Basswood Lake

[FishinFool]

I'm taking a trip with my class to Basswood Lake in the BWCAW. I was wondering if anyone could help me out on what to use. What lures/presentations/techniques have worked well for you. I'm interested in catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

F.F.

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Do you think fish brag about the size of the man they got away from?

[FishinFool]

I'll be headed up there in late May.

[CrappieJohn]

If it were me, I'd take one bait/lure...jigs and plastics. You will want to travel light, so a couple dozen 1/8 and a dozen 1/4 plain old ballhead jigs will do for the hardware and about 18 each of chartreuse, white, orange, and black 3" twister tails will do nicely. Again, if it were me,I'd be looking to take powerbait or gulp products...they are scented and perform very well. And they are already packaged in thier own wrappers, something you'd need to do with plain plastics to prevent color bleeding. As an extra, throw in about three #3 mepps spinners with or w/o the bucktail, silver or gold. Given the stained water up there, I'd take both colors so you're covered on bright and cloudy days. Sounds like a fun time....enjoy!

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Plastics...making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys! CrappieTom

Culprit Tackle Crappie Pro Staff
[email protected]

[FishinFool]

Thanks for the replies. After putting the canoe in it will take us 6-6 1/2 hours to get there, so traveling light is a definite plus. Do you think that the smallmouth bass would be active by then? If so, where should I look for them? Shallow bays, around rocks/boulders, and/or around wood? If you guys could narrow it down to just a couple lures to help you catch a mixed bag (walleye, northern, bass) what would you take with you?

F.F.

[CrappieJohn]

Jigs and twisters....chartreuse is a "universal color..three inch on the twisters,1/4 on the head weight. Take a crank just because. A # 5 or 7 shadrap is about right...silver/black back.

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Plastics...making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys! CrappieTom

Culprit Tackle Crappie Pro Staff
[email protected]

[Walleye #1]

L.L.
What part of Basswood are you fishing? Where are you putting in. I can put you on some potential spots maybe. I have been fishing Basswood hard for the last four years. Ususally two different weeks in the summer I get up there.

You shouldn't have to big of problems locating structure and fish, but the lake is very big and can be intimidating at times. Narrow down your area to fish and really work to learning that area while you are there. I would suggest for smallies if you are going in June to pound the shorelines where there is downed trees and timber. Also the bays should be decent as well, because of the warmer water. Hold on and be ready for the a monster and those pesky pike. We have caught probably a dozen smallies ranging from 20-22" in the last four years. Those are pigs. I would reccomend plastics like the guys are saying, chartreuse but also the crawdad peppered color. Just have a variety and don't be afraid to change. You will also pick up a few eyes throwing jigs and plastics as well. I also reccomend having some topwater lures. Catching smallies on top water could be my favorite thing to do. Skitter Pops, Torpedos, and Hula Poppers all work well. Bright colors because the water is stained in many places, work the timber and shade during the days.

Another thing to be sure you have in your arsenal is a few slip bobber compenents. This has been our number one presenation at times, especially if you are stuck on shore because of the wind and the wind is pounding your shoreline. We have caught alot of fish just using a slip bobber, hook or colored jig, and a big fat juicy leech. Glow hooks, red hooks have seemed to produce best. The walleyes can't refuse especially early morning and at night. Also if it is calm enough fishing a current area or a mouth to a bay , or a point can also be productive with slip bobbers. Nothing beats watching that bobber slowly go under. Also for walleyes lindy rigs or spinners work well. Drift those and keep them as vertical as possible.

I have all kinds of ideas and things that I have done that have worked and some that have failed. I reccomend pulling a lure when paddling on shorelines. Such as a husky jerk. Think simple when canoeing and portaging.

I have mainly fished the Pipestone and Jackfish sides of the lake, but with help from this FM forum and putting in the time I am starting to figure out the lake and where fish located in June and July.

If you want some more info drop me an email and I can hook you up. If not good luck. You are about to enter God's country. That place has me hooked.

Tight lines
Walleye #1

Also if you are going early season such as early June, be sure to fish moving water. The bait fish get stacked up in there and the fish go nuts. The falls and narrows on the lake can be deadly, but like I said if you want more details, drop me an email. Also have a good map which gives you depths and possibly a GPS to mark spots.

[email protected] or [email protected]

[FishinFool]

Walleye thanks a lot for that reply. I'll talk to my teacher tomorrow and figure out exactly where we are going to be. I'll send you an e-mail in the next couple of days.

Thanks again walleye

F.F.

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Do you think fish brag about the size of the man they got away from?

[FishinFool]

Walleye you've got mail!