Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Basswood Report
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walleyevision |
quote QueticoMike: "quote walleyevision: "Yikes! I may have to change my Basswood plans for next labor day. Is it always like that at the end of the summer?" Thanks Mike! |
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Pinetree |
quote mastertangler: "I should probably take my own medicine. I know precious little about Ciscos myself other than they spawn in the fall on reefs. What sort of actual places I know not. I have tried to research them via the web but not a lot actually comes up. Maybe Pinetree can weigh in.......he seems to know lots of random stuff regarding wildlife biology. The Cisco that were in the stomach of bass etc., if like just under 5 inches (some lakes they grow very slow after age 1), hatched under the ice last winter and now are about age 1. Usually Cisco when mature at age 4 or so which will vary from location when mature will spawn when the water reaches about 41 degrees F.. Usually about mid October to early November Cisco congregate and spawn in 4-9 feet of water on gravel-rock bars or sometimes at the mouths of inlets where water flows in. These small fish you observed in stomachs are immature and this time of year with water temps now in the low 60's their habitat or location will overlap and they make a excellent meal for a predator. In much of the BWCA the Cisco are stunted or growth is very slow and they may mature at like 9 inches or so. In parts of the state these same Cisco will get up to 17+ inches or so and weigh maybe 3 pounds. On the Gunflint side I have had Smallmouth bass regurgitate Cisco when caught like the first week of June. Its amazing how a fish keys in on certain prey in certain times of the year. Also I know smallmouth school pretty heavy around reefs in the fall. Around home in the Brainerd area we always said want big northern pike or walleye, fish where the Cisco are located. A side note. Some lakes that open for Cisco netting in the fall in Minnesota when water temps reach 45 degrees F. and nets must be set in 6 feet of water or less. Reason is for a short time walleyes especially and northern pike to some extent will avoid the colder water by shore than and thus will not get caught in nets that are set to target Cisco. |
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mastertangler |
quote Pinetree: " ID " You are so awesome Pinetree ;) Thanks, a good picture is so much better than an illustration which is all I have ever seen. Changes my thinking a bit. That Mooneye is also a good looking baitfish with a bit different profile. I wonder if they are in lakes like Basswood? So many baitfish, things like Burbot which many of us average anglers don't think of imitating. |
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walleyevision |
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mastertangler |
I have heard the trophy pike crew like to target big pike at Cisco spawning sites in the fall and a Williams whitefish spoon is the ticket. |
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Pinetree |
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QueticoMike |
quote walleyevision: "Yikes! I may have to change my Basswood plans for next labor day. Is it always like that at the end of the summer?" I wouldn't change plans. This is just one of those years. I have gone on many trips in Sept. and this year ranks up there as one of the worse. I would say 93% of the trips the fishing has been good or better. |
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BasswoodFan |
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Spookmeister |
quote mastertangler: "I should probably take my own medicine. I know precious little about Ciscos myself other than they spawn in the fall on reefs. What sort of actual places I know not. I have tried to research them via the web but not a lot actually comes up. Maybe Pinetree can weigh in.......he seems to know lots of random stuff regarding wildlife biology. |
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QueticoMike |
quote Spookmeister: "That makes me feel better. Didn't know you ever had slow fishing!quote QueticoMike: "Thanks for the report! I experienced slow fishing last week as well."" Me neither....LOL |
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Captn Tony |
1st 2 days no eyes mainly caught bass at the falls. 3rd day caught a couple of small eyes next to a reef at 10 to 15 ft. and caught a 7.75 & 8.5 lb. pike trolling deep divers when on the move. 4th day fished hard all morning and we finally fished with worms and a bobber to catch some perch just to say we caught something. In the afternoon found some fish catching some eyes 2 pike 7.75 & 11 lbs. The last five minutes produced 2 pike and a large smalley. Pike trolling deep divers when on the move produced 2 nice ones, and also trolling chubs with bottom bouncer in 10 to 20 ft. of water. Eyes seemed to be out in the middle in 20 ft. of water with no structure close by. The last 3 fish were caught with a spinner bait at sunset casting at a cliff face. |
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timatkn |
You just never know. T |
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mastertangler |
One thing I do know.......if a lake has the buggars (Ciscos) it's a lake I want to fish! What blade bait were you using? I have been diggin on what Damiki offers via tackle wharehouse. Check out their Axe Blade and the Vault. I like both offering with light gear.......say 6lb fluorocarbon and a 5 ft rod sound about right. I was supposed to try them in WCPP this summer but I didn't get there. Instead I cast the Vault from shore at Isle Royale and I like what I see. Looks like a bang-em lure that would take just about anything. |
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QueticoMike |
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Spookmeister |
quote QueticoMike: "Thanks for the report! I experienced slow fishing last week as well." |
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Spookmeister |
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mastertangler |
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Spookmeister |
quote mastertangler: "Doesn't sound like you did terrible........those are some very quality fish. I would spend the next year studying ciscos and couple that with a very good depth finder which would help pinpoint the baitfish. Find the groceries, find the fish. I am definitely looking to upgrade my depth finder next year. " |
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carmike |
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