From: gdw@moose.cccs.umn.edu (Gavin Watt)
Subject: Re: Fishing in the Boundary Waters
Reply-To: gdw@moose.cccs.umn.edu (Gavin Watt)
Organization: CCCS -- UofMinnesota
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 15:21:36 GMT


In article <1992Aug12.130607.29086@unlinfo.unl.edu>, dmf@westie.unl.edu
(Dale Finkelson) writes:

>
>Hi,
> A friend and I are going to the Boundary Waters in
> late September. I was wondering if there are any
> suggestions for tackle to pack along as well as 
> techniques.
>
> My friend is mainly interested in catching some
> Northern Pike as he has never hooked one before. I
> would like to pick up a pike or two also but also
> would like to catch a few smallmouth bass.
>
> Thanks,

Boundry Waters is mostly bass, walleye, pike water.  Deep clear lakes
have lake trout.  Leechs are the live bait of choice -- they are
effective, tough, economical and easiest to carry (we use a cheap
insulated water jug) -- you can buy them in most Minnesota tackle shops,
there are many large bait/tackle stores right off I35 just north of the
Twin Cities try Forest Lake, Wyoming, Pine City they become more scarce
north of Hinckly there are a bunch in Ely(I35 may be the only Interstate
with billboards which say "JUMBO LEECHES $12/pound!).  Have the tackle
guy show you how to put them on the hook. Also leeches
become scarcer in Sept.  Live bait is often fished under slip bobbers
in x ft of water.  Also jigged especially in deep water.  Artificials: the
single best lure known is a silver Rapala floating minnow -- I have
caught all species in all structures with trolling and casting
presentations using a 6 inch (the medium size one with 3 trebles). 
After that, crank baits of all sorts, trolled spoons etc.  We never
have much luck with plastic worms etc but your mileage may vary.

Our general strategy: troll something interesting behind the canoe as
you fish from structure to structure, you run the risk of hang ups in
rocks and weeds so be prudent especially running downwind.  When you
come upon structure: points, humps, weed beds (scarce), down timber,
beaver lodges -- stop, work your live bait, experiment with artificials,
anchor (rock on a rope) as needed.  If you are hungry the perimeter of a
beaver lodge, especially an active one, and live bait is your best shot
for eating size bass, sunfish.  

For more info, there a number of BWCA books including one called
'Fishing the BWCA' or some such.  Get off I35W in Bloomington at 95
Street(I think, check your map) there's a Burger Brothers and a REI
about .5 mile east -- they have maps, books and more.  If you miss that
one there's more, get off on County road C (just north of downtown
Mpls), go east a mile to Snelling for Burger's and an REI nearby.  Also
the outfitters in Ely have maps and books.  Late Sept can be COLD or
worse COLD and WET so bring warm clothes and GOOD RAINGEAR -- do not
underestimate -- it can be beautiful in Mpls and awful in Ely. Be
careful the water is very cold and the winds are sometimes high.

Late in the season big fish are deep.  Just to whet your appetite from
this morning's Mpls Star&Tribune: "Fishing report..Ely Area/ Walleyes
scattered and spotty, subject to weather fronts; worms, leeches,
minnows, 5 feet and 15-20feet."  Also a short article on "Try deep water
to find big northerns in summer...a good bet is a rock point that
extends from shore into deeper water.  If there are reeds or weeds in
the shallows, so much the better...the rocks need to run into at least
12 feet of water..troll the edges of the point with a crankbait..such as
a Rapala with some splitshot to get it down a little..."    

Good luck. and GO BIG RED!
-- g 920812.1014CDT
/*Gavin Watt -- Colon Cancer Control Study, UofMinn. -- (612) 627-4151 */
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