What To Expect On Your BWCA & Quetico Wilderness Trip
"... learned from 25 plus years of experience!"
We look forward to the first trip of the season, often beginning right after ice-out. (early May) As you drive into the quaint town of Ely, Minnesota; you'll notice that the snowdrifts are melting but still visible along the roadsides. Residents will be outside raking their yards where the dull green grass is exposed and all the tourist businesses will be humming with activity, preparring for the rush of opening day canoeists and fishermen a week or so later. You'll see the returning waterfowl swimming in the newly opened lakes and streams, now bulging at their banks by the heavy snow melt. A slight greenish hue can be seen throughout the Northwoods canopy as the buds swell on the long dormant deciduous trees.
This is one of the finest times to experience the Northwoods! Jasper Creek's 'Scenic Canoe Trip' is the best option to explore the BWCA and Quetico Park wildernesses during this period. Expect the daytime temperatures from early to mid-May to range from cool to warm (mid- 50's to low 70's) with evening temperatues being cool (high 30's to low 50's). From mid- May to Memorial Day, temperatures gradually warm into the 70 degree plus for highs and the same gradual increase for evening lows. I've seen snow on the mid- May opener and have gone for a swim in Basswood Lake in ninety degree heat just before Memorial Day.
As summer approaches with warming temperatures and longer daylight, the Northwoods soon cloaks itself in deep green as the aspen and birch buds open up. Arriving songbirds fill the air with flits of brilliant color and music. The lake trout angling is a sure bet during this time since the water temperatures remain cool (below 62 degrees). 'Trolling' is an excellent angling method and goes very well with canoe tripping. Select lures include deep-diving crank baits (Mann's, Rapalas, Rebels) and for casting consider using jigging spoons, buck tail jigs, spoons, spinners, and the Rapala 'Husky Jerk'.
Walleyes and smallmouth bass are likely to still be on the 'minnow feed' during this time due to the cool water temperatures and the minimal action occurring in the water ecosystem. Jasper Creek's fishing techniques for these two species include lead head jigs, Lindy-style slip sinker rigs, and slip bobbers. Moving water (currents) are key places for angling as are the north and northwest shorelines. The former due to the 'influx' of the higher lake's surface water (the warmest water in a lake) and the latter because of the southern angle of the springtime sun. Jigs, the Lindy-style rigs or homemade slip sinker rigs, work great on a slow back troll (called 'sculling' in a canoe). Other highly effective fishing methods include using a variety of 'soft' rubber baits (ex. -4" power bait worms, shads, and flukes) in combination with light weights, either rigged 'Carolina' style or 'drop-shot'. These methods are known as finesse fishing. The rigging of light (1/16 oz./ 3/32 oz.) marabou jigs beneath a slip bobber is also productive. Casting tubes and crawling them along the first break of the shoreline is an effective method as well.
Casting the select shorelines for smallmouth bass, walleyes, and northern pike is very productive, and greatly improves as the water temperatures continue to warm into the 60's. We've some world class shoreline fishing up here in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) and Quetico Park. Choice lure styles include Rebel and Rapala minnows (Floaters/divers/Fat Raps). Charlie Brewer's 'Sliders' are great! Spinner baits, including beetle spins, also produce well, but the jig and tube and 'Slider Rig' are the 'go-to' lures in my opinion. Plus, I personally prefer a single hook lure for fishing. Take note, Quetico park only allows barbless hooks, starting this season (2008). A good policy to remember everywhere.
As the water temperatures continue to warm (58 to 66 degrees), smallmouth bass begin their spawning ritual. Shoreline casting becomes very productive at this time with a variety of lures. Remember that spawning bass are vulnerable and 'Catch and Release' is a Jasper Creek camp rule! A wide variety of top water lures (Rebel Pop-R's, slapsticks, Zara Spooks) work great for bass fishing; but finesse fishing the 'soft rubber baits' will top my list as a fishing technique during this period. The Shad imitations rigged with a single wide gap hook, slightly weighted- are phenomenal! Remember to squeeze the barb down. I'm also a believer in the liquid scents; I like the crawfish then shad flavors as a first then second choice
The 'Cast and Cruise' style trips that Jasper Creek offers are the best trip option for this time of year; especially for the fantastic smallmouth bass fishing found here in the BWCA and Quetico Park border waters. This trip is also a fly fisherman's dream trip.
By early to mid-July, the aquatic ecosystem has 'turned on' and is soon into full production. The border lake country is experiencing optimum summer weather conditions. The surface water warms to 65 to 70 degrees plus.
Live bait jigging and rigging in the BWCA is a guaranteed method to keep the skillet filled with tasty walleye fillets. A 'thermocline' will develop causing the lake to 'stratify' into different temperature levels. Lake trout will gradually move deeper, and hold to their ideal temperature range. They're still readily brought to the net when trolling deep with crankbaits and spoons or jigging over the deeper holes. Most often they're found just below the thermocline.
Fishing is great throughout the summer! We use live bait rigs and jigs on shallow reefs, deep reefs, rip-rap ledges and weed lines. We cast select shorelines for smallmouth bass and troll deep holes for trophy lake trout.
If you are a died in the wool jig fisherman, casting shorelines with 'tubes' is a real winner! When smallmouth are just off the first break and near deeper water; crawling a 4 inch pumpkinseed tube over the edge is a deadly method. When the crayfish are shallow; thow that pumpkinseed tube in the shade cast by a half submerged boulder and hang on!
For topwater 'hard' lures, Jasper Creek has had excellent success with the Rebel Pop-R, floating Rapalas and Rebels, Zara Spooks, but still prefers the soft rubber baits (Slug-Go's, shads, lizards, etc.). Spinner baits work well also, from the small beetle spins to the larger 1/4 oz. and 3/8 oz. sizes. Silver blades and gold/copper blades work great, with the willow leaf blade for action, or a big Colorado blade for the so-called 'bottom thumping'. I believe that a person using a spinner bait properly, can cover more water (shallow and deep) than any fisherman, except for a skilled fly fisherman. Spinner baits are a great 'search' bait for the boundary waters.
For crankbaits, the Rapala Shad Rap works great and the Rattle Trap is a close second choice. Color choices are black & silver, Perch, Fire Tiger, and Crawdad. I have found that the color scheme on lures that include a dark back with a light belly or underside seem to draw the most strikes.
'Finesse fishing' the soft rubber baits is a fantastic technique, especially early summer and on into the mid-summer periods. My clients and I have had good luck later in the season with this technique also, especially on cloudy and cool days, casting into the shallow mid- lake reefs. Drop-shotting is a great technique as well.
The 'soft baits' that I prefer include a variety of salamanders and lizards, Bass Assassins, Slop Frogs, twister-tails, grubs, Slug-gos, and Sliders and the old stand by- the Tube! Talk about choices to pick from - there are too many to mention. Pull up your favorite Search Engine on your computer and put on the search for soft rubber baits. Enjoy! Here are a few proven brands: Team Supreme, Competitive Edge, Jewel, Zoom, Manns, Bass Assassin, Creme, and Berkley Power Bait. The more natural, subdued colors seem to work best for me, like pumpkin seed, motor oil, june bug, and shad, but some days will find us all tossing bubblegum, firetails and white. Go fiqure;- that's fishing! If you're into this style of angling, definitely bring them. If you aren't now, you will be after fishing with Jasper Creek! Try Carolina rigging a 5 inch rubber shad tight to the bottom. Put some crawfish scent in the belly cavity; the walleyes find them irresistible. Many of these finicky but tasty gamefish have ended up in the late afternoon campfire skillet due to this proven tecnique.
A Base Camp set up on the larger border lakes found here in the BWCA and Quetico country becomes Jasper Creek's preferred method of angling strategy during the warm mid-summer period. This is the perfect July and August fishing trip for the family group or a large 'buddy' group. These trips are Fun, Fun, Fun!
Numerous reefs and submerged weed beds located near our selected Base Camp will give shelter to scrappy walleyes and the acrobatic smallmouth. Delicate and colorful lake trout can be found trolling and jigging those hidden deep reefs. There are some real "bruisers" (smallmouth, walleyes, lake trout, and northern pike) lurking in the depths of these northern shield lakes. Trolling deep divers alongside the reefs and bars is relaxing but very productive.
Towards mid to late August, the daylight hours begin to shorten, causing the water temperatures to begin cooling down. When water temperatures reach approximate 66 degrees, smallmouth bass and walleyes will again begin to congregate and start to feed heavily on minnows, as they did in the early Spring period. Ciscoes, a baitfish found on certain BWCA and Quetico Park wilderness lakes, become the preferred meal for smallmouth bass, walleyes, and lake trout. This is a great time period to catch a wall hanger!
Jigging spoons work great, along with jigging and rigging live bait. Finesse fishing, Carolina rigging, and 'drop-shotting' are also excellent angling techniques. Remember those 5 inch shads, Oh Boy! Smallmouth bass will chase schools of ciscoes to the surface causing the water to actually 'boil'. During a feeding frenzy such as this, casting into this fury will certainly result in a solid strike.
"I've seen these 'fish boils' many a time during numerous late summer and autumn trips. They do not last long but in the aftermath, I've seen dozens of ciscoes dead and injured on the surface and bass returning to feed afterward."
Jigs, crank baits, spinner baits, and jigging spoons all work great when you can reach these feeding frenzies by canoe; but top water fishing is deadly over these hungry bass! You will hoot and holler casting a Zara Spook and "walking the dog!" I can't emphasize it enough, this is a Big Fish period!
As the leaves slip from the deep forest green of mid summer to a chartreuse hue, then to the riot of reds and oranges (late September), the canoe country beckons the canoe traveler as it did so early in the spring. This is a glorious time to paddle and view the Northwoods. I, myself, take my trips at this time. Wow! Few, if any insects, cool nights with star-studded skies. Deep blue day time skies and white cottony clouds reflect on the pristine lakes. Again, shallower shorelines can and will attract smallmouth bass, especially near moving water, but casting and jigging deeper water near currents and in lake narrows are the best bets to keep your rods dancing.
September and October fishing in the BWCA and Quetico Park can and has been fantastic as well. Jasper Creek offers an incredible fishing package- Fall'EYES. (Guided and self-guided versions) Check it out on the web! Some of the best walleye action that we've experienced over the years has routinely occurred during the autumn.
Lake trout move shallower at this time, preparing for their Autumn spawn. They'll provide some outstanding angling opportunities! Fly fishermen take notice here. These autumn lakers are easily taken on brightly colored streamers, especially later in September. The key is the water temperature! What a sight to witness a brilliant streamer fly being expertly stripped back to the canoe and a streak of silver following it. I've never fished for Bonefish, but from what I've read about it and what some of my fly fishing clients have told me of this saltwater sport- an Autumn run 'laker' has to be similar! They'll take that streamer with a fury. Jasper Creek offers a combo trip- 'TROUT CAMP' which is designed strictly for the hunt of these Autumn rum bruisers, plus the great walleye action and some ruffed grouse hunting. Again, check it out on the web!
Note: Depending on where your selected trip will be located, the Quetico Park (Canada) or the BWCA (Minnesota), certain live bait species are regulated and individual gamefish have specific harvesting regulations. Minnow, leech, and nightcrawler rigs (all live bait and 'Organic' bait is prohibited in Quetico Park) provide some exceptional angling for walleyes and smallmouth bass on select BWCA lakes. The information on this page is intended to inform you of tecniques and the use of equipment that has worked well for myself and past clients using the services of Jasper Creek. There is such a wide variety of fishing equipment out there on the market, that I try not to endorse one brand over another. There is no way that I can experiment every piece of fishing tackle out there! What a great thought, but not possible. I'm always willing to try a new tecnique so if you have one, bring it along!
