I'm not a fisherman and I desperately need help. July 4th 2020 I'll be making my 3rd trip to Lake Saganagon for a one-week trip. So far, I have yet to catch a fish. I would be forever grateful for any and all advice, mostly regarding lure advice and recommended depths/types of places where fish hide. I'm open to catching any fish which swims and would be willing to bite whatever lure/jig you recommend.

Thank you in advance

If you can find moving water, you'll find fish. Jig and plastic like a twister or paddle-tail is pretty simple and found anywhere. Fish from shore tossing into the current and slowly bringing it back. If you're in the canoe, vertical jig or cast it. Find the current breaks, eddy lines, etc.

Another alternative is if bass are present, in early morning or late evening go out and toss topwater baits toward or along shore. As long as it's not windy they'll see/hear and come to play. Try rocky shorelines, near fallen trees, weeds, etc.

If you have an area with weeds, pike are probably around. Spinnerbaits or the same top waters from above can catch fish.

Below is a picture I took a few years back of what I was planning on taking on that trip. Hope that provides some ideas or things to look for. (spinnerbaits and buzzbaits were in another small box)

Where on Saganagons will you camp? I have been there a lot, as in 30 times over 20 years. A jig head and twister tail works for all species and is a great bait for beginner fisherman. And not too expensive when you lose it.

Welcome to the board. Update your profile which says you are 120 years old? Include your e-mail and I can send you a map showing where there are a few fish.

Jig/plastic

Spinnerbait

Buzzbait

Those are my top 3, of course none are in the picture. Those are the crank baits, inline spinners, and spoons we took. The 3 above were in another box.

I agree with twister tail grubs being a great option. Get some 3" and some 5" in green pumpkin or watermelon, white and black. Get jigheads with hook size to match in 1/8, 1/4 and possibly 3/8. 3/16 is a good all around size between 1/8 and 1/4. Use a retrieve speed and weight that keeps you very near bottom, you should be feeling the bottom occasionally and getting snagged occasionally. The faster your retrieve or the deeper the water the more weight you will need to stay down. Moving water, rock rubble, points, reefs, weeds etc. will all hold fish. Vary your retrieve speed and depth until you find a pattern that works. Morning and evening are often, but not always, a good time to fish, especially if it is sunny. Crank baits are another good beginner option. Rapala Shad Raps, and Berkley Frenzy Flicker Shads are great all around baits and work well for trolling. They are pretty much a throw it out and reel it in option, but definitely try varying your retrieve speed. There are endless options and techniques, but if I were limited to these, I could still catch a ton of bass and walleye, and they are easy for a beginner. Spinnerbaits or in line spinners such as Mepps( I like the #5) will catch a ton of pike and are also easy to fish. 3/8 oz or 1/2 oz is good all around spinnerbait size for smaller pike and are fishable on lighter tackle. On these, vary your retrieve speed and depth as pike are not as likely to be glued to bottom. They are also good for bass. Most importantly is to STICK WITH IT and TRY DIFFERENT THINGS! Most people fish too fast most of the time.

I've never fished Saganagons and I'm sure these two guys can help you out.

Send me an email - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the Grand Slam Lure article. This will give you basics on lures to use up there. If you have any other questions, just ask.

QueticoMike: "Send me an email - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the Grand Slam Lure article. This will give you basics on lures to use up there. If you have any other questions, just ask.


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If anyone else wants to read this article, just send me an email. I'm all about sharing knowledge and helping others. I also have many smallmouth fishing articles for the BW and Quetico as well if you are interested.

I would troll a DD Husky jerk 10 or Shad rap 7 about 30-40' from shore. Dawn and dusk would be best. 3 or 4 lures would be all you need. Use a leader.

bobbernumber3: "Where on Saganagons will you camp? I have been there a lot, as in 30 times over 20 years. A jig head and twister tail works for all species and is a great bait for beginner fisherman. And not too expensive when you lose it.


Welcome to the board. Update your profile which says you are 120 years old? Include your e-mail and I can send you a map showing where there are a few fish. "

Thanks so much for the offer. If you have any maps and can get me close to the fish, hopefully I can land one or two. We're planning on coming north thru silver falls, making our way up toward the falls chain, then heading to the far East end of saganagons. Looking at the map, I think we'll be covering most/all of saganagons.
Thanks again
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