What fish is easier to catch in the BWCA? Smallies or walleyes?

I know QueticoMike will say walleyes:) Any other opinions?

Smallies for sure!

I toss smallies to the birds. Smallies f’ed up all waters in northern Minnesota. Not a native fish to these parts. The white tail deer is also not native to these parts. The white man in general is also not native to this land.

Smallmouth are way easier to catch, sometimes I am trying to figure out how NOT to catch them.

Weren’t small mouth originally stocked to try to give unskilled fisherman a chance to catch something in the dog days of summer? :)

T

Rats (Bass) by a mile!

SMB by a long shot. They are everywhere!

Smallies, generally.

However, when they mingle into schools, I'll catch more walleyes than bass using leeches. If you happen upon a school of walleyes where a stream empties into a lake, they're even easier to catch than bass. I've told the story of catching walleyes all morning at such a spot with leeches and to mix it up, I started paddling back and forth across the current with a crankbait. It was a short run each time, maybe 20 yards, but I still caught 17 or 18 walleyes in a row.

Wallski raised the issue of nativity and as a lover of trees who prefers to plant indigenous species, I'm waffling on planting two lovely Asian/European trees, the Zelkova and Katsura, because both were once native to North America. What belongs is a complex question, comically considered when one admits that the T-Rex is a native species, but that doesn't mean we should reintroduce it if we happened to have John Hammond and his team.

+ 1 Miss Molly

Smallmouth

Smallmouth and it isnt even close, sure if you get on a walleye spot they can be fast and furious but overall yes, Smallmouth bass takes this by a mile.

Gotta go with smallmouth. I can almost always catch those, not so with walleye.

Zwater: "What fish is easier to catch in the BWCA? Smallies or walleyes?"

With 20-40 trips under your belt... why are you asking? Seems an odd question at this point.

bobbernumber3: "

Zwater: "What fish is easier to catch in the BWCA? Smallies or walleyes?"

With 20-40 trips under your belt... why are you asking? Seems an odd question at this point."

Because some people on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies. Just wanted to see what other people thought.

I try to keep smallies... off my hook.

Anyone can catch Smallmouth Bass.

All smallmouths do is compete with the natural walleye food sources.

Zwater: "Because some people on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies... "

I musta missed that comment. Wonder who in the world would think that!

bobbernumber3: "

Zwater: "Because some people on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies... "

I musta missed that comment. Wonder who in the world would think that!"

Pretty much no one. As I wrote above, if walleye are stacked and feeding and you're right atop them, they can be caught without a lot of effort, but early and late most days, as we all know, you can see where bass are likely to be, i.e. beside that log and over by that rock.*

I assume that the mighty QueticoMike, who catches big bass, pike, AND walleye, works hard to do so. He told us that he's more interested in fishing than eating. I think the only way you'd get him to be present for a leisurely breakfast is to chain him to a tree.

What QM doesn't say is where he fishes and I expect it's deep in the Q because that's where big fish live. I respect Mike for not naming his lakes. I've seen many bodies of water ruined by people who keep as much as they're allowed. I too fish bodies of water that are rarely fished and on a good day, because the fish don't see lures, you can catch a lot of whatever species you prefer, not because you're good at fishing, but because the fish don't see people with their lures and leeches, which makes your days all cream and peaches!

*Because we know where bass hang is part of their allure for me. Casting light and tight to cover is rewarded. Ever bass fish with someone who can't cast? You spend a lot of time freeing their lure from logs.

Sunfish .

sorry , only read subject Title ;)

When my hunting buddies ask me why I waste so much vacation fishing the border waters. Well in hunting terms catching big smallies up there is the equivalent of this

FlambeauForest: "When my hunting buddies ask me why I waste so much vacation fishing the border waters. Well in hunting terms catching big smallies up there is the equivalent of this


"

I totally agree. But mm and QM may have to start a new thread to disprove you:)

missmolly: "

bobbernumber3: "

Zwater: "Because some people on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies... "

I musta missed that comment. Wonder who in the world would think that!"

Pretty much no one. As I wrote above, if walleye are stacked and feeding and you're right atop them, they can be caught without a lot of effort, but early and late most days, as we all know, you can see where bass are likely to be, i.e. beside that log and over by that rock.*


I assume that the mighty QueticoMike, who catches big bass, pike, AND walleye, works hard to do so. He told us that he's more interested in fishing than eating. I think the only way you'd get him to be present for a leisurely breakfast is to chain him to a tree.


What QM doesn't say is where he fishes and I expect it's deep in the Q because that's where big fish live. I respect Mike for not naming his lakes. I've seen many bodies of water ruined by people who keep as much as they're allowed. I too fish bodies of water that are rarely fished and on a good day, because the fish don't see lures, you can catch a lot of whatever species you prefer, not because you're good at fishing, but because the fish don't see people with their lures and leeches, which makes your days all cream and peaches!


