Laker advise?

Kinda late on asking the people of IDO, but I’m heading up the gunflint tomorrow morning and we are fishing duncan, rose, and South lakes. All have good Lakers populations. I’ve been to the bwca numerous times but never targeted Lakers up there. From what I have read they should still be somewhat shallow 20-40 feet. I’m bringing all types of spoons, plastics, tubes, deep cranks. I’m seeing if anyone has ever fished these lakes and what areas I should be fishing. Also, any fishing spots for smallmouth as well.

I’ve not fished the Lakes you listed but I’ve spent a lot of time fishing lake trout in The Boundary Waters canoe area. I’ve tried most every bait I can think of but nothing has out fished a four inch white tube for me.

Perfect thanks James I do have white tubes packed for the trip. I brought numerous weighted tube jigs as well do you have a recommended weight that has worked for you in the past?

I carry jigs from 0.5 – 1.0 ounces.

Perfect i will post pictures of my trip when I get back. James you must fishing today if you responded at zero dark 30. Thanks again

Don’t eliminate shallow water. Unless the surface temps are well into the 60’s they could be in 5 feet of water.

Well the Lakers did not cooperate on my trip. We threw everything at them. Trolled various spoons and cranks, jigged, and even live bait and dead smelt, and nothing was caught or even a bite. We covered super shallow to 80 feet. The weather did not cooperate, but we made the best with what we had. The smallmouth did cooperate though. Trolling husky jerks and shad raps in 10-20 feet of water. Numerous 2-4 pound fish caught. Had a couple streams and a waterfall that emptied into our lake and the smallmouth were pounding weedless rigged flukes floated down the current. In the clear water you could see them come up off the bottom t-bone the bait.
On a side note we did come across a very good perch bite one afternoon, one every cast almost. Never have done that in the bwca before. I will add a few pictures but my guess is that they will show up sideways, but here it goes.

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Few more…

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We thought this burnt piece of birch bark looked a lot like Minnesota.

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Very cool! Looks like a good time!