Hi everyone,

Heading up to BWCA for very first time next week. I was wondering if there was a place to go to find water temp on here? My question behind the question is if topwater was still hitting. I know its been a warmer summer down in southern MN so I was assuming the water was still warm but any info would be appreciated.

To my knowledge there isn't anywhere you can go to get current water temp for bwca lakes. Best you can hope for, is for people coming off trips to report back on water Temps. My guess, based on recent weather is water temp is still warm...75+ ?

Also, last year my group caught about 10-11 off the whopper plopper in early October with water temps 55-60. LMB, SMB and Pike.

Thanks- yeah that’s good to know and largely why I was asking. I’m newer to fishing so still building out my setup and lures and was wondering if I should pick up some whopper ploppers or Berkley choppos.

Bmthompson1023: "Thanks- yeah that’s good to know and largely why I was asking. I’m newer to fishing so still building out my setup and lures and was wondering if I should pick up some whopper ploppers or Berkley choppos."

Yes, you should. Also some poppers, wakebaits, and F13 Rapalas.

Just got back last week, and the top water bite was rockin! Caught most of ours on spook-type baits.

Spookmeister: "Just got back last week, and the top water bite was rockin! Caught most of ours on spook-type baits."

Sad fact: I have caught thousands of bass and cast Spooks hundreds of times, but I've never caught a single bass on a Spook. I don't think I've ever even gotten a single hit.

missmolly: "

Spookmeister: "Just got back last week, and the top water bite was rockin! Caught most of ours on spook-type baits."

Sad fact: I have caught thousands of bass and cast Spooks hundreds of times, but I've never caught a single bass on a Spook. I don't think I've ever even gotten a single hit. "

Oh, MissMolly, please say it ain't so! I've caught more Quetico bass on Spooks than all other lures combined. Maybe try working them faster. That rapid, rhythmic, walk-the-dog action just seems to goad them into striking. Also, don't waste time working the whole cast. If they don't hit in the first haf of the retrieve, just reel in and make another cast. Give them another shot...they deserve a spot in your arsenal!

Spookmeister: "

missmolly: "

Spookmeister: "Just got back last week, and the top water bite was rockin! Caught most of ours on spook-type baits."

Sad fact: I have caught thousands of bass and cast Spooks hundreds of times, but I've never caught a single bass on a Spook. I don't think I've ever even gotten a single hit. "

Oh, MissMolly, please say it ain't so! I've caught more Quetico bass on Spooks than all other lures combined. Maybe try working them faster. That rapid, rhythmic, walk-the-dog action just seems to goad them into striking. Also, don't waste time working the whole cast. If they don't hit in the first haf of the retrieve, just reel in and make another cast. Give them another shot...they deserve a spot in your arsenal!"

I'll continue to try them. Thanks for the pointers. I have caught some muskies on walking baits, but not a single bass.

While you can't find water temps of any actual lakes, there are gauges at several different places along the Kawishiwi River, visible on the USGS website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/05124480/#parameterCode=00010F&period=P7D&showMedian=true

With the water moving, I'd assume it'd be a little colder than flatwater in the lakes. So, if we're seeing around 65F in the river, it might be 65-68F in nearby lakes, and in a bay on a warm day you might still see 70F. That's my take, which is admittedly less informed than I'd like, but guessing at water temps is indeed just a guess.

If I was just guessing based on some water temps I saw up north a couple weeks ago, I would say most lake surface temps are probably sitting in the low 60s.

Also I just realized this post was a little older than I thought, so the OP has already gone, and maybe even come back. I'm interested to hear what temps you saw if you measured them!

Last week I got a few top water bites using a WP and torpedo while fishing the Malberg area. Trolling husky jerks over structure and points was much more effective though.

I did not take temps (not that good/serious of a fisher) but the water was still relatively warm. Were able to get a few top water bites in bay areas and hit a good amount trolling in that 10-20 ft range running over drop-offs.

Most of the lakes I was on last week had a surface temp around 61.

Go to the BWCA in late May or early June depending on water temp. Once the water temp hits 63 the smallmouth bass start spawning.
They spawn right next to shore. If your lure is not landing in the trees and brush. You are not getting close enough. rubble shore lines are best. concentrate on logs and in the shadows. Hit every pocket and point and isolated rock.
Cast and let it sit 5 seconds. then lightly twitch it and repeat. After that try different techniques.
Rebel Teeny pop R was found by my brother. I usually used a rapala or crank bait with a tiny lip to keep it shallow. These still work , and i use them until my brother out fishes me. then i switch.
There are at lest 13 was a bass can hit a topwater lure.

We fish before sunrise until 10 am then go eat breakfast . If we have the energy we will fish for a few hours then eat and and head out from 5pm until it gets to dark.
Get up the next morning and repeat.
Always chose the calmest water you can find.

The females are the large fish. let them go to reproduce.
Our best trip was 254 fish in 4 days. 85% topwater. Then covid hit.
was going back this year until Dad became ill.
we will be back next spring

Pack jigs and leeches. I've never caught a walleye on a topwater bait.

bobbernumber3: "Pack jigs and leeches. I've never caught a walleye on a topwater bait."

If you fish around spawning time a jerk bait is awesome for walleyes!
This was after a couple days fishing on my local lake.

timf1981: "Go to the BWCA in late May or early June depending on water temp. Once the water temp hits 63 the smallmouth bass start spawning.
They spawn right next to shore. If your lure is not landing in the trees and brush. You are not getting close enough. rubble shore lines are best. concentrate on logs and in the shadows. Hit every pocket and point and isolated rock.
Cast and let it sit 5 seconds. then lightly twitch it and repeat. After that try different techniques.
Rebel Teeny pop R was found by my brother. I usually used a rapala or crank bait with a tiny lip to keep it shallow. These still work , and i use them until my brother out fishes me. then i switch.
There are at lest 13 was a bass can hit a topwater lure.


We fish before sunrise until 10 am then go eat breakfast . If we have the energy we will fish for a few hours then eat and and head out from 5pm until it gets to dark.
Get up the next morning and repeat.
Always chose the calmest water you can find.


The females are the large fish. let them go to reproduce.
Our best trip was 254 fish in 4 days. 85% topwater. Then covid hit.
was going back this year until Dad became ill.
we will be back next spring"

All great advice.