Boundary Waters,/northern Minnesota Info Request

[Mark]

Pike--I would be fishing buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Zara spooks work really well too. Just find weeds or current areas and you will usually catch a few. They are almost a pest on some of the lakes up there, but they get HUGE on saganaga. My two biggest pike have been caught on buzzbaits, but they eat just about anything that moves. They are also delicious if you know how to clean them.

My two biggest BWCA fish

Lots of fish this size in almost every lake up there

Walleye

Depend on the time of year you are going will determine where the walleyes will be. They will be in the river systems/bases of waterfalls/current areas in mid to late may, but you can usually always catch some small ones in those areas. I would look for reefs or sunken islands near open water. You will catch lake trout/walleyes/smallies/pike on these areas, especially if they are windblown. I caught most of my walleye while casting for bass, and we never really targeted them while we were up there. I would probably use a lindy rig or a jig tipped with minnows/leeches in the areas I mentioned above. I love it up there and will probably be heading up there again in early June next year.

Thanks Saluki, Very useful information. I will print and share with the group. You seem to know the area well. Maybe when you have some free time, you could share more information on where, what, and how to fish. We will be total rookies. We will probably be staying with Voyageur Outfitters at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Fishing areas close by that the owners supplied info on were Seagull River (which runs by our cabin) and acess to Saganaga Lake and Sea Gull Lake. The more information we can gather, the better our chances of success. Thanks a bunch!! Go Dogs - Salukis backup QB, Kory Faulkner, is from our town, Ste. Genevieve, MO.

[Guest]

deleted

[Mark]

Thanks for the site - very helpful. Any fishing tips you would want to share would be appreciated.

[Troutdude]

Mark, Siusaluki hit it right on the head for pike, they do get huge up there! I was up in that neck of the woods in early September. Weed beds are great, cast to the edge and try mixing it up with the speed of your retrieve. Another great spot if you can find one (consult map) is where a river or creek channel drains into the lake. Most times these areas are fairly weedy just to the edges of the channel. Baitfish hang out to feed on what the river is spilling into the lake. As for pike lures...yellow 5 of diamonds spoon 3" or 4", red and white spoons, Mepps #5 agila any color spinner combo, Shad Raps size 7 silver, perch, perch flash, blue chrome. Rapala deep tail dancers work well for trolling. In the evening, when the water is calm try some poppers or floating Rapalas. Above all, when fishing for these monsters use a 6" wire leader. I prefer the eagle claw laser leaders, they are dark in color and blend in well due to the tannins in the water. Good Luck!!!!