Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Posted

Trying to put together a surprise trip to BWCA with my son.  This is going to be a surprise trip.  He's really into kayak fishing and i'm selling my bass boat so we can do the kayak thing together. 

I know portaging with a kayak for the most part limits where we can fish and that's okay.  As long as I can get him into some fish of some sort fish, he will be happy.  We will be driving up from north Texas.......I'm originally from NE Iowa so on a trip home we'd just continue on north to BWCA for our trip.  

 

Just trying to create memories before this kid goes off to college :( . 

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Mitch

Posted (edited)

Sawbill Lake off of the Sawbill trail gets my vote.  

Has a campground and outfitter on Sawbill Lake (part of lake outside, most inside the B.W.C.A.). 

Can either car camp and day paddle into B.W.C.A. or they will set you up with everything to camp inside the B.W.C.A.

Do need a entry point reservation for overnight camping, or just a free day pass for the day that you fill out at the entry point.

Google will give you links.  Small mouth bass fishing picking up on crank-baits fishing off of rocky points.  Walleyes a little deeper with jigs, twister tails.  

Owners of outfitters really nice people and will bend over backwards to help you out (time we forgot our food pack at home).

 

Edited by backcast
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

I would have an outfitter drop you off in houst bay of basswood. Lots of walleye waters near there plus pike large mouth small mouth are think. If you need fish to eat the bluegills and crappies provide plenty of fun. Having the outfitter bring you in will save time and your strength.

Posted

The type of kayak you use is the first thing that came to my mind. In the BWCA you need to paddle, the kayak that you peddle [like Hobie] are banned. I don't have enough time up there to have a favorite fishing area. The other thing is in Minnesota all watercraft over 10 feet must be licensed, either to your home state or to Minnesota. Just trying to keep you from making memories that are not so pleasant.

 

 

 

Posted

You no longer need a license on your out of state water craft if it is in MN less than 90 days.

 

"A watercraft license is not required for: Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days.

Posted

Hard to beat soft plastics.  I like the Impulse series from Northland and there clear containers that thread on top of each other.  I recommend bringing a rod that is not to expensive for it is rugged and accidents can happen.  Ugly stick type equipment works well.  Walleyes should be moving up shallow at dark and in the mornings to.  During the day try deeper waters of 20 feet.  Casting shorelines is always a good pattern to start with for us.  Good luck and don't forget all the proper legal stuff BWCA permitting, fish license, etc..  Tight lines, JH

  • 1 month later...
Posted

Mitch19 .... Tell us how your trip went?   Curious??

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      If you fished with me more often, you'd never have to make this statement...   38" of ice - love it. I'm really going to have to dig around for my auger extension. I don't think that I've needed it in over a decade.   Too bad nobody has a locomotive chugging across the ice to do some logging, like the good old days.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Resorts and outfitters on some parts of the lake have ice roads extending over 16 miles staying on nice schools of walleyes and saugers.  Many fish houses are over deep mud.  Some are on structure.  It is always fishing of course, but overall, February has been very productive for most anglers.   Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken.  The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses out through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year.  Some big eelpout are also showing up.  Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home.   The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go.  On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.     Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water.  Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line.     On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons.  There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time. On the Rainy River...  The start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them.  It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.   Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes.     Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well.     Big crappies are still being caught just over the border.  Fish houses are available, check with a NW Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.   Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.    
    • leech~~
      Maybe you should put rattle wheels down, if your going to sleep for 6hrs! 🤭 😆
    • JerkinLips
      Monday was my worst day of winter fishing on Vermilion in the last 4 years.  Caught only one 14" walleye in nearly 8 hours of fishing.  Missed two other bites and was marking very few fish.  Maybe the fish were taking Monday off after a big weekend.   No more water came up on the ice under my house.  Think it was because I haven't banked snow around it for a couple of weeks so the bare ice around the house is getting very thick.  I measured 38" of ice under my house and the Ion barely made it through even with the extension installed.  Needless to say I banked around the house this time.  Another lesson I learned today is don't drill holes if ice is frozen on your blades.  I did that on one hole and it didn't center properly and drilled at an angle on the edge of the opening.  Hope I can correct the location and angle on my next trip up.   Not much change in the surface lake surface conditions.  The drifts may be a little higher and are definitely harder.  There are still a few bare ice spots on the lake.  Very little activity on the lake today.  There are about 3 dozen houses from McKinley Park out to Birch Island.  Another person pulled there house off today, and I am sure many more will pull theirs off this coming weekend.  Only 13 days left of walleye season.    
    • leech~~
      A good start for never picking up a bow!   IMG_1910.mp4
    • leech~~
      Um, #metoo   leech~~ Author 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders Posted January 26 My whole goal for the rest of this season.  Is to watch KC lose and Taylor cry!  🥳
    • smurfy
    • Wanderer
      Smurfy is happy.
    • Dash 1
      Great looking food. So far not much of a game and I thought the halftime show was worse I've seen. 
    • leech~~
      Oh is there a Superbowl game? 😋😋
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.