I have a trip into Basswood planned for May 18-22. How close might that be to ice-out? Any predictions or educated guesses? This will be the earliest I've ever gone up. Any fishing advice? I've always targeted smallies and caught walleyes and pike by accident. Will smallie fishing even be good that early? I've heard lakers can be caught in the shallows then. Anyway, all advice appreciated.

Basswood is a big lake. Will you be on MN or Ont side? Moving or base camping?

We will likely base camp in NE Jackfish Bay. Thinking of day tripping to Backbay via portage for a day. But I've always gone to Crooked Lake. This will be our first time in Basswood. We are fairly open. What would you suggest?

Sounds like you're gonna stay on MN side. Back bay and Hoist bay are well located for day trips and have good fishing. North of Washington Is is good waldo and brownie fishing.

The narrows to the north of Jackfish where the no motor line is can be an amazing spot. There is a deep channel (30ft) adjacent to boulders that are sticking out of the water. We got a few 5# smallies there last fall. The islands at the south end of Jackfish have produced many large walleye, small mouth and pike for us in the last ten years.

quote Mississippi: "I have a trip into Basswood planned for May 18-22. How close might that be to ice-out? Any predictions or educated guesses? This will be the earliest I've ever gone up. Any fishing advice? I've always targeted smallies and caught walleyes and pike by accident. Will smallie fishing even be good that early? I've heard lakers can be caught in the shallows then. Anyway, all advice appreciated."

You could literally be within days of iceout, start shallow and stay shallow for everything with the possible exception of smallies, they might still be staging off the first dropoff.

quote Iowa: "The narrows to the north of Jackfish where the no motor line is can be an amazing spot. There is a deep channel (30ft) adjacent to boulders that are sticking out of the water. We got a few 5# smallies there last fall. The islands at the south end of Jackfish have produced many large walleye, small mouth and pike for us in the last ten years."

You should post some pictures of those 5 pound bass, I'd enjoy seeing them......

One of these were 5# 1oz the other was just a little under. Let me find some more.

Thanks for the article too Mike. Decided to make a screen name finally.

This photo dosent do this fish much justice but she was 4# and the most colorful smallie I had ever seen.

My fist and only laker caught near Washington Island.

A few more decent ones from Jackfish.

It never gets old looking at big smallies....nice! Glad to see you joined the forum....welcome to the board.

Are you guys eating those big smallies? If so, that is unfortunate.

That's great that you harvested those big smallies -- impressive !

Very nice fish Aaron

All caught on nightcrawler and a hook. :)