Fishing Minnesota?

[Ffer]

We are supposed to go to Canada end of May. Would be our 4th in a row. Mainly smallmouth, don't target pike but they show up too.  Don't have the slightest idea if Canada will open then , so we're trying to come up with a plan B.;  Fished some lake near Bemidgi (sp)? probably 40 yrs ago. Know  zero about where to look at.  Any ideas?  TIA

 

[Mitch f]

Here’s a link:

 

https://realestatetwincities.net/smallmouth-bass-lakes/

 

I know Vermillion was always good

[Mark]

Good info Mitch. I am thinkng about a MN trip this summer and am looking for a good smallie stream to float.

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

Good info Mitch. I am thinkng about a MN trip this summer and am looking for a good smallie stream to float.

If you have a jet go on the upper Mississippi. For floating I’m not that up on it.

[Mark]

HAHA Watching a show on the Mississippi River in MN right now!! Don't have a jet and don't want to haul my johnboat that far. I would like to float a day or two.

 

53 minutes ago, Mitch f said:

If you have a jet go on the upper Mississippi. For floating I’m not that up on it.

Maybe you can help?? I would really like to find a good stream to camp out of my truck and wade fish, preferably free/cheap dispersed camping. I've been disappointed in my research. There doesn't appear to be many free/cheap camping spots on water in MN, unless they aren't advertised. We are spoiled in MO with so much free public camping.

[Mitch f]

12 hours ago, Mark said:

Maybe you can help?? I would really like to find a good stream to camp out of my truck and wade fish, preferably free/cheap dispersed camping. I've been disappointed in my research. There doesn't appear to be many free/cheap camping spots on water in MN, unless they aren't advertised. We are spoiled in MO with so much free public camping.

I’ve always been a little skittish about free public camping...especially in an unfamiliar area. Personally I would rather pay a little extra and know my stuff won’t get broken into when I’m gone. 
I’m also not aware of any float trip outfitters up there, since I’ve only used my jet boat. Good luck and I hope you have fun!

[Gavin]

Floated the St Croix several years ago...Good canoe outfitter in Grantsburg, WI...there is only 1....and not near the float traffic that we get in MO. There are big musky there, smallmouth, and walleye.

 

[wily]

We went to ash river trail...on lake Kabetagoma a couple years ago...caught a slew of big smallmouths on a popper...the week of Memorial Day.  Can boat into Canada if you want.

We stayed in a cabin and boated back and forth each day but there are lots of reservable camping spots that are remote.  It’s part of voyager national park...borders Canada...it was absolutely awesome 

its way northern Minnesota...up by international falls...lake is connected to crane lake and rainy lake

 

[wily]

I went to lake of the woods a couple times 20 years ago the first week of June...and Kabetagoma was better fishing and much easier to navigate...much better markings and buoy system 

[Mark]

wily, ash river is on my radar. Can I drive to the "remote camping sites" or are they water accessible only sights? For expense purposes, I am wanting to camp like 3-4 nights out of my vehicle and grab a room for a couple nights. I would appreciate more info, esp on camping sites. It seems like someone mentioned on another forum something about a bridge on the Ash River with free camping under it. I may be confused on that.