Last year was my first ever trip to this wonderful area. Third week of June Knife was our final stop before returning and it was post spawn conditions. Our leader moved us up to Memorial weekend for our start date this year. It seems the weather is 2 weeks behind which would have made LAST year perfect for the smallie and walleye bite. I’m worried we will be so early “weather-wise” this year that the bite will be very tough. How concerned should I be???

It’s so hard to plan a trip around the spawn or ideal fishing time. The ideal time to fish is when you can go.

I learned a long time ago that there are always fish biting, I just don’t always figure it out. Too many times when I was kid and my dad and others would say the lake is fished out or fish aren’t biting…only to talk to someone at the landing with a limit by fishing somewhere we didn’t or a technique we didn’t try because we fished memories.

In late May it could snow or it might be 90’s…Northern Minnesota weather is crazy unpredictable even the weather report you print out before you go can change drastically while yiou are on the trip. I guess what I am saying is relax, have a good time be prepared.

Look for current, pinch points, flowages, warming bays with emergent weeds especially if there is current near by there should be fish there.

T

Knife is a robust fishery.

Start shallow, move deeper until you find them.

Rinse. Repeat.

Very solid advise above. I find myself doing the same when fishing my local streams. I’m not retired so I do not have the ability to go at any given moment. I have to remind myself to try something new and go when I can go. I never walk out of the creek upset if I didn’t catch anything. I always enjoy myself and my surroundings. Fishing should be fun and not frustrating or stressful. I hope I remember my thoughts in a couple weeks. Lol
Good luck on your trip and enjoy everything that comes your way.

So you're going to the same area? As mentioned, Knife has a lot of options. You have super deep water all the way to mud bottom shallow weedy bays. Of course the first will stay pretty cold a while and the later will warm quicker. Lakers will be shallow(er) and could be easy to find if it's still cold water temps.

Otherwise, for the other species go to the warm water as mentioned and also find moving water. Like Eddy Falls and other streams flowing into the lakes...there are others too. Fish hang out at the bottom and wait for the warm water to wash them dinner their way

having done about 15 openers in the SAK , almost every year is different , dictated by Mother nature.
i did have two type of identical openers and they were exactly 20 years apart , warmer temps , 90's in the BW 70's in the TC and all species turned on , great fishing.
memorial weekend not to early.

All shall be revealed in the fullness of time. Be ready.

timatkn: "It’s so hard to plan a trip around the spawn or ideal fishing time. The ideal time to fish is when you can go.


I learned a long time ago that there are always fish biting, I just don’t always figure it out. Too many times when I was kid and my dad and others would say the lake is fished out or fish aren’t biting…only to talk to someone at the landing with a limit by fishing somewhere we didn’t or a technique we didn’t try because we fished memories.


In late May it could snow or it might be 90’s…Northern Minnesota weather is crazy unpredictable even the weather report you print out before you go can change drastically while yiou are on the trip. I guess what I am saying is relax, have a good time be prepared.


Look for current, pinch points, flowages, warming bays with emergent weeds especially if there is current near by there should be fish there.


T"

+1

Everyone else nailed it. Keep your line wet. Attempt numerous methods and styles. If you do that and still strike out, at least you went down swinging.