Call Bert Heep or Drew Brockett toll free at 1-800-223-6565 for more information about anything related to Canoe Trip Outfitting and the Boundary Waters
Fishing Information for the BWCA and Quetico
Seasons
Boundary Waters:
Smallmouth Bass: May 10, 2008 – February 22, 2009 (starting date for Arrowhead area only, catch and release only from September 8 through the end of the season)
Walleye: May 10, 2008 – February 22, 2009
Northern Pike: May 10, 2008 – February 22, 2009
Lake Trout: May 10 – September 30, 2008
Crappie, Sunfish, Rock Bass, Bluegill: Continuous
Please go to the Minnesota DNR website for more details about the fishing season and regulations.
Please use environmentally friendly LOON Friendly non-lead jigs and sinkers.
Use biodegradable Berkley Gulp when possible.
Easy tips for the BWCA: Recommended line strength is 6-10 lbs.
Jigs: 1/8oz green or white in the spring, chartreuse and pink in the summer
Live bait: minnows in spring and fall, leeches in spring-mid summer, worms in late summer.
Use a leader for Pike!
Quetico:
Smallmouth Bass: Open all year
Walleye: January 1 – April 14 and the 3rd Saturday in May to December 31, 2008
Northern Pike: Open all year
Lake Trout: January 1 – September 30, 2008
Please use environmentally friendly no-lead jigs when jigging.
No Live Bait in Canada, Only Barbless Hooks in Canada.
About the Fish:
Walleye:
State record – 17 lbs, 8 oz on Seagull River in Cook County
Early spring spawn
Moving water, shallow bars and reefs
They like hard bottoms
Mid-summer -- flats, points, reefs, islands to deep water
August – toughest time
September -- can be tough, check reefs
Do not use a leader for best results, keep your bait presented as natural as possible. Be responsive to subtle vibrations of your rod or line across your finger.
Suggested lures:
Spring – crankbaits
Summer – jigs (1/8th oz) and rigs
Mid-late summer – trolling jigs and spinners deep
Smallmouth Bass (aka Bronzeback):
State record – 8 lbs on West Battle Lake in Otter Tail County
Spawn in June – they are in the shallows, incredible action
Mid-summer – reefs and points near deeper water, structure
September – start going deep, harder to catch
Suggested lures:
Tiny torpedos, poppers, Mepps spinners, crank baits, Berkley Gulp and jigs
Northern Pike (Water Wolves):
State record – 45 lbs, 12 oz on Basswood Lake in Cook County
Early spring spawn
September and October – “Pike Fest” as they are hungry
Love weed beds, fish the edges/parallel to them
September – shallow feeders
Use a leader
Suggested lures:
Large poppers, torpedos, spinners (red/orange/nickel), Dardevle, large crankbaits
Lake Trout:
State record – 43 lbs, 8 oz on Lake Superior in Cook County
Shallow in early -- mid May
Fall spawn – late September
Like rocks and rubble that drop quickly
Shallow to deep (can be very deep) back to shallow in fall
Suggested lures:
When in the shallows use crank baits. Troll during the summer with deep running crankbaits (orange, blue, chrome, chartreuse), spoons, bucktail jigs