*Because we know where bass hang is part of their allure for me. Casting light and tight to cover is rewarded. Ever bass fish with someone who can't cast? You spend a lot of time freeing their lure from logs. "

This reply has nothing to do with my question.

Smallmouth

SMB for sure!!!!
If Smallies weren't easy to catch, Quetico Mike would have to take up knitting!! :) Bwahahahahahahahaha

TGO drops the mike!
(pun intended)

shock: "Sunfish ."

A cold.

The Great Outdoors: "SMB for sure!!!!
If Smallies weren't easy to catch, Quetico Mike would have to take up knitting!! :) Bwahahahahahahahaha"

I can catch other fish besides smallmouth bass, it is that I just enjoy catching smallmouth bass beyond all other fish. I don't care how easy you may think they are to catch. I don't care that you detest these fish. I have explained many times why I enjoy catching these fish among all others. If you need me to explain again, please let me know and I will spell it all out for you again. If anyone wants to challenge my fishing skills, please let me know and I will meet you in Quetico and we shall see whom is better with lures. Drop the proverbial MIKE on that one!

The matchless Holly Golightly said, "Everybody has to feel superior to somebody, but it's customary to present a little proof before you take the privilege."

Mike, you provide that proof, again and again.

Anyway, the bass you catch aren't typical bass. It's considerably harder to catch a 20-inch bass than a 16-inch bass and you've caught scores of bass 20 inches or bigger.

If a person wants to feel superior by landing the most difficult fish, then fly fish for permit. If you want to limit your fishing to the north, fish for Arctic Char in rapids where you have to run to regain line. If you don't have the budget for that, then fish for muskies from canoes, which I did for three years and fish back country lakes, where you can't portage a musky net through the woods and you have to hand land them.

If I ever see you in Q I just want to shake your hand and Thank You for everything you do for us on the forum. After that I'll just watch the master at work.
Respect,
Dave

Zwater: "

missmolly: "

bobbernumber3: "

Zwater: "Because some people on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies... "

I musta missed that comment. Wonder who in the world would think that!"

Pretty much no one. As I wrote above, if walleye are stacked and feeding and you're right atop them, they can be caught without a lot of effort, but early and late most days, as we all know, you can see where bass are likely to be, i.e. beside that log and over by that rock.*



I assume that the mighty QueticoMike, who catches big bass, pike, AND walleye, works hard to do so. He told us that he's more interested in fishing than eating. I think the only way you'd get him to be present for a leisurely breakfast is to chain him to a tree.



What QM doesn't say is where he fishes and I expect it's deep in the Q because that's where big fish live. I respect Mike for not naming his lakes. I've seen many bodies of water ruined by people who keep as much as they're allowed. I too fish bodies of water that are rarely fished and on a good day, because the fish don't see lures, you can catch a lot of whatever species you prefer, not because you're good at fishing, but because the fish don't see people with their lures and leeches, which makes your days all cream and peaches!



*Because we know where bass hang is part of their allure for me. Casting light and tight to cover is rewarded. Ever bass fish with someone who can't cast? You spend a lot of time freeing their lure from logs. "

This reply has nothing to do with my question."

Wrong: "Pretty much no one (on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies). As I wrote above, if walleye are stacked and feeding and you're right atop them, they can be caught without a lot of effort, but early and late most days, as we all know, you can see where bass are likely to be, i.e. beside that log and over by that rock.*

Anyway, your "question" is a straw man, that being that this site's members think smallmouth are generally harder to catch than walleyes. No one thinks that. You want to provoke Mike and others who love to catch smallmouth by diminishing the catching of smallmouth.

QueticoMike: "

The Great Outdoors: "SMB for sure!!!!
If Smallies weren't easy to catch, Quetico Mike would have to take up knitting!! :) Bwahahahahahahahaha"

"

Best job I've ever seen photo shopping your head on another's body Mike!!!
Heh, heh, heh!!!!!!!! :)

Easier to catch? Or humble brag thread whichever all good.

The Great Outdoors: "

QueticoMike: "

The Great Outdoors: "SMB for sure!!!!
If Smallies weren't easy to catch, Quetico Mike would have to take up knitting!! :) Bwahahahahahahahaha"

"

Best job I've ever seen photo shopping your head on another's body Mike!!!
Heh, heh, heh!!!!!!!! :)"

I wish I could photoshop those abs in that last picture onto my body :)

:)

We are lucky to have missmolly and quetico mike here to show us the path to enlightenment. Thanks for the lessons and unusual antidotes.

WalleyeHunter24: "We are lucky to have missmolly and quetico mike here to show us the path to enlightenment. Thanks for the lessons and unusual antidotes."

