Trying to trim down my tackle box. I’m a southern boy and this walleye and lake trout tackle baffles me. What do I need ? I like to go light and not haul stuff I won’t use. Also a side question when’s the best time to visit? I’m planning a 3-4 week trip next year.

Jigs with white twister tails is my go to for walleyes. Some Rapalas that run to various depths for trolling and some larger Raps if you want to target larger northerns. My favorite time is mid June for fishing. Lakers are still up in the water column. Love the long days, light hangs on long after the sun sets (~9:30) and ok daylight till 10:30 - 11 PM.

But late July can be good if you like warm weather and blueberries. Downside is water levels may be low, Lakers are deeper and you may get some really hot weather.

Early Sept. is not bad either. Still a few berries and you start to get a taste of fall. You are likely will see some frosty mornings. Days are getting shorter. You are not likely to see any other people.

No really best time, it is a personal preference and luck of the weather.

Thanks. The jig and twister was what I suspected to hear. I love my fishing gear and tackle and have a bass boat full of it. It’s so hard to leave all of it and park things down to the essentials. However it gets easier after one has portaged a 12lb tackle box.