I have fished Makok 4 times and have had outstanding walleye and northern pike fishing each time. We have always been there early in the season and as a result have primarily fished the western inlet of the lake known as “Walleye Alley.” Jigging for walleye and trolling for pike (using various spoons). It is my understanding that as the season progresses more fishing is done at the eastern end of the lake (in the Albany itself) and along the southern shore of the lake off of the numerous points. Our group goes to Makok every odd numbered year and tries a different “more remote, newly openned”, one cabin lake out of Armstrong or Pickle Lake each even numbered year. Each time we go to one of the other places I come home vowing to simply go to Makok every year. Given our repeated good sucess and the excellent service we receive at Makok, we will likely stop trying other places soon.

We spend one day each time fishing for speckled trout in the Albany River. The rest of the time is spent 90% walleye and 10% pike fishing. As a result, each time our best pike of the week has come on a jig while fishing for walleye. Best pike per year vary from 38″ to 40″ – not a giant trophy but interesting enough when caught on a jig and 6 or 8 lb. test. In terms of numbers: a bad day for walleye = 10 – 30 per boat. On a good day one can easily catch 60 – 100+. Some can be as big as 9 lbs, but most are 2 – 4 lbs with enough 5 – 7s to make it interesting. We primarily jig fish (although one year we hit the mayfly hatch in June and trolling with crankbaits was much more effective.) We always take live bait; nightcrawlers and sometimes minnows –check out Pennock’s Tourist Service in Nakina (807-329-5265). We likely do not need the live bait, but I always take it and use it because I would hate to not take it one time and have that be the time when things were tough. Usually we use a jig with a Powerbait grub tipped with a minnow or part of a crawler.

For those heading that way here are 2 pieces of good advice:
1. Get a guide early in the week (call ahead and schedule one). Makok is a large lake. The guides will put you on the action right out of the gate. They are well worth the cost. I cannot emphasize this enough. Our first trip there we figured we were good enough fishermen to get by without any help. Three days in we swallowed our pride, spent the day with Eli, and have not had another bad day fishing there ever since. Eli is great and very knowledgeable. We still get a guide our first full day there each year to make sure we are not wasting any time.
2. Call Wilderness North (807-983-2047) and pose any questions you might have. If possible ask to speak with one of the senior guides. The company has been in business for over 20 years and can tell you what lures to bring and techniques that will be most productive while you are there.

Hope you have a good time,
Dan