Coming to Minnesota in the spring

[dafinga]

Folks,

Me and my dad want to do some pike and bass fishing in Northern Minnesota this spring. I was wondering when would be the best time to hit the bass pre-spawn and get some good Pike action in the shallows? Also wondering where we should go. Could anyone reccomend a resort where we can get cabins and boats? Thanks in advance...

[delmuts]

the season dates kind of dictate when you can fish .depending on the weather, you won't get in on the presawn bite due to the season being closed.northern and walleye season opens before bass does. del

[MT Net]

If you're north and east of Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls, bass season typically opens with walleye and pike. The rest of the state, bass season is closed.

Haven't seen the 2004 regulations yet.

[This message has been edited by MT Net (edited 02-04-2004).]

[tadpole]

Do you have your own boat? Are you looking at staying at a lodge on a certain lake? You can research here on this site. I have a cabin in the hackensack area. I fish many of the surrounding lakes and I would say that depending on the amount of time you put on the water all of the lakes can produce a pig or two. I suggest going to the Dnr web site once you find a lodge you are interested in. You can go to the lake finder and research the lake, stocking, species, map, ect.... Great tool. Are you interested in getting away from the crowds? If so there are places which will rent boats and motors and you can lake jump and find a few out of the way places. Most of the lakes have decent launches and if you have questions about specific lakes believe me everyone on this site will help you. You will need to post in the specific form based on the area you are looking at. As for the opening season remember everyone will be opening cabins and coming out of the wood work. I find that going to the out of the way locations (LAKE JUMPING) to be more successful. Last year they where water skiing, jet skiing and tubing on most of the big lakes. If you have any additional questions please ask, form is the most helpful form on the web and everyone is helpful.

Good luck!
Tad

[Esoxmn]

Your best bet for big pike is right around opener.May 15th . After that they wont be concetrated in the shallows untill fall.

[dafinga]

Thanks for all the info. If we were looking for an out of the way lake with a resort that rents boats what lake would you reccomend. Nothing ruins a fishing vacation faster then a Jet ski.

[Steve Foss]

dafinga:

If you're talking early season, don't worry much about personal watercraft. Not too many of those folks venture out until summer's here.

The other guys are right. Unless it's a very late spring, you won't find much pre-spawn bass action, because northern Minnesota seasons are tailored to protect spawning bass.

For early pike (which have already spawned when the season opens), look for the beginnings of green weeds in flats off of spawning grounds. Fish slow with spinnerbaits, plastics or dead bait on the bottom.

Good luck.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[Guest]

Bass opener for 2004 for most of minnesota opens 5/29. Usually that is too late for prespawn.

Scott

[guideman]

Dafinga,
The bass season opens on Lake Vermilion on May 15th, along with the pike and walleye. There are several good resorts with quality rental boats for angling.

We have world class Smallmouth fishing and excellent Largemouth, many of them will be in the pre spawn mode in late May and early June.

Smallies in the 16" to 22" range can be a common site in the spring. Largemouth avereage about 1.5 to 2.5lbs with many in the 3 to 5lb range.

If you'd like more info, shoot me an e-mail.

------------------

Terry "Ace" Sjoberg
aceguideservice.com
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[GEO]

If you want fast shallow water, early season fishing, you might want to consider Wisconsin..season opens first weekend of May (if I'm not mistaken)..usually right when the prespawn bass bite is hot and heavy. Otherwise, if you're going to northern MN, even though the season opens end of May, the bass still might be in prespawn..depends on how early or late spring comes.

[TECK]

Get Ace to take you out on the big V