Its vast wilderness extends 150 miles along the U.S.-Canada border, covering approximately 1,098,000 acres with over 1,100 lakes and 1,500 miles of canoe routes, attracting more than 150,000 visitors annually. The fish are abundant and the scenery is simply breathtaking. Imagine yourself fly fishing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most beautiful group of lakes in the country. This is a guide for wilderness canoe travelers who want to learn simple and effective methods for catching walleyes. Time to open the rest of the Boundary Waters. In autumn, many walleye move deeper and gorge on forage fish, including ciscoes, smelt, and perch, which have grown in size over the summer. Book now for Your Next Boundary Waters Fishing Adventure. We support this high volume of visitors this great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support. This is a summary of our first adventure canoeing the lakes of the BWCA . Early in spring right after ice out is when walleye spawn. Look for submerged logs, a solitary boulder in the shallows, or weeds in less than 15 feet of water. What do you use for fishing in the Boundary Waters? In spring, during spawn, bass are violently aggressive around their nests. Minnesotas claim to fame stems from its reputation as walleye country. Written by an avid walleye angler with close to 50 years of travel experience in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park, the book lists the essential fishing tackle to pack for a canoe trip, then shows anglers where and how to fish for wilderness . Who knows one of them might just work! All camping/cooking equipment. Solo canoe recommendations for border route? Trolling with a big sinker and any one of these types of baits trailing on a 4 to 6 foot snell is a great method. In those five months, the BWCA allows a limited number of paddlers in per day per entry point. You have to be pretty selective in what you bring. If you're a Minnesota resident, an annual fishing license is $25 or $14 for 72 hours. There is no best Boundary Waters Canoe route. Gear Rental & Outfitters . Vertical jig or cast towards rocky shorelines, shoals, and weedlines. Mid-summer brings bass into the shallow rock piles areas, points, reefs, and shorelines with large rocks, and even some weedy areas. Fishing Forum Bait? Buzz baits can also work well in the spring time as well. In theory the canoeing season extends from ice-out to ice-in. North Country preserves our fishing traditions through conservation practices and the support of our fishing customers from around the world. Theyre also one of the tastiest freshwater fish that you can catch in North America. There are literally thousands of fishing spots in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Walleyes can often be found very deep (40-60 feet) in late fall. Trolling crankbaits is a great way to catch trophy-sized walleye. However, youll warm up quickly in the sun as you get your paddle on and enjoy the wildlife of summer. In terms of specific Boundary Waters fishing spots, Basswood Lake is consistently one of the top options. Using fishing resources with care and respect has helped to guarantee world-class angling adventures for years to come. To purchase an non-Canadian Resident Ontario Angling Permit, one must first buy an Ontario Outdoors Card (CN$9.68). The only drawback is that it may be difficult for some in your party to schedule the trip in September. Take Action, April 29, 2019 The tackle you bring with you will largely determine the type of fish you end up catching. North Country Canoe Outfitters: Outfitting Canoe Trips into the Minnesota Boundary Waters and Canada's Quetico Wilderness since 1984. Lake Trout inhabit the colder, deeper waters and sometimes arent as easily caught. With school just out, June tends to be a popular time for families. . People of all ages challenge themselves to pursue the elusive record size fish. North Country Canoe Outfitters: Outfitting Canoe Trips into the Minnesota Boundary Waters and Canada's Quetico Wilderness since 1984. Throughout the day and on the water you will likely experience very few bugs at all, most of your concern will be on portages and at campsites, especially in the morning and evening. I'll outfitting through Sawbill and base camping on one of the Temperances in mid Sept as I've heard these are great fishing lakes. Walleyes are a more finicky than the smallmouth, but theyre just as abundant. Checklist & Trip Planning. Fishing Tackle for the Boundary Waters The Boundary Waters provides world-class freshwater fishing opportunities. Raspberries & blueberries ripe for picking. We promote non-lead alternatives in an attempt to promote Loon health. Fish the tips of points, edges of dropoffs to deep water, and the perimeters of mid-lake humps (sunken islands). Fall fishing is mostly new to me because my interests usually gravitate toward hunting in the fall. Follow these guidelines and youll have walleye on your plate in no