BWCA HELP! Looking for big pike :) Boundary Waters Fishing Forum
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MTYinz
member (7)member
  
01/16/2018 11:28AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi All,

This forum is a great resource! I'm planning a trip to fish the Moose Lake chain & Basswood lake with my dad and brother the last week of May. We are flying in from PA, and this will be our very first trip to the area.

We are all avid fishermen, and the real focus of the trip will be to track down and catch big northern pike. We will be staying with Latourell's Outfitters on Moose Lake and using their lodge as our base for the week. We will be using a boat/motor setup. I have seen some good information that seems to point to Basswood Lake. Any additional info on specific areas to check there or in the Moose Lake chain (Moose, Sucker, Newfound) as well as tactics for that late May time frame would be very helpful!

We would be so appreciative if any of you experienced folks can help point us in the right direction to successfully target some nice northerns. Any suggestions are welcome!

Thank you for your help, and we hope to see you out there!
 
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QueticoMike
distinguished member(5280)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/16/2018 11:45AM  
Jackfish Bay in Basswood. Lucky 13s for top water, large soft plastic jerk baits in a pearl or perch color, large bucktail spinners, big chrome or red\white spoons.
 
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/16/2018 12:14PM  
Well everyone knows what I am going to advocate. Shadzillas are the most direct route to big pike.

Big lures need specialized gear and light musky tackle is a requirement for the 8 oz lures. Troll them in 15ft of water or toss them out from the reedy bays (cabbage weeds typically are out from reeds).

I like 50 or 65lb braid and 10ft of 60lb fluorocarbon tied via an FG knot. Black or Rugen Destroyer will put the big ones on the end of your line. Send me a Christmas card with a picture as a thank you ;-)
 
MTYinz
member (7)member
  
01/16/2018 12:52PM  
Hi Mastertangler, Would you recommend trolling or casting more in late May?
What type of structure should we look for to narrow down where to troll in late May? Speed recommendations? How shallow do you cast these big baits? Do you throw any other colors, or are you confident in those two colors mentioned?

Sorry to ask so many questions, I only troll a few times a year so I don't have a ton of experience with it. Thanks so much for the information!
 
MTYinz
member (7)member
  
01/16/2018 12:56PM  
Thank you for the info QueticoMike! I'm not sure the run all the way to Jackfish Bay will be possible for our day trips into Basswood. Do you have any recommended water in the eastern portion of the lake stateside? Thank you for the lure recommendations, I will be sure to bring them along!
 
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/16/2018 01:15PM  
Well I must sheepishly admit I have very little early spring experience in canoe country. One would expect to find pike shallow but who knows for sure. The big girls might set up shop on the first break out from where they spawned with the smaller males lingering in the shallows.

As with all fishing different lures at different times and different situations. Take my most recent Isle Royale trip. In one bay filled with cabbage weeds the pike would not touch the Shadzilla. I would toss the big lure out and it would land like a sink hit the water and not even a sniff or a follow. I knew they were there because I would see them.

But later in the week at another another bay with the same 8 ft weeds I could catch several big pike in a few hours tossing the Shadzillas so go figure.

Here is the strategy I would employ out of a tin boat. One caster is tossing shallower and the Shadzilla user is fishing in the ten to 15Ft range. I would also be absolutely certain to run the Shadzilla whenever I was underway via the motor.

I like big lures for big pike. I get that elephants eat peanuts but common sense should tell someone that from a pikes perspective it's a losing battle to chase something which costs more energy than it provides.

A few other pike offerings which I like is the Mepps marabou musky lure, the super shad rap in perch and a Kalins black Octo grub on a sand eel jig head by Hogy lures in the 1 oz in the burple color. I like the 8" grub fished on wire (Knot-2-kinky handmade in 15lb test) and the rest fished on 10ft of 60lb fluorocarbon tied via an FG knot.
 
QueticoMike
distinguished member(5280)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/16/2018 01:41PM  
MTYinz: "Thank you for the info QueticoMike! I'm not sure the run all the way to Jackfish Bay will be possible for our day trips into Basswood. Do you have any recommended water in the eastern portion of the lake stateside? Thank you for the lure recommendations, I will be sure to bring them along!"


