Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Fall fishing trip worth it?
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Ohiopikeman |
That's a sweet GMR carp! Did you get a weight on that monster? I've caught quite a few carp from that river fishing around the West Carrollton area, but have never found one bigger than about 12 lbs. Dave |
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QueticoMike |
No I didn't have a scale, it felt close to 25 pounds, but who knows. Caught it on a Rebel Craw. Took 15 minutes before I ever saw the fish. Thought it might have been a big pike at first because I was in a pike area. My biggest carp ever came while canoeing and caught a 42 inch carp on a black and silver AC Shiner. |
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doubledown |
QueticoMike: "When you say fall do you mean after Sept. 21st? There's a big difference between the first week of Sept. vs. the first week of Oct. Fishing is more difficult in the fall vs. the spring. Less bugs is a plus. The shorter days mean a lot less fishing time. Sometimes it can be rather cold and the fishing doesn't heat up until the afternoon. Some big fish can still be caught in the fall, but don't plan on catching as many as the spring. Eating fish every night might be a difficult tasks on certain days. You can probably get a limit of pike to eat? I would say I've seen the northern lights on maybe 25% of trips in the late season. Plan on some cloudy evenings as well. My last trip solo trip for a week I only saw the stars for maybe 30 minutes due to the cloudy conditions. Water temps can be anywhere from the upper 40s to lower 70s depending on when you go and what the air temps have been leading up to your trip. Tree colors can make for some great views during the days late in the season. There are less people in the fall after Sept 21st. If you are going for lakers remember the season ends at the end of Sept. Thanks Mike, we did a late August trip a few years back and the mosquitoes were pretty tough...great fishing though. Good to know about the laker season end. |
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Mickeal |
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mcsweem |
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AmarilloJim |
Mickeal: "I drive up from Spring Tx. Twice a year. Opening for Trout and Mid-September. Opener has the excitement of a new season. Mid September offers the coming of winter feeling. There are fewer people, mostly us older one's. Little to no bugs. Better chances at really big pike. The color change along with the chatter of the leaves in the wind. And the occasional display of the Northern Lights. Mid-September for 8 to 10 days in is my favorite." Mickeal you go about the same time I do every year. Do you ever do group solos? |
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QueticoMike |
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mastertangler |
I will have to give your pattern a try........late August, major inflow, rocky flat with crayfish imitators like a tube. I have a hunch where you caught that fish (and your many others ;-)......the foam in the water of a previous pic is a clue which is not easily ignored. I might have to drift your spot this August in addition to jigging a spoon in that 50ft flat. Fortunately they are not so very far apart. Who knew smallies would hang that deep in August.......but it's true. I watched a show where Gary Yamato fished in 50 ft of water on Lake Erie to win a bass tournament in August. Limits of very big smallies, it was eye opening. |
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prizes14 |
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QueticoMike |
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WalleyeHunter24 |
mastertangler: "Whole different ball game that's for sure. I typically fish late August and can picture early and mid September being similiar. Lots different than hungry, shallow and spread out spring fish. Completely agree with this statement, especially if you're talking about going in late September until the lakes start to lockup. Water temp can do some interesting things and fishing can be extremely tough. Higher level knowledge and tactics can be required especially if you rely on eating fish for sustenance. Forage becomes a bit scarce and bait fish tend to school and move to deeper basins of the water column where the temps are more stable, oxygen levels are sufficient, and where food is available. Fishing deep water also provides it's own challenge with keeping your bait presentation in the strike zone and also getting a solid hook set. Super braid lines help tremendously with this issue. The key (as always) is to find the bait fish, the game fish will be within reach. Figure out bait profile, color, and presentation to improve your odds of success. |
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Cretbo |
QueticoMike: "Got this one last August in less than 3 feet of water...... NICE CARP!!! Just kidding ... nice!! |
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doubledown |
We target all species but walleye is top priority and we prefer non motorized lakes. We have been throwing around the idea of a fall trip this year, and I was hoping to get some feedback/suggestions from this group on general fishing conditions, bug conditions, water temp, northern lights, etc. at that time of year. We’ve dealt with some bad bugs on past trips and would prefer timing the trip so We’re not wearing our bug net, gloves, shoes, etc. the whole time. Looking forward to hearing from the fall fishers. Happy New Years all |
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Mickeal |
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mastertangler |
It's much easier to do poorly especially if you apply springtime methods and are under the misconception that the game will be largely the same. You can do well but more skill and knowledge is required IMO. |
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fairmatt |
Also dont overlook the fact that daylight is shorter so when your planning remember a big travel day will mean not so many hours fishing at your destination lake until the next day or you can fish at night. We keep a pole free on travel days and speed troll which has yielded many fish over the years. Dont reel in when you know its deep water under you big northerns, walleyes and lakers are out there suspended sometimes. Cut plenty of firewood for the longer nights and even a lantern to play cards is nice. Finally and most important we also go through more of our adult beverages and more coffee in the Fall than summer trips ....plan ahead;) Lastly use the search function within this site and search for fall fishing or whatever else and youll have alot of great information from more seasoned travelers than I. Fall is fantastic in the BW. |
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QueticoMike |
Instead of fall I would focus more on late August to early Sept. time frame if it were me. Good luck on your trip! |
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walllee |
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QueticoMike |
Cretbo: "QueticoMike: "Got this one last August in less than 3 feet of water...... Here's a nice carp I caught last year out of the Great Miami river..... |
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Basspro69 |
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mastertangler |
There was a time when I flat out swore I would never trip in August after having had such easy and good late June fishing. But reality and responsibilities prevailed and it was either August or I didn't get to go. I applied fast deep water crank bait trolling with good success on walleye and slowed down for lakers. Big Muskie sized plastic swim baits fished in 20ft brought steady action on nice sized northern. I have yet to crack the August big smallmouth nut but then again I haven't put my mind to it. From this very board I have learned that Quetico Mike does well on smallmouth in August fishing significant inflows in water only 10 or 12 ft deep. My best smallies in August were caught in a 50 ft basin while trolling a crank bait for lakers. I caught 2 back to back just a smidge shy of 4lbs, solid fish. I could see many others on bottom with my electronics........I have always regretted not dropping down a jigging spoon. Might of been epic.......I know where they are and might just slide by this August and give them a real try for a few days. So that's the deal late August and early September........basically fish deeper, bigger and faster. Outside of the Quetico light line and live bait would be hard to beat if you can locate the fish first. |