Hello from middle of the U.S. First time posting, and my first trip to the BWCA will be mid June '21. Looking for any tips I can get pertaining to walleye fishing on Ottertrack and Knife. Lures, baits, colors, depths, camping spots, general fishing areas. Thank you in advance for your help.

Would be happy to reciprocate any any information I have about fishing/hunting in the state of Kansas.

We live in Kansas too. Generally you will find walleye in 15 to 25 feet of water around points that drop off pretty rapidly. Bouncing jigs with minnows off the bottom is our standard fare. People swear by all sorts of colors, baits, weather, time of day and configurations but a jig and minnow remains the gold standards. A very slow troll around said points is a good way to find them.

Camp and fish near Little Knife Portage.

Slip bobbers, bobber stop, plain hook, split shot, leech or night crawler is one way. Jig and a leech is another. Fish in 9-19 feet of water. You will find Walleyes about a foot off the bottom. It’s really that simple.

Thanks for the replies. I think I may be overthinking it a bit.

The narrows at the very northwest end of Ottertrack is a good area to try. You'll probably want to make it a point to fish morning and evening low light periods, and even into the night.

Thank you, iv been eyeing that particular area.

Hello from a fellow Kansan! I second the advice on fishing low light periods, the walleye up there are nothing like the ones at home due to water clarity differences. Where we catch a ton of walleye year round in 4-10 ft and mid day, up there you will find them a bit deeper and more active at night and other low light periods. That is not to say they never bite during mid day. I would suggest taking leeches as they are MUCH easier to keep than minnows and fishing them on slip bobbers or drifting with split shot and small hook. Vertical jigging Gulp leeches or twister tails (3-4") on 1/8-3/8 (depending on depth) is another option. Trolling Flicker Shads, Shad Raps, Wally divers, etc. is a good way to search. Reefs, points, saddles are good, especially if wind blown. That's one thing all walleye have in common, they LOVE wind. Also any narrows or current areas. Welcome to the site and Good luck!

Thank you for taking the time. I appreciate the tips. Anxiously awaiting June 14th!

I’d agree with mgraber’s entire assessment. We’re going to be in the same area in late June. Looking forward to your trip report.

KSTAXIDERMIST: "Hello from middle of the U.S. First time posting, and my first trip to the BWCA will be mid June '21. Looking for any tips I can get pertaining to walleye fishing on Ottertrack and Knife. Lures, baits, colors, depths, camping spots, general fishing areas. Thank you in advance for your help.

Would be happy to reciprocate any any information I have about fishing/hunting in the state of Kansas."

I've only had limited success fishing for walleyes in the BWCA. Seems like it's always been SLLOOOOWW or SUPER HOT in regards to the walleye bite. My advice is probably no big surprise but hearing it reiterated always helps... Fish evenings as dark is approaching. And if you're fortunate enough to get a calm evening or two - GET OUT AND TROLL!

I will post my fishing experience (report) when I get home on the 20th

Check your email, I sent you a document with a bunch of tips I've collected, primarily from this forum.

Thanks

Welcome to the site. I will be heading in from Sag that exact same day and traveling through the same way. The Narrows on Otter Track as well as the point with the campsite we will hit. One thing we do to find them is troll Rapala's and a spinner bait(I love the #4 Comet Minnow from Mepps/Silver Spinner). There are a few flowage areas near there from streams we hit also. Use the perch color rap and definitely bring orange Jointed and non jointed RAPs. (J07 GFR, and the F7 an or F9 Orange). Last time in the area I had a lot of good luck with them both. My friend used the UV orange and did ok. I also second and or third the Leeches jigging or slip bobber we will be using both Hope you have a great time.

Awesome, thanks for the color info. I dont have any rapalas, but I'm stacked with Berkley flicker schad in various colors.