Heading to the North Bay of Basswood this year in early June, wondering if there are any walleye to be had. There seems to be some info out there on lakers and smallies but not much for 'eyes. Are they in there? Does North Bay have many reefs or is it mostly shore structure? Appreciate any info or tips anyone may have.

Will be taking the wife for her first time in the Quetico so hoping to make it a good experience. :)

Thanks.

We have caught some 'eyes around Cigar Island and the south east part of North Bay.

There is a reef off the west side of the middle island.

In June they might be more towards the narrows/bays leading to lost bay, south lake or White Island. Think current...moving water and warmer water.


T

I do well on walleye in North bay but the places I have found them in August were rather specific. Maybe they are more wisdespread earlier. I found mine trolling and within a day or two I was on nice ones. Didn't catch any "eater" size. Same with Lakers, the most common size was right at 8lbs on the boga all cut from the same mold it seemed.

All of Basswood is loaded with walleye. We go mid June every year. First step is to stop at The Great Outdoors in Ely and check reports on successful depth from past day or two. Eyes tend to travel in smaller mini schools at that time of year. Likely to be found in emerging weedy areas fairly close to spawning grounds. TGO suggested looking at 11-17 feet in warm 2012 spring and then also correctly suggested more like 5-7 in cool spring of 2014. We look for weed edges that bump into slightly deeper rocky areas. Either troll crankbaits or jig/slip bobber in these areas. Usually the fishing in a specific spot goes away in a short while as the small group moves on, many people mistake that as the "fish stopped biting". If you catch a big northern that usually means the eater sized eyes nearby are sitting in the weeds. If you are canoeing on US side, get some leaches and Gulp minnows from TGO, he will know which colors/sizes. As MasterAngler mentioned, you can always find a couple trophy sized eyes and smallies on the big reefs that extend from a point in June (along with big Pike). But the big schooling groups are usually not assembled then, and the smaller eyes threatened by the big NPs are closer to weedy hiding spots.

They are there. All kinds of structure options. Just need to find there preference during the time you are there.

I would try the narrows to lost bay as timatkn said.

Appreciate all the advice - excellent stuff as always from this community. I am excited to give it a shot!