Fishing Trip-Need info

[LaVoi]

Hey everyone, I posted this on the open water form but I know many of you may not check that on a regular basis so I am gonna post this here as well.

I am looking for any advice possible here. Here is my situation, me and my brother and a couple buddies usually take a week long trip to Canada every year, but because of some things that couldn't be worked out we will not be going this year. However, my brother and I are going to take a 7-10 day statewide trip. We are from northwest Minnesota and we're looking to explore some of the wonderful fishing the rest of the state has to offer. We will definately hit Mille Lacs one day, but would appreciate any other lakes you guys would suggest. We will be fishing primarily for walleye and bass (large or smallmouth). Thanks a lot guys, LaVoi

[hydro]

For largemouth bass, try Clearwater in Wright/Stearns counties. It has more area than you can fish in a day and some of the best bass fishing around.

[minneman]

I got invited to go along on a trip to Sakakawea,in ND went in august and have a realy hard time trying to top that trip, Ive fished many lakes in mn, and all are great, but for me that lake is something, and free camping!!

[Guest]

Try Devils Lake in North Dakota.

------------------
Kevin Neve's Devils Lake Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/kevin-neve-guiding/
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 701-473-5411 or 701-351-4989
Minnewaukan ND

[nunzio]

It's pretty hard to drive by Cass Lake, Leech and Winni and not give any or all of them a try. -nunzio.

[Guest]

I said it before and will say it again -- If you have not fished Leech, you really must.

Leech would be a short hop from Mille Lacs, either on your way in, or going home. A little known fact about Leech is the bass fishing. I first fished Leech in 1947 (yeah, I'm an old duffer) and have never tired of that lake. It has a special character you won't elsewhere.

[rap]

minneman- shhhhhhh!

if you are planning on fishing sakakawea tho, i'd suggest going soon because with the lack of snow in montana the last few years, the lake is going to be really hurting, since the smelt will have a huge die-off due to lack of depth and coldwater, and that's what makes them fat.... just look at the trouble oahe is in with their walleye population...

[LaVoi]

minneman- haha lol, don't worry I don't think we will be crossing the border on this trip. Hoewever in the future I would like to get to Devils Lake, and I have been hearing more and more about Sakakawea.
-Clayton- I will definately put Leech in the book to consider. I have always known that Leech is an excellet lake. I would like to go chase some muskies up there. And I won't be worrying about the driving cause we are gonna try to cover the as much of the state as we can in a week. Thanks guys and keep em comin. Good fishin, LaVoi

[Polar Bear]

LaVoi, Don't tell anybody but I'm gonna let you in on a secret. "Two Island Lake" on the gunflint trail. Its managed as a trophy smallmouth lake and it can be incredible. You must release any bass over 12" but are encouraged to keep and eat the small ones.

Two years ago we had some of the best fishing you can imagine, tons of huge smallies along with a few eater walleys and a couple respectible pike as a bonus. Theres a forest service campground there too.

[cold one sd]

rap, I believe the problem that South Dakota is having is due to the fact that the Corps of Engineers let about 6 billion smelt go through Oahe Dam a couple years ago to float the barges in southern states. Too many Walleyes and not enough food. SD Game Fish and Parks refuses to put smelt into the Oahe.

[rap]

ya the smelt didn't die due to lack of water, but the loss of smelt is the cause for such small eyes on oahe... sakakawea is in jeopardy for different reasons but there will be the same result if sakakawea has a smelt die-off due to lack of coldwater...

[This message has been edited by rap (edited 02-24-2002).]

[Guest]

Try Bass Lake near Mahnomen, MN. It is a great lake. Won't find a better one around for some decent northerns and a few walleyes. Good luck on your trip.

hsolist&MEL

[OLY]

If you want to fish bass I strongly recommend going to Minnewaska lake south of Alex. Every year we fish our weekend club tournament there. Every year at least one 5lb smally and one 6lb largemouth is caught by one of the guys. I had a replica made of a smally i caught three years ago it was 5.13lbs. The first year we fished the lake a guy got a 7.2lb largemouth it was amazing. Last year the winning stringer on sunday was 5 smallies weighing 17.8lbs. there is a great campground right across the street from the lake in glenwood called barsness camp. STRONGLY recommend this lake. Also huge bluegills and tons of nice 3-6lb northerns.

[bturck]

Two lakes you might consider which are not a long ways from Mille Lacs are Lake Alexander and Fishtrap. Both are north of Randall, Mn. Good bass action in both, and the eyes have been known to cooperate on Alexander as well. Alexander also has put together a good Muskie population much to some peoples chagrin. Good luck, sounds like a great trip. The planning is almost as much fun as the actual trip.