FISHING REPORTS & UPDATES
Get on the Lake this Winter with Kab Outdoors
That’s a wrap!
The open water and hunting season has come to an end on Lake Kabetogama. The trees have dropped their leaves and resorts have begun to close for the winter – including ours. Although we say goodbye to one season, we welcome another with open arms (or rods in hand, if you will). Ice fishing on Lake Kabetogama is an entirely different animal and one you need to experience for yourself!
The Winter Bite on Lake Kabetogama
All winter long, you can tap into some pristine remote fishing on Kabetogama. The winter smallie bite is a blast when you get into them on shallow rock piles. They tend to hang out in weed beds and have an aggressive bite early in the winter that becomes more finesse as the season progresses. Pike are everywhere and tip-up fishing for them is commonly enjoyed by ice anglers. This lake system produces some monsters, so it’s definitely possible to cross that sought after 40” mark while you’re up here. There’s also great walleye fishing to be had all winter long. You’ll mark plenty all over the lake, so it’s mostly about dialing in presentation and bait choice. Perch are similar to walleye and there’s plenty of jumbos to be caught through ice holes as well! Crappies, although a bit more elusive, can also be found if you have the time and ability to look around for them.
Hole-Hopping in the Comfort of a SnoBear
Ice fishing Lake Kabetogama can require a lot of hole-hopping. If you’re marking a lot of fish but they aren’t biting, you’ve gotta keep moving until you get into some feeding fish. Getting out with a snowmobile and pop-up works just like anywhere else but can be cold and frustrating if you’re running around chasing fish all day. To really dial in the lake, there’s nothing that beats cruising around in a SnoBear and we have packages available to get you out in one!
When it’s time to fish, the SnoBear lowers to the ice to allow you to quickly drill some holes through openings in the floor. In just a few moments, you’ll have a line in the water all while staying warm and cozy without the bulk of a winter jacket. We also provide everything you need including the latest technologies – Humminbird, GPS with marked locations/tracks, Vexilars, ice auger, hole sleeves, forced air furnace, electric heat, generator, surround sound, and even a grill and a rack for a cooler on the back so you can enjoy you days’ catch on the lake! It might be 20 below outside, but you can be toasty at 70+ inside without a coat while fishing and enjoying lunch/snacks without freezing your fingers.
Rent a SnoBear with Kab Outdoors
If you’d like the opportunity to try out a SnoBear for yourself, we have packages available for you to either get out with a guide or operate one on your own. Guided trips include lunch or you can drive/operate the SnoBear yourself at a reduced daily rate. Give us a call for availability to embark on a journey like no other!
Book The Ultimate Cabin and SnoBear Experience
For the ultimate comfort while ice fishing Kabetogama, we have a Guest House/SnoBear package that allows you to crash in our newly remodeled lakefront cabin with the SnoBear parked almost right outside your door to use as you please. Stay in luxury with features including a massaging couch, fireplace, wifi, a heated fish fillet house and more. The guest house has 2 bedrooms and can host a maximum of 6 people. Altogether, this package includes 3 nights in the gorgeous cabin with 3 full days of access to a SnoBear. We have limited availability, so reserve your spot today for the ultimate winter fishing experience on Kabetogama before it’s all booked up!
It’s hard to accept that the open water season is nearing its end, but we’ve enjoyed every moment with our summer guests and look forward to hosting you this winter! There’s more fishing to be had on Kabetogama, so don’t hesitate to call us today for more details and to book your next trip. Nothing stops a tracked SnoBear, so you can be sure you’ll still have a great time on the lake even when Jack Frost is at his worst!
Lake Kabetogama Fishing Report for July 23
Walleye Fishing Update on Lake Kabetogama
Consistent weather has led to consistent walleye fishing. Water temperatures have been varying between 73 and 80 depending on the time of the day and location. We have been targeting fish shallow and in many cases in less than 10 feet on rock piles and in weeds. Our presentations have been pitching jigs or using slip bobbers and our choice of bait continues to be leeches. If we don’t catch fish we move. Staying mobile is definitely key.
We have had some guests catching fish in 20 - 30 ft as well, using bottom bouncers, spinners, and crawlers. However, we still have been finding most success shallow.
Those fishing Namaken have been finding fish in 20 to 30 feet and have been using shiners - which is a staple for that lake all summer long.
Lake Kabetogama Smallmouth Report
The smallmouth bite has been incredibly strong the last couple of weeks. In fact, we have had multiple days with multiple fish over 19”. You can find them on rocks, weeds, and shorelines. The key is to keep the wind to your back. For bait, we recommend cranks, Mepps, jigs, or Whopper Ploppers for top water.
Pike Report on Lake Kabetogama
Pike is a great daytime option for all anglers on Kabetogama. Our biggest fish of the week was 42” and 21 lbs. We have been finding them in shallow weeds, and do most of our pike fishing between 11 and 3 in the afternoon. As always, we recommend using big baits - particularly loud and flashy lures that run along or just below the surface. Kent always has a Thriller ready to go (made by Suick Lure Company), taking advantage of the aggressive and territorial behavior of these fish.
We have also heard of some anglers finding them deep on reefs. They’ve been catching them using deep diving cranks which is another fun option if you want to mix it up.
If you want to relax the afternoon away, you can never go wrong bobber fishing with sucker minnows either.
Kab Outdoor Store Updates
We have made it no secret that we are a big fan of leeches this time of year, and so we have made it a priority to keep jumbo leeches on hand. Of course, we always stock shiners, fatheads, and crawlers as well. You can get bait by the dozens, gallons or even pounds. Whatever you need, we have you covered!
Also, be sure to check out our apparel both in the store and online!
