Deer Bay - Lower Buckhorn Lake

[Tronster]

I have just returned from spending four weeks at the cottage on Deer Bay of Lower Buckhorn Lake in the Kawarthas. I've cottaged there for going on 20 years now, and the changes in the ecology since the arrival of the Zebra mussels are making fishing more challenging every year. The water clarity keeps improving and the weed growth around the shores of the bay gets thicker every year -- it starts about six feet from the end of our dock now, whereas 20 years ago there was absolutely none.

I'm a Walleye kind of guy, and in four weeks I caught a grand total of four -- a 4.5 pounder I released to breed more, and three 1-1.5 pounders that went to the pan. All on jigs and curly-tails. Over the years I've found a few productive rock piles, and that's where I caught these, but that's not very many given the hours I put in. Even dragging leeches on Lindy-rigs produced a big zero. Trolling shortly after dark used to produce limits, but not this time. Not a single "Eye" caught trolling. I admit I'm not a great weed fisherman, but I've been fishing the edges in desperation with no luck at all.

On the other hand, there appear to be plenty of small Smallmouth ('04 or '05 year class perhaps) and no end to the Bluegills -- although I haven't caught any of the salad plate size I'm used to catching in Mississippi Lake. I've heard reports of small Crappie as well.

Are there any other FishHawkers who fish Lower Buckhorn that have any reports to share? I'm heading back in mid-August for another three or four weeks, and am ready to try anything. I'm also thinking of hitting Loon Call, Ansthruther and Chandos lakes to see if I can drag up any deep summer Lakers or Splake. Any local knowledge or tips would be appreciated.

[wolfe]

Tronster,

Wow, that is a lot of time put in for a few walleye, but at least you nabbed a decent one in there. I would imagine the smallmouth saved the day with some action, as well.

Curious: any brushes with muskellunge? When I saw you were at Buckhorn I thought you would have a 'lunge in the report sooner or later.

W.

[Tronster]

Hi Wolfe

While I've never actually targeted Muskies on Lower Buckhorn I average one or two a year as "by catch" while fishing for Walleye. I think my largest went around 43", caught on a chartreuse curly tail on 10# test line. I've been broken off by quite few.

None so far this year, but I watched a chap fishing for Smallies with worms pull a 40 incher out of the weeds about 20 feet from the end of my dock on Canada Day.