Hi all,

We are headed up next weekend and basecamping EP 62 and staying on Clearwater the entire time. Many have said we do not need to bring any live bait and just work the lures but we would like to anyways. If you had to pick one to bring with you which would it be? We will be fishing for both lakers and smallmouth.

A Crawlers

B. Leeches

C. Minnows

Thanks so much for your help, as always!

Rainbow chubs if they are still available. Caught more fish on this kind of minnow than any other live bait.

Do smallmouth go after minnows or crawlers in spring or is it leeches sorry for hijacking

Both, though I rarely have crawlers in the spring. Minnows really have been my best presentation in May and early June.

Bass will eat almost anything you throw in the water. For lakers, I have had success with bright 3/8oz Jigs with matching twister tail grubs. Spoons work well for lakers as well. Live bait for Lakers will be the Minnows all day.

On the trips when I have brought live bait with me, I have never regretted bringing leeches.

Do smallmouth go after leeches or crawlers more?

RustyBoldt1: "Do smallmouth go after leeches or crawlers more?"

I think crawlers are a little more effective with bass, but they're more work.

Not for Lakers, but if I had to choose a single live bait to take into the Boundary Waters it would have to be leeches. Great Success with them...

Bruce

Tough to beat leeches. They may not always be the absolute best option as far as what the fish are going for, but they always work and they are super low maintenance.

What if you are base camping do you still go with leeches even if crawlers are not a issue taking care of

RustyBoldt1: "What if you are base camping do you still go with leeches even if crawlers are not a issue taking care of"

Take them both in case the heat kills your crawlers. Plus, it's fun to try a crawler on one hook and a leech on the other.

Leeches! They will put quality smallies and walleye in your canoe. Minnows are too hard to keep alive. Worms would be my second choice if leeches weren't available.

RustyBoldt1: "What if you are base camping do you still go with leeches even if crawlers are not a issue taking care of"

Yes, and if in doubt bring all three!

Thanks for the help guy