time. Met Jerry Vandiver and Caitlin Evanson in Chatanooga TN, Reconnecting: 2 weeks wandering in the BWCA. Additions to Our Canoe Outfitting Packages, The Chicago Tribune The Trip North: Doing it the right way. In stained lakes, chartreuse, lime green, yellow, pink, and white are effective jig colors. If youre looking for information on more amazing adventures, check out one or all of our Minnesota Guides! Year-round open season. Placing a few split shot ahead of the lure or upsizing your hooks will aid in getting the lure down deeper for trolling. This spring we have had perfect conditions for bugs to thrive. Why does it have to be so confusing? Its one of the biggest lakes in the BWCA and is also a great location for first-timers looking for a unique and fruitful fishing experience. June is the earliest Ive ever personally visited the Boundary Waters. And be sure to freeze all the food you can ahead of time you wont have a problem thawing it before dinner. There are fewer bugs after late July. Big, heavy jigs of an ounce or more with a skirt. 6 or 9 inch forceps for removing swallowed hooks or treble hooks. Northern Pike. The ideal water temperature for walleyes is 65 degrees. * For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed. A dozen portages make this route best for intermediate canoe campers. This will be my dads first trip to the bwca, my brother and I's fathers day gift to him and i would like to plan this so we have good fishing. Know what tackle to bring for each type of fish including Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern Pike and Lake Trout. Walleye feed at about the 18-24 inch level. BWCA Permit & Information. "Big walleye can't resist this setup on late spring evenings; just be sure not to jerk the circle hook out of their mouth when you feel a bite. . Another drawback of paddling during high-traffic times is having long waits for your turn at a portage, due to the BWCA rule of one party per portage. Most of us have probably spent a few hours arguing this question with a friend. Leave your favorites in the comments section below. If you are using a jig, or trolling with a minnow-like lure, get it down on the bottom! We are looking for water temperatures from 50 65 degrees. By later summer, bass will move to deeper water and the deep fishing tactics work best. If you need help making a reservation or have questions with any of the above information for planning your trip. Boundary Waters Trip Planning Info. One entry permit is good for a group of up to nine people. Follow the "Live Social Media" Feed from Here we recommend vertical jigging tactics with leeches, minnows, or nightcrawlers. The Ely area has some fantastic lakes for lake trout fishing. Northerns like warm water. Solitude? July paddling is hot and crowded, but that makes for great swimming adventures and splash play in the Boundary Waters. Fly fishing the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) is an opportunity for any fly angler to hook into some giant smallmouth bass and northern pike, along with many other fish species. Make like a Boy Scout and be prepared. In terms of sheer size, lake trout grow to an average length of between 20 and 30 inches long and can weigh up to 15 or even 20 pounds. The smaller the jig the better, whatever it takes to get it to the bottom and nothing more. A Minnesota fishing license is required for the Boundary Waters Canoe area (US side. In general, a move to larger baits pays off in the fall. You can often times catch them right from your campsite in the evenings. These are more than enough lures to try; mix and match and find out what works. You should match the time of your trip to your group's interests. Don't have an account yet? If youre more of a late-season or early-season fisherman or woman, then lake trout is the species for you. More on fishing Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and Panfish. With this youll do well in any lake. You have a few options when fishing moving water: You can 1) fish from shore, 2) use a basketball net anchor to stay in one location, or 3) leverage the current and fish multiple locations while drifting. The vast system of Boundary Waters / Quetico lakes cover approximately 1,500 square miles. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is about 430 kilometers north of Minneapolis, Minnesota, near the towns of Grand Marais and Ely. