There is always a story…

“Larry S is holding a lake trout caught minutes after arrival from in front of Irene 2. He was the first person to get a pole ready and the trout was caught from shore on the second cast.”

Not a bad way to start a trip but I think it would require a lot of effort to maintain top dog status.  I wouldn’t want the pressure.

Out of the park home run

Bill sent some photos of his brother's activities on Seseganaga Lake last week. 

Catching 3 species in a week is pretty much a grand slam but 4 is “out of the park”

Looks like the Lake Trout made it for supper and the Walleye, Northern and Whitefish are back in the lake waiting for another invite.

I’d say you were rather “busy” on vacation Ed.  Kept your brother busy too with the camera.

Thinking of summer

As the weather hints of spring, the days get longer, and snow piles retreat we begin to think of summer.  Summer brings open water and fly- in fishing.  At Ignace Outposts we get excited at the thought of feisty walleye, lunker northern, heavy trout and  fighting bass.

I am learning we are not the only ones thinking of these things.

This note came this morning.  It just adds to the anticipation.

“Hi Karen, Brad.

Looking forward to coming back up to your place in Aug. The other guys are excited too.

While looking through some older pic’s from previous trips to Irene lake, I came across a couple of photos that might look good in the photo gallery on  your website. What do you think?  Thx,

-Mike M”

Seseganaga Trout Fishing report

Atlanta is a long way from Seseganaga Lake but as Phil reports from his annual trip, these lakers are worth the travel.

 

 

“Here is the second Laker I caught.  It is a twin of the first…about a half inch difference.  ~ 33” each.  I caught them both inside of 10 minutes of each other on our last day on the lake.  Fish on steroids!  Wow what a fight.  I was shaking like a leaf after these two guys were in the boat.  The water was very high this year in June but our party still managed to catch lots of fish and among them we boated a very large northern 40s, several very nice 25” walleye and these two 33” Lakers.   Another great trip. Thanks.”   Phil

Seseganaga trout

Seseganaga Lake never lets us down.  Walleye, northern and lake trout make this a fisherman’s delight. 

 

It may have been cooler than normal temps but the trout were hitting with gusto last week.

I appreciate getting photos and comments from our guests after they return home.  It makes blogging a lot easier when I have some good stuff to write about. 

Walleye or trout…

Tough decision which to invite for supper. They are both mighty tasty in the frying pan.

One of the great things about Irene lake is that you do have choices to make.

Seseganaga - "Lake of many islands" (and fish)

This large body of water runs over 25 miles with hundreds of miles of shoreline.

There is nowhere on this lake you can be more than 1/2 a mile from shore. This lake produces consistently and is one of the few lakes in Canada where 50 inch plus NORTHERN can still be found. LAKE TROUT and WALLEYE are also above average in size.

Our facilities are second to none. No need to rough it at our camps. Our camp attendant will assure your vacation is as trouble free and successful as possible.

Check out Ignace Outposts for quality fly in fishing adventures on Seseganaga lake. www.ignaceoutposts.com

We can not control the fishing or weather, but we can control the equipment, facilities and service. This is were we excel.

Lake trout

We have several species of fish in the lakes we operate on. Most of our guests look primarily for walleyes to eat and northern for the fight. One of my favorites which fights like a mule and tastes great is Lake Trout.

Lake trout require cold, clear, well oxygenated water. They are found in Seseganaga Lake, Irene Lake and Gamble Lake.

In summer they often move to depths of 50 to 100 feet, but in spring and fall you can find them at depths of 20 feet or less. They prefer water from 40 to 52 degree F.



Lake trout are not jumpers like bass, but instead wage a strong, determined underwater battle. You can usually identify them by their vicious head shake after they are hooked. They have boney mouths so a strong hook set is encouraged.

We recommend barbless hooks so the trout can be quickly and safely released. Most are taken by trolling with spoons or minnow-like plugs. They can also be taken by bottom-fishing with whole or cut bait fish like siscos or herring.



