We are going in EP14 next week. This will be the latest trip I've ever taken to the BW. Where should I even start to look for shore-lunch meal? I have always heard northern pike fishing heats up this time of year. Is that true? If so, where do you think I could locate some hungry pike? How about other species? Are walleyes going to still be in that later summer depth and around the same structure? Lastly... I understand Oyster Lake holds lake trout. Are they worth pursuing this time of year?

Any advice is appreciated - thanks.

Trailmix,
I just returned from a trip into Lake One, Two, etc from 10-18 Sept. We had good luck fishing topwater lures (plastic frogs, poppers, and walk-the-dog) in less than 15' of water. Got hit by rock bass, smallies, and northern. I've ALWAYS had good luck with this technique in any of the lakes I've fished up there. Don't be afraid to go big. Northerns are loading up for winter and are looking for big food payoffs with little effort.

The Pauness lakes have eater sized walleyes. Shell is a very good fishing lake....try the small bay by the portage to Heritage (between the portage and the island). Even this time of year, you should scratch some northerns out of Hustler. They are short, fat and plentiful.

Try trolling crankbaits about ten feet from shore. That'll catch all sorts of fish.

quote trailmix27: "We are going in EP14 next week. This will be the latest trip I've ever taken to the BW. Where should I even start to look for shore-lunch meal? I have always heard northern pike fishing heats up this time of year. Is that true? If so, where do you think I could locate some hungry pike? How about other species? Are walleyes going to still be in that later summer depth and around the same structure? Lastly... I understand Oyster Lake holds lake trout. Are they worth pursuing this time of year?

Any advice is appreciated - thanks."

The number one thing to consider at this time of year is water temp, you may be fishing a lake thats going through turnover, and if it is then move to a different lake because they will almost totally shut down. Run and gun with twister tails, rattle traps, spinnerbaits, little cleos for lakers, and you will find out really quickly whether your on an active lake or not, for walleyes slow down and fish with leeches or minnows on a jig, or slip bobber .

I would go to Shell. You can usually get into some quality fish and it is too shallow for turnover to have much effect.

Thanks for the advice everyone. We are pulling out of the driveway in 15 min. I'll give a report when we get back.

quote trailmix27: "Thanks for the advice everyone. We are pulling out of the driveway in 15 min. I'll give a report when we get back."

Have a great trip .

We made it back... now time for the report...

The weather could not have been nicer. Highs in the 60's and lows in the 30-40's this time of year is awesome (an dry to boot). Fishing was pretty good too. We found a few small northerns and one small walleye on Shell Lake (all along the north end). Our best luck came on Lower Pauness for northerns. We caught quite a few small northerns trolling Rapalas and Rat'L'Traps in 5-10 feet of water. The biggest fish all week was around three lbs. but it was still a blast catching the small ones.

Again- thanks for the advice before-hand.