First time bwac trip

[Guest]

I'm planning my first BWAC trip for the first week in June. I'll be around the Crab lake and Burntside lake area near entry point #4. Does anyone have any advice for fishing this area in early June, or point me to where I can find some good quality info. I just want to catch fish, be it walleye, pike, or smallmouth.

[Guest]

I'm headed into Entry#4 going into Crab Lake on June 3 for a four day fishing trip with my girlfriend. I've been through this entry point before and I have fished smallmouth and walleye in the BWCA for the past seven years. You are heading into some of the best (and unknown) smallmouth waters in the BWCA. Crab, Little Crab and Cummings are great smallmouth waters. During the first week of June smallmouth should be in the middle of the spawing phase (some will have spawned and others will be staging to spawn). Remember that the NW side of most lakes warms first so most smallies in a lake will chose to spawn in a NW protected bay. Topwaters lures work great, as do weighless tubes and slip bobber leeches off of points adjacent to spawning bays. Anywhere in Crab, Little Crab and Cummings that is protected by NW winds and is littered with small bolders and gravel will provide great smallmouth action. You really don't have to be that technical but just remember to SLOW down. Most campers in this area are generally recreational campers and fish only a couple hours a day. They tend to throw fast moving baits like spinner baits, spoons and crank baits. If you slow down you will be very successful. I've had 100 smallie days in the past in this area. Buck Lake is the only lake that I have consistently caught walleye on. The walleyes are generally small but you can put together a nice stringer in no time. Good luck. I'll see you on the water in two weeks.

One more thing. Cummings has largemouth bass, although this is a little known fact. Because they do no exist in large numbers they tend to school up during pre-spawn and are easy to catch. Two years ago I found a school of largemouth holding under several down trees. My friend Mark and I must have caught 30 largemouth in one hour from that spot. Look for downed trees in deeper water close to potential spawning areas. Generally, largemouth spawn later than smallies and prefer sandy bottom areas rather than rocky bottoms.

If at all possible try to catch and release during this time of year. And please, never keep female fish that have yet to spawn. This will ensure great fishing in the future.

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply, Dixon. I'm pretty excited about finding some good smallmouth action. I've never even fished in waters that have smallmouth in them, so thanks for the advice. I can use all the help I can get. We don't have a whole lot of your Minnesota fish here in southern Iowa. Have a great trip!

[Guest]

Good tip on the Largemouth! My largest of the BW came from Korb lake. I will assume most travel right on by on their way to cummings.
We did well on smallmouth in the area as well in poor weather conditions.
be careful crossing burntsie if windy, wear your pfd.
have a great trip
bcon

[Guest]

I guess I'll make a stop and fish Korb on my way in this time. Every time I've gone into Crab #4 I always plan to fish Korb on the way out but it never works due to bad weather, timing, etc. It looks like a great fishery and one that I've never seen anyone fish. If it has bass, large or small mouth, I'll do my best to track them down.

Matt, if you enjoy smallmouth fishing after you experience it on Crab, Korb, and Cummings make sure to book a trip to Crooked and Argo Lakes next year. I'm headed to Crooked and Argo the second week of June and you won't believe the smallmouth action on Crooked Lake. I've fished northwest bays in June where I've landed 30 fish in 2 hours with not one being under 2 1/2 pounds. Incredible!!! Plus, Argo has large numbers of lake trout. Have a good one.

[fleeced]

I would have to agree with Jr., these lakes hold some nice fish. I have had wonderful fishing on Cummings and Otter Lakes. Don't miss the opportunity to wet a line in the falls dumping into Otter. Work slow and you will be rewarded. Topwater twitching is my favorite.
Catch and release those smallies!

[Guest]

Ive been to bwca about 6 times never to this area but i assume its the same, fish the bays and shorelines and you can't go wrong for smallies and pike use rapalas clown color and firetiger are my favorite as for walleyes think Ive only caught about 5 ever up there jsut seem like too much work when pike and smallies are steady. good luck its a blast if wheather permits

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C Faber

[Guest]

Ive been to bwca about 6 times never to this area but i assume its the same, fish the bays and shorelines and you can't go wrong for smallies and pike use rapalas clown color and firetiger are my favorite topwaters such as jitter bug and buzz baits as for walleyes think Ive only caught about 5 ever up there jsut seem like too much work when pike and smallies are steady. good luck its a blast if wheather permits

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C Faber