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| Longbow Lake (with easy access to The Lake of The Woods) |
| Known as the "Fisherman's Paradise," Longbow is a lovely lake is abundant with a large variety of fish. The Ministry of Natural Resources has sampled the lake and found that there is an extraordinary number of larger fish within the confines of the lake. The lake itself is 3 miles by 5 miles and feeds into Lake of the Woods. The Lake of the Woods is approximately 15 feet lower than Longbow, but an electric conveyor belt makes travel between the two lakes quite easy. The Lake of the Woods is huge as can be gleaned by the fact that the lake contains over 14,000 islands, borders Minnesota, Ontario, and Manitoba. Fishing is exceptional in this lake and a guide is often recommended for your first time experience so that you can get a "feel" for the lake itself and the fishing techniques employed. Northern Pike: The northern is a fighter; its huge mouth can devour other species in short order. Several of our guests tell stories of the aggressive nature of this species. Especially early Spring, the northern is known to surprise many anglers with its tenacity. Many anglers have hooked smaller walleye only to have that walleye itself become a meal for a large northern. The Krueger party has pictures of a northern that attempted to take their walleye off the stringer and te same northern came back repeatedly to try for his free meal. Everyone will get a thrill fishing for this game fish which puts up an exciting fight even in the late summer. Muskies: Muskies are an elusive species and are not as abundant as many claim but, when you get one, it is usually the battle that many fishermen dream about. Muskies are territorial, so when you get a strike, work the area; if unsuccessful, come back another day. Muskies are known to rise to the challenge when lured by fast-moving plug retrieval. Muskie fishermen are renowned for both patience and skill as they try to entice one of these predators to strike. Walleye: The walleye is favored by both locals and guests as one of the finest eating fish and this is fortunate as the walleye Is one of the most abundant game fish in Longbow and The Lake of the Woods. Daily limits within sight of our cabins are enjoyed by many of our guests. Fish weighing up to ten pounds are caught on occasion, but the 14-16 inch taste the best (editor's note!). Walleye is best enjoyed fresh, cooked on an open fire, and eaten sitting beside the lake... Smallmouth Bass: Nobody ever questions the fighting ability of the smallmouth and you'll get a real thrill whenever you get one on the end of your line. Pound for pound, these are a fighting fish, striking at surface plugs, dancing on the water as they attempt to throw the lure, and hitting hard and fast. Smallmouth have become extremely popular as a tournament fish and the Kenora Bass International Tournament demonstrates the numbers and quality of the species. Your children can fish for bass off the dock and you can fish the shoreline seeking these little "power rockets" that often go up to five pounds. Lake Trout: While not found in Longbow, lake trout are caught in Lake of the Woods (Whitefish and Clearwater Bay area in early spring) and in many lakes easily accessible from the resort.. Daily limits by deep trolling are a common occurrence. Shallow fishing on the reefs in the spring and fall produce excellent fishing, big ones too. A visit to a trout lake is special; most are spring fed and crystal clear. With a trout on the line, twisting and turning, shining silver on its way to the surface, this is fishing, is an experience, that you will never forget. Catch and Release! Many of our guests practice "catch and release" on larger fish. In fact, the Ministry has slot size limitations that maintain the breeding stock of each species. Read your regulations carefully! If you wish a trophy for your wall, you can have a taxidermist prepare a replica is you provide a photo, data on the catch, length, girth, etc. Catch and release provides opportunities for others to enjoy the thrill you have just experienced! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued the following guide: The phrase “catch and release” has become increasingly frequent in the angler's vocabulary, and for good reasons. It is a management practice that can put the angler in control. Studies on trout streams and largemouth bass lakes have demonstrated that catch and release can be a very sound method for maintaining quality fisheries. Several national wildlife refuges mandate catch and release for some game fish in order to protect the stock and to assure an adequate breeding population of that particular species. But it must be practiced correctly before it delivers any benefit. Here are a few simple rules to increase the success of catch and release: -Never play a fish to complete exhaustion. Use tackle of sufficient strength for the potential size of your quarry. If possible, unhook the fish while it is in the water. -Try to avoid handling the fish. If you must handle it, thoroughly wet your hands in advance to avoid undue disturbance of its mucous coating, the protective secretion that helps keep a fish healthy. -If you must remove a fish from the water, please keep its “air time” to a minimum. Studies have shown that a species such as the brook trout can suffer gill desiccation (drying) in as little as 20 seconds. The more damage to a fish's gill tissue, the greater the likelihood the fish will perish. -Try using one of the newer landing nets, which feature a soft rubber mesh (instead of cloth mesh) net bag. They are much easier on the skin and mucous membrane. Source: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/FishingGuide/catch_and_release.html |
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