If you can't make it that far, which is too bad because there are big Jacks in that bay, try Wind Bay. Early in the spring big pike will be set up in the back of coves. Look for moving water into certain coves. Slow moving soft plastic jerk baits have worked the best for me in those areas.
 
The Great Outdoors
distinguished member(5592)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/16/2018 02:12PM  
Good time of year for big pike, best way to catch them is to hook a frozen Smelt on a plain hook with steel leader and cast from shore or a dock in about 4 to 12 FOW.
Use a bobber to hang it a bit off the bottom. You can use this on the Moose chain or Basswood.
Good luck.
 
MTYinz
member (7)member
  
01/17/2018 04:39PM  
mastertangler: "Well I must sheepishly admit I have very little early spring experience in canoe country. One would expect to find pike shallow but who knows for sure. The big girls might set up shop on the first break out from where they spawned with the smaller males lingering in the shallows.


As with all fishing different lures at different times and different situations. Take my most recent Isle Royale trip. In one bay filled with cabbage weeds the pike would not touch the Shadzilla. I would toss the big lure out and it would land like a sink hit the water and not even a sniff or a follow. I knew they were there because I would see them.


But later in the week at another another bay with the same 8 ft weeds I could catch several big pike in a few hours tossing the Shadzillas so go figure.


Here is the strategy I would employ out of a tin boat. One caster is tossing shallower and the Shadzilla user is fishing in the ten to 15Ft range. I would also be absolutely certain to run the Shadzilla whenever I was underway via the motor.


I like big lures for big pike. I get that elephants eat peanuts but common sense should tell someone that from a pikes perspective it's a losing battle to chase something which costs more energy than it provides.


A few other pike offerings which I like is the Mepps marabou musky lure, the super shad rap in perch and a Kalins black Octo grub on a sand eel jig head by Hogy lures in the 1 oz in the burple color. I like the 8" grub fished on wire (Knot-2-kinky handmade in 15lb test) and the rest fished on 10ft of 60lb fluorocarbon tied via an FG knot. "


Thank you so much for the info! I really appreciate it. I think I will follow your advice and bust out some larger profile lures to target the fat girls! Anything over 40" and I'll track you down and send you a Christmas card haha
 
MTYinz
member (7)member
  
01/17/2018 04:41PM  
QueticoMike: "
MTYinz: "Thank you for the info QueticoMike! I'm not sure the run all the way to Jackfish Bay will be possible for our day trips into Basswood. Do you have any recommended water in the eastern portion of the lake stateside? Thank you for the lure recommendations, I will be sure to bring them along!"



If you can't make it that far, which is too bad because there are big Jacks in that bay, try Wind Bay. Early in the spring big pike will be set up in the back of coves. Look for moving water into certain coves. Slow moving soft plastic jerk baits have worked the best for me in those areas."


Thank you so much for the info! We will search the shallows in Wind Bay for sure. Thank you!
 
MTYinz
member (7)member
  
01/17/2018 04:49PM  
The Great Outdoors: "Good time of year for big pike, best way to catch them is to hook a frozen Smelt on a plain hook with steel leader and cast from shore or a dock in about 4 to 12 FOW.
Use a bobber to hang it a bit off the bottom. You can use this on the Moose chain or Basswood.
Good luck."


Thank you for the info! Do you hook the smelt behind the dorsal, through the lips, or some other place? Thanks again!
 
01/17/2018 07:44PM  
All the above is great advice . This post got me thinking about all the “big” Pike I have caught. The funny part is my 3 Pike over 20 pounds have been caught fishing for Walleyes with 6 or 8 pound test, small jig, or plain hook , and no leader. Luck plays a big part in fishing .
 
illini79ps
senior member (61)senior membersenior member
  
01/20/2018 01:09PM  
Great advice already on this thread, but as a 10 year vet of the LaTourells mid June experience, allow me to add a couple thoughts: there are always a few big Northern cruising open water areas close to where walleyes are being caught. If you see multiple boats in an area using slip bobbers, start casting something shiny in the safe vicinity. We always catch a couple big ones near the walleye reefs and humps, but in late May you will see eyes are bit more shallow; Jackfish and Pipestone are doable with motors from Prairie Portage, but allow 2 hours each way, including pushing your boat on a human powered trailer; on the flip side, we always catch a big NP or two right in Moose Lake; but best advice is consult Bob LaTourell each day about reports and how weather will impact. late May there can be gorgeous or windy and snowing...
 
