K-Bay Coho and Lake Herring bad year

[ZeeUP]

Dear fellow K-Bay fishermen,

I know many people, including myself, enjoy catching Cohos and Lake Herring (Cisco) in K-Bay every year, in my personal opinion, this year was  extremely slow, I only saw few herrings and no Coho and I fished all over the bay, at least three times every week.   
Lake trout fishing was better than average, especially earlier. Last week was slow as well.
Smelts are not biting during the day and I dont know how is it at night. I used to catch at least a dozen early morning every day, I see them passing by now without even looking at my jigs.
Whitefish, got few.

Do you agree with this observation?, and if you agree, why do you think it is so slow?
Is it the VHS virus that invaded our big lake?, or is it the weather?, the large area covered with ice?, although it was slow even when the sand point had open water.

And I know its not just me, all the people I fish with are experiencing the same and the DNR report said the same as well.

[chasepalosaari]

I agree. I've went to squaw quite a few times with little results. You think it has anything to do with Indians netting? Just a thought so don't throw negative comments back at me.

[Chris Raymond]

Coho and Herring were slower for me as well.  Lakers and whitefish a bit better.  Smelt was about on par a few nights but mostly slower.  Didn't really chase burbs this year.

I moved back to the area in 2005 (this is my third time living in the area) and even with the slower start, I don't remember there ever being as much ice coverage as there has been this year.  The first two times I lived in the area, I didn't ice fish the big lake so I have a smaller frame of reference.  I wonder if the increased ice coverage leads to more oxygen depletion and slower acting fish; however, there is a lot of water in the bay and a ton of current to move it around too and you wouldn't think it a problem.

[ZeeUP]

I agree. I've went to squaw quite a few times with little results. You think it has anything to do with Indians netting? Just a thought so don't throw negative comments back at me.

I fished the lighthouse Saturday, near couple of nets, I saw only couple of herrings, they were indeed beaten up and missing lots of scales, which my buddy and I attributed to the nets. There is a significant effect in my humble opinion, but I don't think its only that.

[ZeeUP]

Chris,
There is lots of ice indeed, but it was slow even when the sand point had open water, usually the early ice brings the best fishing, we use to get limits of cohos and many herrings everyday in the beginning, this year it was dead.
How was Chassell bay this year?, I only fished it twice with my son and had moderate action. I heard it was good early in the season, and some big eyes and pikes were taken. Did it recover from the walleyes spearing disaster few years ago?. 

[BiG ARN]

Steve at indian country told me all the ice is the reason the fishing sucked in the bay this year....he said the further the ice goes out of the head of the bay the fish dont come in the bay.  Just his opinion from over the years.  I agree....thats probably why first ice is best when theres only a little ice!   Who knows....just an idea

[Chris Raymond]

Chris,
How was Chassell bay this year?, I only fished it twice with my son and had moderate action. I heard it was good early in the season, and some big eyes and pikes were taken. Did it recover from the walleyes spearing disaster few years ago?.

I fished the Portage early and switched over to the big lake once ice set up there.  Did well on crappie and walleye, but didn't chase pike intentionally.  The increase in walleye was a bit of surprise. 

[chasepalosaari]

Crappie only get better from here on out. I also did well on the short time I fished for walleye. Even pulling up some small ones which is a great sign.

[trailbreaker]

Anyone know if you can get out at Whirligig on a four wheeler with all the snow we got?

[Flag UP]

Anyone know if you can get out at Whirligig on a four wheeler with all the snow we got?

Yes, if you have a 4 wheel drive four wheeler. See the K-Bay posting. It is difficult but my wife and I made it in and out Saturday on our machine.

[Chris Raymond]

Zeeup--You might want to try the late afternoon/early evening bite for smelt, say 5:00 - 8:00.  Also, concur on apparent net marks on herring. 

[ZeeUP]

Chris,
Thank you for the tip, This seems good specially that I can do it after work, I will try it asap,
Thanks again,
Zee