Heading up on the 5th to wet a line. Have been in the middle of September and fish were shallow. Should I expect the same in October?

Yes, expect the same as far as the fishing goes. Bring warm clothes too, we were snowed on the 1st week in October last year. That Thursday and Friday night we had our dinner while it was snowing on us. That Saturday we paddled out in a snow/sleet combo as well. However, the year before it was 85 on October 6th. So pack some shorts too! :)

Along with mid to late May October is the Best time of the year. As long as the lake has already turned over, fishing can be spectacular !

Crap, I didn't even think about turnover! I'm headed up September 19-24 to Iron, Crooked, LLC... are we in the danger zone?

quote apugarcia: "Crap, I didn't even think about turnover! I'm headed up September 19-24 to Iron, Crooked, LLC... are we in the danger zone?"

Yea, you gotta be wary of the turnover...can go quick sometimes

If you're bass fishing, October is a prime time for beasts. I've caught them more in 10-20 feet of water than shallow and up against the shore like they are in June.

Baitfish will be migrating from shallows to deep basins in the lake. Think pinchpoints...narrows between islands/shore...last remaining weeds hold baitfish. In weeds, throw big spinnerbaits...troll between islands/shore(find "sweet spot")(depth). Fav spot is on Fourtown, between island and shore. The saddle is 10-12ft. deep, and then drops to 18-20. We anchor as the drop begins, and we find fish variously between 14-20ft. Weather dictates depth

Which lakes did you catch nice bass in during October? I am also heading up the first weekend of October and prefer to catch smallies above all else. Thanks!

quote gregoryt88: "Which lakes did you catch nice bass in during October? I am also heading up the first weekend of October and prefer to catch smallies above all else. Thanks!"

Are you headed to Grand Marais, Ely , or the Quetico.

quote Basspro69: "

quote gregoryt88: "Which lakes did you catch nice bass in during October? I am also heading up the first weekend of October and prefer to catch smallies above all else. Thanks!"

Are you headed to Grand Marais, Ely , or the Quetico."

Heading to Ely. We will be staying in a cabin using a boat and motor on Little Long Lake. My brother-in-law had surgery on his shoulder about a month ago and is not up to a paddling trip.

Can anyone offer some advice on what the fish will be doing in the next couple weeks (sept 9-15)? We will have a group on iron and crooked and hope to experience some great fishing for walleye and smallies (we are aware of the catch and release on smallies so don't worry we will not be keeping them and will only keep a few smaller eyes for dinner)! Any advice would be very much appreciated!

quote blutofish1: "

quote Basspro69: "

quote gregoryt88: "Which lakes did you catch nice bass in during October? I am also heading up the first weekend of October and prefer to catch smallies above all else. Thanks!"

Are you headed to Grand Marais, Ely , or the Quetico."

Heading to Ely. We will be staying in a cabin using a boat and motor on Little Long Lake. My brother-in-law had surgery on his shoulder about a month ago and is not up to a paddling trip. "

This lake is one of the easier lakes to fish even though it has very clear water, run and gun with mepps spinners rattlin rapalas, or troll with shad raps. If your not getting bit within an hour of fishing slow down and start canvasing the lake with a jig and minnow preferably a jig head that has some flash like a road runner head, a whistler jig or something similar. It goes without saying that trolling shallow at night with blue and silver original floating rapalas can produce some pig walleyes, its my number one artificial in october for walleyes. Your odds at a trophy go up a 1000 percent if you troll with an electric over a gas motor.

quote Basspro69: "

quote blutofish1: "

quote Basspro69: "

quote gregoryt88: "Which lakes did you catch nice bass in during October? I am also heading up the first weekend of October and prefer to catch smallies above all else. Thanks!"

Are you headed to Grand Marais, Ely , or the Quetico."

Heading to Ely. We will be staying in a cabin using a boat and motor on Little Long Lake. My brother-in-law had surgery on his shoulder about a month ago and is not up to a paddling trip. "

This lake is one of the easier lakes to fish even though it has very clear water, run and gun with mepps spinners rattlin rapalas, or troll with shad raps. If your not getting bit within an hour of fishing slow down and start canvasing the lake with a jig and minnow preferably a jig head that has some flash like a road runner head, a whistler jig or something similar. It goes without saying that trolling shallow at night with blue and silver original floating rapalas can produce some pig walleyes, its my number one artificial in october for walleyes. Your odds at a trophy go up a 1000 percent if you troll with an electric over a gas motor."

How shallow do you troll those floating raps in Oct? The slower, the better around that time??

Thanks

quote bassmasterson: "

quote Basspro69: "

quote blutofish1: "

quote Basspro69: "

quote gregoryt88: "Which lakes did you catch nice bass in during October? I am also heading up the first weekend of October and prefer to catch smallies above all else. Thanks!"

Are you headed to Grand Marais, Ely , or the Quetico."

Heading to Ely. We will be staying in a cabin using a boat and motor on Little Long Lake. My brother-in-law had surgery on his shoulder about a month ago and is not up to a paddling trip. "

This lake is one of the easier lakes to fish even though it has very clear water, run and gun with mepps spinners rattlin rapalas, or troll with shad raps. If your not getting bit within an hour of fishing slow down and start canvasing the lake with a jig and minnow preferably a jig head that has some flash like a road runner head, a whistler jig or something similar. It goes without saying that trolling shallow at night with blue and silver original floating rapalas can produce some pig walleyes, its my number one artificial in october for walleyes. Your odds at a trophy go up a 1000 percent if you troll with an electric over a gas motor."

How shallow do you troll those floating raps in Oct? The slower, the better around that time??


Thanks"

Almost always in 8 feet of water or less, if the first dropoff is at say 4 feet then I will troll right along that break. Walleyes will come up very shallow at night so you have to be as quiet as possible. If your using a gas motor to troll you should have at least a 100 feet of line out, because they will push out of the way and get back to the spot by the time your lure comes through.When using an electric you can go right over the top of them and not spook them as long as your not banging around in the boat. I hope this helps, good luck fishing. p.s. Dont forget a lighted bobber and a fathead or shiner, it works great also.

Throw the big ones back though please =)

quote MLowery: "Can anyone offer some advice on what the fish will be doing in the next couple weeks (sept 9-15)? We will have a group on iron and crooked and hope to experience some great fishing for walleye and smallies (we are aware of the catch and release on smallies so don't worry we will not be keeping them and will only keep a few smaller eyes for dinner)! Any advice would be very much appreciated!"

MLowery: Iron and crooked are border water lakes, bass and northern pike have a continuous season (no catch and release rule like inland waters). See the MN fishing regulations for MN/Canada waters. I still catch and release but technically they are fair game.

Thanks Mr. Pro, we'll see how it goes!