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Boundary Waters trip tools
Before you go
The main species
Walleye
The headline species. Look for wind-blown points, rocky reefs and current areas near portages. Spring and fall are the classic windows; summer fish slide deeper mid-day.
Northern pike
Weed edges and shallow bays, especially early and late in the season. Big pike cruise the shallows right after ice-out.
Smallmouth bass
Rocky shorelines, boulder fields and reef tops. Bronzebacks are everywhere in the Border Lakes and fight hard on light tackle.
Lake trout
Deep, cold, clear lakes — many in the eastern BWCAW. Suspended over deep water in summer; shallower in spring and fall. Check which lakes hold trout before you plan around them.
Crappie, bluegill and perch
Panfish keep kids busy from camp. Bays with downed timber and lily pads are the reliable spots.
Fishing a portaging trip
One rod, not five
Every rod crosses every portage. A single medium-light spinning combo covers walleye, pike, bass and panfish; add a second only if fishing is the point of the trip.
Downsize the tackle box
A small plano box with jigs, a few crankbaits, spoons and spinner rigs covers nearly everything. Lead-free tackle is required in some areas — check current rules.
License and regulations
You need a Minnesota fishing license, and BWCAW lakes follow Minnesota seasons, limits and border-water rules where they apply. Read the current year's regulations before you go — they change.
Fish from the canoe carefully
Keep the rod low when landing fish, and never stand in a loaded canoe. Many groups beach the canoe to play a big pike or laker.
Official regulations
Seasons, limits and license requirements are set by the Minnesota DNR and change year to year — always read the current regulations: