Lakers and Whitefish in Cook's Bay?

Just curious.....what are the chances of finding these types in Cooks Bay? I was looking at the depth chart and I see the deepest, is say, in between Roches Point and Kilarney Beach in about 50-53 feet of water. I would suspect that north of there is not the safest bet right now albeit a bit deeper.

I've been to Gilford a few times now and while I love the Perch action, looking to fish for something bigger shall we say. Is the ice up there safe? Where can you park and access shore up there?

Also....excuse the stupid question, but.....what does everyone do with thier leftover minnows? I've had my bait bucket in the fridge now for a few days and the buggers are doing great....I get mine at the bait shop on 89 and 11 I think is the intersection.

Thanks

I salt the leftover minnows.

I bought a second hand 5 gal fish tank with filter for $25 off kijiki and keep it in the garage. Your fridge must be starting to smell fishy.

I have caught lakers and whitefish in Cook's Bay, in 50-55 fow. Only 1 of each, so I wouldn't say they are overly common, but there are some down there.
Not sure how safe the ice is out there though.

a 5 gallon pail and a livewell aerator hooked up to the boat batteries charging station in the garage. If garage not heated use a small cooler or insulated bucket. Key is to avoid rapid temperature change, and not freeze them.
turn on the aerator a few times a day for a few minutes.
Change water weekly. make sure new water sits a while so the temp is the same.
Eventually as they die, drain and put in a baggie with some pickling salt. Perch arent picky about live minnows, and if whitefish water ever becomes fishable the salties make good chum. Mine lasted 2-1/2 weeks like this.
I also buy from that bait shop.
They have the best bait, and give you lots per scoop.
Also, they ask what your targeting and, If your goin for pike they have larger minnows to offer.

One of my first time's out on the lake when I was still trying to figure it all out, I saw someone trolling with riggers on the south side of Roches Point in 50 ft.... I guessed he was targeting lakers but thought that was a weird spot, I guess they do venture into the bay at times.

If I'm not going to be fishing for a bit and the minnows are most likely going to die, I put them in a freezer bag with sawdust, and freeze them. When you go out the next time they stay on the hook nice and the sawdust just falls to the bottom.
Works good for me.

I would not recomend heading out in that area. There is open water just to the north a couple of days ago. Stay safe

Thanks for the reply's....I'll stick down in Cooks Bay...I do not know the lake and I'm a newbie....maybe in my younger days I would, but not now. I will follow the majority and go where they go.....lol.

Update on the Minnows.....they are gone. The wife called me at work a short time ago and after raising her voice (kinda yelling) about the smell in the fridge and they were now all dead....they were disposed of by my son....lol. Yes, lesson learned!!

Really changed that much? I went out Chapman on Tuesday and was on 7 iches of ice. Seen guys up more, looked like maybe 6th line.

Fish will wander around the lake from time to time but usually have a bit of a routine. I have seen Lake Trout in 20ft of water but not feeding just cruising by.

The area you asked of is just outside whitefish grounds but does see
( OUT OF SEASON ) Herring and lots of ok perch

i caught a whitefish in 25 ft water in gilford about 5 year ago ice fishing ..then i see a guy caught a whitefish around the roche point about 38 ft 2year ago ..

I have caught whitefish in Cooks bay occasionally. However, they are more often in the deeper water over 60 fow. I may be heading out to that area on Monday. Will wait and see if some one posts an ice report. Should be lots of ice being made this weekend.

The fish are everywhere in the lake, my son caught this 17lb last Sunday, and to boot its was his 5th time out, ever! Check out the link!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NBlVNH8F3w...be_gdata_player

Nice Laker! That's what I'm talking about. You think your out perch fishing..... And you hook a beauty like that. How deep where you fish there?

Marbro Nice fish!! Love to see that.Your kid must have been so happy.Good Job.I see you met Roy that was helping you out.Been fishing with Roy for many years.Good guy!!