I am planning a 4 day solo the second week of Sept. looking for
smallmouth. Prefer smaller bodies of water due to wind. Portage length
doesn't matter. Thanks for the help.

Although most all BWCA lakes have a good Smallmouth population, I like Rush Lake in the Gunflint area. I've also taken some nice SM on the numbered lakes near Ely. Not sure what you mean by "small" lakes, but with the prevailing winds from the west northwest, choose one with plenty of leeward shore. Also, Basswood is an excellent fishery, but it is large.

Take a look at Crab Cummings and Otter and see if these are too big, I know they are excellent smallmouth lakes .

Might look at Fourtown, up the Echo Trail. The "islands" area(midlake) has been sweet for me.

My first trip was to Crab and Cummings. Didn't have much time to fish doing the Buck lake loop in 2 1/2 days. I went on the Kawishiwi river
out of Farm last year, fishing was slow. As far as big lake I think
of Moose, Basswood, Knife etc. Haven't been to the Gunflint side yet.
How does the fishing compare to Ely side?

BassPro69 Where is Carey?

Possibly Coxey?

Boppa

quote chesapeakes: "BassPro69 Where is Carey? "

oops I meant Otter .