BWCA trip and ice out dates.

[andrew chadwick]

I have a similar post on another forum, but I wanted to post here to get a broader range of replies

have a trip planned to Iron lake this spring. the target species are going to be walleye, pike, and smallies.

Currently, the trip is planned to leave around the 22nd of may. With the predicted late ice out is this going to be too early for the walleyes? will they still be in the "spawning funk" they always seem to be on opener?

thanks

chadwick

[Northlander]

You will do fine at that time I would guess. Spawn should be well over. You are going at a good time if ya ask me.

[andrew chadwick]

thanks northlander.

[Mudcutter]

Been to Iron 6 times. That's the Iron between Lac La Croix and Crooked. This year, that time frame is looking like just a tad late. Remember, Iron, dark stained water with lots of current which tends to warm up fast. I would say it's like opener in other year-,,, lots of males hanging around the obvious areas and females tough to locate in deeper haunts. With the sun length longer,, smallies maybe more on a the prawl than you think in the late afternoon with lots of sun. Underlooked smallie lake. Big slimers. 2 great campsites.

Muddy

[Maximum12]

Chadwick, what route are you taking into Iron? We'll be on Stuart around the first of June. We'll be going in 5/26 so I won't have a chance to quiz you either on this site or the 'other' one.

[andrew chadwick]

Im going in through EP 16- down the river into nina moose, through agnes, into LLC, and into iron.

May stop at a lake that shall not be mentioned for some lakers the first night.

[chaffmj]

Sounds like a nice trip Chadwick. I've been that way a few times myself but not in the last 15 years. Good Luck!

[andrew chadwick]

Im getting antsy just thinking about it.

And just to put it out there, there will will be people at my house, I DO NOT want a repeat of last year, having the house broken into the night I leave.