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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Trip Planning Forum

Flooding issues & affects on fishing

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Date/Time: 05/04/2024 07:40AM

Subject:

Flooding issues & affects on fishing

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<quote>Speckled: "I've day tripped a couple times already - no overnight. Here's my read; portages are wet, with some of them having running water down them. Not really an issue if you have proper footwear. Lakes are high, but not any more dangerous, most campsites will be fine and most portages will be fine. Areas that have minimal current or "paddleable" current in a normal year are really strong right now, just take extra precaution, go slow and don't force it. Line the canoe if needed.

Rivers - I've avoided them so far, but I'd say the same applies. Take it slow - don't force it and be very aware of what you're paddling into. The current is stronger than it looks. BW is not flooded - it's just high water.

In regards to fishing... I've struggled.  I personally have no idea how the high water affects them.  I've employed my normal tactics and fish were caught, but not like in a normal year.  That said - I've had friends who have told me, it's the best fishing they've ever had.  The fish are out there and if you happen to be in the right spot with the right presentation - you'll catch them...just like any year.  "</quote>

Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
THEGrandRapids	06/07/2022 03:42PM Had phenomenal fishing and caught post spawn brutes that shouldn't have been where they were still.
pastorjsackett	06/07/2022 07:54AM Just back from Crooked. We caught fish in the usual places but also got our biggest walleye just off of them in some odder spots. We wondered if the ones in the usual spots were males and the big females were yet to be done with post spawn. Just a guess. Typical spots will do but moving water will be high. If that doesn't displace fish, it may displace you. Can't get everywhere right now.
WhiteWolf	06/06/2022 10:46PM With higher water my opinion is to not focus on the "newer" areas that fish may have. Still focus on the same areas you would even if the water was a few feet lower. I think the "foreign" high water sends bad mojo to the fish that have been around the block for some time. Again- concentrate on same areas even if they are several feet deeper than a normal year. Just my two cents.
MarshallPrime	06/04/2022 09:17PM We go in on Sat the 11th to that same area and are hoping things return to normal as far as fishing goes. Taking 3 boys with us and want them to have success on their 1st trip. 12,13,14 years. Did you go in from Sag? Was the monument portage boardwalk underwater? I assume it will be.
TaylorRN	06/03/2022 06:55PM I just returned from knife lake area. Portages were flooded, water levels were notably higher. Fishing was a bust compared to years past and I consider myself a experienced angler. It could have also been because of the cold spring. We landed a few nice fish but nothing like we normally do.
Rltsavoy	05/26/2022 02:06PM I plan to be heading in that area in a couple days. We will tow out to Red Rock Portage (which should be a paddle thru fer sure, just hoping for slow water there). Then head to Alpine to hoist our Jolly Roger!
Speckled	05/26/2022 09:16AM I've day tripped a couple times already - no overnight. Here's my read; portages are wet, with some of them having running water down them. Not really an issue if you have proper footwear. Lakes are high, but not any more dangerous, most campsites will be fine and most portages will be fine. Areas that have minimal current or "paddleable" current in a normal year are really strong right now, just take extra precaution, go slow and don't force it. Line the canoe if needed. Rivers - I've avoided them so far, but I'd say the same applies. Take it slow - don't force it and be very aware of what you're paddling into. The current is stronger than it looks. BW is not flooded - it's just high water. In regards to fishing... I've struggled. I personally have no idea how the high water affects them. I've employed my normal tactics and fish were caught, but not like in a normal year. That said - I've had friends who have told me, it's the best fishing they've ever had. The fish are out there and if you happen to be in the right spot with the right presentation - you'll catch them...just like any year.
sconnie84	05/25/2022 10:49PM I am heading up to BWCA in a couple weeks (Red Rocks & Alpine Lake). I've heard there has been a lot of issues with flooding in the area and wondering if anyone that has recently completed the trip has run into any issues with flooding while out paddling, the tow in, or at their camps sites? I was also curious as to how the high waters have affected fishing?