I'll be in the Caribou/Horseshoe/Vista area August 1-4 with my brother and my daughter (10, first trip). Any fishing advice for these particular lakes or this particular time of the year? Seems hotter than I am used to for good fishing.

I usually target walleye for a meal, love an accidental smallmouth, don't particularly like pike in my boat, and I'm sure the kiddo loves catching bluegill but hasn't had a chance to try targeting some of these larger fish before. Horseshoe seems pretty shallow but fishing day trips are a great chance to see a neighboring lake.

I like crankbaits on a rod holder with a fish finder active because it gives you a good chance of getting to the right depth, following a topographical map, and seeing the lake while the rod holder does the work, but I'm open to other strategies!

bump

I’m sorry to say that there will be no fish left when you go because me and three buddies are making that same trip this upcoming weekend. Sorry!

Just kidding, we are amateurs at bestI would like to know the same thing!

Happy Fishing!

-Scott

Did an easy basecamp on Caribou 2 weeks ago and did well for walleye, smallies, and perch. All fish were caught from camp in the evening as they came into the shallows to feed. Thats also the only time I fished so I'm sure I could have found them deeper during the day had I tried.

About 2 hours before sundown they'd start coming into the shallows. Smallies first and then perch and walleye. An hour before sunset they were in 3-4 feet of water on the wind blown side of the lake and also near weedlines.

By time your trip comes around they'll probably be staging a little deeper and maybe not coming as shallow but you'll have to see what depth they are at when you get there.

On Horseshoe I'd probably find the 2 deeper spots and fish structure that relates to those deeper holes. The fish will probably be using the deeper areas during the day but hopefully moving in shallower during prime time.

If you do have a fish finder that would be helpful, especially on Caribou as I haven't seen a good topo map of that lake. I know that lake has no data in my Navionics app. But these lakes also seem to have some obvious spots based on shoreline structure (points/bays/etc) so you can get by without if needed. I didn't bring mine on this trip and I found the fish exactly where I thought I would based on reading the shoreline.

nofish: "All fish were caught from camp....


....I found the fish exactly where I thought I would based on reading the shoreline."

Are you giving yourself maybe a little too much credit here....?

lol, just busting balls.

I like fishing and know how to fish. Usually we catch fish on our trips. 2 years ago August on these lakes was the worst fishing I've seen in the BWCA. Not trying to be a downer, but I'd definitely have a plan B with a kid along, just in case. Blueberries might be one option, or go on moose safari in the early mornings and evenings. Just sayin. You'll probably do great; I hope so.

I also posted in your trip planning thread...but I'll be staying at Rockwood next week and will point out spots on your map if I see you around the place on Wed.

lundojam: "I like fishing and know how to fish. Usually we catch fish on our trips. 2 years ago August on these lakes was the worst fishing I've seen in the BWCA. Not trying to be a downer, but I'd definitely have a plan B with a kid along, just in case. Blueberries might be one option, or go on moose safari in the early mornings and evenings. Just sayin. You'll probably do great; I hope so."

I'm not familiar with these lakes, so apologies if this is moot. But two years ago in August we had tremendous fishing all through the day, fishing deep reefs, points, shoreline ledges, etc. Magic depths were 17-25 feet. Both walleye and smallmouth. We fished bare jig heads tipped with 1/2 crawler or leech, HAD TO BE WITHIIN 1 FOOT OF BOTTOM. So that meant having jig heads heavy enough to fish effectively at those depths given the conditions. But this also means fishing effectively at these depths can be more problematic if relying on trolling. I for one am not confident that I'm able to keep in close proximity to the bottom when fishing 24 feet deep.

We are going again in two weeks. I will be sure to have along plenty of jig heads from 1/8 to 1/2 oz. Once fish are located, catching them is relatively easy. Feel for bottom, reel up two to three turns, set the hook on the tap. (Much/most of the time with live bait a walleye will 'hang on' long enough that an adult can alert a youngster to a bite and they'll be able to set the hook in time.) I 'think' this is a technique that a kid can learn/adapt to, especially if you have relatively calm conditions so that you can fish straight down.

Hope this translates in some way into your situation. Looking forward to your report!

treehorn: "

nofish: "All fish were caught from camp....



....I found the fish exactly where I thought I would based on reading the shoreline."

Are you giving yourself maybe a little too much credit here....?


lol, just busting balls."

With a name like Nofish I have to give myself has much credit as possible. :)

In reality I was just eluding to the fact that the fish where in obvious locations that most folks would have likely figured out for themselves.