I think early June might be a bit early for that far north. Of course it all depends on the spring of that year. With all my trips to the Boundary Waters and Quetico we have had our best smallmouth fishing around the 2nd week of June so if you are further north I think a bit later in June would be best. It will depend on the lakes you are fishing as those big lakes up there take much longer to warm up than the smaller ones.

Been up there too many times to count. I take an med/light and med/heavy break down rods for my trips. Haven’t found anything I could not catch on those two set ups. I have landed 40″ northern and some screaming lake trout. I do admit with the big northern I just let them pull the boat around a bit and if possible my partner will paddle over to the shore where I can get out to land the fish. As topshotta said landing big fish in a canoe can be a challenge and you have to be pretty careful in order to do it safely. It is a great place to go and fish. Have a good trip.

I have a lowrance 9 on the front of my boat that is hooked directly to the xi5 motor. Works great for spot lock and “go to” feature.

We moved into our home 17 years ago and had it tested right away as we know radon is a big problem in Iowa. We lived in several OLD homes before that had “cellar” so we hardly ever went down there. With this new home it had a finished basement that would be our family room. The testing revealed very high levels of radon so we installed the mitigation system. Others are suggesting you can do it yourself, which I guess its true, but again how much value do you place on your health. Also with the professional instal, we got a warranty so they came and replaced the fan motor after 10 years when it go very noisy.

On a related note my wife has gotten lung cancer twice in the past 7 years. Never around smokers in any way and when talking to the drs she said that she grew up living in a basement for a few years while her father built the up levels of her house. Also she spent lots of time in that basement. They all said that the radon she took in in that time, plus just the radon in our old houses most likely contributed to her cancer. So …… don’t mess around and NO I DONT THINK IT WAS A HOAX.

I did the Alaskan cruise from Seattle last June. I was not really wanting to go on a cruise, but it was with 6 GREAT friends and some special music on the ship with a recording artist that I really like so I went along. Stopped in Juneau and went to see a glacier which was pretty cool. I wanted to take kayaks closer, but the others in my group where not up for that kind of adventure. Also stopped in Skagway and did an old bus tour which was cool also. Also stopped in Victoria BC and did some tours. One of things I did not like was that everything we did was so crowded that kind of turned me off. Other than that it was fun, but I don’t think I would do it again. Next trip to Alaska will be more time on land

I was there Feb 10-14 and the ice was down to 18″ and we traveled by SxS and the fishing was pretty slow. One of the guys I went with then is there right now and he said the ice is back to 30″ but they are careful about ramps etc and their guides have been taking them to out of the way approaches. They are KILLING the fishing out there this week. He send photos of limits of walleye and enough perch to make it interesting. He said he was thinking of not going back when we were there in Feb but so glad he came back. Same guide service just better fishing.

I make jerky out of the deer I shoot. Everything except the loins go into jerky as my family just loves it. I have a son in SC that won’t let me come see him unless I bring jerky. Now all his friends in SC keep asking for it too. With my local grandkids that is the treat we take when fishing (ice or regular) and we have a tradition that you can’t have jerky until you catch a fish. Believe me, they barely get the fish in before they are into the jerky. We have our own went recipe that we have developed over the years. Just this year I was told by my Dr to cut back on salt — well that jerky has so much salty stuff in it that I have cut back on my intake – UGH. The grandkids think that is OK as they get more that way. Maybe a good project for today.

I was out Feb 10-14. We traveled in SxS with tracks and basically had not problems getting on the lake or traveling around. As stated the fishing was really slow because of the cold front that went through on the 8th. Our best day was the last day because of the steady weather for the few days we were there. Perch were no where to be found (7 guys, 3 days fishing, 3 perch). We did manage to bang out enough fish to eat on the first day because we caught some nice norther. I think the first day was only 5 walleye

Lake one entry is the most used entry point in that area. It is a great trip from there to Insula, but I have noticed over the years how busy that area has gotten. Very easy area to get into and base camp, just be prepared for lots of people to share the lakes with. Insula is a good walleye lake, I also have caught lots of fish bellow all the rapids at the portages.

I sure hope people will take a bit of a better attitude with them during this “boom”. With the livescope option I am sure finding them will be a bit easier than the past. Remember you DON”T have to take out your limit everyday. Catch what you need and release the others. The people last boom really raped and pillaged those big crappies and then later complained when the numbers dropped off.

I have done MANY MANY trips up there. Are you going through an outfitter or own you own. I have used Canoe Country Outfitters as a base to stay going in and and coming out. They have helped us with permits and some planning ideas. I have always stayed on the Western side out of Ely. What side are you going to? Again checking with an outfitter and telling them your group size, what side you want to paddle, skill level, how many portages you want would be helpful. YES, you better get going on this as the park has been very busy and full since covid. Permits go very fast. Many outfitters buy up BUNCHES and can help out. That would be my best advice

I think I had better clarify my statement. NOT in the INNER ear, but down in the ear canal a ways. When I look in those guys ears I can still see the piercing, but meant – not on the lobe almost like piercing the little nub that sticks out of your ear. Good luck

I do NOT have it, but I know many others in my entire family that have it bad. Both my wife and BIL have it bad. Many of use (including me) have earing aids due to hearing loss. Family members say the hearing aids have “helped” but again, the night time is bad. Wife sleeps with noise machine going and that helps her. Now hear comes some “snake oil” stuff. I personally know 5 people that have gotten the ear piercing thing and that has actually worked. It is piercing a bit deeper in the ear on an acupuncture point. One younger guy I know is a roofer and his tinnitus was so bad that it was also starting to give him vertigo (not good for a roofer). He did the piercing thing about 10 years ago and he swears by it. I admit this is a small sample and I am guessing there are others that have done it and it did not work. Might want to do some research on that and give it a try before the expensive hearing aids. Now on the hearing aid note. For all of you out there with bad hearing, get some hearing aids and stick with them. I got my first pair when I was 52(shooting and playing in a band) and over the years the aids have gotten so much better. I went by the theory that WHY go through life not being able to hear. I did not stop getting glasses when I could not see. Plus hearing loss is a big cause of dementia so just DO IT.