01/20/2018 03:55PM  
walllee: "All the above is great advice . This post got me thinking about all the “big” Pike I have caught. The funny part is my 3 Pike over 20 pounds have been caught fishing for Walleyes with 6 or 8 pound test, small jig, or plain hook , and no leader. Luck plays a big part in fishing ."


Yep... fishing for walleye with a jig and no leader! 43.5"
 
01/24/2018 04:20PM  
You are starting in a good place! I took my first trip on Moose and Basswood almost 20 years ago and it's the reason I got hooked.

The chain can be a bit tough for fish. Because of the motors/noise/residents it gets more fishing pressure and can be a tough bite. There are some really nice places on Newfound that I have caught some larger fish. There are a few bays near the narrows that are full of downed timber - some big girls back in there.

Sucker has a lot of good structure in there and tends to be a pass through lake for people heading to prairie portage. Spend a bit of time working 'fishy' looking areas in 8-12 feet with jointed rapalas worked like a jerk bait, or inline spinners.

Once on Basswood - stop by the falls just after the portage. Drag larger minnows 18-24 inches behind a properly sized split shot. Go SLOW - you will feel it bump the bottom - this is a good thing. You will feel a tick - when you do, slowly move the rod tip back toward the bait while maintaining pressure and set the hook.

Rice Bay, Wind Bay, Hoist Bay - all will be holding fish. Look for deeper water close to shallower points and work a crankbait or inline spinner along breaklines.

That time of year, look for emerging weeds especially in areas with a lot of dead-head timber. The wood will warm the water a little and bring in bait fish. Bigger fish follow - husky jerks, smithwick rogue, jointed rapala, inline spinners are all good baits.

Good luck!!!
 
CrookedPaddler1
distinguished member(1363)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/25/2018 10:48AM  
I would highly recommend hiring a guide your fist day out. That way you can see what structure and water depth the fish are hanging out in. After that you will have a good idea of where to go and what presentations are working the best.
 
01/25/2018 01:20PM  
CrookedPaddler1: "I would highly recommend hiring a guide your fist day out. That way you can see what structure and water depth the fish are hanging out in. After that you will have a good idea of where to go and what presentations are working the best."


+1 - I used a guide up there the first time out and it helped a lot. You also get the benefit of a shore lunch if you want.
 
01/25/2018 03:01PM  
When looking for pike that early in the season I always start in any shallow bays. The shallow bays should hold a good number of pike with most being run of the mill fish. The big ones seem to hang out on the edge near slightly deeper water.

You should be able to cover a good amount of water with a variety of presentations throughout your trip so I'm sure you'll get them dialed in.
 
Savage Voyageur
distinguished member(14414)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished membermaster membermaster member
  
01/25/2018 03:36PM  
If you can find a shallow bay that is sandy try fishing there. The big ones like to warm up on the sandy shallows in the mornings in springtime.
 
MTYinz
member (7)member
  
04/11/2018 09:24AM  
So as we are approaching spring, I wanted to reactivate this conversation in light of what seems to be a winter that just doesn't want to let go!

I've been reading and seeing that many folks anticipate a later ice-out than normal. With our trip being scheduled for the last week of May, can anyone provide some insight on how colder water temperatures might affect pike fishing? Should we think about bringing some slower moving bait presentations?

Also, I've been thinking about bringing some large profile weedless swimbaits - i.e. paddle tail Mag SwimZ by Z-man, to target pike up tight to shallow structure and have the ability to troll them as well. Does anyone think this is a good or bad idea, and what colors should I be trying for BWCA pike? I assume perch/firetiger are safe bets, but I'm unsure of the main bait forage these pike are feeding on.

Thanks for your help! Let's hope we see some nice spring weather soon!
 
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