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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Ice fishing lakes
 
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shock
10/26/2019 09:33PM
  
P.S. bring a battery powered aerator ;) and fresh batteries ;)
buy suckers minnows 3"-5" in the cities in a cooler , it will save you money and time ;) monitor your minnows , constantly ! suckers are hearty but need oxygen & temp too ;) , you want fish make someone take care of it & carry it ;)
 
HawgHunter
10/22/2019 07:41AM
  
I've done a fair amount of winter fishing in the Superior National Forest Lakes and entry point Bdub lakes. Walleye are a challenge in winter, and I agree with the comment about go early in the season and fish the shallow, bog-stained lakes. The later in the winter, the harder the walleye are to catch. Really, from my experience, you are better off trying the trout lakes, but again same thing: earlier during the open season is better .... but be aware that open season for trout in winter is different than walleye; check the regs.
 
WalleyeHunter24
10/24/2019 11:54AM
  
HawgHunter: "I've done a fair amount of winter fishing in the Superior National Forest Lakes and entry point Bdub lakes. Walleye are a challenge in winter, and I agree with the comment about go early in the season and fish the shallow, bog-stained lakes. The later in the winter, the harder the walleye are to catch. Really, from my experience, you are better off trying the trout lakes, but again same thing: earlier during the open season is better .... but be aware that open season for trout in winter is different than walleye; check the regs."


+1
 
Bushpilot
10/24/2019 01:40PM
  
Basspro69: "IowaFishinGuy: "I’m thinking about making a winter trip to the BWCA for some ice fishing. What would be a good lake to try out for walleye mainly, or would I be better off targeting lake trout somewhere? Also, what lodges/cabins are available for winter rental? Thanks" Talk to Forest at Hungry Jack Lodge he can probably steer you in the right direction"


+1 Also Forest has cabins and bar/kitchen open in the winter. On the Ely side there is Basswood. Also Grand Lodge rents houses on Shagawa and the Casino on Vermilion rents houses. Not the bwca but close.
 
IowaFishinGuy
10/21/2019 09:53PM
  
I don’t doubt that there’s better walleye fishing lakes in Minnesota than the BDub, but I’d like to think that there would be more solitude there than LoTW or Red or Leech or some of the other popular ones. I’ve been out to the Waubay, SD area a few times in the winter, too, and it’s solid people. Not that I have people, but after enjoying the tranquility of the BWCA in the summer I think it would be neat to experience it in the winter as well, with a bonus of some walleye or lake trout.
With that being said, I am also hoping to talk my buddies into a trip to Leech this winter as well haha, just brainstorming ideas for a possible BWCA trip. Dates-I have nothing set in stone, I can make most any time work, just have to talk my dad into feeding cattle for a few days for me haha.
 
Basspro69
10/21/2019 11:07PM
  
IowaFishinGuy: "I’m thinking about making a winter trip to the BWCA for some ice fishing. What would be a good lake to try out for walleye mainly, or would I be better off targeting lake trout somewhere? Also, what lodges/cabins are available for winter rental? Thanks" Talk to Forest at Hungry Jack Lodge he can probably steer you in the right direction
 
lundojam
10/22/2019 05:48AM
  
If you want ice walleyes in the bdub, find a shallow, stained water lake with a good walleye population and go very, very early in the year. FIRST ice. Still will be tough. If you go mid-winter, then lake trout or pike are a better idea.
Rainy Lake might provide solitude and fish.
 
IowaFishinGuy
10/21/2019 08:28AM
  
I’m thinking about making a winter trip to the BWCA for some ice fishing. What would be a good lake to try out for walleye mainly, or would I be better off targeting lake trout somewhere? Also, what lodges/cabins are available for winter rental? Thanks
 
ForestDuff
10/24/2019 06:46PM
  
Our first trips winter camping (late 80's) occurred on the Granite River area because we could target walleyes in March. I think in 4 trips we only caught one walleye, a 4 lb fish caught on a jig and a pink depth plumb on the first drop of a trip.
:)
Now it's stream and lake trout only in March with some decent success.


Although a first ice pike and walleye trip has crossed my mind lately.
And I caught a half dozen decent crappie last week on the Kawishishi River, so a panfish trip could be a possibility if you can find the right lake.
 
lyontyl
10/21/2019 12:51PM
  
I inquired with this same question a few years ago on some other forums and here is the answer I got.


"If walleye are what you are targeting, then there are far better places than in the BWCA to go to catch walleye in Minnesota under the ice"


Now I know that there are probably locals on here that are laughing to themselves because they know that there are plenty of places to catch walleye in the area but it sounds like if you aren't a local and don't know those "spots" then it may be better to head to LotW or Upper Red etc. for a better shot at some good walleye numbers.


Now, I was told if you want to find some lake trout then the BWCA is a great place to go up and fish.


I'm also a guy the loves a challenge when fishing so I might just be hard headed enough to still go try and find some 'eyes and maybe you are to.


It will be interesting to see what others say on this topic.


Good luck from a fellow Iowan.
 
walllee
10/21/2019 04:00PM
  
IowaFishinGuy: "I’m thinking about making a winter trip to the BWCA for some ice fishing. What would be a good lake to try out for walleye mainly, or would I be better off targeting lake trout somewhere? Also, what lodges/cabins are available for winter rental? Thanks" What dates are you considering?
 
shock
10/26/2019 09:10PM
  
there's many opportunities in and out side the BW boundary in cook county, for ice fishing , walleyes is not 1 most people target on a trip in the winter . but minnesota lakefinder.com is a great source , but 1 must always keep in mind , what does the DNR report really reflect ?
but if i'm going to target a walk in type lake (for walleyes) , which i'm just assuming your doing and your outside the BW boundray , live bait under tip ups 18" off bottom , and dead bait works too & also jigging with deadbait.
walleyes will be more shallow then people realize , many fish drops off of reefs and it will produce but i like to see a flats of some kind with ANY type of feeder creek nearby , put your flags out and have confidence. sunrise to sunset to 2am is money , be geared up for that, (lights for your flags) & much more in the BW ,, 1 must have patients and ... for another time