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Just got back from Babbitt, MN - Birch Lake


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I just got back from Birch Lake up near Babbitt, MN (just south of Ely). We were up there for a week or so... just AWFUL fishing. Absolutely nothing was biting (except the black flies and mosquitos). I did manage I NICE smallie the first night during the twilight hours. Two weekends ago, I dropped my dig. camera in the water for the third time since I've had it, so my wife would not let me take the new Sony H9 that I bought for us out on the lake. I was about 250 yards from the houseboat we were renting on my little 12 ft boat when I caught it. My crappy old 9.9 engine just puked, so I had to troll back to the houseboat to get a picture, which took me about, oh, 4 minutes or so. I got the pics and then spent about 2 or 3 more minutes getting the smallie revived again... good news, though, he was released successfully, so that made me happy.

Below are some pics...

BirchSmallie2.jpg

BirchSmallie1.jpg

BirchSmallie3.jpg

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I was on birch a few years ago for a few days...the family managed one perch for all the hard fishing we did.

so you're not alone for having bad luck on that lake.

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In light of your experience there I'd extend the invitation to drive another hour to Rainy Lake next time you head north. My oldest brother from FL and I were out last Tuesday from 7-11 am and caught around 20 smallies from 12-18.5" + a few pike (mostly on topwater!) and this was our first time ever in this area of the American side of Rainy. Within a 40 minute drive north of here in Ontario there are numerous lakes where the average smallie is 16" or better. WxGuy can you imagine those on a fly rod???

The Ft. Frances Canadian bass championship just finished Saturday with a 15 bass total for 3 days weighing in at over 58 lbs. and taking first prize at 50G.

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I would LOVE to go up there to chase smallies on the fly! There are quite a few from 'round here who go up there just for that.

Having caught a few around here in the 16-18" range lately, I know that I'd have to upgrade some equipment to catch that size of fish regularly. cool.gif

Good to see you back here, pete! I hope the nort is treating you well.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
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