A lifetime fish photo gallery can make an impressive display.

bobbernumber3: "

WalleyeHunter24: "We are lucky to have missmolly and quetico mike here to show us the path to enlightenment. Thanks for the lessons and unusual antidotes."

A lifetime fish photo gallery can make an impressive display. "

Boasting and hyper-intellectual writing is not impressive.

WalleyeHunter24: "

bobbernumber3: "

WalleyeHunter24: "We are lucky to have missmolly and quetico mike here to show us the path to enlightenment. Thanks for the lessons and unusual antidotes."

A lifetime fish photo gallery can make an impressive display. "

Boasting and hyper-intellectual writing is not impressive. "

Easy
Deep breaths
Winter will be over soon

GBTG: "If I ever see you in Q I just want to shake your hand and Thank You for everything you do for us on the forum. After that I'll just watch the master at work.
Respect,
Dave"

Thanks! I'll watch for you as well.

bobbernumber3: "

WalleyeHunter24: "We are lucky to have missmolly and quetico mike here to show us the path to enlightenment. Thanks for the lessons and unusual antidotes."

A lifetime fish photo gallery can make an impressive display. "

I'm sorry if I offended anyone, I was just having fun with a back and forth ribbing with TGO and I was just showing him that I can actually catch other fish other than smallmouth and will not have to take up knitting if for some magical reason smallmouth disappeared from all of the waters on earth. I know some of you would be very happy if that did happen....haha :) My responses were all in good fun and some people might have interpreted my banter with TGO as being something serious. I'm not trying to impress anyone with those pictures ( except maybe TGO....haha ). The photos are not lifetime photos, most of them are pretty recent, but there are a couple of pike pictures that are over 10 years old. I wish I could find all of my old pike pictures, long before digital came about. So as I always say, to each their own. Good luck to all of you this year no matter what species you fish for. I truly wish you all well. Even you TGO....Peace out.

missmolly: "

Zwater: "

missmolly: "

bobbernumber3: "

Zwater: "Because some people on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies... "

I musta missed that comment. Wonder who in the world would think that!"

Pretty much no one. As I wrote above, if walleye are stacked and feeding and you're right atop them, they can be caught without a lot of effort, but early and late most days, as we all know, you can see where bass are likely to be, i.e. beside that log and over by that rock.*



I assume that the mighty QueticoMike, who catches big bass, pike, AND walleye, works hard to do so. He told us that he's more interested in fishing than eating. I think the only way you'd get him to be present for a leisurely breakfast is to chain him to a tree.



What QM doesn't say is where he fishes and I expect it's deep in the Q because that's where big fish live. I respect Mike for not naming his lakes. I've seen many bodies of water ruined by people who keep as much as they're allowed. I too fish bodies of water that are rarely fished and on a good day, because the fish don't see lures, you can catch a lot of whatever species you prefer, not because you're good at fishing, but because the fish don't see people with their lures and leeches, which makes your days all cream and peaches!



*Because we know where bass hang is part of their allure for me. Casting light and tight to cover is rewarded. Ever bass fish with someone who can't cast? You spend a lot of time freeing their lure from logs. "

This reply has nothing to do with my question."

Wrong: "Pretty much no one (on this site think that walleyes are easier to catch then smallies). As I wrote above, if walleye are stacked and feeding and you're right atop them, they can be caught without a lot of effort, but early and late most days, as we all know, you can see where bass are likely to be, i.e. beside that log and over by that rock.*


Anyway, your "question" is a straw man, that being that this site's members think smallmouth are generally harder to catch than walleyes. No one thinks that. You want to provoke Mike and others who love to catch smallmouth by diminishing the catching of smallmouth. "

Let's all calm down. In past posts QM has said that catching walleyes was easier then catching smallies.

QM without a doubt has caught some amazing fish! But since he previously challenged anyone to out fish him, maybe he should try the B.A.S.S Master Classic?

That is true, I have at times had an easier time catching walleye than smallmouth. I would no way say that walleye are always easier to catch than smallmouth. Far from it, but there are certain spots in which they do come easy. That just comes from doing 100 trips to the Quetico\BWCA. Not sure why any of this matters. Like I said to each their own. If you enjoy fishing for a fish that is more difficult to catch that is your prerogative and I won't say anything disparaging about the fish you pursue.

As far as challenging fishing skills in Quetico that was more banter directed towards TGO. I am nowhere in the class of a professional bass fisherman. Much respect to those guys.

Next time I will just not respond back to TGO, or put some kind of disclaimer afterwards so everyone does not take all of this seriously.

anyone who's been on here awhile knows that QM and TGO has always had fun ribbing each other .
heck a few years back i posted a pic from the early 90'S with a bunch of dead #4 smallies and TGO was the only one that had my back LOL

Quote from QM,

"If anyone wants to challenge my fishing skills, please let me know and I will meet you in Quetico and we shall see whom is better with lures. Drop the proverbial MIKE on that one!"

