Any thoughts on how the warmer winter will impact the timing of the good walleye season in what's normally early June? How about bugs?

What's the normal timeline for the main events to pay attention to around that time? I'm thinking things like fish spawn, black flies, mosquitos, etc.

To be honest I think it’ll be pretty normal. They are still ice fishing on lake of the woods, lakes in central Minnesota the water temps are at their “normal spot.” Some of the lakes even start to re-cap. Last week I was in Hoyt lakes and there were guys on ice still as well.

Lack of snow cover should adversely affect the bug population, so I expect we'll all have to be prepared to deal with that and bring extra protection. What many bugs there are will mostly hatch early and most of the bulk of them will emerge later in the season. As with the bugs, there's that to contend with as well. I expect that to be a positive trend with the walleye fishing, too. And for sure the fish spawn, black flies and mosquitos as you mentioned will happen.

Otherwise, thing should settle back to normal pretty quick-like.

Do you think there is a weekend in early June that would fall in a possible worse case scenario bug hellscape?

KingKapalone: "Do you think there is a weekend in early June that would fall in a possible worse case scenario bug hellscape?"

I wouldn't plan a BWCA trip in June if I had a bug phobia.

We've done some trips in June with essentially no bugs and others where we need our bug nets almost the whole time. Just wondering if there's a way to try and time that up with any level of confidence.

in my opinion, there isn't. Trying to plan on these "events" almost never works, best to just pick a time and go for it! I was in the park last year first week of June, "worst bugs of all time" was accurate. BUT, the weather was fantastic, the fishing lights out, just had to wear the right clothes.

I had one of those funny little bug zapper tennis rackets and I can confidently say I killed between 2 and 5 THOUSAND mosquitos while sitting in camp, it was biblical.

Just don't be the like the group of guys I passed on the John to E Pike portage wearing flip flops and shorts. I could hardly see their skin they were getting absolutely destroyed by the skeets. Some people man!

SmallTrout1: "in my opinion, there isn't. Trying to plan on these "events" almost never works, best to just pick a time and go for it!"

Agree. Plan your trip and go!

SmallTrout1: " I was in the park last year first week of June, "worst bugs of all time" was accurate. BUT, the weather was fantastic, the fishing lights out,..."

The first week of June, our group was in Quetico (which is a park) and the bugs were non-existent, and the fishing was the best ever!

SmallTrout1: "in my opinion, there isn't. Trying to plan on these "events" almost never works, best to just pick a time and go for it! I was in the park last year first week of June, "worst bugs of all time" was accurate. BUT, the weather was fantastic, the fishing lights out, just had to wear the right clothes.


I had one of those funny little bug zapper tennis rackets and I can confidently say I killed between 2 and 5 THOUSAND mosquitos while sitting in camp, it was biblical.


Just don't be the like the group of guys I passed on the John to E Pike portage wearing flip flops and shorts. I could hardly see their skin they were getting absolutely destroyed by the skeets. Some people man!"

2 and 5 thousand is hilarious! For those worried about the bugs, grab a bug out shirt, gloves, long pants and boots. boom!