Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
#6929059
07/13/20 08:53 PM
07/13/20 08:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379 Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
James
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"Minka"
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OP
"Minka"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
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I posted something about this subject a while back, but don't remember getting into details. Our planned Canadian pike trip has cancelled. my brother and I, and possibly our sons, want to go after smallmouth bass, that warm-water trout, in the fabled fisheries of Minnesota.
The Upper Mississippi and Mile Lacs lake were recommended to me. But someone (Steven?) posted in the walleye thread that Mile Lacs is real crowded. We'd be looking to go in September or October, if my brother's schedule, and the virus, allow.
We don't want to be sitting bewildered in a rented boat in the middle of some lake. We've learned it's best to hire a guide when fishing a new area. Someone (me, usually) gets stuck with most of the cooking and dishwashing unless we stay at a place that provides meals.
I've heard the Upper Mississippi gets flooded out if there's much rain. So we need a backup lake. Catching smallmouths in streams is more fun, though, and we'd like to try fly fishing if feasible.
Not interested in catching walleyes, except maybe to eat, to compare to the smallmouths.
Jim
Forum Infidel since 2001
"And that troll bs is something triggered snowflakes say when they dont like what someone posts." - Boco
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6929107
07/13/20 09:40 PM
07/13/20 09:40 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,510 MN
Steven 49er
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,510
MN
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James, if you are going to fish midweek Mile Lacs will be pretty quiet, also the time frame you are looking at isn't typical summer at the lake season.
If you come that late bring a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie just in case, this isn't Anchorage.
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6929110
07/13/20 09:43 PM
07/13/20 09:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379 Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
James
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"Minka"
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OP
"Minka"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
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Will the lakes be liquid or solid then?
October is normal freeze-up here, though we didn't get it last two years until November.
Jim
Forum Infidel since 2001
"And that troll bs is something triggered snowflakes say when they dont like what someone posts." - Boco
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6929120
07/13/20 09:52 PM
07/13/20 09:52 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,510 MN
Steven 49er
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,510
MN
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Liquid, most likely t shirt weather but sometimes it can get a little cool. That Mile Lacs area could just as well be the Bahamas compared to northern MN but it can be a little nipply
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6929407
07/14/20 09:38 AM
07/14/20 09:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,208 Eau Claire Wi
Trap Setter
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,208
Eau Claire Wi
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Man one heck of a fight in those big bronze backs. Looks like fun!!
Life sure is tough when you don't learn from the mistakes of others.
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6929586
07/14/20 12:44 PM
07/14/20 12:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,770 MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Trapper7
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,770
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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James, I have had a place on MilleLacs lake for over 20 years. One of the best fishing spots for smallmouth is along Indian Point with its large boulders. Eddy's resort is owned by the band. It has a decent restaurant, bar, and nice rooms. They also provide free shuttles to the nearby casino if you are interested. Indian Point is about 3 miles out from Eddy's. I look at it from my picture window. It's a little over 2 miles straight out from my house by water.
When it comes to walleyes, unfortunately MilleLacs has a one fish limit per person. The walleye must be between 21-23 inches I believe.
I don't fish bass. I prefer to fish northern pike which we feel are as good to eat as walleye if you know how to take the Y bones out.
There is a bay near the casino that can be accessed from Eddy's that my wife and I like to fish for northern pike. We catch smallmouth and largemouth it seems every time we go in there while fishing northerns. That would be worth checking out.
If you should decide on MilleLacs, let me know. I can show you where I've seen others fish for smallmouth.
Must be nice to eat ice cream as fast as you want and not have to worry about brain freeze.
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6930265
07/15/20 12:19 AM
07/15/20 12:19 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379 Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
James
OP
"Minka"
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OP
"Minka"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
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Thanks for the advice everyone. Not sure if we'll make it this year, but if not, there's always 2021.
I see those photos and I drool. How good are they on a plate?
Jim
Forum Infidel since 2001
"And that troll bs is something triggered snowflakes say when they dont like what someone posts." - Boco
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6930328
07/15/20 02:44 AM
07/15/20 02:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379 Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
James
OP
"Minka"
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OP
"Minka"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,379
Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
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Thanks for the tip, Keith. I've heard about the New River in WV as a fabled smallmouth fishing mecca.
Don't know much about where to go there. Probably wouldn't need a guide there if we had access to good water.
Jim
Forum Infidel since 2001
"And that troll bs is something triggered snowflakes say when they dont like what someone posts." - Boco
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Re: Minnesota smallmouth fishing--the details
[Re: James]
#6930342
07/15/20 05:42 AM
07/15/20 05:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,114 Northern Maine
Bruce T
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,114
Northern Maine
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We catch them over 5 pounds on the Penobscot river around here.
Nevada bound
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