Lake of the woods and Minnesota over July 4th

[Devan S.]

I'm spending a few days on Lake of the Woods and Lake Itasca area over July 4th. I was able to work out a deal with my wife 4 days of fishing/camping/hiking in exchange for 4 days of Mall of America. Due to the Mall of America and other detours, I'm limited on tackle choices/rod and reel choices. I'm also set up primarily for Crappie/Catfish/Bass/River fishing here in the Ozarks.

I have 2 days of guided fishing at Lake of the Woods. They will handle tackle ect. but will have time to bank/canoe fish. Targeting walleye, pike, muskie, and smallmouth. What lures would you all recommend? Think as if I have nothing right now looking at medium/medium heavy spinning and bait casting rods/reels.

Also any other places that are must see along the way? Hopefully this trip goes well and convinces the wife into multiple trips that way.

[MoCarp]

get some inline mepps angla spinners size 5...... trade out a big musky style dressed treble..... the just unscrew the hook off......it just floats through weeds and you can keep it spinning slow.... pike will slam it , get some wire leaders... finer the better..and 1/8 tp 1/4 oz jigs plastics for smallies and walleyes....the full size heddon torpedo in any minnow color is slamming for smallmouth

[Devan S.]

Thanks MoCarp. I've got an assortment of mepps coming, have some jigs and torpedos. I'll have to pick up some leaders.

[fishinwrench]

The fish eat the same stuff up there that they do here, but the Deer Flys eat even more. Remember when you post your report that you're not allowed to cuss here when describing the Deer Flys and how you feel about them.  Deep Woods Off is like pancake syrup to them, I'm not even sure that hydrochloric acid would repel them.  Just eat lots of chocolate and prepare for some blood loss.

Also don't use the word "soda", because for some reason it pisses them off.  The correct word is "Pop".

[snagged in outlet 3]

I spent two summers as a dock boy on Leech Lake just south of there.  I would rather swim and pick leeches off of me than suffer from those dang flies.  And we did.

[Quillback]

Send board member Macsimus a pm, he lives up there.

I'd bring a Whopper Plopper 130 or two with me, smallmouth should eat them, and you may get a musky to take a look at it. 

[Devan S.]

Thanks for all the heads up. I feel like between the standard bass stuff I have(grubs, jerk baits, jigs, soft plastic) and the torpedos and mepps I picked up I feel fairly set. Hopefully a good time will be had and if nothing else it will be nice to relax for a few days.

 

[Deadstream]

In Northern Michigan now.  Like Wrench said, prepare for blood loss.  Brutal!!!    Big Mepps combo killers, Pike.. red and white daredevils, chartuse spinner baits and of course your plastic.    Long sleeves and bug dope!

[Gavin]

The black flies and mosquito's can get pretty thick...100% deet and cover up. The Hexagenia hatch should be in full swing right about now. Not sure if it will last until you get there.

 

[ollie]

MY GOD you guys are correct about the deer flies and mosquito's.  Went up there on time with the wife and every time we stepped out we would get ambushed by those suckers!