fishing the bwca walleye pike, northern pike, bass
FISHING THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA
There is pehaps no better place in North America to wet your line than the Boundary Waters. From smallmouth bass to walleye to northern pike, the angling records set in the BWCAW and Quetico will make any fisherman envious.
We offer a complete selection of tackle and other fishing equipment at our store.
We will also assist you in selecting a route that will take you through the best fishing holes in the Northwoods.
NORTHERN PIKE Minnesota state record 45 lbs, 12 oz in 1929
SEASONS AND LIMITS: May 13, 2006 - February 27, 2007 3 ( not more than 1 over 30" may be taken daily )
Because of their strength, size and agressive nature anglers love to catch these beauties. They like to hangout with baitfish during the spring and early summer. They favor warm water so in the summer they will move out to about 15 feet deep. Fish the mornings and evenings with surface lures and troll during the day with spoons and a leader.
Live bait: sucker minnow. Artificial: spoon, spinner baits, crank bait.
WALLEYE Minnesota state record 17 lbs, 8 oz in 1979
SEASONS AND LIMITS: May 13, 2005 - Feburary 25, 2007 6 ( not more than 1 over 24" may be taken daily )
Best luck in the spring. Use jigs weighing 1/16 - 3/8 ounce ( white, pink, lime green, chartreuse, yellow, orange in tea colored lakes ) tipped with a minnow or a worm. Jig over the side of the canoe.
Live bait increases your luck. Artificial bait: twister tail, shad bodies, rapalas.
Summer makes it hard to find these creatures so fish deep and on the bottom. Use heavier jigs and deep diving lures. They tend to like moving water so on a windy day you might have good luck. They are low light feeders that is why fishing at night can be very advantageous. Do not use a leader.
LARGEMOUTH BASS Minnesota state record 8 lbs, 13 oz in 1948
SEASONS AND LIMITS:
6 Largemouth Bass May 27, 2006 - February 25, 2007 6 Smallmouth Bass May 27, 2006 - September 11 after which is catch and release only till end of season
In the spring during spawn you will be catching mainly males. Cast toward shore with surface lures such as floating rapalas or tiny torpedos.
Peak times for smallmouth is spring and fall.
Look for them 8 - 12 feet deep, gravel bottom with small boulders after their spawn. Jig and a leech or nightcrawler. Artificial bait: shad rap, crankbait.
When the temperatures rise look for them around submerged rock piles. They are hunting for crayfish. Use bait that has a popping sound.
As summer lingers bass will be 20 - 30 feet deep. Larger fish this time of year. Jigs with twist tails tipped with live bait. Spinnerbaits.
TROUT Minnesota state record 43 lbs, 8 oz in 1955 SEASONS AND LIMITS 3 Lake Trout May 13, 2006 - October 1, 2006
You need to fish these in early spring or late fall in the shallow water otherwise it is 60 - 100 feet deep where temperatures are 40 - 50 degrees.
Live bait: Frozen Ciscos. Artificial bait: Heavy spinnerbaits.
CRAPPIES AND BLUEGILLS
Both are schooling fish and their eyes are designed to see upward, so bait should be worked slightly above them.
BLACK CRAPPIE Minnesota state record 5 lbs, 21" long in 1940 BLUEGILL Minnesota state record 2 lbs, 13 oz in 1948
Black crappie move in schools, spending in summer over spots where the bottom is 20 to 40 below. But while they rest suspended over deeper water, in May and June they move into shallow bays and slower moving rivers to feed. During mid-summer, they can usually found along deep weedlines or a little farther out from shore. They'll hit during the day, but morning and evening slots are prime.
On overcast days, crappie can be caught all day long. Look for shoreline trees that have toppled into the water. The fresher the tree the better bluegills prefer a fresh cedar or birch with the leaves still attached (more protective cover).
