I'm going to Crooked on June 5th with a few friends for 9 days and we're going to be focusing a lot on smallmouth. Same time last year in SAK (colder than normal), bass were on beds but willing to chase. This year is much warmer much earlier and I'm worried that we are going to miss the smallie spawn. I'm sure they will still be eager to hit topwater but might be deeper than we are hoping, and won't be as fat. At this rate unless we get some major cold again, I'm expecting water temps to be 70F by the time we get up there.

Is anyone else going up the same time and as anxious as me? I'm having stress dreams about it :(

Not Bass for me, but i'm anticipating a shorter spring stretch to catch stream trout out of the lakes. Ice out is around 2 weeks earlier than normal.

Normally they quite biting around the end of may...well two weeks early is fishing opener.

I’m not too worried. I will start with top water lures. The usual suspects, Zara Super Spooks, Pop-Rs, Whopper Plopper, weedless rubber frogs, lucky 13, Hola popper, Jitterbug. If not top water then I’ll switch to a Wacky rigged Senko worm Neko rigged, or the ever favorite Rapala Shad rap.

I don’t like to pull them off their beds. But after the spawn they are super hunger. And that’s when I’ll be up there.

I'm going in fishing opener on the far east side. I'm actually getting excited that I may hit things absolutely perfectly. Last time I came in on opener, it was way too cold for anything except shallow water lakers. But the weather also was very frigid and rainy and an overall tough week. I did catch some brown trout, but not even one bite from the smallies or walleye, not even one snake. Five weeks to go. I cannot wait...

You're also going to Crooked, one of the best fishing lakes in the BW. You may miss the spawn, or maybe not, but you will do great catching fish regardless. I wouldn't worry too much...

You're also going to Crooked, one of the best fishing lakes in the BW. You may miss the spawn, or maybe not, but you will do great catching fish regardless. I wouldn't worry too much...

If im in the boundary waters fishing.....
Im not missing a thing....

yogi59weedr: "If im in the boundary waters fishing.....
Im not missing a thing...."

That line is great!

yogi59weedr: "If im in the boundary waters fishing.....
Im not missing a thing...."

I hear ya. The BWCA is the best place to get skunked I suppose! Hopefully we still catch a pile of good sized fish- with 9 days I think we'll catch more than a couple. They get so fat in the prespawn though... I'm really hoping to break my PB (only 4lbs). Thankfully I'm going up to Malberg with my girlfriend 2 weeks prior, so we might hit the spawn perfectly. I'm still hoping we get a lot of cold weather and rain to keep water temps low. I went out on my kayak on a smaller lake in the Twin Cities yesterday and already saw 50F. So... yep I'm still stressin!

yogi59weedr: "If im in the boundary waters fishing.....
Im not missing a thing...."

Love this!

I have fished Basswood for 13 consecutive years in week 5 or 6 (June 12-24 depending on year) of the season and while it is different from Crooked there are some similarities. Bass typically spawn in a two week window in each section of lake, but there are wide water temp discrepancies in lakes that big-meaning there are bass in both lakes spawning somewhere for 6 weeks. We always catch big female SMB with and without eggs on the same day and the same place. The males are protecting beds in one area and completely gone in others. Then in the shallower weedy areas, the LMB are all prespawn, with their schedule late June into July. I have also fished the smaller lakes on Sawbill and Gunflint areas in earlier days, and there is also a mishmash of prespawn to postspawn on the same lakes in June. If you want smallies in June on topwater baits, skip the beds and attack the feeding areas where there is continuous broken rock (beds require sandy gaps), especially in the pm sun. Then go just a bit deeper (ie you can't see the rocks easily) in the same spots with ned rigs, neko rigged senkos, swim jigs or paddletails...you will find the non-spawning bass feeding on crayfish like crazy. Bed fishing is like using live bait for bass in the BWCA, too easy except for entertaining young kids.

illini79ps,

That is a great summary of bass behavior early in the season....thx for taking the time....