Check out our other lakes at www.ignaceoutposts.com

No bones about it

A few weeks ago, I promised a video showing the proper technique to fillet a lake trout. Here's how to do it to end up with no bones.
In August my buddy, Darren Elder, our local biologist, was with me at Irene Lake and we taped this demo. Being a bio doesn't make Darren an expert filletter, but being an expert fisherman seems to.

more from last weekend

OK so it wasn't all work. Last weekend after the job list was done, we did get a little fishing time in.

Fall fishing isn't always non-stop catching but it is well worth the time on the lake. We caught northern, bass and lake trout but the walleye were not cooperating. It happens on the best of lakes sometimes. Perhaps with the Lake Trout preparing to spawn the walleye get a little concerned with those voracious eaters moving into their territory.




Reminds me of my football playing days. I didn't want to let go of the ball then either.



My "un" cousin Neil Greaves with a slot size northern. Same name - no relation.




Neil fighting up a northern from the deep. It was hooked about 50 down.


ps being on the top of hill isn't so bad... now for the slid down the other side.

Fall trout

I love fall fishing. It seems that the big ones are feeding often to get ready for our long winters. Generally fall fishing is in good weather, maybe a little rain and cool evenings but trumping all is very few bugs.



Lake trout season closes Sept 30 because of their spawn, but leading up to the spawn, the trout on Seseganaga Lake and Irene lake kick into high gear. Throw in walleye and northern action and you may just decide that two trips a year like Bobby is not out of the question.

Nederlander Lake Trout

Another variation on a theme has resulted in a new master piece.

I call this Nederlander Lake Trout. For the few who are not sure, Nederland is what the people who live in Holland call Holland. This recipe is easy and produces a very nice tasty meal without all the breading and oil normally associated with a meal of fresh fish at an outpost.

It can get great reviews at home too!

One of our regular Wisconsin guests just happens to be a Master Cheese Maker. He brought us some of his creation - Gouda Cheese. Fortunately, he was here just before Karen and I flew to Irene Lake for a little "research and development" trip. We have to know our product and keep it refined to be industry leaders - right.

To make Nederlander Lake Trout:

Catch a few Irene Lake Trout. Fillet them so they are bone free (I'll have a video blog doing this soon). Cut the fillets into thirds. Open a bottle of white wine. Have a glass.

On a sheet of foil or a cookie sheet, spread butter to cover and add minced garlic liberally - you can never have enough garlic.

Have another glass of wine and then lay the fillets on the butter and garlic. Salt and pepper to taste, add your favorite spice mix (I use roasted garlic and red pepper which goes well with fish).
Thinly slice the Gouda cheese ( I have used a mild Swiss as well) and lay cheese on each piece of fish. A real Dutch cheese slicer (the hand tool not the guy) works best.

Put the fish either on the BBQ (med high heat) or in the oven 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked and the cheese is melted.

While the fish is in the oven enjoy a little more wine while your partners prepare some beans and salads.


All this R&D is tough work, but somebody's got to do it.

Book your next fishing adventure with Ignace Outposts. We are working hard to provide a service we would enjoy ourselves.

Irene Lake August 08

Irene Lake is one of those few lakes where when walleye is slow (and yes it happens on every lake) you can switch modes and fish trout. Or you can cast for northern pike, or you can tackle some hungry small mouth bass.






Last weekend saw slower than normal walleye action, but then again effort is directly proportional to results -right guys. But the trout were absolutely veracious. Many think that summer trout fishing difficult but fishing Irene Lake for lake trout is rather fun and definitely successful. And fresh trout taste great!

Moon party makes August trip... again

Seseganaga Lake is well known for the "chef's pleasure" (walleye, northern and lake trout)


It is possible to catch all three species in one day on this lake.











Vernice Moon has caught many walleye in his day and still gets a thrill from landing fish like the old days.














Roger Breitsprecher catches his share of trout but also latches on to a northern or two.

Seseganaga August fishing

A week on Seseganaga Lake in August can produce some nice results. We've dealt with high water, bad weather and bugs this summer but it has been worth it when the fishing has been "on".



Craig Sherven added several more photos to his bragging wall with some of these fish. One of these fish would make a trip but to have such a variety, either he is on a great lake or rather lucky. He tells me it has something to do with skill but my thoughts are location, location, location.



Walleye were not bad at all.



