Does anyone have or know where to get a depth/countour map of Saganagons? I'll be heading up for the first time, and would like to have some idea of the bottom contours, depths, etc. I'm primarily a bass fisherman, but would like to target walleyes and maybe lakers.

I've seen a good amount written about the Fisher and McKenzie maps but wasn't sure if they have the lake's contours. It looks like most have contour lines if the surrounding land (which is good to have) but primarily I need the lake's info.

Any help is much appreciated!

Tuna

As far as I know, the lake has not been depth mapped.

I have never seen a contour map for Saganagons. For bass, probably not needed. Scout around the various shorelines till you have luck. Saganagons is a big lake... what area do you think you will try? I have a lot of years experience on Saganagons and may be able to give you some hints.

I'll be basecamping for a 5 day trip with my dad. More than likely we'll camp at two locations on the lake for a couple nights each. Most of the people I've spoken with have recommended the western islands, etc. However, if the eastern end is worth the paddle, then we're game if anyone can point us towards some productive areas.

I'm not worried about being able to get into bass or pike, but I'd also like to get into some nice walleyes and maybe a laker or two. I'm not looking for anyone's honey hole, but general areas to focus for certain species. We'll be up there the third week of July, so I'm assuming we'll be doing a fair amount of cranking and jigging. We'll be all catch and release with the exception of 3 or 4 small fish for dinner a couple of nights. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

The western islands is a good overall area... lots of bays and reefs worth exploring and working for walleyes and bass. Find mid-lake reefs and fish the deep sides. Lake trout tactics would involve deep water trolling with lots of weight as these fish will be down a ways. We have used Seagull Outfitters. If you talk to Debbie, she could mark your map with W's and SMB's and recommend nice sites. Great bunkhouse.

Thanks for the help, we're using Seagull Outfitters so hopefully Deb will point us in the right direction! I'm looking into bringing a fish finder to help with locating some of the deeper structure. If I can get one laker I'd be happy...never caught one before. I'm planning on bringing some spoons and deep cranks for the lakers. I also saw some buck tail jigs by Spro that looked pretty decent, might bring a handful of those.

How about the area around Silver Falls? Looks like some decent areas that narrow down quite a bit, I'm assuming the current holds some decent fish?

Rat Bay, thats all I will say.

Use spoons for lakers mostly... I think that is the most productive. We have not had much luck in Rat Bay, but around that area are several islands and channels worth working. Or work deeper water in the vicinity with those spoons.

Nice, I'll try that. Great fish!

When I said Rat Bay I was talking about Smallies. Lots of them and lots of monsters. If you hit it right it could be your best day of trophy smallie fishin ever

I have been watching this thread for sometime now with interest. I leave on the 14th of May for Saganagons myself. Surely someone here has a rough idea of how deep different parts of the lake are. For example: the area around the 4 island camps just north of dead mans portage, the area around boundary point, ie....

Thanks

Yes, I could see Rat Bay being a smallie haven especially if you hit it right. We did have a magical day on a lake south of there one year.

Saganagons has a lot of structure. Depths are highly variable. Areas far from shore are sometimes only 30-40 feet. Sometimes 90' just off a point. A depth finder answers all questions.

4 islands north of Dead Man's - unknown to me
Boundary Point - lots of 40' north and northeast
Boundary Point (from island tip East of B Point) - 40' east and south, 80'+ north
West end, big body North from Silver Falls - 80' - 120' with some reef structure
Dead Man Portage, south side - lots 40' for a mile or more heading northeast

This may all sound pretty vague without a map, a beer and a conversation.

Thanks a ton, I am game for the beer and conversation also.

I'll recommend two campsites, one midway down the lake and 2nd all teh way at the east end.
This sight is very nice. Walleye fishing right from the site. There are several bays nearbye and channels that prevent you from becoming windbound on all but the most windy days. Much less traffic than on the west side of the lake. Not uncommon to go 2-3 days without seeing another party.

I marked hotspots I've had luck with for walleyes, northern and smallies.

The second suggestion is all the way at the east end of the lake; on the east side of the large island.



Cool site with a rare sand beach facing east. Losts of open water to the west so heavy wind could keep you on shore. Interesting option is available for access to this end of the lake. The Chippewa Inn on Saganaga Lake will tow your gear via ATV accross the 2.5 mile portage for a fee. You can be set and fishing in a few hours vs. all the portaging and paddling it would take to go through Silver Falls.



I marked hotspost I had last time I was here. Note you have access to Bemar Lake and that chain. An interesting option for Lakers is Elevation lake off of Bemar which I've heard is untapped and very good. Don't miss the old Powell homestead at this end of the lake: Powell

Saganagons has big northern and big walleye and a lake many just cruise on through, have fun.

Holy Great Responses Batman!!

Wow, thanks for the info Bushwacker. This guidance will certainly help, I'm especially looking forward to checking out some of the recommended campsites. I think that we might try heading east to try out some of those spots on the eastern side of the lake. Hopefully we'll have a great fishing report to show for it.

Great article about the Powell homestead...interesting stuff.

Tuna

My pleasure Tuna! Glad I can help.

I'll pass along one final spot I have NOT stayed at but had marked on my map by an outfitter with fishing spots. I have fished Bitchu and Smally lake tho.


This site is just before the main open expanse of 'gons. It's described as an elevated site with a fabulous view of the lake and a mediocre landing. Walleye fishing from camp.


Here are the fishing spots marked by an outfitter. I have fished Moose Bay and had good luck with northerns and bass. I'm told Moose Bay lake can have hot and heavy smallie action. I marked the short portage. That's on my to do list and would love a report if you get back in there. No doubt you'd own the lake if you make the effort.