Top it all off with ice cream and air conditioning and we have everything you need!
Lake Kabetogama Fishing Report for July 16
Our guests had a blast this week with bass, pike, and walleye being very active. Fishing has really picked up since spring, water temperatures are warm (75F - 80F) and the store is full of plenty of gear, bait, and ice cream to help you have a successful week!
Just remember when we give these reports that the main way to succeed is to simply find the right locations and fish the right times. Below we break down our key depths, presentations, and timing during our last week on Kab. If you need any help, remember we offer guided trips. Be sure to contact us for availability (https://www.kaboutdoors.com/contact).
Walleye Report on Kabetogama
We have been finding walleye as deep as 24 feet and as shallow as 4 feet. The key is finding the active pods of fish. Once you find these locations you can get nearly anything to work. Don’t be afraid to fish shallow in the weeds!
Of course, we always recommend a variation of slip bobbers, snells, and floating jig heads. For live bait, we have been using leeches and crawlers.
Fishing early mornings and late evenings for the most success.
Smallmouth Report on Lake Kabetogama
Smallies can be found on their classic locations, including rock piles, gravel, and even in the weeds. The bite is strong right now, and although many presentations are working, we have been having some fun with topwater!
A couple of options you could try if you are new to smallmouth include:
Walking the dog with a Booya Prank or Plopper
Super shallow cranks (we recommend size 10 &12)
Simple slip bobber and leech setup
If you don’t get bit after a short period of time, don’t be afraid to keep moving. Just like with walleye, finding the active fish is key.
Pike Report on Lake Kabetogama
Pike has been our most consistent fish all season. As for targeting them, we recommend using big bait to target the big fish. This includes thrillers and ploppers. We also have a few secret weapons at the store for anyone who decides to stop in. If you would like to learn more about pike on Kabetogama, we still recommend that you check out our blog post on pike fishing that you can read right here.
At Kabetogama, We Have Everything You Need
If you are unsure of what to use and need some assistance, be sure to visit our store - or better yet book a trip with us! Additionally, when you have downtime and it’s 90F outside, the ice cream hangout of Kabetogama is the place to go. Best of all, we ALWAYS have the AC on!
Lake Kabetogama Fishing Report for July 1st
Here is the latest fishing report for Kabetogama for the week of June 28th.
Kent was back at it yesterday morning after a break. Flying blind, he was still able to keep 12 walleyes and was done at 9:30. He fished for the hopes of a few saugers, caught one 16”, and released another limit or 2 of smaller fish. The fishing was solid.
With water temperatures well into the 70’s (on average around 75 F) - Crawlers and leeches have been popular.
Use jigs, bobbers, or break above the weeds and structure by using floating jig heads. Of course, you can try spinners rigged with bottom bouncers for a more traditional approach closer to the bottom. Take your pick, all are available at the Kab Outdoors store!
In summary:
You can find fish 4 to 20 feet of water - mixing it up with jigs and spinner rigs depending on the time of day.
Slip bobbers with leech around the weeds or out deeper have been working well right now also.
You can find the smallies and pike in weeds, rocks. Doesn’t seem to matter.
Fishing is solid, but put the effort in during the mornings and evenings for walleye and midday for pike and bass.
Be sure to check out our entertainment - blind Joe - Wednesdays at 7 at the dock. Swing by boat or bring a chair! See you there!
Also be sure to check our latest tips on Pike Fishing found here.
Blind Joe from the voice playing at our Driftwood Lodge Resort dock!
3/2/21
SnoBear yields fishing fun on Kabetogama
"Experienced open water anglers, Todd, and Reed, hailing from central Iowa, told us that neither of them had spent much time ice fishing. They said too that before reading about KAB Outdoors, they hadn’t even known how to pronounce the word Kabetogama. But learning about our SnoBear rental combos, the idea of ice fishing piqued their interest. So, they booked a trip and drove on up to give ice fishing on Kabetogama a try.
During the pre-trip run through, I mentioned that if you can run a riding lawn mower, you’re qualified to run our SnoBear. Okay, so operating the machine is simple, but what about figuring out where to go and fish, they asked?
That is simple too, I already have the key fishing depths highlighted on the Lakemaster Chart that is loaded on our Humminbird Helix 10. Waypoints for the better fishing spots are loaded on the unit too and so are my trails, marks, and other helpful information.
Armed with a little information and a sense of adventure, Todd and Reed headed across the ice and look what they did. As you can see in the photos, folks who don’t have a lot of ice fishing experience can still find and catch fish, even on their first trip to the lake!
There’s no doubt that the comfort and efficiency of the SnoBear makes it shine as a fishing machine. But we learned this winter too that not everybody needs to catch a fish to make renting the SnoBear worthwhile. Some of our guests used it for playing on the ice, sightseeing in the Voyageurs National Park, or traveling to dinner at restaurants on the lake.
We’re thankful that the weather, the ice and the snow conditions combined to make this winter a fabulous one. In fact, it is hard to think of any way that things could have gone much better than they did.
But as the walleye season came to an end this weekend, we began pulling our fleet of rentals off the ice. For us, the time has come to put the ice fishing gear away and begin preparing for the upcoming open water fishing season.
We want to thank everybody who came up for a visit this winter and thanks to all of you who are making inquiries and reservations for next winter. By then, we’ll be chomping at the bit to get back on the ice, but for now, we’ll enjoy a little break in the action.
As the weather warms and we get closer to ice-out, we’ll begin posting fresh reports. In the meantime, thanks again for your support, we’re looking forward to seeing you again! Book your adventure today Contact KAB OUTDOORS or Call 218.875.2281.