Boundary Waters Fishing

[Guest]

I am one of the rare Minnesotians who has only been in the Boundary Waters during the winter. In early August I am taking my first canoe trip and I am looking for advice on where to go. It will be a 5 day trip and we are looking for good walleye fishing and good scenery.

[Guest]

Figure out where you can get a permit first -and then some of us can offer a few tips and thoughts. Many of the more popular entry points have been booked up for awhile, so you need to get a handle on where your starting point will be.
That's a pretty good-sized chunk of water and woods up there, and there are different types of lakes, different types and colors of water, and a whole bunch of fish that even those of us who've been at it for awhile haven't located and figured out.
There is a book out by a guy named Furtman who fancies himself somewhat of a "wilderness fishing expert", and it offers some fairly good general information (including types of fish in various lakes) for a starting point - and if you are going through an outfitter that is another good source of general info.
Once you choose your entry point, go onto the DNR's website and check out their Lakefinder feature, which will give you specific info on types and sizes of fish caught in test nets, some lake maps, and stocking info. Then check back with us, and I'm sure a few tidbits can be dredged up!

[Seabass77]

I just returned from a 4 day trip to alpine and seagull lakes...I would avoid seagull if you can...too windy...I general, avoid big lakes unless you are a very skilled paddler...We did very well walleye fishing on alpine, lots of 3 to 4 pound fish. We used live bait rigs or slip bobbers on wind swepted points. In particular, an island had a shallow flat along the north shore, and then at the point, it dropped to 23 feet of water, I marked tons of fish at 23, fished vertical, couldn't get a bite to save my life. But, as soon as the wind shifted and blew against that north shore, it was the best fishing of my life. We took all but a few fish on slip bobbers. We also took about 5 bass over 4#'s

In the past, I really enjoyed the kawishwi river system. Lots of scenery, and good fishing. It is also a fairly easy spot to get in and out of. I like to start at farm and then leave at gabbro.

[mouse]

Just got back from a short weekend outing. We paddled from Fall and up into Pipestone. Didn't fish alot, but caught a nice bunch of walleyes and some big smallies near our campsite just north of Hidden Bay. There's a sand, gravel, and rubble area there that was holding a lot of fish on Saturday.

[Voyage North]

Getting a permit is going to be the tough part. I have been making permits for lots of people lately and the first two weeks in August have very few 'good' permits left.

If you want help finding out what permits/entries are still open and what each area may be like, give us a call.

Lynn

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John and Lynn O'Kane
Voyageur North Outfitters
Ely, Mn 55731
1-800-848-5530

[Guest]

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up going to Seagull mostly because that was one of the few areas I could still get a permit for however it was a great time. The fish were difficult to find but I did catch some nice walleyes & northerns on Seagull. I paddled around Rog & Alpine which was a lot of fun and I am already planning my next trip back.

See ya Outdoors