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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Birch / Carp / Knife experts?
 
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ScottMacFish
02/06/2021 01:01PM
 
Hey all,

Taking my 10 year old son into the BWCA for his second trip, six days, five nights of pure enjoyment. He loves to fish and cannot get enough of it. This will be my first time through the noted lakes and therefore do not know the waters well. If anyone that knows these lakes and is willing to give some info on fishing "hotspots" I would greatly appreciate it. We will spend the first three nights on Knife (take our time and fish on the way in) and then to a top secret spot (Vera) where I know the waters and hope to boat a few.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ALL!


 
ayudell
02/16/2021 09:12PM
 
I've been that way a few times in the spring and every time I wished I had just paddled through and fished more on knife the first day. Give birch and carp a try but focus on getting to knife if the fish aren't immediately cooperating on those smaller lakes. Knife is a fantastic fishery.
 
ScottMacFish
02/17/2021 08:12AM
 
Thanks for the note, will most likely just paddle and troll through Birch and Carp and work river mouths at portages and get into Knife and hope we can pick up some good fish.

 
HighnDry
02/17/2021 08:44AM
 
BigDadE: "GickFirk22: "The rapids flowing into Carp (by the portage to melon) is a great spot. Its deep right along the shoreline and the large pool/mini bay it flows into will have emerging weeds that time of year. Lots of SMB's and Pike will be in there. Have fun! I may bring my 7 year old on a trip like that the 1st week of june this year. "



Have you tried fishing deeper into Carp on the Canadien side? I’ve only been back there once and fought a ton a wind.



It looks deep from the satellite maps. "



That area of Carp holds a lot of fish but none of us on the US side at least will be getting in there for awhile. The rapids and outflows along the portages into Knife hold fish but they will be smaller that what one will find out on Knife. There are some deep holes at the entrance to the SAK which will hold some LTs if that's in the OP's interest.
 
GickFirk22
02/17/2021 08:47AM
 
BigDadE: "GickFirk22: "The rapids flowing into Carp (by the portage to melon) is a great spot. Its deep right along the shoreline and the large pool/mini bay it flows into will have emerging weeds that time of year. Lots of SMB's and Pike will be in there. Have fun! I may bring my 7 year old on a trip like that the 1st week of june this year. "



Have you tried fishing deeper into Carp on the Canadien side? I’ve only been back there once and fought a ton a wind.



It looks deep from the satellite maps. "



I've never been to the canadian side. I'd love to go explore it some day though!
 
cyclones30
02/06/2021 03:10PM
 
The river/stream flows east to west there so on your way to Knife every portage is at the bottom of a rapids. We spent one night on Birch on our way out a couple years ago and did well below the rapids and along the US shore to the first campsite or so. Just be sure to stay on our half if you're right up in the narrow sections.


Carp seemed much shallower and we didn't spend much time. Lots of info here on Knife if you use the search tool
 
ScottMacFish
02/06/2021 05:06PM
 
Cyclones30,


Thanks for the note. I did notice that we would be seeing some moving water along the portages and intended to give them a whirl. Thanks for the heads up for Birch. I have been able to note some dated spots to try on Knife and will try the search tool for Knife.


Thanks Again!
 
cyclones30
02/07/2021 11:13AM
 
Frankie_Paull: "I would just troll around the islands of knife with a gold 14 inch husky jerk. Put some weight ahead of it it’s a deadly method in may on knife. "


Haha, I assume you mean a #14 which is a little under 6" long.


That or someone is making some giant custom Rapalas
 
pastorjsackett
02/24/2021 09:25PM
 
e mail me if you wish.


jsackett@celebrationlutheranchurch.com
 
BigDadE
02/07/2021 07:42AM
 
What time of year are you going?
 
cyclones30
02/07/2021 09:09AM
 
His other post said May, they were written very similarly so I assumed it was the same trip.
 