PK.

jdoutdoors: "I'm going to Crooked on June 5th with a few friends for 9 days and we're going to be focusing a lot on smallmouth. Same time last year in SAK (colder than normal), bass were on beds but willing to chase. This year is much warmer much earlier and I'm worried that we are going to miss the smallie spawn. I'm sure they will still be eager to hit topwater but might be deeper than we are hoping, and won't be as fat. At this rate unless we get some major cold again, I'm expecting water temps to be 70F by the time we get up there.

Is anyone else going up the same time and as anxious as me? I'm having stress dreams about it :("

I am headed up on June 7th and worried about the same thing.

Honest question. Please tell me why you are anxious about missing the spawn. It seems like I can catch Smallmouth bass almost every other cast up there.

Savage Voyageur: "Honest question. Please tell me why you are anxious about missing the spawn. It seems like I can catch Smallmouth bass almost every other cast up there. "

The smallie fishing is always good! I always do well catching them in any season. But even so, there is nothing like fishing during the spawn! It's pretty incredible when you hit it just right. You never forget that week!

No.

Savage Voyageur: "Honest question. Please tell me why you are anxious about missing the spawn. It seems like I can catch Smallmouth bass almost every other cast up there. "

Big females lose a lot of weight after spawning out. If you want to catch a new personal best, the best times are in the spring before spawn, or in the fall as they put on the feed bag for the winter. They're a lot easier to find in the spring though, so spring pre-spawn fishing is the deal.

I'm sure the fish will be eager to eat most things, but I like catching big fish. Sure, a day of 20 3 pounders will put a big smile on my face, but a day of 10 3 pounders and 2 4s and a 5 would put an even bigger smile. Let's not even talk about a 6 because I refuse to get my hopes up (but it'd be the fish of the trip for me).

As Dreamer said, fishing during the spawn is just too much fun. I caught a mess of prespawn smallies on a jerkbait around Memorial Day weekend last year, down in the Cities, and I will never forget how much fun it was. I went up to SAK a week and a half later and had the most fun day of topwater fishing in memory, throwing a popper up in the boulders. When they're on or near beds, in the shallows, they are easy to find and easy to entice. It's _almost_ too easy as illini79ps said, but I've only been seriously fishing for about 2 years. I will take easily located fat fish all day! I've put in enough hard work with little reward enough times to thoroughly enjoy the times when I don't have to work hard.

On BWCA trips I worry about weather, getting the campsite I’m targeting, avoiding injury and nuisance bears way more than I worry about whether the fishing will be phenomenal or merely good. In the words of a famous Jeopardy host, R-E-L-A-X, you’ll catch some nice fish whether they’re prespawn, spawn or post spawn.

Yes, fishing smallies on the beds can be a blast and I have only hit it just right 2 times in 15 years of fishing up there (since I am a teacher, I cannot go late may, we are still in school), and those are some of my most vivid memories of a week of bass slam'in, water splash'in, fatties I have seen.

That being said, if you go early/mid June, it will be super no matter what (unless a freakish weather pattern hits).

We have planned to go the first week of June this year, we get there on the 2nd, to hit the spawn BUT the early Ice out means we will probably be a week late...oh well, guess it will be a great week of fishing as usual, just not AWESOME and INCREDIBLE. Also, no Q as planned but....That's the way it shakes out.

I understand that spawning is largely about water temperature, but it's also related to the length of the day, right? The spring has been warm, but the last few years have seen cold weather late in the spring. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks. I'm going the week before memorial day (we always go then), so perhaps our timing will be perfect. Last year that was the first warm week with temps in the 70s and 80s, and the fishing was gangbusters (on Crooked). Maybe it will be even better this year! Time will tell...

You're worries are small.

We all worry about different things :) it just depends how important they are to us. I only get about a month out of the year to catch a fat prespawn bass so missing the spawn is a sad concept for me. Of course I am still concerned with wind and direction and getting a nice campsite, but those are always concerns that don't _really_ depend on time of year (wind changes a bit). I am looking forward to fishing up there regardless of the spawning conditions, but it sure would be nice to stick a giant, and my chances of that are higher during prespawn/spawn, no ifs ands or buts about it!

