Today was a layover day. In the morning, I fished the eastern arm of Malberg from my site to the far end and back. No luck. I paddled to the NW bay that evening to fish and also check out a few campsites. The one on the east shore is spectacular! A wide sandy beach has room for probably 20 canoes, has 3-4 good tent pads and one perfect tent pad, 4-square log seating around the fire grate, and a nice view to the west. If your group is 6 or more, this would be a perfect site, and great for kids because of the easy swimming in the beach area. I had Malberg to myself at least one night, maybe both. I think lots of parties either base camp at Polly or pass through Malberg on the way to other lakes.

Fishing for me that night in the NW bay was excellent. I worked the east shoreline back toward my campsite and caught a nice SMB but lost it just as I was about to net it. Then I caught a 20" incher (estimated) about 10 minutes later. Working the curve where the shore heads east, I caught maybe a 4-lb northern some 10 minutes after that. For me, 3 fish in 30 minutes is great results.