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. Early in this period, pike gather at stream mouths and wait for bait fish to be washed into the lake and their waiting jaws. By Rob Christ. Mountain Lake: This is the lake to head to if you want to catch dinner. Free shipping . While patience is crucial, you should also be versatile and willing to change your plans when the time comes. During this time they can be caught pretty easily in shallow water on rocky points or gravel beds. North Country Canoe Outfitters: Outfitting Canoe Trips into the Minnesota Boundary Waters and Canada's Quetico Wilderness since 1984. Use a jig and leech, or dead-slow with a minnow like lure such as a small Rappala or Mepps Aglia Minnow spinner. Cloud Times: Heres what you should ask a Boundary Waters outfitter. There are bugs in the Boundary Waters and this year is no exception. by Jake Dahlke. Smallmouth Bass are pound for pound the best fighting fish in canoe country which is why they are so popular among anglers all over the country, and especially in the boundary waters. I prefer to fish this with a fluorocarbon abrasion resistant leader when going for walleye. Make sure to bring varying colors and enough of each type! Debbie Mark & Staff Are my chances of having a successful fishing trip slimmer than this time of year? This is best for three- or four-day trips, and costs $25. The next 6 days would all be new territory for me, as I had only paddled up to South Arm Knife, never further, from the Ely side of the Boundary Waters. If you get a bad feeling that a certain technique or area you are fishing in isnt going to produce, try something new or move to a different spot. Theyre smaller than their relative, the largemouth bass, but are just as tasty and prized. Youll often catch northern while bass and walleye fishing. However, you should never take more with you than you can carry on your person. Spring - Surface and diving plugs; spinner baits such as Mepps. I try to pick an area that has deep and shallow lakes, clear and stained lakes, and lakes with stream trout. We support this high volume of visitors Additions to Our Canoe Outfitting Packages, The Chicago Tribune The Trip North: Doing it the right way. Pike favor fast and flashy when it comes to lures. May 3, 2022 boundarywaterscatalogblog boundarywaterscatalogblog Fishing, Getting Outside boundary waters, canoe camping, fishing, getting outside, tim stouffer 1 Comment. E-mail: seagull@seagulloutfitters.com, Copyright 2023 Seagull Canoe Outfitters | All Rights Reserved, BWCAW Permits, formerly known as BWCA Permits, Rapala Shad Rap (or any Rapala type floating crank bait for that matter), (This isnt always true, but can be used as a general rule), Jig and live bait is a great choice most of the time. I'm out for revenge as we didn't do as well as I was hoping last week on a Moose to Snowbank loop. . The Boundary Waters are filled to the brim with hungry and eager fish, but its important to wait for them to strike. It's time to start planning for your summer Boundary Waters adventure. In Minnesota, the age where a license is required is 16. The BWCA is one of the most unique and scenic areas in the country, and maintaining its beauty and serenity is more important than catching fish. Good chance of moose sightings. September 4, 2014 Photo: Steve Bowman - The image of a grandfather and grandson paddling through the wilderness of the Boundary Waters defines the coming of age for a young man and the passing of a lifetime of knowledge from the elder. Many items are available for purchase in our outfitting shop. In Ontario, the age where a license is required is 18. The prime time for northern pike is earlier in the fishing season than walleye. Table of Contentsshow 1Can you ice fish in the Boundary Waters? This helps to preserve the wilderness from excessive impact as well as keep campsites available. As summer rolls on through late-July and August, we get smaller pike staying in the shallows while their older (and bigger) relatives move to weed edges adjacent to deep water. Pound for pound, smallmouth bass here in the BWCA are our toughest fighters. An impoundment of the Pend Oreille River, which lies directly downstream of Box Canyon Reservoir. The answer depends on you. The Boundary Waters consists of over 1 million acres of land and over 150 miles of aquatic coastline along the Canadian border. AUTHORJordan started going to the Boundary Waters as a 6-year-old with family and a wonderful group of paddlers. Walleye are one of the more difficult fish to catch because of how smart and elusive they are, which further expands their value. Fenske Lake - 16 sites, all tent camping. If theres been rain, might find some ripe berries. The Boundary Waters, Ely, and Quetico receive lots of attention for its bass fishing, but many people overlook its potential as an excellent northern pike fishery. The best places to try your hand are on one of the rivers that run through the BWCA. How to pick the right canoe outfitter for a canoe trip, High Adventure Canoe Trips for Boy Scout Troops, Youth Group Canoe Trip Important Information, About the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Minnesota and Quetico, Fishing for Boundary Waters Smallmouth Bass, St. Although its best known for its trophy lake trout, Sea Gull Lake is home to the big four: trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. If so how? They like to sun themselves in shallow, warmer bays in the spring. Topwater lures are great, and fly-fishermen can really cash-in on deer hair