Best Northern Minnesota lakes for BIG BASS

[Minnesota Bass Angler]

Just wanna get some ideas of where to fish this upcoming summer, not looking for you to spill the beans about your secret spots, just looking for some general lakes to fish 

[MN Fisher]

I don't know how far north, but Leech and George in mid-north between Park Rapids and Bemidji are good ones.

 

Bemidji...not so much, but Irving which is a short channel trip from Bemidji is decent.

[gim]

You might have to be a little more specific.  What is your definition of "north" and are you talking smallmouth or largemouth?

 

If you believe in the national rankings, Mille Lacs was ranked #1 in 2017 and #5 in 2018.

[Minnesota Bass Angler]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

You might have to be a little more specific.  What is your definition of "north" and are you talking smallmouth or largemouth?

 

If you believe in the national rankings, Mille Lacs was ranked #1 in 2017 and #5 in 2018.

I mean like around bemidji or park rapids, possible even around Maple lake or Mentor MN

[punch]

Green or Brown bass? 

[Minnesota Bass Angler]

12 hours ago, punch said:

Green or Brown bass? 

Largemouth

[MN Fisher]

13 hours ago, Minnesota Bass Angler said:

I mean like around bemidji or park rapids, possible even around Maple lake or Mentor MN

 

38 minutes ago, Minnesota Bass Angler said:

Largemouth

Park Rapids area - Lake George, Leech Lake (the smaller bays)

Bemidji area - Plantagenet, Irving, Wolf, Andrusia, Cass, Big Bass, Little Bass

 

Those are all lakes I fished when living in Bemidji in the 70s and caught bass on. Bemidji itself isn't the best, but around the Mississippi River outlet on the east side would be the prime spot. There are launch points on Irving, but it's also connected to Bemidji by a short channel - Mississippi river inlet to Bemidji. There are launch points on Wolf or Andrusia, but they're also connected to Cass by navigable sections of the Mississippi. Big Bass has launch points but Little Bass you need a canoe or kayak you can carry in.

[punch]

1 hour ago, Minnesota Bass Angler said:

Largemouth

I would also have to vote for Vermilion. There's big largemouth in the northern end, then you can go in the south/eastern side to chase big smallies. There's lots of trophy fish of every species in Vermilion. It's a special lake. 
 

Leech is also known for big largemouth. Plus there's a million lakes just south of Leech that are loaded with largies & smallies.