Balsam Lake Bass Opener, Fishing success

Fished Balsam beginning on Saturday 21st. Left Jue 27th. targeting Walleye and SMB. only landed 2 Walleye, one was under the slot and the other was in the slot. Released both. caught both on a gold nightcrawler harness casting. 4 SMB, most in the 2-3 lbs size. Kept one of the smaller ones for lunch. Did manage to land 3 Pike. they were all around 25". Fished primarily in South Bay, but did try a few other spots with not much success. Water temp when I arrived was around 70 degrees, but had climbed to 75 by weeks end. Not the successful week I was hoping for, but Grandson had fun catching the small perch on a spreader tipped with nightcrawlers.

That's not bad at all, with that heat we had lately. And your grandson had fun. When I was out on the 10th and 11th it was a bit cooler. I have been hiding from the heat since then. It sure would be nice if the weather cooperated better for you. You came from quite a ways to visit Balsam. Did you find any leeches at that bait shop? Maybe your next trip will be loaded with fish.