or cork poppers. What type of lakes would you want to fish, clear lakes, stained lakes, deep, shallow? No matter which lake or river you choose for the starting point of your fishing trip, make sure to focus on areas with raised bodies of land under the water. Contrast is important when selecting lures: too much difference between a lure and its surroundings and a fish will figure something is wrong with this picture. To book your spring fishing trip on the Boundary Waters of Ely Minnesota, call Moose Track Adventures today at 218-365-4106. In the early spring (pre-spawn) bass are typically chasing crankbaits, streamers, rattlebaits, and spinners. Summer - Hair and feather type jigs in 1/2 to 1 ounce . Our pristine lakes offer plenty of opportunity for catching big fish. Its important to be patient and not get too eager if youre not catching anything right away. Ideally they like to spawn in water temperatures of about 58 to 62 degrees. Northerns like warm water. April through May are the best times to fish for pike, but you can go even earlier if the snow and ice melt. Smallmouth bass is a classic freshwater fish and one of the most abundant and popular in the Boundary Waters. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). When Should I Visit Ely, Minnesota and the BWCA? The Boundary Waters, better known by its full name of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, is a protected piece of land within Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. A 24-clock hour license is also available, and works the same way spanning two calendar days. Smallmouth bass is a classic freshwater fish and one of the most abundant and popular in the Boundary Waters. Make a run for the border on this 28-mile, out-and-back route starting at entry point 16. Subscribe to our newsletter. Author Moose Track Adventures Posted on September 19, 2017 September 20, 2017 Categories Boundary Waters Fishing , Boundary Waters Resort Ely , ely-mn-resort Tags bass and lake trout fishing season , Lake Trout , Northern . If youre looking to target massive walleye and northern pike, add Sea Gull Lake to your fishing list. Some of the biggest pike of the season are caught on Opening Weekend. As summer comes to the border lakes, they will move a little deeper, but still gravitate toward structure. While each of the other fish on this list is prizes in their own right, walleye is probably the highest prized. Color: Chartreuse Copper Flake S&P, White, Black. Theyll also go after live bait, such as smaller worms and insects. The Skinny: A Mepps in-line spinner is a mainstay in any anglers tackle box, but for those canoe trippers trying to reduce their pack weight, this lure may just be the one that does it all. The Aglia is multi-species lure that works well in still or moving water. Make it more erratic: start and stop, cut back and forth, speed up and slow down. The BWCAW Act of 1978 In 2018, we observed the 40th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act (PL 95-495). Prove It First: Commonsense Protection For The Boundary Waters & Lake Superior. Starting May 1, youll need to reserve your permit for an overnight trip. What are your standbys? When adding bait, use a stinger hook to catch walleye that strike short. Learn more, We use cookies to enhance your experience, for analytics, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers. Be versatile and willing to change your plans when the time comes challenge themselves to pursue the elusive size! North of Minneapolis, Minnesota and the perimeters of mid-lake humps ( sunken islands ) big. As tasty and prized out one or all of our first adventure canoeing lakes. & # x27 ; re a Minnesota fishing license is required is 16 streamers, rattlebaits, and fly-fishermen really. Great swimming adventures and splash play in the fall for Lake Trout fishing deeper for.... Financial support ask a Boundary Waters well in still or moving water walleye fishing and community! 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Tackle for the Boundary Waters walleye that strike short hour license is required 16. This great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support which expands... Lure down deeper for trolling have probably spent a few split shot ahead of time you have... Islands ) Staff are my chances of having a successful fishing trip slimmer than this of. Elusive record size fish learn simple and effective methods for catching big fish in theory the canoeing season extends ice-out. Offer plenty of opportunity for catching walleyes the trip in September resistant leader when going for.... Early spring ( pre-spawn ) bass are typically chasing crankbaits, streamers, rattlebaits, and can... Canadian border same way spanning two calendar days best places to try ; mix and match find. ( sunken islands ) keep campsites available third of the Pend Oreille River fishing the boundary waters in september further... 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