We all talk about "spring", "summer" and "fall" in the BW. I understand we are to take smaller baits and fish more shallow in the "spring".

As you know, spring arrives and departs at different times in different places. My group is heading up to Ogish on June 12th. Is that spring?

I'm looking for big smallies and walleyes that week. Does anyone have a good lake to fish near Ogish? Anyone recommend any depth and baits to use?

The more specifice the better!

Ogish is the busiest lake in the BWCA. Many people complain that they can't find campsites, and you may not find a campsite on that lake, particularily if you show up in the afternoon. One recommendation is to go up to the sourth arm of Knife Lake for camp sites availabiliy and better fishing.

I agree-Last year I had a church group and we arrived at Ogishkemuncie mid week feeling like that would be a less crowded time. We got to the lake at about 12:30 and got the last campsite on the entire lake. I felt bad for a scout group that came through at about 3:00 who thought their day was done only to have to push on to South arm of Knife, or maybe a site on Eddy a good 1.5-2 hours further paddling. If you want to stay on Ogish try to get a site claimed early in the day.

As far as your other question-June 12th is definitely still spring in the BWCAW in my book. Many trees will still be growing leaves, bugs will be everywhere-bring plenty of bug dope and head nets as the black flies could be at their peak. Because of this it is hard to predict how busy the park will be. Fishing is often very good this time of year. I personnally do not feel summer arrives in the BW until close to July.

Thanks for the tips. I hear so many differnt things from differnt people I don't know what to think. I hear there will not be many people in June and it could be crowded. I know the weather could be cold or could be 80 degrees.

My main concern is fishing. I only get to that area once every few years and really want to work the smallies and walleyes over. I'm really looking for the best lake, places, depths, baits, and color for the week after June 12th.

How about this question, what is the best time of day to fish for smallies? I know morning and evening is good in the summer, but what about spring?

I have done a lot of ready and talking to people and believe me, I have heard it ALL!

I'd like to hear from someone who has done it a few times with success.

For me spring is still best early and late in the day-especially in the morning. I am more of a walleye fisherman and I bring jig heads and mister twisters. If those do not work I have used Rapala Shad raps. I paddle along shore looking for structure and keep the jig bouncing off the bottom. That works well for me. I also have success below running water-rapids, falls etc. Once you go south of Ogish you are heading into some pretty deep lakes which do not hold alot of Walleye, but may still have Lake Trout shallow enough to catch assuming the water is still fairly cool. Once the Trout go deep you need to have some luck, skill and electronics. Gabigichigami and some of the lakes near by are very deep-200 feet plus and hold more Lake trout than walleyes. The wallleye can be found in shallower bays and near shore where structure is, but can be hard to find. The lakes around Ogish-Eddy, Jasper, Alpine, Seagull you should be able to catch walleye, smallie and northerns. Good Luck and have fun.

Well spring, as it relates to fishing, comes at different time in the BWCA based on the winter/spring weather. The depth of a given can affect when fish go about their spawing business. The deeper the lake, the slower it warms, the later the spawn. Around June 12th, I would expect the males to be protecting the shallow spawing beds. The females laid their eggs and are deep. The males will strike at most lures that comes near their area so you shouldn't have much trouble. You just need to find what looks like good spawing beds. Nice beds of shallow water with head sized rocks is a good place to start. Toss crankbaits or run torpedos over the flats slowely, and you should get plenty of action. If you don't find action in a deeper lake, then move to a shallower lake. You are shooting for a water temp around 60 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees for spawn. You should have good fishing this time of year. There is some debate about catching males off their spawing beds. You should definetly release them, and some even believe you shouldn't be fishing them. You likely won't get into the big females, but you should have no problem landing some aggresive males. Good Luck!

Thanks for the fishing tips. Maybe I will have to try some 1/8 jigs this time of year. I was going to stay with 1/4 for some of the larger fish.

My goal of this trip is to come home with a nice picture of a 20+ smallie. I am pretty much catch and release only, unless I plan on having a walleye for dinner that evening.

If the bigger smallies have moved deeper, I take it they still come in shallow in the morning and evening. I was always under the impression that bigger luers catch bigger fish.

I planed on bringing 3/8 buzz baits in yellow and white colors, medium sized jitterbugs, skitter pops, and #4 bright mepps. I plan on trying smaller green/yellow shallow crank baits and some crayfish color to bang off the bottom. I was also thinking about 4" tubes in pumpkin seed and watermellow. Soft plastic crayfish in natural colors would also be tossed.

Am I on the right track for middle of June?

I think you are going at a good time, but the real aggressive fish which are more easily located are going to be males with 20 inchers being a tough find.

There is a good article in the Spring 2001 Boundary Waters Journal entitled "Bass on the Beds". The article suggests that if you want to get at the bigger fish during spawn you might look for nesting areas which are sitting in deeper water nearing 10 feet, or near downed trees or big boulders. The other alternative which the article suggests is going after fish which aren't spawning, but that are sitting off spawning best in 10+ feet of water. I have heard from another source that the females are not always that far from the spawning beds but in deeper water near by. Find the shelves off the spawning beds and run some raplas or work some jigs in that area and see if you get some bigger fish to hit.

You might want to consider ordering a few back issues with bass articles. http://www.boundarywatersjournal.com/bilist.htm

There is a good article on using plastics for sm bass in the current edition.

How about late May?
Would late may be considered pre-spring, or pre-spawn for bass? I am hoping my trip isn't too early for the feeding frenzy. Does anyone know the expected climate/fishing patterns in late May? (20-25th)
(I realize this may be unpredictable)

Any comments are appreciated.
Thanks,

Willy

My current thought is that will be either right at spawn or post spawn. If the weather holds the way it has been so far this spring (and that is a big if) the lakes ice may go out a week or so earlier than average. In a normal year the bass should be almost done spawning by early June, so this year I expect that might be doen a little earlier than average as well. You could hit it just right.

What is the projected ice out for this spring?

Ice Out could happen as early as the 24th or so if the weather stays warm. Southern Minnesota and Minneapolis Lakes are all going out about 7 days early. An average year in the BWCAW has most lakes (except some of the deep Gunflint side lakes) ice free by May 1st. A friend told me that Moose Lake still had 24 inches of ice last Saturday, but it has been warm with some rain this week so the ice is probably melting fast. I think if you have a May 1st trip planned you will be fine. I am going in May 8th and expect to be ice free.

I too will be on Moose and Basswood the last week of May.
Moose lake is at ice out or real close. I hear Basswood is still a week away.
In my estimation it's one of the best times to fish that water. The smallies are generaly still in prespawn moving into spawn and very aggressive. The walleys are in post spawn and at times difficult to find. They tend to be scattered.
The weather is very unpredictable but usually tolerable with little bug activity. I've experienced 75 degrees and burning sun and I've hunkered down during sleet and snow...in the same week. I've also spent an entire week in the rain. Just be prepared for anything. Northerns are also pretty aggressive at that time. Nothin' beats a BIG PIKE!

Thanks for the advice. In a week i'll be paddling! I hope the fish are biting and the flies aren't around. i'm still trying to decide between agressive vs. non-agressive baits, and what depths to find walleye and bass. What are people having luck with??

Does anyone have tips on canoe outfitters that provide a drop off service in the Ely area?

Willy