Good afternoon,
I'm a first time poster hoping to take my first BWCA trip this fall in Aug/Sep of this year. Looking to catch a pike of a lifetime if possible. I have heard basswood lake is the place to do this but I have some questions.

1. Is Basswood the best place to achieve this or are there lakes closer to the nearest entry point where I might not have to portage to? I am not against portaging just want to maximize my fishing time and energy if I'm going to toss large baits!

2. Is fall still a good time for the bite to be hot? Is there less pressure during this time of year? What type of lures should I be bringing? I usually fish with bucktails, crankbaits, glide baits, and other various musky lures I've found good for pike but open to trying anything.

3. What underrated gear things, items, etc. have you packed that maybe are uncommon for the average person but saved you your fishing sanity? Maybe a go-to bait when the bite is slow.

4. Lastly, I know this is a big ask but would anyone be willing to shout out some good areas of Basswood presuming you think that is the best place to go? Doesn't have to be coordinates but maybe a bay or two that would be worth a shot. And don't worry, I have never kept a fish in all 15 years of fishing.

-DJ

Any of the big lakes have big pike swimming around in them. Basswood certainly fits the bill. Generally speaking - Aug/Sep, unless late sept wouldn't be a good time to catch large pike. They need cooler water and almost act like lake trout. You'll find them shallower in the Spring and fall, but alot deeper come the warmer months.

Any bays, points of interest, etc. that I should be hitting when going for pike? Is Back Bay the best area to go or should I hit other areas? Just want to maximize my fishing time and minimize my scouting time.

Fall is great, use huge glide baits.

DJtheAngler: "Good afternoon,
I'm a first time poster hoping to take my first BWCA trip this fall in Aug/Sep of this year. Looking to catch a pike of a lifetime if possible. I have heard basswood lake is the place to do this but I have some questions.

1. Is Basswood the best place to achieve this or are there lakes closer to the nearest entry point where I might not have to portage to? I am not against portaging just want to maximize my fishing time and energy if I'm going to toss large baits!

2. Is fall still a good time for the bite to be hot? Is there less pressure during this time of year? What type of lures should I be bringing? I usually fish with bucktails, crankbaits, glide baits, and other various musky lures I've found good for pike but open to trying anything.

3. What underrated gear things, items, etc. have you packed that maybe are uncommon for the average person but saved you your fishing sanity? Maybe a go-to bait when the bite is slow.

4. Lastly, I know this is a big ask but would anyone be willing to shout out some good areas of Basswood presuming you think that is the best place to go? Doesn't have to be coordinates but maybe a bay or two that would be worth a shot. And don't worry, I have never kept a fish in all 15 years of fishing.

-DJ"

Basswood is relatively easy to access from many entrances and has lots of big pike like the one in the picture. We saw it battling it's prey right at the narrows where the motorboat limit is on the north end of Jackfish bay.

SmallieSmasher17: "Fall is great, use huge glide baits."

Any that you would recommend? I believe I have some ERC Hellpuppies and the likes but wondering if you had any other suggestions?

My personal favorite is the 3d shine glide from savage gear. Deadly on huge northerns. They do tend to be on the expensive side though. I use a twitch stop retrieve but its up to you how you want to work it. I’ve never used hellpuppies, but those should work great too. Any bait that can make wide side to side turns should get em.

What part of Basswood will you be staying in? Best bait is giant sucker minnows.

OgemaBlackstone: "What part of Basswood will you be staying in? Best bait is giant sucker minnows."

I was thinking of staying in Back Bay and concentrating my time there as I’ve heard that area gives the best chance at a large pike. Not sure if I want to be hauling minnows in and fighting to keep them alive since I’ll be there for a week not just a day pass.

1. Any artificial lures you’d recommend?
2. Any other areas of the lake I should maybe take a day trip to or camp at for a few days to try for big pike?

Wind Bay and narrows going into Back Bay from Hoist. I would still bring big suckers. Bobber fishing from campsites works well with live bait. If minnows die, I save them and troll with them. Day trip maybe portage into Pipestone and fish bellow the Falls. Lewis Narrows can be good for Walleye. Good luck.

"

Great pic!!

I fished Basswood last year.Caught a 28 in Northern. Took picture and let go under the boat.The fish kind od floated there for a second, and all of a sudden a moster came up and T boned him.AWESOME.HAD TO BE 45+