KIDS ACTIVITIES | BEACHES | TRAILS | NATURE | GOLF | VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK | FISHING | ICE FISHING
AT THE DOCKOur floating docks are shielded by a rock breakwater and adapt to changes in water levels throughout the season. This ensures that we consistently maintain sufficient space for boats of all sizes belonging to our guests. Our docks are equipped with electric outlets, providing convenient access for guests to connect onboard battery chargers. We also offer battery chargers specifically for guest use. Our dock staff is on hand to assist with launching and retrieval of your boat using our private ramp. We will also take care of storing your trailer during your stay. For your refueling needs, we provide ethanol-free high octane gas directly at the dock.
IN THE BAIT HOUSE
Need bait or tackle? Our bait house is well stocked with minnows, leeches and night crawlers! We also sell other items to meet your fishing and boating needs: maps, ice, tackle, oil & more. Key equipment like PDFs, nets & minnow buckets are available at no charge to guests.
FISH CLEANING
Spend more time on vacation and leave the fish cleaning & packing to us! Our dock staff are expert in cleaning all species, and will prepare your tasty fillets ready to eat fresh, or pack for freezing and travel. We can also store your frozen fish during your stay if needed. (Fish cleaning available June 10 to August 22!)
Lake Kabetogama
Lake Kabetogama supports a strong walleye population as well as lesser numbers of sauger, a close walleye cousin, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and crappie. Let us know what you’re fishing for, and we can help you select the appropriate bait and tackle, as well as suggest likely spots to try.
This natural, glacier-carved 25,000 acre lake has a rocky bottom interspersed with sandy and gravel areas. It’s mean depth is just under 30 feet, with a few holes as deep as 80 feet. The lake level is controlled by a dam at Kettle Falls situated between Rainy and Namakan Lakes on the United States-Canadian border.
Walleyes are best caught best on light tackle. They have a very delicate strike or just suck the bait in before running – making these light hits easier to miss with heavier tackle. Most fishermen use a small jig or spinner, or a “Lindy Rig” tipped with live bait (minnow, leech or night crawler). Depending on their depth, good results are also had trolling or casting crankbaits of various styles.
Greater numbers of walleye may be caught with live bait, but artificial baits seem to produce larger fish. As the water level and temperature varies in this near-wilderness area, fish catching is sometimes greatly influenced by the amount of natural food.
Walleyes spawn in early May usually just after ice out. They scatter widely around the 100+ islands and extensive shoreline. These areas warm up first as Spring arrives in the Northland. Walleye fishing is very productive during these early season weeks with lots of fish caught in 8 to 10 feet of water. The walleye can be found scattered a bit deeper in mid to late May (10 to 15 feet). By mid-June, walleye start organizing around structure in 15 to 20 foot depths. When the water starts to warm in late June, they head for deeper (30-35 feet) flats and begin to concentrate. During the heat of July and early August, smaller fish can still be easily taken in 15 to 20 feet. But the larger walleye can challenge even the most experienced anglers as they hide in the the deepest parts of the lake. When the lake begins to cool in mid to late August, the walleye stay deep but their appetites return – this later season fishing can be amazing right into Fall!
There are also good opportunities to catch hungry smallmouth bass and northern pike even during the slower walleye weeks. Both species are widely scattered around Lake Kabetogama. The cold, clear waters make both these species a tasty consideration for a shore lunch fish fry.
Guide Service
You may be interested in making an investment in good fishing for vacations to come on Kabetogama by hiring a professional guide while you’re here.
The cost is about $600/day for two guests, plus $50 for each additional person. We can arrange for a guide for your trip or supply you with the names and phone numbers of local guides and you can choose based on conversations you have with them.
Fishing Gallery
