Big Bass - Cohasset

[Jaggazz]

Will be there August 21st. Do local bait shops sell a fishing maps for this lake? What is generally biting at that time? I have a 3 year old who's dying to fish so I was hoping there would be pan fish biting then.

Any info at all would be appreciated!

[uncleBuck]

You will definitly be able to find a fishing map in fact you can buy a book at the baitshop that has a lake map of almost every Itasca county lake. there are many fishing options on bass for walleyes, sunnys, pike alot of goodsized fish to. Bass is definitely a fun lake to take the young ones to.

[Jaggazz]

Thanks Uncle Buck! I'm really hoping to get the little one hooked on fishing with this trip. We bought her a Micky Mouse Fishing pole at Fleetie last weekend and she can already cast almost as far as her mom!

[mwktrapper]

Jaggazz, You can go right to the DNR website and find a map and just print it right off. Bass Lake has two different sections in it and is connected by a shallow, weedy channel where you can find your bluegills. It actually has some very nice 'gills and has a protected limit on the lake, which I believe is 5.

[bmc]

You should be able to get a map from one of the local bait shops. From my experience, the north part of the lake is the better walleye part. I've had better luck on the south end for gills and largemouth bass. There's lots of snake northern's through out the lake. If fishing is slow, don't be afraid to anchor in a likely looking spot and throw out the bobber rig with a shiner or chub, that'll keep yer little one battling those snakes. For gill fishing, get some panfish leeches and bobber fish. I've caught some big gills on the north end lindy rigging for walleyes. Sometimes the channel between the two half's of the lake get's choked with wild rice and may not be navigable, depending on the water depth. The gill limit is 5 a day and with good reason. It really got hit hard prior to the 5 fish limit, but they're coming back nicely.

Brian

[Jaggazz]

OK now I am pumped. Not to catch a trophy, but to turn my 3 year old daughter on to fishing. And if we catch enough for a fish fry, so much the better. Thanks guys!

[orrinb]

Big Bass is a large lake and difficult to fish at the best of times, and the 'Dog Days' of August are definately not the best time. It was almost fished out by locals but is slowly coming back.

If you want action for your little one here are 3 good sources of honest info.

Go to Cohasset and talk to 'Bob' at 'Bobs Bar & Offsale'. He owns Bobs Resort on big Bass. Tell him Orrin sent you.

There are 2 good tackle & bait stores in GR on Hiway 2. They will help you out.

Subscribe to the MN DNR weekly fishing report. Free, comes out weekly by email. They cover our area.

There are many places to fish from shore around here. No hassle with the young one in a boat.

Cheers

Orrin B.

[wrshog]

Might I reccomend that you get a second, maybe even a third snoopy pole depending on how long you'll be there. If you can rig up some sort of tether system, or have the net at the ready those snoopy poles have a tendancy to get away from the young'ns once-n-awhile.
My experience anyway. You may want to try a cane pole for the gills. it's quite a battle to get one in on those for a 3 yr old.

[Duck Buster 2]

I live really close to Bass, and was curious where you would be staying. I recommend doing most of your fishing on the North part of the lake. This late in August the gills will likeley be from 7-10 ft of water and leeches are a great bait. The walleyes are a little hard to catch this late in the summer, but sometimes slip bobbers tend to work the best to keep your bait out of the weeds. Good luck to you, and your daughter should have a great time!

[Jaggazz]

Thanks guys. We are staying at Pincherry for a week. Sounded pretty nice and you couldn't beat the price. I think getting away for the week will be worth it by itself!

And FYI, the NEW snoopy rods and reels float. It was a huge selling point!

Thanks again!

[largemouth_ss]

With the road construction on 38 I drive past Bass quite a bit and thier seams to be alot of boats fishing just out past that resort with the maroon cabins. What are they fishing? It is a convenient lake for me to try but want some pointers. THanks