Hello. Taking my daughter and friend (flying in from Denver) on their 1st ever BWCA trip, entering on May 23 for 6 nights. We'll be on Agnes and eastern LLC.

Was wondering where walleye may be found and at what depths. We will not have live bait so any suggested lures/presentations would be appreciated. I'm mostly a smallie and trout guy, but am getting modestly better at summer/fall walleye. Thx.

PK.

I think you are looking for specific information on Agnes and LLC and I can't help you there as I have not fished it. It is on my bucket list to get to for the BWCA. Really want to fish Iron and LLC at some point. You are going the right time for walleyes as they should still be shallow and active. I would say likely 5-15 feet of water for the most part. Especially, if you can find moving water (there is a lot in the rea you are going to).

My brother and I took a trip up the last week on May in 2019 and did extremely well on walleyes in the depth of water I shared above. We did use some live bait (leeches on jigs some but we did best with jigs and paddletail/ swimbait plastics. mostly slowly dragging them near the bottom as we drifted around structure like islands and underwater reefs and bars.

I made a video of this trip and posted it on youtube if you want me to share it on this thread. I can, just let me know.

Not looking for specific holes but general areas, depths to fish, morning vs afternoon vs evening, best lures, etc for last week of May. I know Boulder Bay holds walleye. Any general areas around Tiger Bay? Thx in advance for any advice.

Don't think you would have to go all the way to Tiger bay. Lots of good walleye areas before that. Don't blow by Nina Moose.

BWfishingfanatic12: "I think you are looking for specific information on Agnes and LLC and I can't help you there as I have not fished it. It is on my bucket list to get to for the BWCA. Really want to fish Iron and LLC at some point. You are going the right time for walleyes as they should still be shallow and active. I would say likely 5-15 feet of water for the most part. Especially, if you can find moving water (there is a lot in the rea you are going to).


My brother and I took a trip up the last week on May in 2019 and did extremely well on walleyes in the depth of water I shared above. We did use some live bait (leeches on jigs some but we did best with jigs and paddletail/ swimbait plastics. mostly slowly dragging them near the bottom as we drifted around structure like islands and underwater reefs and bars.


I made a video of this trip and posted it on youtube if you want me to share it on this thread. I can, just let me know. "

Excellent comments above, I would add two more: bring some gulp minnows (I like the 4") and 1/8-1/4 oz jigs with long shanks; watch Tom Boley videos on snap jigging and swim bait techniques. He has tons of content, fishes near Hayward, WI, so whatever he is doing mid May is ideal for BWCA late May (he uses advanced electronics to find the fish, so that part is not a fit though)

+1 on the jigs and long shank. No need for live bait. Assorted twister tails, paddle tails etc. will get the job done.

I like to add a jig spinner, but with or without a jig spinner, cast out and work across the bottom to cover more area not just vertical. Yes, you may lose a jig or two, but one wants to contact bottom every once in awhile.

With no electronics, I would target edges of islands or saddles. Smaller bays that have some depth (30') should still be holding 'eyes in May, but eventually they will move out of those areas to mid-lake structure.

You'll want to fish around the islands in Tiger Bay. It'll depend on water temps but it should still be chilly enough that the fish will come in shallow in the mornings and evenings. I found a ridge or two submerged that yielded some decent strikes. Water levels were so low last year that I found it tough fishing in the outlet to Boulder river into the Bay and along the river.

Anges and boulder bay Jigs @ leeches look at the fishing hot spots posted on the maps here.

We done very well there.

BWfishingfanatic12: "I made a video of this trip and posted it on youtube if you want me to share it on this thread. I can, just let me know. "

Please share!

Below is the link from our trip the last week on May in 2019. It was by far our best Walleye trip. Caught my 4 biggest walleyes of my life all on this trip. None over 30" but we caught close to 20 over 24". Almost all of them on jigs and leeches or plastics.

BWCA Walleye Highlights 2019

Best footage is 4 minutes to 14 minutes.

BWfishingfanatic12: "Best footage is 4 minutes to 14 minutes. "

Thanks for sharing. Are you guys u using a fish finder to stay on them? We usually don’t bring one but I’m contemplating pulling the trigger this year...

That was actually the first trip we have ever brought one. I think it would be extremely beneficial in mid-summer to find reefs and structure. It was really nice to know the depths and where drops offs were, but on this trip, I don't really know if it helped us catch that many more fish.

We caught our fish around islands, points, and bars that I had picked out in the trip planning process by viewing satellite images on google earth. The depth finder definitely helps pin point things more though and have a better idea of what the structure looks like. However, if you are drift fishing like we were you could figure it out without electronics as well.

Early in the season, May and early June I don't think it is essential but with that being said I think we will always bring one going forward. Ours is small and compact and is not that bulky or heavy to bring and it is a tool that helps you learn a lot more which is the joy of fishing for me.

I agree with what others have posted, for walleye 1/8-1/4 oz leadhead jigs are essential. I don't normally use a stinger hook on the back, but early season when the water is cold and the fish are slow biters, it can make all the difference between boating fish and not.