We still don’t have any ice in northern Iowa so I have NOTHING to report

I am really into NEWER versions of some old classics. There are just so many. Right now this is my favorite version of Go Tell It – think “Blues Bothers/James Brown”. The whole Zach Williams Christmas album is ROCKIN

Where I fish in Iowa I feel I am always scouting for ice fishing. The places I fish contain many man made fish structures so when I come across one during summer fishing I always mark that spot for later which includes ice fishing. I just feel that is the way to do in the area I fish.

Thanks for all your replies. We fished with two boats and 6 people for Sat and Sunday. Fished pretty hard all day on Sat, but had to contend with the recreational boating and some gusting winds which made some of the mid lake areas hard to fish. Sunday was tougher has a cold front went through Sat night and we only got to fish until noon has more rain was headed our way. I think between the two boats we landed about 19 bass and some small northern. I did manage to catch my first muskie which was fun even though it was small. I won the bass pool with a 18.5 and my nephews daughter won the northern pot with a 27″. Fun lake though.

Thanks so much for the help. I see there looks to be a very good drop off around most of the lake so the deep weed edges look to be a good starting area. I will report back with what we find after the weekend.

Yeah – MN, by Cushing is correct. Surveys show LOTS of smaller fish of all types.

Actually bought the WhopperPopper last year for my canoe trip that got canceled. Fished it around the ponds and lakes I fish here in Iowa and when the conditions are right it is amazing. It cast forever and you can fish it fairly fast so you cover LOTS of water. Took several for the guys on this years trip and for sure it was a top water BLAST. The SM really loved it and even got a big LM on it too. It is just fun to fish in the right spot.

I started using the 10″ Powerbait worms about 3 years ago. I have great success with them once the water warms up (mid summer on). I fish the weightless and just let them fall slowly. I think the extra size attracts more attention. Yes, the little bass love the bite the tail off (also little gils) but that is really not a big problem as that happens with the smaller worms also.

If you want to know more the Meateater Podcast has had the hunters on a few times and have kept up with the developments.

I have used the ThermaCell devices for many years. I first discovered them on a canoe trip to the BWCWA. Bugs can be pretty bad there and the ThermaCell worked great. I bought my own right after that trip and love them. I just have the personal size one and that covers a personal space area very well. My son learned about them on another canoe trip and he bought the patio sized ones for his house. I recommend them.

The lake in Iowa where we caught those gils is also a great bass lake for the 3-4 weeks where you can get the boat in the lake. Max depth is 6 foot and the weeds get so thick I can’t drop the trolling motor. We normally fish bass for a few hours and then switch to the gils at the end of the day to bring home a few to eat. I have tried to ice fish it, but have not been able to find those gils in the winter, just too much area to cover. I think if someone would have a LiveScope that would help. Siver Lake in Worth Co, IA

Big one on the right was 11.5 long and 6″ wide! The left one was just a bit shorter. We did not weight them, just took lots of photos and measurements for the mount.

Greg’s Tax. in Applington, IA.

Did the pic not show up?

ssaamm wrote:

Pickle ball is a blast. You even see the pros playing on CBS on the weekends. It’s on right after bowling. It is fun tho. Not just for old timers. I guess I’m 54. Maybe I’m an old timer. More fun than ice fishing.

WELL – I play 3-4 times per week and at 65 I am not the oldest person that plays. Not sure about the comment about it NOT being for old timers. I live in a small town and there are people in their 80’s play also. We have found that most of the time the “old timers” wup up on the young ones because they just want to hit hard. It is not about that, but about getting into position. Again, if you watch the pros you can learn how to play. Of course the young ones move faster but ball placement and position will win every time.

Don’t worry I will still be out ice fishing most days also this winter.

Now I have to leave to go play pickleball

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

I used to battle the same problem and hated it. Eventually I pulled the trigger on some bluetooth/AM/FM earmuffs. They work great for mowing, snowblowing, plowing with the SxS and everything else in-between.

I have these also. Sometimes on hikes etc I just wear my earbuds (actually bluetooth hearing aids for me) and I wear a head band over my ears to keep them warm, but for real work etc I use the above ear muffs.

I have the same model but like others here I hardly use my foot pedal. One of the reason I don’t use my foot pedal is I am not able to control my boat as precisely as I can with the fob. I agree that the foot pedal tends to lag more and is jerky. With that being said, I put some of that on ME since I don’t use it often enough to get good at it. I have also used a MK trolling motor with a wireless foot pedal and I had the same problem, so for me it seems like operator error. It is one of the reasons I miss the old cable drive. I am like others and use the auto control to go down a shore line or other features. I love those.