May Fishing Suggestions

[IAranger]

After No response on the Fishing the midwest Board thought I'd try here ! I am looking for suggestions as to where to fish this May. I am taking my son in law on a fishing trip before he and my daughter move out west. We have been to Leech Lake and Lake of the Woods before. My criteria is less than 10 hour drive from Central Iowa, be somewhere I can use my own boat, and lotsa fish !!! Somewhere with Walleye would be great but Smallmouth and Pike would be a welcome addition. Any suggestions ???
Jeff

[bigfish1965]

French River, Ontario....10 hours...if ya got a Lambourghini...that can pull yer boat

[Crank]

What about the Good Ol'e Wally Bowl?... MilleAcs?

It sounds like it may have everything your looking for.

With perhaps one exception? The slot? May/June fishing on this top Wally producer can be absolutely astounding. However, if you wish to kill a limit a day... you absolutely can but you will have to throw back 3-5 times your limit for fish being outside the slot. And I'm not kidding when I say that usually they will be bigger than the slot, whether it is 16" or 18".

It's still a great fishery...

Crank

[IAranger]

I thought about Mille Lacs but the time we are going is same time Camp Walleye will be there, I can afford to take him on a trip but not for both of us to do the camp thing although that would really be a blast.

[Pherris]

My vote would be for Winnibigoshish.

[DaveB]

I have said it here before and I will say it again....Lake Vermilion. Lots of water, lots of eyes, great smally fishing, big musky and northern too. 210 miles from St Paul, just over 3 hours if you dont stop. That should be w/in your 10 hours from just about any part of Iowa.

The water will still be cold, but the fishing in May is outstanding. Lots of resorts and fun off the water too.

[FreeByrd]

I don't know how far of a drive it is from Central Iowa, but the fishing for walleye and smallmouth on the western basin of Lake Erie will be tough to beat in May. I have some people from Iowa (not sure what town) staying at my condo on the western end of Erie (10 miles west of Port Clinton) now. I have dockage available if you bring your boat and am on a direct access channel to the lake. Check out my website for info and email me if you are interested.
Good Luck,

Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com

www.freebyrdlodging.com

[Jig Master]

Lake Frances Case, Chamberlian South Dakota.

[KP]

I second South Dakota, Devils Lake North Dakota, or personally I go to Mississippi River Pool 13. Great time to fishing Ol' Miss. Sabula has a great B&B you can pull your boat right up to.

[IAranger]

Thanks to all who have contributed your ideas!!
I have never been to Winnie, Mille Lacs, or Vermillion. Have been to Erie 3 times in last 2 years and loved it every time... will be there in Nov again this year. As far as SD that was my original plan, but my brother in law who knows the area bailed on us and I am a little apprehensive about being able to find fish as it is such a huge place. I have been to Chamberlain a couple years ago and did not fair too well and I was not impressed with the availability of good info. Went to Pierre once and had the time of my life as far as numbers it was fantastic, but had a guide and like I said it is a huge body of water...How to find the fish ??? Would be great if I could find a local up there and buy him a steak dinner and his gas and bait and he would let me follow him around for a day !! hahaha

Jeff