines as good spots for walleyes. One |
| drove north of White River on highway #631 | | | | party at camp ceremoniously located, marked |
| toward Nagagamisis Provincial Park. | | | | and fished a weedline at The Meadows and |
| Considering its sheer size, relative | | | | consistently caught limits of |
| isolation and proximity to Hornepayne's many | | | | better-than-average walleyes. Fish were right |
| air services I thought it might have some | | | | in there, at the base of the weeds in the |
| potential for fishing. But, it wasn't until | | | | only cover in that part of the lake. To get |
| March '90 at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show | | | | these fish, baits had to get right in, amidst |
| that two very reputable fishing lodges - | | | | the stems and stalks; sometimes only to be |
| Nagagami Lodge and Timberwolf Lodge - were | | | | grabbed first by Nagagami's opportunistic |
| associated with the lake. Thereupon, like an | | | | pike. Hey, that's OK, too!While at Nagagami, |
| arrangement of dominoes, everything | | | | don't pass up the incredible shore lunch fish |
| systematically fell into place and before the | | | | fries put on at midweek by Nagagami Lodge and |
| show ended, an August booking was mine. And, | | | | daily (weather permitting) by Timberwolf |
| in order to get a broad view of Liddle's | | | | Lodge staff at the Twin Islands. The great |
| 2-lodge Nagagami Lake operation, the trip | | | | outdoors, good friends and a hot shore lunch |
| would see us split our time and fishing | | | | - "It doesn't get any better than |
| between the two camps. Dave Sauve, Ontario | | | | this"!NORTHERN PIKEDuring our stay at |
| Fisherman field editor and a regular fishing | | | | Nagagami, one thing became abundantly |
| sidekick, eagerly agreed to accompany me on | | | | clear:pike fishing was given high priority by |
| this rather unique angling adventure.NAGAGAMI | | | | visiting anglers, especially "repeaters" who |
| LAKENagagami Lake, located approximately 15 | | | | were not only familiar with the lake's pike |
| air miles northwest of Hornepayne, is a | | | | hotspots, but also very much aware of the |
| medium-sized, kidney-shaped lake measuring 8 | | | | potential for a mammoth northern pike-fish in |
| miles in length and 2 to 4 miles in width. | | | | the 20 to 30 pound range. In fact, while |
| The lake shows three distinct areas - the | | | | having dinner at Timberwolf Lodge one |
| eastern basin, a shallow (20 to 40 ft. ), | | | | evening, one of the "regulars" made a point |
| smooth-bottomed area; the western basin, a | | | | of coming over to us and showing us pictures |
| deeper (10 to 90 ft. ), irregularly contoured | | | | of past catches of huge Nagagami pike. This |
| area with islands, rocky shoreline, shoals; a | | | | was prompted, no doubt, by her excitement |
| long, narrow, deep (10 to 70 ft. ) northerly | | | | over having just caught a magnificent |
| arm. Unlike many large, diverse lakes, | | | | 44-inch, 20-plus pound pike at The Meadows, |
| Nagagami Lake has excellent angling in all | | | | an extensive weedy area off the Nagagami |
| three regions:particularly for walleyes and | | | | River outlet. Not an uncommon fish out of |
| northern pike (although there is a healthy | | | | Nagagami Lake; uncommon just about everywhere |
| whitefish population and some perch in the | | | | else.Because pike, like walleyes, are |
| lake).The lake is most unusual in that, in | | | | predatory fish, their seasonal movements and |
| the large eastern basin, a very narrow but | | | | feeding habits often parallel those of |
| productive weedline can be found far offshore | | | | walleye. Very often, where walleyes are |
| where the lake bottom falls from 8 to 12 | | | | caught, big pike are caught, even on the same |
| feet. Because it is well out in the lake and | | | | baits. Resultantly, Nagagami northerns are |
| not continuous, finding it becomes on of the | | | | fished with live baits early and late in the |
| keys to the lake's great pike fishing. More | | | | season and with artificial baits or lures |
| on that later!The water is stained from the | | | | through the warm-water months.Come spring, |
| ever present tannins leaching into the lake | | | | pike are the lake's first spawners and most |
| from surrounding timber and soils. The lake | | | | aggressive fish. Immediately after the spawn, |
| warms up early for this part of the North and | | | | pike will begin taking live-bait offerings at |
| because of its size, can get very rough when | | | | typical springtime sites:weedy back bays and |
| the wind blows. There are few boating hazards | | | | creek/river outflows. Top spots at Nagagami |
| in the main lake, except along the rugged | | | | Lake include the Pody Creek area and a |
| north-arm shoreline and amongst the island | | | | channel nearby appropriately dubbed "Pike |
| clusters. Isolated hazards are marked by the | | | | Alley". Large live baitfish, especially |
| lodge staff and have been carefully | | | | suckers, regularly produce the biggest pike |
