Lake Kabetogama & Voyageurs Fishing Report
Welcome to the Lake Kabetogama & Voyageurs Fishing Report, your go-to source for what’s biting and where to cast your line. Whether you’re planning your first trip to the Northwoods or you’re a returning guest who knows these waters well, we’re here to keep you updated on lake conditions, fish activity and helpful tips to make the most of your time on the water. Let’s see what this beautiful corner of Voyageurs National Park has in store this week.
JUNE 2025 Fishing Report
06/05/2025🎣 Kab Fishing Report — Early June Update
Thank you to: Wade Watson “Kab Kid” of Voyageurs Adventures with featured highlights from Dominc Ruis of Northern Limits Guide Service and Phil Heart veteran Kabetogama Guides
From Wade, Wow — almost a month in the books, and what a ride it’s been so far on Lake Kabetogama and beyond!
❄️ Ice-Out & Opener Recap
- Ice out: May 9th Opener: May 10th
- Water temps: Started cold (44–48°F), then week one hit a record 80–90°F, followed by a dramatic drop in week two (34–47°F) that made fishing tough for a while. We’re finally hitting consistent surface temps between 61–68°F, and it’s showing in the fish patterns.
🐟 What’s Happening Week of 6/5/2025
Walleye: Walleye are still scattered, but we’re seeing a lot of big fish in the shallows feeding at very specific times. Expect short feeding windows — hot bite for 2 hours, then quiet for 4.
- Jigs + Minnows still the go-to combo
- Slip bobbers + leeches are producing
- Lindy rigs (especially evenings) working well in 16–28 feet of water
Pro Tip: Don’t overlook windward bays and sandbars. They’re heating up.
Crappie: Last week saw crappie in shallow beds, and it’s still worth checking the 5–8 ft zone — some females are still pre-spawn.
From Dom Ruis: “Caught a lot of female crappie full of eggs in shallow water — the bite should stay good through this weekend. Bobber + leech for walleye worked great too!”
Bass: Bass are moving up to the sand, setting up for a strong near-shore bite soon.
What’s Next? The leech bite is about to take center stage!
Here’s what to pack and try:
🎯 Lindy rigs with plain hooks or small spinners
🌊 Cast jigs and plastics — fish are getting more aggressive
☀️ On sunny days: head to deeper water, reefs, windward island points
🌑 During low light: fish will move shallow
🧭 Namakan Report: Namakan Lake has been steady all week. Again, windward bays and structure are key.
From Phil Hart: “Great tips from Wade and Dom! Also, don’t shy away from nightcrawlers — the bite can turn on anytime. If using a spinner, keep it small — it’s still early season.”
The bite’s turning on, patterns are stabilizing, and summer is just starting to show off. Whether you’re a jig-and-minnow angler, a bobber fan, or a Lindy rig lover, there’s opportunity all over the lake right now. Love to hear what you’re seeing out there — drop us a line with your reports and stories! – Wade Watson, Kab Fishing Guide
6/1/2025 Dock Talk: What’s Happening this week for our NLRO guests
MAY 2025 Fishing Report
5/26/2025 Memorial Day NLRO Brag Board:
27 1/2″ Walleye caught by our guests in the Caribou Cabin with guide services provided by Don Granger
5/25/2025 Memorial Weekend Kabetogama Fishing Hot Spots Highlights:
NLRO Brag Board: Trophy Walleye caught in Nebraska Bay over 26″ and fat enough to saddle and ride it! Great dock fishing to round-out the fish fry and many slot Walleye and Pike returned to the wild. Fierce winds and white caps on Kabbie made the dock fishing all the more fun to enjoy!
Time of Day: Early morning and evening are good for walleye, midday for pike and bass.
Recent reports for Lake Kabetogama in Voyageurs National Park indicate strong fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. Walleye fishing is particularly good in the morning and evening, with anglers targeting shallower areas (4-20 feet) around rock piles and weeds, using leeches and crawlers on jigs or slip bobbers. Smallmouth bass are hitting well on cranks, Mepps, jigs, and topwater lures, particularly near rocks, weeds, and shorelines. Northern pike are also active, especially during midday, and are being caught in shallow weeds using big, flashy lures
Species Specific Details:
Walleye: Keeper walleye deep 28′-30′ from Travis Carlson Guide Service 5/25 & Frank House Guide Service 5/25. Leeches and crawlers are becoming more popular, with fish being caught in shallow water (4-20 feet) on jigs, bobbers, or spinners. Early morning and evening fishing is recommended.
Smallmouth Bass: Strong bite, with fish caught near rocks, weeds, and shorelines. Cranks, Mepps, jigs, and Whopper Ploppers are recommended.
Pike: Active in shallow weeds, particularly during the midday hours. Use big, flashy lures.
Water Temperatures: Climbed rapidly with the 85 degree air temperature the first week of walleye onener: Water temperatures are in the 50’s-70s depending on depth.
Recent Reports: Reports from NLRO Staff, NLRO Guests & Kab Outdoors/Driftwood Lodge Resort and other local guide sources highlight the consistent fishing for various species
5/23/2025 Dock Talk: Our guests from Missouri plumbed Lake Kab with 4 fishing boats and first time on the lake were quickly bringing in buckets of fish for the NLRO crew to clean. Many firsts for The Collard Group whom had mostly fished warmer, southern waters!
First Catch: Walleye
First Catch: Northern
First Catch: Smallmouth Bass
5/22/25 Dock Talk: The NLRO Brag Board highlights a Trophy Walleye- reeled in from Nebraska Bay. This “golden eye” had the girth to place a saddle and ride. Congrats to Jeff from Missouri a guest of our Fireside cabin.
5/15/25 Fishing Opener Highlights:
By sunrise on fishing opener, the remnants of the winter ice shelf had all but disappeared on Lake Kabtogama. With the sunny day coupled with high winds, the final ice didn’t last long. Guests worked hard to target the fish. The prespawn pattern saw keeper walleye deep at 28′-30′ — the dock fishing picked up early and late in the day. Every cabin had a fish fry, but some worked hard for a mixed bag of eaters.
With a late Ice Out 5/9 – Lake Temps in the Mid 40’s and triggering walleye spawn. Big Females up into the Shallows (2′ to 10′), the gals like to have their own zone and isolate, and not real interested in feeding. Be cautious and careful — with the larger 22″ fish –that are actively laying eggs and spawning. Classic Jigging Pattern – 20′ likely catch the larger males. For keeper walleye, guides taking our guests out into the 30′ zone.
We had researched the “Late Ice Out” fishing patterns and that’s all well in good until you get an uprecedented 90 degree day — just days after the ice melted. As they say, the best thing about fishing is it’s always better than a day at work!