Lake trout in 70 to 80 feet, right on the bottom with a white jig and white plastic tail.



Northern pike this chunky fight like a turbo charged bass.

Is there such a thing as a bad day of fishing?

Nick Transue and a "hammer handle" northern. Lots of these in the lakes.



Wesley Transue with a typical Irene Lake trout. Lots of these too!



A little persistence pays off. The smile says it all.

Father and son, Nick and Wesley Transue from Florida spent a week at Irene Lake with 4 others. The father and son teamed up for quite a variety of fish with a walleye, northern and lake trout. They also caught lots of smallies. Even tho' they "had to work" a little for the walleye, there is no such thing as a bad day of fishing. Catching may be slow but it beats a good day at work anytime.

A note from a Trout fisherman

Hi Brad

I just thought I would give you some feedback and some photo's.

We had a great time during our stay this year. All your equipment is really good and works well. The walleye were a little fickle but then it all depends on how good a fisher person one is...

The big Trout were biting well this year and they were all over the lake.

I have attached a few photographs to support your catch and release policy. I was fishing with Guy Norman when he hooked onto a monster (18 lbs). What a blast. This was the first time he caught a large trout on light tackle (10 lb test line) and he took 22 minutes to bring him in. We took a few quick photo's and then released him within 1 minute..

Great time was had by all.

Blair Cyr

Blair and his crew fished Seseganaga in late May and early June. Weather was a little cooler than normal but obliviously perfect for trout fishing.

Burnt Almond Encrusted Lake Trout

One of the best parts of fishing is eating your catch. Hunting and gathering quickly translates to cooking and eating. Last week I managed a couple of trout in the creel while doing camp checks. See Wed June 18. Actually, Al caught the fish while I performed admirably as guide and boat operator.

We agreed to postpone the eating until Karen was back from Vancouver when we could share our bounty with our wives and show off a bit of our expertise. Al reminded me that he had completed his expertise in the harvesting of trout so it was my expertise on the line in the cooking.

I like to experiment. I saw a recipe for some pumpkin seed encrusted rainbow trout and I adapted it to a “Burnt Almond Encrusted Lake Trout. Needless to say my expertise is still in tact.

Seseganaga Slam

Seseganaga Lake is and has been one of our best producing lakes. Over the years, our repeat list of guests grows continually. Once you are "hooked" on Seseganaga, it is hard to get away to another lake. Bill Heston and his dad as well as the rest of their group of 7 to 8 have been regularly coming to Seseganaga for about 18 years. There is a good reason for that.

Fishing isn't always about catching the biggest or the most. Fishing a variety and challenging your skill and luck against the elements, your group and seasonal variations makes this a sport that you can develop for years. This is not a sport you can enjoy in front of a computer or TV. Wii doesn't even come close to the real thing.


A note from Bill Heston. A Seseganaga Slam in his own words.

Brad, Karen, & Crew,

Thanks for another great trip. Here are some pictures of my Seseganaga Slam last Tuesday.

We rolled up on a spot and I got the 25" Walleye on the first cast. Caught the 27" Northern about an hour later, then followed up with the 26" Walleye right before lunch. Decided to try for the laker later in the day, but forgot my laker rod, so with the combination of the wind and bumping the motor, I got a little walleye spinner down to 35' and up comes the 28"
laker. What a day!

At least it wasn't a hammer handle Northern to complete the slam. I threw in the 35" Northern, caught in a torrential downpour on Thursday, for effect.

Even though it was windy, rainy and cold we were all still able to catch several good sized fish. I caught at least 10 20"+ walleye.

It may take me until Monday a work to thaw out.

Regards,

Bill Heston





38 inch Northern



27 inch northern



28 inch Laker




26 inch walleye

The Trout are hitting on Seseganaga Lake

Bill Heston with a 28 inch Laker. None of these in Arizona!




Bill Hansen with a 31 inch trout. Quite the battle on light walleye tackle.


This week the northerns, walleyes and trout all fished well on Seseganaga in spite of the weather. The trout are being caught mostly by accident by guys jigging for walleye. Latching onto one of the fighters while in shallow water expecting an eater walleye, will make your day.