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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Saganaga and Seagull
 
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A1t2o
05/08/2020 12:29PM
 
I don't have gps and haven't found any good contour maps yet. It's too late to order them (due to changing our plans last minute), and all the stores are closed so I'm going to have to hope that what the outfitter has works for us.


We were thinking about using a small duck boat to do some fishing but I have never done that before. I'm not sure on the rules either. I did see that permits were available though.


The part that bothers me with the motor permit and going through the outfitter for everything is social distancing. I plan on getting the keys for the cabin and not come near them for the rest of the trip. I just want to call ahead and get everything sorted out before we get there so that it can be waiting on the deck for us to pick up. The problem is that I don't have 100% of the details already figured out.
 
thegildedgopher
05/08/2020 11:23AM
 
A1t2o: "Any tips for fishing on Saganaga and Seagull? I've heard that Red Rock Bay is good for walleye, but not much else. I'm staying at a cabin from Voyageur next week, 13th-17th. I'm not asking for any secret fishing spots or anything, just some tips on where to start looking since there is a lot of lake to explore.


For the most part I'll be targeting walleye and trout. I imagine that I should catch plenty of northerns and smallmouth without trying though. I'm thinking about bringing some shiners but we are the type to troll typically. "



Have you looked at the contour maps, and do you have GPS mapping while you're on the water? We're fishing sag mid-June and I am absolutely salivating over a few laker spots on the eastern side in the motor area. Some very deep water next to some nice big reefs and humps. Like humps and saddles that come up to 15-30 feet right next to 100 foot holes and troughs.


Also curious -- if this is a paddling trip and not a motor trip (assuming) are you getting a tow out to the end of the three mile island on Seagull? I've always been told the west side of Seagull was the only part of the lake worth fishing for lakers, but that's a pretty good haul out and back for a day trip.
 
shock
05/08/2020 07:28AM
 
not so sure about bringing shiners , gonna need a aerator and change of water.
west side of seagull from the alpine to and past the rog portage is a good trolling stretch for lakers early spring , work edges and tips of islands also. islands and the main south point past 3-mile island produces too. can't help you on Sag.
spoons and my favorite 7" blk/gold rapala will get the job done ;) diving suspending crankbaits can be very good also, for all species.
 
thegildedgopher
05/08/2020 12:55PM
 
A1t2o: "I don't have gps and haven't found any good contour maps yet. It's too late to order them (due to changing our plans last minute), and all the stores are closed so I'm going to have to hope that what the outfitter has works for us.



We were thinking about using a small duck boat to do some fishing but I have never done that before. I'm not sure on the rules either. I did see that permits were available though.



The part that bothers me with the motor permit and going through the outfitter for everything is social distancing. I plan on getting the keys for the cabin and not come near them for the rest of the trip. I just want to call ahead and get everything sorted out before we get there so that it can be waiting on the deck for us to pick up. The problem is that I don't have 100% of the details already figured out."



Check out the Navionics website and select "Chart viewer" -- then in the lower left corner click the round icon and make sure it's set to "sonar chart" to show the most contours. Lots of good info can be gleaned ahead of time. If you have a modern smartphone with GPS you can also get their app, mark your hot spots ahead of time from home, and just navigate to them from your boat.


As far as "rules" -- the rules are fairly straight-forward. You need a Day Motor permit for every day you plan to use a motor boat. Seagull is 10hp max, Sag is 25hp max. On Seagull you can only take motors down to the western end of three mile island, in other words, not into the best laker water. On Sag you can't take motors west of American Point -- lots more laker water in the motor areas on Sag than Seagull from what I can see.


I don't mean to discourage you from Seagull -- I just know that if I was on a day paddle permit and looking to fish, I wouldn't be excited about a potential 2-hr paddle on either end. Voyageur will two your canoe to the edge of the motor zone on either lake, so that might help -- but doesn't help you with your social distance goals.


Good luck!
 
thegildedgopher
05/08/2020 02:47PM
 
You can certainly do that.


I have always heard the best laker fishing on Seagull is in the big fat southwestern portion of the lake. For me, that is a bit far for a day trip paddle out and back. Maybe if all I was doing was exploring, sure -- but for a day of fishing I want the whole day, not to be worry about fighting big water back thru the afternoon winds, etc.


Whatever you decide, have fun!
 
A1t2o
05/07/2020 11:45AM
 
Any tips for fishing on Saganaga and Seagull? I've heard that Red Rock Bay is good for walleye, but not much else. I'm staying at a cabin from Voyageur next week, 13th-17th. I'm not asking for any secret fishing spots or anything, just some tips on where to start looking since there is a lot of lake to explore.

For the most part I'll be targeting walleye and trout. I imagine that I should catch plenty of northerns and smallmouth without trying though. I'm thinking about bringing some shiners but we are the type to troll typically.
 
A1t2o
05/08/2020 02:05PM
 
thegildedgopher: "I don't mean to discourage you from Seagull -- I just know that if I was on a day paddle permit and looking to fish, I wouldn't be excited about a potential 2-hr paddle on either end. Voyageur will two your canoe to the edge of the motor zone on either lake, so that might help -- but doesn't help you with your social distance goals.



Good luck!"



Can't I just launch from the campground and save half an hour to an hour of paddling? Seems like less than 2 miles to the decent fishing area. At that point you are fishing so who cares if you have a ways of paddling ahead. If we are driving over there we can simply drive by the EP to get a self issued day permit. Does it really matter where we park or put our canoe in the water?