Frankie_Paull
02/07/2021 09:52AM
 
I would just troll around the islands of knife with a gold 14 inch husky jerk. Put some weight ahead of it it’s a deadly method in may on knife.
 
pastorjsackett
02/25/2021 12:42PM
 
+1 on fishing the rapids on the way in. And out. They are killer. Good fishing.
 
ericinely
02/25/2021 01:35PM
 
BigDadE: "GickFirk22: "The rapids flowing into Carp (by the portage to melon) is a great spot. Its deep right along the shoreline and the large pool/mini bay it flows into will have emerging weeds that time of year. Lots of SMB's and Pike will be in there. Have fun! I may bring my 7 year old on a trip like that the 1st week of june this year. "



Have you tried fishing deeper into Carp on the Canadien side? I’ve only been back there once and fought a ton a wind.



It looks deep from the satellite maps. "



Carp is fantastic fishing on the Quetico side (main basin mid-lake area) but lackluster on the US side. It is a true grand slam lake but you arent going to find much away from the flowing water on the US side.
 
GickFirk22
02/25/2021 02:13PM
 
ericinely: "BigDadE: "GickFirk22: "The rapids flowing into Carp (by the portage to melon) is a great spot. Its deep right along the shoreline and the large pool/mini bay it flows into will have emerging weeds that time of year. Lots of SMB's and Pike will be in there. Have fun! I may bring my 7 year old on a trip like that the 1st week of june this year. "




Have you tried fishing deeper into Carp on the Canadien side? I’ve only been back there once and fought a ton a wind.




It looks deep from the satellite maps. "




Carp is fantastic fishing on the Quetico side (main basin mid-lake area) but lackluster on the US side. It is a true grand slam lake but you arent going to find much away from the flowing water on the US side."



Great point. Its a dead sea on the US side apart from the inlet. Very shallow throughout.
 
mcsweem
02/18/2021 10:21AM
 
scott i sent you an email
 
ScottMacFish
02/25/2021 06:04PM
 
Thanks, i am going to re-look at the satellite photos and check out the areas you mentioned. Thanks so much for letting me know.
 
ScottMacFish
02/14/2021 01:27PM
 
Thanks, I appreciate the note back and the advice

 
Frankie_Paull
02/08/2021 08:42PM
 
cyclones30: "Frankie_Paull: "I would just troll around the islands of knife with a gold 14 inch husky jerk. Put some weight ahead of it it’s a deadly method in may on knife. "



Haha, I assume you mean a #14 which is a little under 6" long.



That or someone is making some giant custom Rapalas "

Whatever the hj14 is. I’ve caught a ton of big fish on it.
 
BigDadE
02/10/2021 06:03PM
 
If you’re in late May or early June there will be a lot of smallmouth action depending on how warm of a spring it has been. During that time we have caught fish on every lake that you’ve named, and the small ones leading to knife. Typically the smallmouth bass will be fairly shallow then you can catch them on soft plastics. I have heard there is good Lake trout fishing on Knife but we have never tried.
 
BigDadE
02/14/2021 01:57PM
 
GickFirk22: "The rapids flowing into Carp (by the portage to melon) is a great spot. Its deep right along the shoreline and the large pool/mini bay it flows into will have emerging weeds that time of year. Lots of SMB's and Pike will be in there. Have fun! I may bring my 7 year old on a trip like that the 1st week of june this year. "


Have you tried fishing deeper into Carp on the Canadien side? I’ve only been back there once and fought a ton a wind.


It looks deep from the satellite maps.
 
GickFirk22
02/10/2021 11:12AM
 
The rapids flowing into Carp (by the portage to melon) is a great spot. Its deep right along the shoreline and the large pool/mini bay it flows into will have emerging weeds that time of year. Lots of SMB's and Pike will be in there. Have fun! I may bring my 7 year old on a trip like that the 1st week of june this year.
 
ScottMacFish
02/14/2021 01:28PM
 
Thanks so much, will spend some tome there on the way in and let you know how is goes.