I thought you said this was intended for TGO, but it sounds like you are challenging anyone.
Just wondering?

Like I said before, the fish you have caught are amazing!

All in good fun:)

Zwater: "Quote from QM,


"If anyone wants to challenge my fishing skills, please let me know and I will meet you in Quetico and we shall see whom is better with lures. Drop the proverbial MIKE on that one!"


I thought you said this was intended for TGO, but it sounds like you are challenging anyone.
Just wondering?


Like I said before, the fish you have caught are amazing!"

Yes, I mentioned before all of that was directed towards TGO as part of our back and forth banter. I should not have put it that way because some people don't understand this was all just joking around. Some people seem to be taking all of this serious, sorry for the confusion.

Mike, just goes to show that some of us have a sense of humor. Anyone that thought this was a serious battle should take up another activity, like knitting along with you!!!
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! :)

The Great Outdoors: "Mike, just goes to show that some of us have a sense of humor. Anyone that thought this was a serious battle should take up another activity, like knitting along with you!!!
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! :)"

Who thought this was a serious battle? You probably don't remember me, but we came into your shop a few years ago during the winter to get bait. Talked for quite a while. We were headed to a lake outside of the BWCA with blue walleyes and splake. About a mile portage in.

I love reading TGO and QM posts.

Now if TGO ever learned how to use Rapalas he’d finally make it as a fisherman lol

T

timatkn: "I love reading TGO and QM posts.
Now if TGO ever learned how to use Rapalas he’d finally make it as a fisherman lol
T"

If I was ever "sentenced" to always use Rapalas, I'd sell my boat and take up knitting along with Mike!!! :)

There is a gem of a lake off a old logging road full of Blue tinted wallski’s. They run small 17-25 inches. Splake they run big 15-30 pounders any day of the week. Lake is a bowl running 780 feet max, she drops off quick like a McDavid snapper.

Wallski : "I toss smallies to the birds. Smallies f’ed up all waters in northern Minnesota. Not a native fish to these parts. The white tail deer is also not native to these parts. The white man in general is also not native to this land."

Some people just can’t post without saying something stupid.

Do you guys use a ht or a ketch board to measure your dick?

Band name: Hyperintellectual Antidotes
BTW, an antidote is snakebite medicine and an anecdote is a little story.

This just in: smallmouth are easier to catch and fight harder than walleyes. That makes them fun to fish for, and I like to have fun on vacation. Which is OK, I hope. Walleyes make me more satisfied, but bass are more fun. It's sort of like the difference between a ballgame and church. Or Doritos and a square meal. Laverne and Shirley v. Citizen Kane.

You do you.

Thatguy: "Do you guys use a ht or a ketch board to measure your dick?"

the anonymous chicken little guest paddler strikes again , LOL

This has been an interesting thread and QM and TGO always banter back and forth and as far as who is the best fisherman on this sight, no offense to anyone but if anyone is better than Arlo Pankook or Majic Stick both are professionals along with at least 3 others in this site who have fished on the pro walleye and bass circuit .

Basspro69: "This has been an interesting thread and QM and TGO always banter back and forth and as far as who is the best fisherman on this sight, no offense to anyone but if anyone is better than Arlo Pankook or Majic Stick both are professionals along with at least 3 others in this site who have fished on the pro walleye and bass circuit ."

This is not intended to offend or discredit anyone on the forum, but being on the Pro Walleye Circuit does not make one a great fisherman-just a serious competitor.
There is one guide in our area that is on the circuit, and does not have very much success as a guide. As I said in the beginning of my post, this is not intended to be critical for anyone on this forum.

Not to discredit the pro bass circuit, but Bill Dance could catch a five fish 20 lb bag of smallies in the BW. Just like everyone posting here.

QueticoMike: "

Zwater: "Quote from QM,

"If anyone wants to challenge my fishing skills, please let me know and I will meet you in Quetico and we shall see whom is better with lures. Drop the proverbial MIKE on that one!"



I thought you said this was intended for TGO, but it sounds like you are challenging anyone.
Just wondering?



Like I said before, the fish you have caught are amazing!"

Yes, I mentioned before all of that was directed towards TGO as part of our back and forth banter. I should not have put it that way because some people don't understand this was all just joking around. Some people seem to be taking all of this serious, sorry for the confusion.

QM, Lyonty & I might have to take you up on that challenge!!!

O great another mindless discussion that solves nothing.
I'm in!!
Day in & day out smallies are easier for me to catch. Buuuut on Kawnipi I found it easier to catch eyes. So it depends I guess.