It looks like my annual trip will be pushed back to August this comign year.

How is the fishing in August? My primary targets are walleye, smallies, and pike in that order.

How are the bugs?

The last two years I went at the end of august. I was always told fishing is slower at this time. We didn't have a problem catching a mixed bag. Bugs were no problem. Early August, I don't know. In late August, in a weeks trip, I think my brother and I used skeeter spray once. No Black fly's ,or ticks to mention.

Late August has been good to me a couple of times.

went in early august and didnt have much of a problem with bugs. fished smallmouth and did well, and caught some walleye in the deeper water. we did good fishing but remember it was a late spring.

I've been to the BWCA about 10 times in August. We've always caught fish, but it is not the best month for fishing. The smallies can sometimes be elusive during the day. You will find the best action with topwaters along the shoreline at sundown. Or at the bottom of rapids flowing into the lake during the day.

We've had trips in August when we didn't even see a mosquito. It's normally the best month to go to avoid bugs. But it depends on how much rain there has been.

the majority of my, our trips have been in aug, usually mid to late aug.
fishing has been outstanding.

Fishing is always great...it the catching that can be tough :>}

Check out topo maps for mid-lake humps. fish these with live bait at depths ranging from 9 to 25 feet and you will for sure get on some fish!!! what lakes are you thinking ??

MooseTrack,

I am planning an early August trip to Bald Eagle. I've been there in the spring and did well with pike and smallies. Do you have any info on fishing that area (Bald Eagle, Gabbro, Turtle, etc.)in early August?

August Is tougher for most species, Lake Trout, in particular.
However northerns will bite, and sometimes so will bass, and walleye.

Went in early August last summer. Bugs were not a major problem ... perhaps one evening when the skeeters swarmed for a few minutes at sunset.

Fishing was good for everybody else. While passing through Basswood we saw people pulling in walleye left and right ... but we failed to catch one.

Northerns were plentiful and easy to catch ... if you like northerns. Caught a very nice smallie while trolling one afternoon, and a largemouth at dusk.

I go in Aug all the time mid to end. Fishing has been real good to me. See previous post about Basswood " While passing through Basswood we saw people pulling in walleye left and right ... ". I think they were watching us! :)

So now my early August trip seems definite.

We are heading to Boulder Bay on Lac La Croix.

Based on previous replies it seems like we might have good luck for smallies on topwater lures towards dark.

Any other ideas???

Never had a problem catching fish in August. I highly recommend live bait though - leeches to be exact. Morning and late afternoon work best. Look for rock piles, points, channels (often between islands and mainland - the narrower, the better), bottom of rapids, dead logs and trees. I don't use them, but my brothers have used depth finders to locate the dropoffs. These are usually good places to find walleye. We usually use some sort of bottom bouncing or bobber set up. When on the move, we troll with lures and catch walleyes and pike.

Our group of southern rednecks have entered the Boundary Waters or Quetico in mid-June through early September. Trying to coordinate schedules of 6 to 8 guys can be difficult at times. Because of this it seems that we have taken more trips in mid-to-late August than any other month. We seemed to catch bigger fish in shallow water in June but suffered the wrath of hungry mosquitoes at dawn and dusk...mainly in our camp site. We have found that there are definitely less mosquitoes in August but fishing tends to be slow at mid-day. I have no recollection of ever being shutout. As southern boys we tend to target smallmouth bass...primarily because we have no clue or patience to pursue walleye. We have caught plenty of nice smallmouth and northern's using Rapalla's and spinner baits in August...but have had our best days using Berkeley Power Baits and Texas rigged tubes in 10-15 feet of water off rock bluffs and rocky points. We have also found that early morning and early evening are best for the way we fish...typically less windy which is easier for fishing tube baits and jigs. Early evening is also great for using fly rods with sinking line...caught several nice smallies with streamers early in the evening when the water is glass.

Bromel is right about the bass at dusk. The last hour or so before dark is the golden hour. Look for boulders in the water and also downed trees in the water. Use a J-9 size black and gold jointed Rapala. Chug bugs or similar topwaters also work well.

For walleyes and the big pike you'll need to go deep, sometimes even deeper than 20 feet. Try some TD-9 tail dancers and if you aren't getting them, go to a TDD size. A good trick is to troll one of each to get 2 different depths covered at the same time. Keep in mind that fish only see up, not down, so start shallow and work your way to the deeper diving stuff until you find what's working. Good luck!

If you take the northern route out of Agnes -- the 2 shorter portages rather than the one longer single one to the east -- walk the pools and riffles next to the first portage out of Agnes. Our group found some nice smallies and a few other species jigging in there first week of August 08.

dont overlook weedbeds on lac la croix. in august the weedbeds are at full size and the fish do use them.some years you can catch walleyes in and around these cabbage beds.a 1/16th oz. jig and a leech or even a mepps#3 aglia cast to the edges of these weeds.

I'll echo SInce 1975: Look for cabbage beds, even small ones. They all hold fish. We've done well on pike especially trolling husky jerks right up tight to the weeds. THere are walleyes in there, too. Try a slipbobber right on the weed edge or in little pockets. One other bit of August advice: Try trolling as fast as you can with a spoon or husky jerk; like, I mean FAST. The equivelant to full throttle with a five horse outboard. Northerns love it.

My sons and I go every year in late August. Bugs are tapering off, and fishing is good. Weather is usually starting to cool down by then, and this seems to get the fish going. I don't think you'll be dissappointed.

Boy
I gotta tell ya I am about ready to get in the car and drive up there
Oh wait this post was about August Fishing Ok I can wait a week or two but the wife will never know how close she same to being a single mother for the week.

What is the go to leach rig?

Jigs? Slip bobbers?