!$/a Here are some spots to the north. Note the narrows east of Boundry Point are alleged to be a walleye funnel hotspot. Rat Bay is supposed to be a bass and northern magnet. I've fished Smally Lake and it's true to it's name. Bitchu has the big three throughout but what's interesting here are the slab blue gills. I caught several that nearly snapped my ultra light rod. There are rapids draining from Bitchu into 'gons which I was told hold walleye at it's base. That's pretty much the rule with walleye. They stack up below rapids in the down current lake. The base of Silver Falls in 'gons is another spot.

In my opinion, Saganagons is best fished as a base camp. It's a huge lake and the first day or two you'll spend establishing patterns. Once you ID the trends you can zero in by reading the land structures above water; points, island saddles etc. A depth finder is a huge asset for a lake this big. Have a blast and catch one for me!

edit: I can't figure out why the last two paragraphs are showing in a link format but it's legible so I'm leaving it alone :)

This is way more than I expected, WOW! Thanks a ton!

quote Widespreadpanic: "This is way more than I expected, WOW! Thanks a ton! "

No problem. I'll be interested in reading a fishing report from you when you return. You are going very early, hope mother nature gives you a warm spell. I bet you have a good shot at some BIG northerns and lakers in shallow water. Don't know where the smallies will be but I'd be prepared to fish deep on drop offs adjacent to spawning bays with jigs. Don't take any chances if the wind comes up with that cold water uneless you're bringing a drysuit :)

We have been advised to put together a back up plan with a different route. Outfitter cannot guarantee a tow across Sag at this point. Alot of things will have to fall into place for this trip to work.

Widespread: what's the issue? Late ice out?

Yes, late ice out. We have done trips this early before and every time it works out in the end but having a backup plan never hurts. If the current weather pattern continues for the rest of the month we should be fine. I fully expect to be on Saganagons late afternoon may 14 but if things fall apart we will be somewhere north of Malberg.

Average iceout on Saganagons is May 1. Some recent late iceout dates are May 15, 2008 and May 16, 1996. So I agree you will be likely paddling on May 14.

quote Widespreadpanic: "This is way more than I expected, WOW! Thanks a ton! " Yeah, way more than I expected too. I was surprised to see one of my favorite little campsites emblazoned with a circle and a W off shore here for the world to see. I would not have revealed without a garage conversation, at least 2 beers and an oath to treat the site nice. At least my favorite site was not circled and no LT's are shown on the map.

I think so early in May, you may have a tough time finding active fish. And the walleye season won't be open till May 21.

quote bobber#3: Yeah, way more than I expected too. I was surprised to see one of my favorite little campsites emblazoned with a circle and a W off shore here for the world to see. I would not have revealed without a garage conversation, at least 2 beers and an oath to treat the site nice. At least my favorite site was not circled and no LT's are shown on the map."

Meh. All pretty obvious stuff. Fish the island saddles, points and back of the weedy bays. Any outfitter will mark these well known sites on a map and mail you a copy. Hardly top secret information in my book but to each his own.

Agreed. Pretty obvious stuff. TeamTuna should have a good idea of sites and possible fishing when he heads out. Saganagons has a zillion options and is one of my favorites. It is well worth the trip.

Bushwacker: "My pleasure Tuna! Glad I can help.


I'll pass along one final spot I have NOT stayed at but had marked on my map by an outfitter with fishing spots. I have fished Bitchu and Smally lake tho.



This site is just before the main open expanse of 'gons. It's described as an elevated site with a fabulous view of the lake and a mediocre landing. Walleye fishing from camp.



Here are the fishing spots marked by an outfitter. I have fished Moose Bay and had good luck with northerns and bass. I'm told Moose Bay lake can have hot and heavy smallie action. I marked the short portage. That's on my to do list and would love a report if you get back in there. No doubt you'd own the lake if you make the effort.



!$/a Here are some spots to the north. Note the narrows east of Boundry Point are alleged to be a walleye funnel hotspot. Rat Bay is supposed to be a bass and northern magnet. I've fished Smally Lake and it's true to it's name. Bitchu has the big three throughout but what's interesting here are the slab blue gills. I caught several that nearly snapped my ultra light rod. There are rapids draining from Bitchu into 'gons which I was told hold walleye at it's base. That's pretty much the rule with walleye. They stack up below rapids in the down current lake. The base of Silver Falls in 'gons is another spot.


In my opinion, Saganagons is best fished as a base camp. It's a huge lake and the first day or two you'll spend establishing patterns. Once you ID the trends you can zero in by reading the land structures above water; points, island saddles etc. A depth finder is a huge asset for a lake this big. Have a blast and catch one for me!

edit: I can't figure out why the last two paragraphs are showing in a link format but it's legible so I'm leaving it alone :)
"

Have you been back since 2011?
I have fished a couple times in the East end.
The last time was June 2012.
I hope to be back there June 2023.
I couldn't see any details on the maps you posted. Could you direct message them to me?

The one map I could get some detail on was the
One with the W next to the circled point.
We camped on that point in 2012.
We knew there was a chance of sever weather on our last day in the east end.
It was a foggy morning. We got up earl and went bass fishing in a lake just east and south of there. It was a fun morning.
As we got back to camp about 10:30.
The black clouds were rolling in.
Then green clouds. Then they were hidden behind rapidly
Rising white whispy clouds.
The rain hit. Then the wind and then the hail.
After about 20 minutes of this. I said if I am going to die. I am going to film it.
I opened the tent door that then began just buzzing in the wind.
Then without a sound we could here. The giant red pine that was 8 ft from our tent. Snapped 10ft up, just out of view. The top part of the tree came down horizontally. My brother was peeking over my shoulder. He asked " did you get it" I said "yup"
I just turned 60. My brother 63. He h and does want to work that hard anymore. as always disliked portaging. And now hates it