| pinpointed on a very detailed, hydro-contour | | | | in the early season, although occasional |
| map of Nagagami Lake produced by the lodges | | | | monsters will be caught by walleye fishermen, |
| for their guests. Key fishing areas are | | | | too.Once the water warms, pike will scatter |
| highlighted.Also accessible (via short, easy | | | | widely throughout the lake-to weedbeds |
| portages) are two small lakes:Hiawatha and | | | | weedlines, shoals, current flows and |
| Pody. Both offer excellent walleye and pike | | | | deep-water basins - wherever their forage, |
| fishing. At Pody Lake, a catch & release | | | | oxygen and temperature requirements are met. |
| lake, monster northerns and bigger than | | | | It is at this time that fish start chasing |
| average walleyes are caught | | | | down larger, faster-moving baits - e. g. |
| regularly.WALLEYESWith lots of water, diverse | | | | spinners, spoons, bass spinnerbaits, |
| structural elements and several incoming & | | | | bucktails and jerkbaits. At Nagagami, this |
| outflowing major rivers, Nagagami is a | | | | period puts fish in the weeds and anglers |
| walleye factory. And, because several lodges | | | | looking for the lake's strange offshore |
| and camps operate on the big lake, a river | | | | weedlines. Once found, these weedlines |
| mouth sanctuary policy is in effect on the | | | | consistently produce lots of healthy |
| Foch and Obakamiga ("Buck") Rivers until | | | | northerns:fish averaging 5 to 8 pounds. Both |
| mid-June. Walleyes are found throughout the | | | | our hosts knew these weedlines well and |
| lake:in current flows at river sites, along | | | | unerringly kept us near them and "on pike". |
| weedlines and in the larger weedbeds, off | | | | Ron is a diehard pike fanatic and spoke |
| islands and pointes over gravel bottoms, and | | | | constantly of the lake's bigger |
| on mid-lake structures including several | | | | northerns:historic catches, fish hooked and |
| classic shoals, humps, sunken islands, | | | | lost, the season's best, the lake's potential |
| drop-offs and bars.As suggested earlier, the | | | | for a 50-inch, 30-pound gator!The 44-inch |
| spring walleye fishery focuses on post-spawn | | | | fish mentioned earlier was caught on a bass |
| (male) fish, near river outflows. It is not | | | | spinnerbait, yet we took our best pike on |
| unusual to see a pack of boats in a small | | | | spoons and spinners. However, Ron insisted |
| area with all anglers catching limits of | | | | that, if you were to fish strictly for a |
| walleyes and releasing many fish. Springtime | | | | trophy, a jerkbait worked over and near the |
| is minnow time and Nagagami is a "minnow | | | | weeds would be the most productive lure. To |
| lake" all season long. To protect the lake, | | | | be sure, he had a collection of these wooden |
| minnows are carefully collected and sorted | | | | freaks - baits in the 7 to 9-inch range |
| before being flown into the camps for | | | | worked best. Oh sure, he had a couple of |
| fishing. Rigged on small snelled hooks, | | | | "baseball bats" in there, too. Proven choices |
| live-bait rigs or tiny jigs, minnows are | | | | at Nagagami Lake include Suicks, Teddy Baits, |
| fished at the mouths of rivers where deeper | | | | Reef Hawgs and Hi-Fin Foolers. Casting and |
| areas have been created by the current or | | | | working these baits is hard work, so if you |
| along current breaks/eddies. Other productive | | | | troll try a Believer, Swimm Whizz, Magnum |
| springtime/early summer walleye locations | | | | Rapala or huge, jointed Kwikfish. Make sure |
| include the island group out from Pody Creek, | | | | that your equipment can handle this kind of |
| an area designated "The Flats" and the upper | | | | tackle and strain before experiencing a day |
| portion of the out-flowing Nagagami River (as | | | | of frustration or worse, losing the fish of a |
| far downstream as Moose Lake).Summer walleyes | | | | lifetime.As stated a moment ago, Dave and I |
| are widely scattered and predictable, | | | | successfully pitched #4 or 5 Mepps Agilia |
| low-light feeders. Three approaches are | | | | Long/Giant Killer spinners and large spoons |
| commonly used by Nagagami & Timberwolf Lodge | | | | (Daredevle, Five Diamonds) to the lake's |
| guests:stillfishing minnows, backtrolling | | | | weed-oriented pike. By simply moving around |
| with live-bait rigs, and jigging. Standard, | | | | the perimeter of the eastern basin, fishing |
| forward trolling with wobbling plugs or body | | | | the intermittent weedline, we enjoyed |
| baits is almost unheard of here.For both | | | | fast-paced pike action throughout the |
| experienced anglers and vacationing families | | | | afternoon. When fishing pike like this, |
| with kids at Nagagami Lodge, stillfishing | | | | please equip yourself with proper tools for |
| minnows was a popular and effective | | | | extracting deeply taken baites from |
| technique. Whether anglers positioned | | | | cavernous, toothy mouths - a "gag" to hold |
