My first Canadian trip since 2018 is on the books, and despite some interesting conditions, it was a good one.

Lake of the Woods is about 6 ft. above it's normal level...that was interesting condition #1.  A late, cool, spring was #2.  Water temps were barely 60° on Sunday...we saw 70° in a few bays by the following Friday, but things are about two weeks behind normal.

We had 20 MPH+ winds on several days...making out preferred method of fly fishing nearly impossible for me on the front of the boat, trying to run the trolling motor at the same time, so I threw a lot of gear.

Three muskies made the net:  Two at 43", one at 36".  Only the 36" was on the fly by my fishing partner.  My two were with gear, and the first one was wrapped up in the line, and then in the net...so no time for pictures on that one.

My 2nd 43", from Friday AM:

 

My buddy's 36", on the fly:

He also managed a 30" walleye on the fly, that was pretty cool:
 

There was also a 34"+ pike that didn't get it's picture taken.

Well over 100 15" - 24" pike, and a similar number of smallmouth (15" - 19") and even two largemouth in the 19" range.

it was a good trip, despite the challenges.

Sounds like a pretty good trip. Those musky look like they’ve been in a cage match?, but still nice fish. 

11 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said:

Those musky look like they’ve been in a cage match?

All the musky we saw were pretty beat up - I suspect spawn was late this year.

The one I didn't take pictures of was really beat up.

Nice catches! Did you have to deal with any additional red tape crossing the border due to covid?

Nice fishing trip!  I fished a lake in eastern Ontario over the past two weeks.  Did well but not like that.

No issues at the border either way.

 

 

                                                   

8 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

Nice catches! Did you have to deal with any additional red tape crossing the border due to covid?

Other than having my COVID card with me (they didn't ask for it) and completing the ArriveCAN app before arrival, no red tape.

It was the fastest crossing I've ever experienced: 15 minutes wait going in at about 2:00 PM on a Saturday afternoon, no wait at all coming back into the US.

My Father just got back from his annual trip to Ontario with his relatives too a few days ago.  I haven't spoken to him on it specifically but he did text me that it was "a good trip."  I think a portion of their group got stopped at the border crossing for a random covid test check which delayed things.  This was the first time they had gone since June 2019.  He was supposed to bring me back a smoked filet of lake trout.

Some of the relatives he goes with only fish when they go on this annual trip.  That is literally the only time they fish all year so it can be a bit of a challenge sometimes lol.

 

The water levels in northern Minnesota are astonishing this year given the fact that last year that area experienced the worst drought in 30 years, wildfires, burning bans, etc.

Nice musky.  Good to hear that crossing the border will be a bit easier this year.  My trip isn't till late August when I head up to a lodge on Lady Evelyn Lake in NE Ontario.  Main target for us will be smallmouth and walleye.  

5 hours ago, Fallser said:

Nice musky.  Good to hear that crossing the border will be a bit easier this year.  My trip isn't till late August when I head up to a lodge on Lady Evelyn Lake in NE Ontario.  Main target for us will be smallmouth and walleye.  

I had read (forgot where) that they were doing away with the COVID vaccination card requirement, but I can't recall when.  Very soon.

5 hours ago, Further North said:

I had read (forgot where) that they were doing away with the COVID vaccination card requirement, but I can't recall when.  Very soon.

As of today, it was still required, but who knows by August.  The 72 hour requirement for ArriveCan is still a PITA though.  I hope I don't have to tell them what time I expect to cross the border

4 hours ago, Fallser said:

As of today, it was still required, but who knows by August.  The 72 hour requirement for ArriveCan is still a PITA though.  I hope I don't have to tell them what time I expect to cross the border

I crossed (going north) on June 14th and did not have to physically show my vaccination card.  It’s part of the ArriveCAN process.  You download a pic of your record to the crossing application.

I did have to show a crossing time but I’m not sure how exacting they are of that time slot.

Canadian Fish & Wildlife was doing random checks on the return going south (creel limits).

9 hours ago, Fallser said:

I hope I don't have to tell them what time I expect to cross the border

Make a guess, it'll be fine.  We were an hour and a half early.

I have a buddy up in far northern Michigan right now and he said the weather has been crazy.