BWCA Minnows right now....? Boundary Waters Fishing Forum
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LightFish
member (34)member
  
05/18/2018 05:10PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I saw Mr. Mad Angler's post about leeches and figured I would put this up too. I would like to hear what people say. What would be your choice of live bait to fish this time of year? Minnows are harder to keep alive but walleye really like them. Leeches I have been told are more of a summer time thing but I bet the fish really dont care. So spring time minnow or leech?
 
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05/18/2018 06:10PM  
Minnows - if you are fishing out of Ely, go to the Lucky 7 gas station. You scoop your own. And they don’t exactly count what’s in your bucket. Of course, be nice about it.
 
05/18/2018 06:47PM  
Minnows. Just more difficult to keep lively than leeches. Seems like leeches are nearly equal or finer as it warms up. I like crawlers a lot too, but minnows often outfish them too, especially earlier in the season.
 
05/18/2018 10:12PM  
Probably minnows because of water temperature, but in a normal year leeches would be my choice. Don’t underestimate crawlers this early season as they can be great also.
 
mastertangler
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05/19/2018 08:00AM  
Is there a bad time to fish minnows? Accepted wisdom is any time the water is cold but we used to crush it drifting big minnows across offshore reefs in August.

But if there was ever a time to drag in minnows it would be in spring if for no other reason they are easier to keep alive.
 
LightFish
member (34)member
  
05/19/2018 08:19AM  
So, what are the preferred methods for keeping them alive. I am going to be base camping so I wont have to portage them. I kept leeches alive for 4 days in a small cooler with ice to start and changed the water they were in. I guess I figured they would be finished by the end of the first day out.
 
mastertangler
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05/19/2018 09:04AM  
I think it starts with the type of minnow you get. All minnows are not created equal in the hardiness dept. generally speaking the silversides seem less hardy that the darker minnows. But TGO would know best.

I was shocked at how well the minnows we purchased did in a plastic bag filled with added air. Amazing!

Naturally you will keep your minnows in the water once you get where you are going. I like fishing smaller minnows on the back of a jig along with a slip bobber. Nice little package.
 
VoyageurNorth
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05/20/2018 04:55AM  
We were quite surprised when a customer came back from a short trip & caught lots of walleyes with the leeches he bought from us.

Lots of people doing well with crawlers now. Minnows work great but it depends on what you are willing to carry for a canoe trip.
 
trailcheif
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05/25/2018 05:13PM  
Getting ready to head up tomorrow. With the quickly warming water temps, I would like some opinions if minnows would still be the live bait of choice? Or will I be good to go with leeches and crawlers?
 
LightFish
member (34)member
  
05/25/2018 05:41PM  
I am heading up june 8 and was going to bring minnows and leeches...because well i can and want to:). I am base camping. I dont think the fish are going to be so far into there summer patterns that they will not eat a minnow. :) Its still going to be relatively cool compared to hot summer surface temps. Thats my 2 coppers
 
05/25/2018 09:58PM  
Leeches... so easy to keep alive and I’ve always had huge walleye and smallie success with them. I’m heading in June 9th for a week and again July 12th.

Tony
 
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