
Their average length is between 16 and 22 inches, but some have been recorded to grow over four feet long and weigh nearly 30 pounds. Northern pike is also one of the biggest and most aggressive freshwater fish you’ll find in the Boundary Waters. Northern Pike is second in taste and prize value only to the walleye. Keep in mind that the biggest walleye caught in Minnesota history is 17 pounds and 9 ounces, and it was caught in a Boundary Waters fishing area. You should alter your fishing between the shallow, rocky waters and the deeper portions of the rivers and lakes. The best time to fish for walleye is June to July because they spawn in early to late May. They’re also one of the tastiest freshwater fish that you can catch in North America. Walleye are one of the more difficult fish to catch because of how smart and elusive they are, which further expands their value. While each of the other fish on this list is prizes in their own right, walleye is probably the highest prized. While there are hundreds of different types of fish in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, most people focus on five different species. Many of the major lakes in the Boundary Waters – Knife Lake, Fall Lake, Birch Lake, and more – are halfway in Minnesota and half in Canada.įor that reason, it’s best to plan on catching fish from both countries when fishing certain lakes in the Boundary Waters. However, the waters of Quetico Park butt up against the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, and the two are often combined in terms of fishing.

Technically, Quetico Park is actually in Canada rather than Minnesota. Although it’s best known for its trophy lake trout, Sea Gull Lake is home to the big four: trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. It’s one of the biggest lakes in the BWCA and is also a great location for first-timers looking for a unique and fruitful fishing experience. If you’re looking to target massive walleye and northern pike, add Sea Gull Lake to your fishing list. Pipestone Bay and Jackson Bay are the two best areas on the 14-mile lake, but there’s no such thing as a bad fishing area. Basswood is considered world-class in terms of the smallmouth bass that roam their waters.Īdditionally, you’ll likely encounter northern pike, walleye, and many other fish species. In terms of specific Boundary Waters fishing spots, Basswood Lake is consistently one of the top options. Focus your time at the bottom of waterfalls or around rapids because many of them will have deep holes below them filled with larger fish. The best places to try your hand are on one of the rivers that run through the BWCA. While most of the best Boundary Waters fishing spots are from a boat, there are plenty of shore fishing opportunities. However, because of this dynamic, the large fish know where they need to go to get feed, which means there’s a good chance you’ll run into a few trophies in these areas. Often, smaller fish roam shallow waters to hide from larger fish that seek out deeper waters. No matter which lake or river you choose for the starting point of your fishing trip, make sure to focus on areas with raised bodies of land under the water. Let’s look at a few popular spots and ideas to get you started.

If you’re not catching anything in one spot, don’t be afraid to move somewhere else either the next day or even the same day. For that reason, it’s important to have an open mind when doing any Boundary Waters fishing. There are literally thousands of fishing spots in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. There are nearly 2,000 lakes and rivers that are in or run through the BWCA, and nearly all of them offer excellent fishing opportunities. The Boundary Waters consists of over 1 million acres of land and over 150 miles of aquatic coastline along the Canadian border. However, the terms and amount of land included in the BWCAW underwent changes until 1978, when the current boundaries and rules were established. The BWCA was established in the early 1900s.

#Boundary waters full#
The Boundary Waters, better known by its full name of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, is a protected piece of land within Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. We’ll discuss the best places to fish, the type of fish you can expect to encounter, and everything you need to make it the fishing trip of a lifetime. This article will serve as your ultimate Boundary Waters fishing guide.