I saw that 4lber on your photo album! That thing looks huge man.. What is your groups plans on crooked? I am headed up on June 7th ..tried to look for your email but it doenst show up.. hopefully your group catches them good bud!

jdoutdoors: "I'm going to Crooked on June 5th with a few friends for 9 days and we're going to be focusing a lot on smallmouth. Same time last year in SAK (colder than normal), bass were on beds but willing to chase. This year is much warmer much earlier and I'm worried that we are going to miss the smallie spawn. I'm sure they will still be eager to hit topwater but might be deeper than we are hoping, and won't be as fat. At this rate unless we get some major cold again, I'm expecting water temps to be 70F by the time we get up there.

Is anyone else going up the same time and as anxious as me? I'm having stress dreams about it :("

Tristian5431: "I saw that 4lber on your photo album! That thing looks huge man.. What is your groups plans on crooked? I am headed up on June 7th ..tried to look for your email but it doenst show up.. hopefully your group catches them good bud!"

She was a chunky gal, that's for sure! I'd love to catch a dozen like that this year. We are gonna head to the west end of Crooked for most of the time depending on weather and water temps, with a day trip to Curtain Falls. We'd go see Rebecca Falls during that day trip as well if we could but as far as I know, if I don't have a Q day permit, I'm not allowed to do any sightseeing on the other side of the border. And that's fine- we'll have plenty of fishing to do. If you see us (four dudes with 57 fishing rods) come say hi or give a wave! Hope to see you out there :)

jdoutdoors: "

Tristian5431: "I saw that 4lber on your photo album! That thing looks huge man.. What is your groups plans on crooked? I am headed up on June 7th ..tried to look for your email but it doenst show up.. hopefully your group catches them good bud!"

She was a chunky gal, that's for sure! I'd love to catch a dozen like that this year. We are gonna head to the west end of Crooked for most of the time depending on weather and water temps, with a day trip to Curtain Falls. We'd go see Rebecca Falls during that day trip as well if we could but as far as I know, if I don't have a Q day permit, I'm not allowed to do any sightseeing on the other side of the border. And that's fine- we'll have plenty of fishing to do. If you see us (four dudes with 57 fishing rods) come say hi or give a wave! Hope to see you out there :)

That is great ! good luck! I don't think I will make it that far on my trip due to limited time, but I hope you guys get into some really good fishing !

"

She was a chunky gal, that's for sure! I'd love to catch a dozen like that this year. We are gonna head to the west end of Crooked for most of the time depending on weather and water temps, with a day trip to Curtain Falls. We'd go see Rebecca Falls during that day trip as well if we could but as far as I know, if I don't have a Q day permit, I'm not allowed to do any sightseeing on the other side of the border. And that's fine- we'll have plenty of fishing to do. If you see us (four dudes with 57 fishing rods) come say hi or give a wave! Hope to see you out there :)"

We’re all expecting a trip report, or better yet a new vid from you!

Lawnchair107: "

She was a chunky gal, that's for sure! I'd love to catch a dozen like that this year. We are gonna head to the west end of Crooked for most of the time depending on weather and water temps, with a day trip to Curtain Falls. We'd go see Rebecca Falls during that day trip as well if we could but as far as I know, if I don't have a Q day permit, I'm not allowed to do any sightseeing on the other side of the border. And that's fine- we'll have plenty of fishing to do. If you see us (four dudes with 57 fishing rods) come say hi or give a wave! Hope to see you out there :)"

We’re all expecting a trip report, or better yet a new vid from you!"

Oh don't worry, you'll get a bunch of videos out of this trip! I won't have a bunch of fun day trips but we're spending a lot of time up there and I imagine we might get tired of having our butts in a seat after a few days of it, so hopefully I can do some exploring with the camera. Got a 5 day trip up to Malberg/Adams with my girlfriend about a week and a half prior, so there'll be a series for that as well. Worry not my friend... worry not. :) And thanks for watching.

jdoutdoors: "

Lawnchair107: "

She was a chunky gal, that's for sure! I'd love to catch a dozen like that this year. We are gonna head to the west end of Crooked for most of the time depending on weather and water temps, with a day trip to Curtain Falls. We'd go see Rebecca Falls during that day trip as well if we could but as far as I know, if I don't have a Q day permit, I'm not allowed to do any sightseeing on the other side of the border. And that's fine- we'll have plenty of fishing to do. If you see us (four dudes with 57 fishing rods) come say hi or give a wave! Hope to see you out there :)"

We’re all expecting a trip report, or better yet a new vid from you!"

