I’ve been to the Quetico numerous times and have had great success fishing for walleye, smallies, and lake trout. Has anyone ever had success fishing for panfish? Im hoping to give that a try this summer and would greatly appreciate any tips or success stories!

I think than would be very rare. I think a few have Bluegills.

Some lakes are reported to have green sunfish, bluegills and even crappies in Quetico. Many lakes have yellow perch, though I have never seen one that was decent size in Quetico. I have had some smaller yellow perch try to take my walleye size baits with endless nibbles at the backend without being able to hook up, following all the way to the boat, 5-6" fish attacking a 4" bait. I haven't specifically fished for them though, so perhaps there are bigger ones out there.

Bluegills and crappies are present in the Q.


Crappies are usually in the main basins roaming most of the summer. I think if you got into a school of them they could be huge but not sure it’s worth the effort.

I’ve seen bluegills on Ted, Brent, Darky wicksteed, William they are usually in the weedy areas. I think if you used a tiny swim bait or small plastics under a jig you could get them.

With so many large walleye, smallmouth, lakers, largemouth, and Northerns swimming in Questico hard to fathom going after panfish…that are probably harder to target. To each their own though. Post what ya catch, I am curious!

T

Panfish are right on the edge of their native zone. Head south for better luck with panfish.

Savage Voyageur: "Panfish are right on the edge of their native zone. Head south for better luck with panfish. "

I agree with this post. Focus on other species that are more numerous. And I really enjoy crappie fishing.

I've caught quite a few rock bass in several of the lakes in the southern end of Quetico, but not in targeting them, mostly as a nuisance. A couple of perch here and there too, not many and no real size to them. Word is Cache has perch...gonna find out this year.

pd

Not in Quetico, but in the BW...

We had really good bluegill fishing on Fairy with worms we found under rocks quite a few years ago fishing right from the site. Another year, we caught some monster bluegill on Little Shell fishing with a small double tailed yellow grub with a spinner in shallow water. That was a blast after a week of smallies and pike. Great eating too!

We also caught a slew of rock bass on the far east side of Kekekabic along the north shore. DNR only lists lakers here, but it's not true.

We usually only target panfish as a side gig when we want to switch it up. But I'm always glad when we do.

We spent some time on Wagosh fishing for perch on our way back from Crooked. This lake is infested with them. But most are 3 inches long. We caught one decent one, but with the long portage to Gun ahead of us, we turned it loose. My daughter saw a bear on that long portage, so that was cool!

Same as Dreamer, haven't come across any in Quetico but have had some stellar sunfish and crappie fishing along the southern edge of the BW out of Ely.

I've never targeted panfish in the region either but end up catching a couple fishing for other targeted species and roll with it. I don't target the areas I've had previous panfish success but if passing through or camping along that route I've been able to find them consistently. The crappie fishing in particular has been impressive if you can find them.