| themselves out from a weedline or weedbed, | | | | the fish's mouth open, long-reach hookouts, |
| along a dropoff that fell to 20 or 30 foot | | | | pliers or cutters. The careful and quick |
| depths or atop the sunken islands and shoals, | | | | removal of hooks and immediate boatside |
| limits of great-eating walleyes in the 1 to 3 | | | | resuscitation will insure a successful |
| pound range were the rule-day after day. Best | | | | release of fish not intended for the dinner |
| times included the early morning hours, but | | | | table. Sensible catch and release is an art |
| the twilight times were tops. Daytime fishing | | | | form as much as it is a science.Two other |
| was given over to pike. Dave and I took a lot | | | | areas deserve special recognition when it |
| of kidding about our fishing off the dock at | | | | comes to Nagagami pike fishing:The Meadows |
| night with floats/bobbers. That's OK. Each | | | | and Pike Alley. With current flows and plenty |
| night without fail (about 10:30) we'd slip | | | | of weed cover, these areas consistently |
| down to the camp dock and catch 3 or 4 good | | | | produce lots of pike as well as trophy-status |
| walleye for breakfast. By 1:00 or so we'd | | | | fish. Bass spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, spinners, |
| caught our fish and were enjoying | | | | spoons and bucktails will get plenty of |
| no-less-than-spectacular displays of | | | | attention from big, aggressive northerns. |
| shimmering Northern Lights. Those evenings | | | | Hang on!WHITEFISHAlthough many northern lakes |
| may have been the most enjoyable I spent all | | | | have very healthy whitefish populations, they |
| summer; they certainly were unforgettable!Get | | | | are pretty much underfished. At Nagagami Lake |
| a second opinion - ask Dave!Both Mike Bauer | | | | during late August through mid-September, |
| and Ron Dunn, managers of the two lodges, | | | | whitefish action is outstanding and the |
| effective fished walleyes the same | | | | lodges offer a continuous smokehouse service |
| way:back-trolling across mid-lake shoals with | | | | to their clientele. Smoked whitefish makes |
| live-bait rigs dressed with minnows. For this | | | | for great eating, keeps well and increases |
| approach a depthfinder/flasher/graph is a | | | | each angler's legal "keep". With generous |
| must for locating the structure and then | | | | limits and regulated dip netting practices to |
| systematically working the bait rig up and | | | | supplement angling, "whitefish-ing" should be |
| down it until fish are contacted. Favourite | | | | added to the itinerary for late-season guests |
| spots included a large, marked shoal | | | | at Nagagami and Timberwolf Lodges.NAGAGAMI |
| northeast of the Twin Islands, the "Banana | | | | LODGELocated on the northern arm of Nagagami |
| Shoal" beyond that, and isolated humps in the | | | | Lake, this 2-star housekeeping resort |
| main-lake basin including one off Chuck's | | | | features superb facilities:spacious, modern |
| Point and another in the midst of the lake's | | | | log cottages, generated hydro, sturdy 19-foot |
| eastern basin. The latter spot is tough to | | | | Powassan cedar-strip boats, reliable OMC |
| locate. Mike put us onto it in a driving rain | | | | motors, a central recreation lodge/meeting |
| one morning. S ure that he was "testing our | | | | area with VCR/movies/TV and a pool table, |
| resolve and mettle", we dutifully backtrolled | | | | guide service, bait, fish-cleaning station, |
| this spot in the middle of nowhere. | | | | smokehouse, etc. Cabins feature 2 or 3 |
| Bingo-several larger walleyes! Touche, Mike, | | | | bedrooms, bedding & liner service, modern |
| but couldn't it have waited?Although | | | | full-size appliances, wood-burning heaters, |
| live-bait fishing is the norm at Nagagami, | | | | 3-piece bath (shower, flush toilet, sink), |
| jigging accounts for excellent catches of | | | | running hot and cold water, electrical |
| "yellows". Location is the key to successful | | | | lighting, complete kitchens.Air Service to |
| jigging:over shoals/humps/sunken islands or | | | | Nagagami Lake is provided by Horne-Air |
| along weedlines and dropoffs. Any significant | | | | (Hornepayne, Ont.) via Beaver aircraft.This |
| change in depth, bottom content or cover will | | | | article was written after a visit to Nagagami |
| attract and hold walleyes, especially during | | | | Lodge where I did some Northern Pike Fishing |
| feeding periods. For Nagagami Lake walleyes, | | | | as well as fishing for Walleye and |
| pink, white and yellow jigs in the 1/8 to 1/4 | | | | Whitefish.Online since 1998 by long-time OFM |
| ounce sizes are recommended with pink getting | | | | field editor, Bill Rivers, the Ontario |
| the nod most times. Tipped with a small piece | | | | Fisherman is now taking on a new look, but |
| of worm or a lively minnow, jigs should be | | | | remains committed to showcasing "the best of |
| cast and worked down ledges and humps, jigged | | | | Ontario sportfishing". |
| in short hops off deeper bottoms or cast and | | | | |