My father-in-law and I are planning to finish the north Kawishiwi river. We were planning to start in the Farm lake and get out at Lake one. I was wondering if there’s any tips on fishing this area, if there a certain baits that seem to work well, or patterns in the river that seem to be well for fishing. I’ve always fished on the Gunflint Trail side so this is my first time over here I was wondering if there’s any tips I should know about.

Also I am open to changing my Route if you have better suggestions. Thanks again for your help.

Not long into your paddle you'll come to an area called Deadmans. It's an S shaped narrows with some current. Fish along the high wall just off the current. As you exit the east side of Deadmans, straight ahead is the Haystack Rocks. Fish there and then, juuuuuuuust beyond that, is a narrows with almost an imperceptible current. Fish there. Your next stop should be your first portage, fish there. Your next stop will be your 2nd portage, fish there. Your next stop will be the 210 rod Murphys portage, I hope you've been carb loading, this is a hard portage. When you catch your breath, wrap back around and fish the top of the rapids you just portaged around. If you're looking for Largemouth, portage over to Conchu Lake and toss a top water.

If you see a guy in a solo stripper, be sure to say Hi, I'll be in the area the week after Labor Day. If you're coming out before then, be sure to let me know how you did!

JD

JD,

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking the rapids were good spots. The inside info is greatly appreciated. We will be there the 3-6 so maybe we’ll cross paths it be me and my father-in-law in a wide aluminum canoe, it’s a beast but I’ve been portaging to a nearby lake to work up to Murphy’s portage.

One last question what lures and baits work best there this time of year?

Thanks

CV,

My tackle box is pretty basic. A bunch of 1/4 oz jigs in different colors or just a plain #4 hook, and a couple of split shot tipped with half a crawler, a leech, or a Gulp! leech or minnow. For topwater, my go-to lure is a 3 inch jointed floating Rapala in black and silver.

If you need a break on the Murphys portage, stop at the top of the 2nd hill (I think it's the 2nd) just after you walk past a small pond on your right. There are side trails over to a neat waterfall tucked back in there.

Also, the campsite at the east end of the Murphys portage is just ok, there's an even better one just past it adjacent to the portage over to Conchu. I haven't stayed at any of the others further east, but I've heard there's an island site near the North/South split that's also nice.

JD