BWCA Where to fish in mid-May? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Fizics
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12/13/2017 01:04PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm planning a short 3-day trip for my girlfriend and me next May. Probably 2nd or 3rd weekend in May. On other trips up and around that area in May, the fishing isn't as good on the bigger lakes. What's everyone's suggestions on good fishing for mid-may?
 
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12/13/2017 02:18PM  
What are you targeting?
Fizics
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12/13/2017 04:28PM  
AmarilloJim: "What are you targeting? "


Sorry, I should have included that. Anything that'll bite a hook, Lakers, walleye, bass, pike. In that order! Lol
Savage Voyageur
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12/13/2017 06:46PM  
I will suggest Knife Lake. Take the tow as far as it goes to the portage. Then camp on Knife. I’m not sure when Lakers open, might want to check.
Kaparzo
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12/13/2017 09:26PM  
We went to Knife for fishing opener in 2016. It was crazy cold (mid twenties overnight, sleet during the day). We only caught fish on Knife in one spot. We caught a mix of ~10 decent sized lakers and walleye in that spot. It didn’t look like a spot that would hold fish but we found it trolling and it worked. The rest of the lake was DEAD. Maybe the water was too cold? We had better luck on the smaller laker lakes south of Knife. Stay safe on any big lake when the water is cold!
12/14/2017 08:53AM  
fishing that time of year can be a crapshoot. Weather can be so fickle. With that being said I would target shallower bays that will have much warmer water then the main basin. Also try to find any areas that have some current. The more current the better.
thlipsis29
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12/14/2017 06:31PM  
Depends on how hard you want to work. Two relatively easy destinations that have proven to be very productive that time of year are Gabbro and the Kawishiwi River near the split into the north and south forks. If you're willing to work a little harder, Agnes , the Boulder River and Boulder Bay have also been very productive that time of year. Granted, as has been said, the weather can be a crap shoot, but we were catching walleye, northern and crappie in snow squalls in May 2009 on Gabbro. Hands were freezing but the fishing was hot.
Fizics
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12/14/2017 07:41PM  
thlipsis29: "Depends on how hard you want to work. Two relatively easy destinations that have proven to be very productive that time of year are Gabbro and the Kawishiwi River near the split into the north and south forks. If you're willing to work a little harder, Agnes , the Boulder River and Boulder Bay have also been very productive that time of year. Granted, as has been said, the weather can be a crap shoot, but we were catching walleye, northern and crappie in snow squalls in May 2009 on Gabbro. Hands were freezing but the fishing was hot. "


Good suggestions man, I'll seriously consider the gabbro/kawish fork area. It looks beautiful and I'm intrigued. What EP do you suggest? Where's the section of the river with that most rapids/moving water?

What are other areas of the BW that have lots of river current? Like of we wanted 1/2 of our trip was to be based off of river current?
thlipsis29
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12/14/2017 09:26PM  
We use the Lake One EP to get to the Kawishiwi fork. It's maybe a two hour paddle or so from there with some very easy portages. The area I've had the most success for walleye and northern is just below the first set of rapids on the south fork, but you can find them on mud flats as well. I limited out on walleye on a mud flat in a nondescript area of the river in about 45 minutes a few years ago.

To get to Gabbro I simply got a permit for the Little Gabbro EP. The issue with that EP is there are only two permits per day so you need to grab one as soon as you can. And the entry portage is just long, but it's the only one. There are multiple areas that have been very productive. If you really want more specifics, feel free to email me.
12/15/2017 04:24PM  
Look for areas with current or areas where wind has been pushing warm water up against shore. Start shallow in the warmest water you can find and work your way deeper from there.

12/15/2017 04:38PM  
A bait in the water always catches 98% more fish... I would start there.
12/15/2017 08:08PM  
Go a week or two later if at all possible, weather will be better and the trip will be more fun. Fishing is just as good if not better. Just a thought.
Fizics
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12/16/2017 10:04AM  
lindylair: "Go a week or two later if at all possible, weather will be better and the trip will be more fun. Fishing is just as good if not better. Just a thought."


We have another week long trip planned for the 2nd week in June! Honestly this may trip is to satisfy my impatience! Lol you know how that is?
GoSpursGo
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12/18/2017 09:57AM  
walllee: "fishing that time of year can be a crapshoot. Weather can be so fickle. With that being said I would target shallower bays that will have much warmer water then the main basin. Also try to find any areas that have some current. The more current the better. "


+1 to this

Id suggest the north facing shallow bays that will warm up quicker
mr.barley
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12/18/2017 10:45AM  
I'd go eastern side lakes with good laker populations.
Fizics
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12/18/2017 11:48AM  
mr.barley: "I'd go eastern side lakes with good laker populations."


This isn't a bad idea either. I will have to do a little research and see what area would give me the most species close by, and with the most lake trout.
Fizics
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12/18/2017 11:53AM  
So the real question is, where is the most current, with the most species available, especially Lakers, that is shallow, and wide open north facing bays that are shallow? Lol
12/20/2017 06:34PM  
Tricky time of year as there are many factors that can effect fishing. I’d focus on moving water-rapids and waterfalls. Find those places and you’ll find fish.
12/23/2017 08:18PM  
Are you open to fishing the Gunflint trail side?
Fizics
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12/23/2017 10:48PM  
CanoeViking: "Are you open to fishing the Gunflint trail side?
"


Funny you said that, tonight after peeking at my maps on and off all day, I think quick trip out of Seagull to Kekekabic is what we might actually do. Think the Lakers will be happy that time of May to bite?
mr.barley
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12/24/2017 12:29AM  
Fizics: "
CanoeViking: "Are you open to fishing the Gunflint trail side?
"



Funny you said that, tonight after peeking at my maps on and off all day, I think quick trip out of Seagull to Kekekabic is what we might actually do. Think the Lakers will be happy that time of May to bite?"
Good choice. Troll blue and silver little cleos.
12/24/2017 08:05AM  
Fizics: "
CanoeViking: "Are you open to fishing the Gunflint trail side?
"



Funny you said that, tonight after peeking at my maps on and off all day, I think quick trip out of Seagull to Kekekabic is what we might actually do. Think the Lakers will be happy that time of May to bite?"


May to June are the best times for shallow lakers and the route you mention should work well.

The Lake Finder website is really good for know what fish are where - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

If you wait till the Seagull River is open the walleye fishing can be amazing!
GoSpursGo
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01/02/2018 01:26PM  
mr.barley: "
Fizics: "
CanoeViking: "Are you open to fishing the Gunflint trail side?
"




Funny you said that, tonight after peeking at my maps on and off all day, I think quick trip out of Seagull to Kekekabic is what we might actually do. Think the Lakers will be happy that time of May to bite?"
Good choice. Troll blue and silver little cleos."


I have caught almost all my LT trolling purpeldescent Rapala tail dancers
 
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