Big Ab Fishfest - PB Northern

Friday lunch time myself, my nephew and brother in-law and another buddy took a road trip to Abitibi for the weekend. We fished Saturday and Sunday and went in on the Munro Lake Road. The road ended up being drifted in resulting in an 18 km sled ride into the lake instead of the normal 8 km.


Saturday was -16 and probably the worst wind conditions i have ever fished in using a pop-up. We set 12 anchors - not enough. The wind was fine at setup but just kept building all day until the anchors failed at about 2pm. We managed to hold on with the 4 of us until a brief lull when i went out parked the sleds strategically and than strapped the pop up to the sleds. With the extra straps tied to the sleds and reset of the ice anchors we managed to hold on through the rest of the afternoon.


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Sunday the weather was cold in the morning but warmed up fast to plus 2 so we fished open air for the day. There was some wind but nothing like Saturday.


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Fish wise we managed a 4 man limit of walleye (16 fish) all in the 15 to 16 inch range and a few more that went back:


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3 ling:


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Also half a dozen sauger that went back and about 20 goldeye for the smoker:


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But best was saved for last when Sunday afternoon yours truly tied into a 38.5 inch 16 lb northern with my panfish rod set up for 1/2 pound goldeye. That fish almost spooled my reel 3 times plus multiple runs where he took out half my line before i coaxed him through the ice.


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He did however try to take his pound of flesh:


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Sounds like another great adventure Joe Congrats on the pike

Sounds like yet another great adventure. That pike sure made you learn natures rules eat or be eaten, looks like he did his best to get even.

Looks like you boys had a great trip Joe, with the exception of your finger....ouch
Thanks for brings us along.

Congrats on the pb pike those toothy critters have been known for a slice or 2.

Sounded like another great weekend to Finnish off the ice season.

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Looks like a great outing congrats,
Still lots of ice ?

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Originally Posted by Articcat

Looks like a great outing congrats,
Still lots of ice ?

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We measured anywhere from 18 to 27 inches and shoreline was rock solid.

You guys are so lucky to have such a long ice fishing season. Here in Southern Ontario ( Lake St Clair, Rondeau Bay) where I live we barely get walkable ice for a few weeks anymore.

Love all your reports.... another great adventure, I always enjoy the read. Thank you !

Well consumed all the smoked Goldeye from my March trip but not to worry. Got another batch in the brine tonight from this trip. Should be even better than the March batch as as i learned a few things from that first experiment:

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Fenelon if your ever in the Dufferin County area shoot me a PM and we can eat some smoked goldeye and trade stories. Finished off the last of the walleye from that trip tonight - damn was good.