Also pay attention to wind direction. Some of my best walleye fishing has been along a shore that has been pounded all day by wind. At night oftentimes the wind dies down and you can fish that shore from a canoe and the walleyes will still be there. Otherwise if the wind persists, get some sort of anchor(rocks) and fish in the waves.

We did pretty well on those lakes that time of year a few years ago.

As others have said...a jig and plastic will be your best bet if you're not bringing leeches. Look up b-fish-n plastics and buy some 3.5" moxi and ringworms...best I've found. But in general, twisters, paddle tails, etc.

On agnes on the north end east of those 3 campsites we were jigging up eyes and crappies one night pretty easily. Otherwise, take the short portage north out of Agnes and fish that pool below the rapids...great spot. If you're in a hurry to get to LLC take the other portage. If you want to take your time and fish just keep paddling down the river. Tons of spots for pools and eddies and stuff to catch fish in. (also great spots to head if it's windy on the main lakes) In Boulder bay don't overlook the area where the river dumps into the bay. Current seams and pools and eddies are your friend...the fish will be there.

Lots of good advice for jigging for Walleye in the previous comments...

For walleye personally I like to through a shad raps, both the shallow and deep runners. Perch, shad, and fire tiger patterns. I also catch them on Original Rapala Floaters as well, similar patterns.

Below is a marked up map from a trip in the second half of May last year. The two portage route from Agnes to Boulder Bay is easy. The area from Fish Stakes Narrows south to Boulder Bay is a nice paddle and can be productive for fish, Walleye and Lakers.

cyclones30: "We did pretty well on those lakes that time of year a few years ago.


As others have said...a jig and plastic will be your best bet if you're not bringing leeches. Look up b-fish-n plastics and buy some 3.5" moxi and ringworms...best I've found. But in general, twisters, paddle tails, etc.


On agnes on the north end east of those 3 campsites we were jigging up eyes and crappies one night pretty easily. Otherwise, take the short portage north out of Agnes and fish that pool below the rapids...great spot. If you're in a hurry to get to LLC take the other portage. If you want to take your time and fish just keep paddling down the river. Tons of spots for pools and eddies and stuff to catch fish in. (also great spots to head if it's windy on the main lakes) In Boulder bay don't overlook the area where the river dumps into the bay. Current seams and pools and eddies are your friend...the fish will be there. "

What colors do you suggest for the b-fish-n plastics in mid May? My brother and I are both bass fisherman but want to give walleye a shot this spring. Thanks!

I would recommend throwing jigs along the first break (4-8 ft) or in soft bottom bays at the same depth.

Paddletails, grubs and soft plastic minnow imitations will all work.

FWIW I will never trip in canoe country without leeches. They are very hearty, if you change the water at night and keep them out of the sun 1 lb will last all week in a Nalgene bottle no problem.

Extra bonus of live bait is people who are relatively new to fishing can bobber fish and not deal with as many snags/tangles.

That's actually the same brand we used as well. You can see them in my above video but we used the chartreuse orange-core and chartreuse white core. Paddle tail or moxi versions.

Yeah, variations of chartreuse are good as just mentioned. I also really like variations w/ purple in them. But anything can be good.

Honestly the best deal on their stuff if it's on the website is the factory 2nd bags. You pick the general color you want and you get a pile of different sizes/shapes of their stuff that for the most part looks fine but might have a little more of one color or the other if it's a half/half or that kind of thing. Otherwise it gets pricey buying single packs of every color and shape, but worth it if you know what you want.

Thank you both! I will put in an order in the morning.

BWfishingfanatic12: " Below is the link from our trip the last week on May in 2019. It was by far our best Walleye trip. Caught my 4 biggest walleyes of my life all on this trip. None over 30" but we caught close to 20 over 24". Almost all of them on jigs and leeches or plastics.

BWCA Walleye Highlights 2019 "

I saw you mentioned that you only caught 5 smallies the entire trip - I get it. It was cold. They weren't staging yet when you were there.
Myself and a buddy were on SAK the second week of June. At the end of the day our wrists were in PAIN from hauling in 20" smallies all afternoon sight fishing.

In my experience with daughters and their friends, which is significant, I think you'll want to reconsider live bait. Leeches are not harder to bring along than plastics, especially in spring when it is cooler. They are easier to fish with and more productive than plastics, etc. A slip bobber and leech is easy to use for anyone, doesn't snag easily, is super-fun, and flat-out works. From the campsite it's awesome. Select a campsite a cast away from 6 or 8 feet of water and they'll be there. Or near current.
For a more active approach, longline original rapalas and husky jerks. Start shallow.Here's a pic of some bobber fish from the old days.

If water levels are decent....Boulder River.

A lot can happen in a couple weeks. It all depends on what section of the big lake you are on. That's two weeks + after we were on the big cold border waters so that makes sense to me that you did well on SAK then. Sounds like a lot of fun!