Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: First Trip To Ensign
 
Author Message Text
mnmoose99
07/16/2022 05:55PM
 
Thank you all for the great fishing advice!
 
SideSwipe
07/13/2022 03:08PM
 
YetiJedi: "Ensign is a great lake for fishing! On Ensign two years ago we did well in the evenings/early mornings with top water (whopper ploppers and spooks primarily) on the easternmost part of the lake - we fished there simply because there were fewer people on that end and that is where we camped. During the day we caught bass using some homemade crawdad patterns (I imagine plastics would work great) with cast-retrieve as we slowly worked around the lake. We trolled (variety of rapalas) some but primarily caught walleye with an occasional northern (good sized!). Plenty of walleye in the lake and we jigged the islands based on the winds. It is a fun lake to fish because it usually has good numbers.



Hope this helps. I know a search of this site will yield more info on Ensign. The Ely outfitters and bait shops are also an excellent source of information. Good luck and tight lines! Hope your son has a blast!"



What rapalas?
 
YetiJedi
07/13/2022 05:25PM
 
SideSwipe: "YetiJedi: "Ensign is a great lake for fishing! On Ensign two years ago we did well in the evenings/early mornings with top water (whopper ploppers and spooks primarily) on the easternmost part of the lake - we fished there simply because there were fewer people on that end and that is where we camped. During the day we caught bass using some homemade crawdad patterns (I imagine plastics would work great) with cast-retrieve as we slowly worked around the lake. We trolled (variety of rapalas) some but primarily caught walleye with an occasional northern (good sized!). Plenty of walleye in the lake and we jigged the islands based on the winds. It is a fun lake to fish because it usually has good numbers.




Hope this helps. I know a search of this site will yield more info on Ensign. The Ely outfitters and bait shops are also an excellent source of information. Good luck and tight lines! Hope your son has a blast!"




What rapalas?"



Shad rap #7 or even #9 (used this by far the most)
XRap Jerkbait #10
Jointed husky jerk #8


Colors we like in order of preference: firetiger (probably used 70% of the time), crawdad, silver, and bluegill

 
lundojam
07/15/2022 06:17AM
 
There are largemouth and smallmouth bass in good numbers on Ensign. we did well there with wacky worms in likely looking "bassy" spots.
 
beagleboy
07/20/2022 07:30AM
 
We tripped from Snowbank to Ensign and fished Boot lake on the way. Best bass lake around that area, here's part 1 of our trip - https://youtu.be/q5Qa9xsJRJc



 
pkrien
07/15/2022 09:15AM
 
The Northwest part of Ensign has some islands, fish around those for Smallmouth. Fish Splash Lake which is West of Ensign, excellent fishing for all species. On the far East side is a couple smaller lakes that are also good for fishing. And make sure you visit Cattyman Falls.
 
mnmoose99
07/13/2022 08:28AM
 
I'm traveling with my son to Ensign next week. He loves to fish, especially for bass. Any suggestions on what areas of Ensign or nearby lakes to fish? Any tips on tackle he should bring? Thank you.
 
Savage Voyageur
07/13/2022 08:59AM
 
You need to use topwater lures like Whopper Ploppers, Zara Super Spooks, Pop-R, Baby Lucky 13 and similar. Bring along some crawfish patterns too. You can also use Senko worms to catch them. I’ve also used Shad raps trolling or casting for them. You will catch as many as you want. So I listed basically lures from all sections of the water column. Even some in the 22” size. Fish almost anywhere on Ensign for Smallmouth, but mostly the East side. Also the head down to Ashagon lake for a day trip for smallmouth. Triangle, or Trident lake on some maps is also good for Smallmouths. You might want to try some leeches under a slip bobber from camp for Walleye. Almost all of the campsites I’ve stayed at there hold walleye at night. Fish between 7:00pm and 10:00pm for the night bite.
 
YetiJedi
07/13/2022 09:12AM
 
Ensign is a great lake for fishing! On Ensign two years ago we did well in the evenings/early mornings with top water (whopper ploppers and spooks primarily) on the easternmost part of the lake - we fished there simply because there were fewer people on that end and that is where we camped. During the day we caught bass using some homemade crawdad patterns (I imagine plastics would work great) with cast-retrieve as we slowly worked around the lake. We trolled (variety of rapalas) some but primarily caught walleye with an occasional northern (good sized!). Plenty of walleye in the lake and we jigged the islands based on the winds. It is a fun lake to fish because it usually has good numbers.


Hope this helps. I know a search of this site will yield more info on Ensign. The Ely outfitters and bait shops are also an excellent source of information. Good luck and tight lines! Hope your son has a blast!