Oh don't worry, you'll get a bunch of videos out of this trip! I won't have a bunch of fun day trips but we're spending a lot of time up there and I imagine we might get tired of having our butts in a seat after a few days of it, so hopefully I can do some exploring with the camera. Got a 5 day trip up to Malberg/Adams with my girlfriend about a week and a half prior, so there'll be a series for that as well. Worry not my friend... worry not. :) And thanks for watching."

You planning on heading to Lower Basswood Falls enroute to Crooked?

Lawnchair107: "

jdoutdoors: "

Lawnchair107: "

She was a chunky gal, that's for sure! I'd love to catch a dozen like that this year. We are gonna head to the west end of Crooked for most of the time depending on weather and water temps, with a day trip to Curtain Falls. We'd go see Rebecca Falls during that day trip as well if we could but as far as I know, if I don't have a Q day permit, I'm not allowed to do any sightseeing on the other side of the border. And that's fine- we'll have plenty of fishing to do. If you see us (four dudes with 57 fishing rods) come say hi or give a wave! Hope to see you out there :)"

We’re all expecting a trip report, or better yet a new vid from you!"

Oh don't worry, you'll get a bunch of videos out of this trip! I won't have a bunch of fun day trips but we're spending a lot of time up there and I imagine we might get tired of having our butts in a seat after a few days of it, so hopefully I can do some exploring with the camera. Got a 5 day trip up to Malberg/Adams with my girlfriend about a week and a half prior, so there'll be a series for that as well. Worry not my friend... worry not. :) And thanks for watching."

You planning on heading to Lower Basswood Falls enroute to Crooked?"

Yep, staying (hopefully) around LBF for night 1, then to west Crooked for nights 2-7, down to Gun/Fairy for night 8 and out on day 9.

Yep, staying (hopefully) around LBF for night 1, then to west Crooked for nights 2-7, down to Gun/Fairy for night 8 and out on day 9."

West Crooked like Saturday/ Sunday bays?

Hopefully you guys can find a campsite in the area unlike Lac La Croix. Lower Basswood Falls is a high end destination, hopefully it works out for you guys.

What are the conditions that make you think it's a couple weeks early this year? Ice go out early? Water temps higher than normal already? Air temps higher than normal? I'm going in June 12th. I haven't really been watching conditions up north yet.

Lawnchair107: "

Yep, staying (hopefully) around LBF for night 1, then to west Crooked for nights 2-7, down to Gun/Fairy for night 8 and out on day 9."

West Crooked like Saturday/ Sunday bays?

Hopefully you guys can find a campsite in the area unlike Lac La Croix. Lower Basswood Falls is a high end destination, hopefully it works out for you guys."

Yep. And yeah it is a bit contested but we aren't strangers to pushing on when necessary. We are planning on getting to Mudro as early as possible (6:30-7am ideally) so we'll see what happens.

gsfisher13: "What are the conditions that make you think it's a couple weeks early this year? Ice go out early? Water temps higher than normal already? Air temps higher than normal? I'm going in June 12th. I haven't really been watching conditions up north yet."

We got a big warming trend early on and the ice has been out on most lakes for at least a week if not two weeks now. It's been cooler again but if it continues to be warm, a good bit warmer than this time last last year, water temps will definitely be 5-8 degrees(F) higher than last year during the first 2 weeks of June. So yeah, I'm crossing my fingers for cold, and rain, so the Horse river isn't a slogfest. :)

jdoutdoors: "

gsfisher13: "What are the conditions that make you think it's a couple weeks early this year? Ice go out early? Water temps higher than normal already? Air temps higher than normal? I'm going in June 12th. I haven't really been watching conditions up north yet."

How was the fishing for you guys? Did you make any videos?

We got a big warming trend early on and the ice has been out on most lakes for at least a week if not two weeks now. It's been cooler again but if it continues to be warm, a good bit warmer than this time last last year, water temps will definitely be 5-8 degrees(F) higher than last year during the first 2 weeks of June. So yeah, I'm crossing my fingers for cold, and rain, so the Horse river isn't a slogfest. :)"