Hey, I am bringing 2 rods up to the bwca with me, a 6' 6' Medium Heavy for northern/trout and a 7' medium action rod for bass. I am planning on spooling the 7' rod with 15 lb powerpro but was wondering what lb test you would recommend for my trout/northern rod. I was thinking 30 lb powerpro with a leader but I have never fished for lake trout before so any advice would be helpful. Also any suggestions for brand and type of leaders? Thanks.

Although I do use 30lb test on my pike/musky rig, I don't bring that with to the bdub. My feeling is that 12 pound test is sufficient for trout/pike in the BWCA. The action of lures is better, lures can dive to a deeper depth, and the line is less visable when using a lighter line. I'm not right, just opinionated (just ask my wife!). I use 6 and 8 lb Trilene in the BWCA for everything, sometimes also bring the ultralight with 4 lb.

I agree with gutmon on the lake trout/pike rod question. 12lb should be more than sufficient if your drag is set right. On the bass rod, I suggest 8lb test, for the same reasons gutmon notes. You will be more likely to get a walleye with the lighter line too.

This weekend I'll be using a 6' single piece med/light rod with 6 lb mono for lakers. If I go deep for them in the summer I'll use a slightly heavier rod with 8 lb mono.

15 & 30 # test is way way out there. 6 to 8 is plenty big for bass and walters and 10 to 12 is plenty big for pike and lakers.

I would even go down to 4 to 6 for bass and walleyes.

Word

I use nothing but 8 lb Trilene XL for all species. Sometimes I drop down to 6 lb, but 8lb will bring in just about anything you'll be catching. I also only use ML action rods.

I will second that Mr Barley, I use 8 pound trilene xl for everything but stream trout, i use four pound Trilene for them..

I use 6# for everything. No problems

Exactly what mr. barley said.

Thanks for the tips. The only reason I was thinking a lil heavier line was because I was thinking there would be a lot of things to snag on. Is this not true for the BW?

A good tip that I have read is if you are using a 3-way splitter swivel (from rod to a tear drop sinker and lure)
an example: http://www.musky-fishing.com/methods-for-catching-lake-trout-with-light-tackle.htm Use less weight of line for the sinker line and if you do get a snag, chances are you can reel in your lure and only lose your sinker line. Another site suggested 6lb for main line and 3 for sinker line.(1oz. to 2oz. sinker) And light line gets you deeper. I'll be trying these tips out for the first time this summer also. Hope it goes well for you.