Hi, I'm wondering what I should bring to Basswood for walleye, pike, bass and crappie. We're going up over Memorial Day and I'm wondering what the fish are biting. If you could also tell me what line you think works best, it would be great. Thanks.

I would grab rainbow shiners and leeches if anyone is selling them yet. Jig and a minnow or leech is the best way to target walleyes early season. I like the northland fireball jigs. For Pike, I'd soak a big sucker under a bobber on weed lines or shallow reefs (12-20') or troll those same weedlines/reefs with big rapalas or spinnerbaits. Not sure about crappies, they will be tough to target memorial weekend as they will be post-spawn. Small jig with a grub, crappie minnows or jig and leech should work-finding them will be the hard part.

Get some minnows. Rainbows and fatheads, get a couple of bigger ones and toss those on a jig. Leeches might be hard to find that time of year. I have had good luck trolling spinner rigs in 6-10 feet of water. Snap swivel and maybe an 18 inch length. Half a crawler works well on those.

Pike like husky jerks and spoons that time of year. A big spinner bait worked slowly can be good as well.

Not sure about crappies as I have never really targeted them. There are some monster bluegills around in Basswood though. I think we found them in back bay.

For line I usually use 8lb Trilene XL. Might got to XT if I am pitching jigs in the rocks all day.

Good luck, it's a great fishery.

thanks I'm trying to catch my first walleye

and also what colors should I pick up for baits

Are you going in through Moose lake? If so, make sure to spend some time below the falls at the other side of Prairie Portage. Large split shot 18-24 inches above a #4 hook. Use one of the larger minnow I mentioned and cast it out away from the falls. Let it reach bottom and slowly pull it back towards you. Good chance at a mixed bag, can catch walleye, pike, and bass within a few casts of each other.

Lure colors - I like firetiger for the husky jerk, if taking regular rapals I use brown and gold, or original color. Spoons, I have had luck with red/white, five of diamonds in various colors as well. Little cleos cast close to shore will get you a lot of fish, I think I have used the 1/3 oz size. Rainbow trout and bluegill have worked will for me, a plain silver or gold is a solid choice too. Spinner bait I use a large willow leaf tandem, or willow/colorado in black - at least a half oz.

Almost forgot Mepps spinners!! No 4 blade size. I have had good luck with gold blade, brown dressed, silver/brown, gold/white.

we are going through moose I think

If you would like to my read my article on lures for the top 4 fish up there, send me an email - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the Grand Slam Lure article.

Mike and others know Basswood. I fish for pike with a #9 shad rap but, they will bite on about anything. Walleye live bait and a jig. Smallmouth try some top water or a slip bobber and live bait. It is a great fishery.

6 smallmouth from Basswood last late June. 22 lb limit.

And, yes. We ate them on the 4th of July. Hot damn....

yogi59weedr: " 6 smallmouth from Basswood last late June. 22 lb limit."

Nice keep !!

Twas one of those epic hour of fishing. Sitting in a shallow bay, Just chillin...
Feet were on the cooler.
Having a glass of wine and a wrap...dead calm. All of a sudden.... a big slurp... just threw a night crawler and hook out.
Boom nice smallmouth. Then boom boom again got 18 in an hour.... all nice.

Cut into small pieces great 4th. Nobody complained .