Came to the BWCA first time two years ago. Entered at Lake One and went to Hudson and fished surrounding lakes. Had no problem catching all the Walleye we could eat, also caught Northerns and a few Smallmouth. I am going back to the same area this year toward the end of June. Was wondering if anyone knows of any lakes near where Smallmouth abound... Love to catch those fighters... Catch alot in Arkansas, but the scenery here is nothing like the BWCA. I am thankful God has blessed both places. Any information would be appreciated.

What were you using for bait? Or were you pulling artificial lures?

For the walleye, we used leeches, floating them in deep pockets below rapids. For the northern and smallmouth, artificial lures, mainly gitzits for smallmouth and spoons and spinners for northern.

What are Gitzits? I am going to this same area in late may. Any tips on the fishing in that area would be Great!
Thanks, Willy

Gitzits are 3 inch or bigger tube jigs that can be used with a jig head or texas rigged. Smallmouth here in Arkansas love them, and those in the BWCA, not seeing them very often ate them up. Get crawfish or smoke colors... they seem to work the best. Good luck!!
Bruce

Also, I have caught walleye and northern on them too... or rather let me say I have had northern bites... they have a tendency to cut the line rather quickly since I do not use a leader with them..
Bruce

How do you fish them? do you jig them off the bottom? (pull, drop, reel a bit...pull, drop, reel a bit etc?) I am bringing a few plastic baits, (worms, tubes, etc.) but have little experience actually fishing them. I'm not sure of the presentation I should go for.

Willy

Fish them just like a plastic worm... only vary the retrieve until you find what they like... most of the time they will hit it on the drop. You will pick up and feel nothing, just see your line moving. So keep a close watch on your line too. Good luck!!
Bruce

I've had good luck with smallmouth on Fire Lake just north of Hudson.

That's good news! I will be there this weekend. What did you use?
Willy

I will be on Lake One Saturday 6/19. Any fishing tips, I'm bringing 10 Boy Scouts up for a week of canoeing and fishing.

I will be on Lake One Saturday 6/19. Any fishing tips, I'm bringing 10 Boy Scouts up for a week of canoeing and fishing.

Just a question DOC-I expect that you are going to be in multiple groups. The maximum allowed by the USFS in one group is 9 people in 4 watercraft, so if you have 11 people (or more) the groups need to be seperate, travel seperate, camp seperate, portage seperate and not be with each other at all during the trip. This is a USFS regulation and it is enforced. I am just double checking-I would hate for you to get all the way up to the BWCAW and then find out this information. It sure could ruin a trip.

As far as fishing tips. Paddle the canoes 1-1 1/2 canoe lengths from shore (about 20-25 feet) with Jigs or rapalas. Once you find a hot spot then work that area. Jigs can be tipped with plastic worms. You should get some action on walleye, smallie and northerns. Also try at the base of rapids and waterfalls. Usually have good luck doing that also.

Thanks Bogwalker for the quick reply. You are correct, there will be multiple groups. I'm not in charge of this trip, but the leaders who are have been to the BWCAW before and I assume are aware of this regulation. I'm an experienced canoer and fisherman, I have read that fishing on Lake 1 is slow so I'm looking for suggestions. I have stocked up on jigs of various colors and various spinners, (Mepps, Rooster Tails etc. How bad are the mosquitoes this time of year?

I would head toward Insula through the numbered Lakes. The further east you go it seems like the fishing improves. I have had luck On Lakes 2,3 and 4 also.

Jigs ar a good bet and I use white, chartreuse and yellow. They seem to do the best for me. I also use crawdad colored rapalas.

This is peak mosquito and bug time according to those coming out recently. I would expect that with the warm weekend and wet weather they just experienced, it will get worse before it gets better. Bring bug dope and plan on wearing long pants and shirts. I would not worry as much about the bugs. To me it is all a state of mind. The more you worry anout them, the more they will bug you. Bring bug dope, proper clothing and maybe a head net if you think they will drive you nuts.

Don't allow the bugs the satisfaction of ruining a good trip. Get everyone's mind in the right place before you enter. Bugs will be there, bugs will bite, but bugs can't keep you from having a good time if you put your mind to it.

Enjoy-good fishing and have a great time.

I was on Pietro last week and whenever we could get out (due to the wind) we were catching smallies on about every 10th cast. None of them were trophy size, but we did catch some nice 15-17 inchers. It really did not seem to matter what we used, mepps, cranks, live bait ect.

Smee, I'm surprised that you got into smalleys on Pietro Lake, according to the surveys I read, I didn't think there were any smallies in Pietro. What about turtle lake, do you know if there are any there as well? Thanks for all the info., will be up there next week.

Actually, if you dig a little deeper, you'll find that there are people who know Pietro as a very good smallmouth lake. The DNR survey does not list them, but they are in Pietro in very good numbers (wasn't the last survey done about 25 years ago?). There are also a fair amount in Gull Lake (a short portage from Pietro).

Turtle is very shallow and as far as I know, does not have any smallmouth or walley. I have heard there are some very big pike in there, however.