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Fantastic Fishing at Barker Bay Resort & Outposts!
Scenic Lower Manitou Lake is about 18 miles from the Esox Landing or 50 air miles from Fort Frances which is located on the Ontario/Minnesota  border at International Falls. Charter Flight service is available, contact us for more information. The waterway consists of Lower and Upper Manitou Lakes which join into the Manitou Stretch and Esox Lake giving you over 32,000 acres plus. The crystal clear waters can reach depths up to 300 feet. The rocky shoreline, numerous islands and many bays give great structure for the fishing and also offer shelter whether it is windy or calm. With this variety of waters it consistently produces above average catches of LAKE TROUT, SMALL MOUTH BASS, NORTHERNS and those MANITOU MONSTER MUSKIES!
Click "Here" for a large map view of Lower Manitou.
Licenses - All licenses need to be purchased prior to arriving at the resort.
Sport Fishing 7 day license (larger fish limits) approx. $38.00 US
Conservation 7 day license (smaller fish limits) approx. $29.00 US
All non-residents 18 years of age and over must purchase a license. Under 18 years old may fish without a license if accompanied by an adult who has a fishing license. Any fish caught are part of the catch and possession lime of the adult who holds the license. Or you may purchase a license for them and they will have their own catch and possession limits as an adult.
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 LAKE TROUT: Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter fishing is available to catch this fish at Barker Bay. The clear waters of Manitou allows you the joy of seeing the fish way before you can reach it with your net. Average sizes are from 4 to 9 pounds, however every year they come in with sizes from 16 to 20 pounds! May finds them near the surface & June in fairly shallow water early in the month, but will move deeper as the water temperatures warm.
July & August find them deep - 60 to 80 feet. In September they will start moving into shallow water as season closes on September 30th. Season opens again on January 1st & winter ice fishing offers another thrill altogether through the ice.
Suggested Tackle - 8 to 20 lb. test line with 20 to 50 lb. steel leaders, Spoons, Little Cleo's (silver & blue), MEPPS #4-#5 (whitetails), Skirted lead head jigs, MEPPS Cyclops, Rapala #7 Tail Dancer/Silver, #12 Deep down Husky Jerk/Silver & Silver/Blue |
BOATS AND MOTORS:
We have different boats available to fit your needs. We have two Lund 17-foot outfitters with 50 HP electric start Honda 4 stroke motors and two 18-foot Crestliner Canadians with 50 HP electric start Yamaha 4 stroke motors. These are equipped with electric trolling motors, graphs, live wells, padded swivel seats and electric trim/tilt. All boats are equipped with landing nets, paddles and life vests, however you may want to bring your own life vest to ensure a proper fit.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
Guide service is available. Your experienced guide will help to make sure your day of fishing is enjoyable and sucessful. They will take you to the areas that are producing the fish you prefer. As an American Plan Guest a special treat will be the traditional Canadian shore lunc h that your guide will prepare after a busy morning on the lake. Guides must be requested when you make your reservation.
Gasoline and oil is available.
We have a fish-cleaning shack available for guests that are not using any guide service.
Also there are a couple of canoes available if you prefer that type of transportation.
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WALLEYE:
It has been rumored that there maybe a bay on the Manitou that houses some walleyes, however are very elusive. So if you are interested in Walleye fishing we have some side lakes that we can get you to for a day of great fishing. Average sizes from 2 pounds to 7 pounds.
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Tim Hicks with a 52 inch long 40+ pound monster. |
MANITOU MONSTER MUSKIES:
There are numerous bays, 20 ft deep weed beds teeming with baitfish, occasional stained bays that have healthy Northern Pike and Small Mouth Bass populations. These structural elements allow the Manitou to have fine season-long fishing with 50+ inch fish caught from June through October. We promote "catch and release" in order to continue to sustain and reproduce these Monster Muskies.
Suggested Tackle - 30 lb. or heavier test line with 30-50 lb. steel leaders, Big Bucktails, Believers, MEPPS #5 & all in between up to the Giant Killers, Bull Dawgs, Suicks, Rapalas or just about anything in your tackle.
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Muskie book author George Sandell caught his Lifetime Largest Fish (54.5”) from the Manitou and Len Hartman dedicated a special chapter of his book to the Manitou. His Lifetime Largest Fish (50.5 lbs.) was caught in Barker Bay. Several Barker Bay visitors have caught their Lifetime Largest Fish here. Shouldn’t you be next? |
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 NORTHERN PIKE:
With the average Canadian Jackfish being 7 pounds it's not uncommon to bring in those larger fighters. These clear, cold waters produce fish that will ensure they are fast and furious when you hook one and give you a great fishing experience. They range in depths of 10 to 15 feet in the spring to mid-summer. Once the waters start to warm they can be found down around 30 to 35 feet.
Suggested Tackle - 10 to 17 lb. test line with 20-50 lb. steel leaders, Rapalas like #8 Shad Rap in Crawdad, Deep Divers (15ft or more) Spoons such as Daredevils or Little Cleo's, MEPPS spinners #3 & #4.
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SMALL MOUTH BASS:
These fighters average 3 to 4 pounds and they can give you a good run for your money. As stated by Outdoor News, The Sunset Country region of Northwestern Ontario has the best small mouth bass fishing in the world. They lay waiting along the rugged boulder shorelines, rocks reefs & points.
Suggested Tackle - 4 to 10 lb. test line, MEPPS spinners #3 & #4, &Mac185; to 3/8 oz jigs w/twister tails (white, yellow, chartreuse and purple), beetle spinners, #5 or #7 Jointed Shad Raps (red crawdad or crawdad) or Rattletraps and Top water plugs (crayfish or minnow colored)
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