Looking for some help with tackle late May through early June.
Walleye and SMB mostly.
How important is it to have some live bait?
Can we go artificial and catch our share?

I've had good luck with Berkley Flicker Shads for both species. Mainly using the fire craw, pearl shad and perch patterns. Nothing better that catching smallies on topwater lures. I have been using Pop-R's and Hula Poppers. We always take leeches and they are a can't miss on a hook and split shot under a slip bobber, but haven't missed a fish dinner yet relying on artificial baits!

Agreed, you will probably catch fish with artificials if you give it a good try. I think live bait increases the odds and probably the numbers that you catch. For me, vertical jigging a leech over the side of the canoe is very effective and just plain fun.

At that time, the only baitfish are larger....no fry yet, so tossing something to mimic a 4-5 inch minnowis in order(my vote: 4-5 inch white grub). Also, if it is a really early spring, might be the beginnings of an insect hatch(my vote: 3 inch black grub). The REAL question is location! Walleyes spawn in moving water, so start there and work out to deeper water(points, humps). If you encounter mud, remember that area: insects, sooner or later, will hatch there. SMB spawn in June on gravel or shallow chunk rock....eating the same things, add crawdads. Pike will find you. So, 1/8,1/4 ounce round head jigs, some black and white curly tails, and a few cranks in minnow and crawdad pattern. Important tip: different lakes of different depths will warm faster/ slower....so a pattern on one lake might not hold up on the next. Fresh line and sharp hooks!! If you catch a hawg, think about C&R... and if you do, post a pic with a great big grin!!

Walleye- Bring in minnows, leeches and crawlers. Troll points/humps near current with a lindy rig and a minnow or crawler until you connect with a couple fish. Mark the spot, then anchor and jig them with live bait. Try various jig colors and different kinds of live bait. 1/8 Oz jigs.

Smallies- Mepps spinners in rivers/streams. Even a 12" smallie in some rapids is a ton of fun. Or I'd use senko worms rigged wacky and cast them up at shorelines around any kind of structure or submerged timber. You can probably get smallies on a slip bobber and leech too.

quote lindylair: "For me, vertical jigging a leech over the side of the canoe is very effective and just plain fun. "

I couldn't agree more! By far my favorite way to catch fish

I like crawlers in a bait canteen, leeches , and minnows are super; but more hassle to transport and babysit to keep alive and cull dead ones.
Throw in some black and white 3" curly tail plastics ; jigs; a couple Mepps , Rooster Tails, a couple of your favorite crank baits and top floater lures.......should keep you busy. Don't overdo it. You can't take it all.

If you would like to read my article, Grand Slam Lures, send me an email at - queticomike@yahoo.com

I also have articles on Zulu fishing and topwater fishing for smallmouth if you are interested.

quote QueticoMike: "If you would like to read my article, Grand Slam Lures, send me an email at - queticomike@yahoo.com


I also have articles on Zulu fishing and topwater fishing for smallmouth if you are interested."

Probably the trip maker for you is to take the generous offer that QueticoMike has made and ask for the articles he has written on Zulu and topwater fishing. Canoe country has world class smallmouth fishing and late may and early june should be excellent. No shortcuts on what he instructs. Do everything EXACTLY as directed. For example the swivel is required in the Zulu set up for good success as it helps orientate the direction of the bait. And is there anything Funnerer (Fun*er*er/ Gooderer than just fun) than topwater fishing smallies when they are on?

In any event the Zulu rig alone, will probably make your trip unless the weather gets weird. Just do it.

Shad Raps and Berkley Frenzys are standard fare for walleye searching. I am partial to lures in the 10 to 15ft range this time of year for walleye. Avoid smooth banks and look for rubble on the shoreline. I am also not a fan of really steep cliff like drops. Are fish there? Yup, I have marked them but have usually never caught them. When fish eat they gravitate to flats or mildly breaking shorelines and islands. Thats where the groceries are and thats where you should be.

Live bait is not so much trouble especially early in the season before it gets hot. Troll around with the shad raps or Frenzys until you catch a walleye and then drop the leeches in that general area. Sort of like the huntings dogs........"Find-em" and "Catch-em"

And of course Mr Toothy can crash the party. I like spoons........The Large size Williams Whitefish spoon with 1/2 gold/ 1/2 silver coupled with a titanium leader will put you in the ballgame. Daredevils are fine and dandy but hand sharpen their hooks. The Williams has thinner and thus sharper premium hooks. They are a thinner spoon so don't be afraid of the largest size, you will need it to get a bit of depth. Again I like 10 to 15ft for the bigger torpedos.

And why, pray tell, are you not fishing for some lakers? They are the preeminent fish in canoe country IMO and symbolize the north. If some of your lakes contain them you should give them a go. Not so hard to at least try.......BTW, hang onto your rod ;-)

Cheers

Thank to all of you for your feedback and insight to my post!

Great information that will make this an outstanding trip.