Fall vs Spring

[Guest]

Ive done several loops in the fall starting at mudrow and was wondering how fall trips compare to spring trips pertaining to fishing. Currently I have a trip in the works
from may 11-21. Also how are the bugs at that time?

[ludy]

Like fall a lot more. Water is warmer and they are feeding for winter. Less baitfish, fewer bugs and people.
In the spring they are spawning or just done Last year into august bugs were terrible.
It might be cool enough from the 11th - 21st that bugs may not be a problem.
If its a late winter you might see some ice.
Have had good luck in the spring in that area on Basswood-narrows by jackfish for walleye and backbay for crappie and northern.
No expert, just personal experiences, hope this helps.

[Seabass77]

I also did well at basswood last year in the spring. Bugs were bad when you weren't in the wind. It also can be very cold, especially at night. But ,the fishing was great.

Fall can also be good fishing. There are also minimal bugs and people. But you also have to consider daylight and turnover. Planning a trip around a lake's turnover can be tricky. Plus fishing time is cut 3 to 4 hours shorter. Compared to late may, early June.

[Guest]

Hey guys...I guided Basswood for 3 years while I was manageing Canoe Country Outfitters on Moose lake. I sure do love Basswood and man some of the stories I have of camping up there! I was there a week before the big storm happened. We were camped on Norway Island because the bugs were too bad on Washington Is. A week later there were no trees left on Norway Is. I was at the resort on the 4th of July when the storm hit and it was like nothing I had ever seen before.

I used to hunt Back bay for ducks and fish crappies during mid day. Last Fall before I came back up to Alaska I fly fished Prairie Portage for Whitefish and had a blast. I miss that area, I lived right there for a long time and it is hard to put that part of your life behind you. May have to move back up there someday and really live life to it's fullest. Hehe!

[nunzio]

Our group goes up to Basswood in the first week of June. We have excellent walleye, smally, and bluegill fishing. We are having some trouble locating the crappies tho. Some of our group go up in the fall and they say the same thing as Seabass... less daylight = less time on the water.
Happy to report that we have all of our permits already.... YEA!!! can't wait until June. See you all on the water.