I have winter camped for awhile now - but usually go targeting Lakers after that opens. Would like to get in a mid-December trip this year, targeting walleye/pike. I have done one trip around this time to Gabbro which worked out well but you are at the mercy of snow, since the road isn't plowed. So looking for ideas that don't have those plowed road concerns (eliminates some good ones IMO - Gabbro, Brule, Isabella, Mudro/Fourtown). Probably want to go 5ish miles from parking lot to camp.

Some places I have considered, but haven't been to in the summer and don't know if they are good destinations for fishing or if they are less accessible than they seem because of moving water, etc.

Sawbill area - Looks like Burnt/Smoke have fish.
Lake one - moving water concerns?
Angleworm - fishing numbers don't look promising

Any information on those areas would be greatly appreciated or if there are any other areas I should consider.

Moose Lake EP should be clear. Thus far, a plow truck has been clearing Moose Lake Rd fairly early every morning when there is fresh snow. I’m not sure if they salt the road though, so I’d be on the lookout for ice.

Wood Lake: Lots of Pike, not as many walleye.
Crocodile lake: lots of eater sized walleye, no pike.
Ella Hall: Lots of Pike, no walleye

If you don't require the lake to be in the BWCA a few others we have had success on are
Big Lake: good mix of pike and walleye
Jeanette. Mix of smaller walleye and pike and some large perch.

Like yourself most of my trips are to target trout.
Walleye fishing can be tough up there in the winter.
Pike fishing can be great, one year we had so many flags on tip ups that we each pulled a line up because we couldn't keep up with 2 lines each and our hands were starting to freeze with rebaiting the lines.

Thanks for the info!

I hadn't considered Crocodile at all - since most of those lakes over on the Gunflint side don't hold walleye. That one might move to the top of the list.

The first portion of the portage is very steep, otherwise it's not too bad. There is also moving water to the west of the portage so you will want to stay away from that. I would check in with the outfitters on East Bearskin to find out ice conditions beforehand.

Weird year. The lack of snow is good for driving to any EP! But it limits the options because probably not enough snow cover to do portages with a sled. Planning to go early next week - anyone know Brules ice conditions? If Tuscarora Lodge says Sag is good (which I think they said the corridor is good but the main lake is still open)... that probably means Brule is good, right?

SurlyDude: "...since most of those lakes over on the Gunflint side don't hold walleye..."

Good smokescreen ploy! Like it.

SurlyDude: "Weird year. The lack of snow is good for driving to any EP! But it limits the options because probably not enough snow cover to do portages with a sled. Planning to go early next week - anyone know Brules ice conditions? If Tuscarora Lodge says Sag is good (which I think they said the corridor is good but the main lake is still open)... that probably means Brule is good, right?"

Good Morning,

I definitely only meant the corridor. I don't know what the main lake is like, and I wouldn't be surprised if the big part was still open. Voyageur Canoe Outfitters is a great source for info for that area.

The bay where the landing is on Brule likely has good ice, but the main part of the lake can be completely different conditions. I'd be careful around there.

Andy

Tuscarora Outfitters: "

SurlyDude: "Weird year. The lack of snow is good for driving to any EP! But it limits the options because probably not enough snow cover to do portages with a sled. Planning to go early next week - anyone know Brules ice conditions? If Tuscarora Lodge says Sag is good (which I think they said the corridor is good but the main lake is still open)... that probably means Brule is good, right?"

Good Morning,


I definitely only meant the corridor. I don't know what the main lake is like, and I wouldn't be surprised if the big part was still open. Voyageur Canoe Outfitters is a great source for info for that area.


The bay where the landing is on Brule likely has good ice, but the main part of the lake can be completely different conditions. I'd be careful around there.


Andy"

Thanks Andy. Understood. I was anticipating your next update maybe updating Sag conditions that's why I mentioned that. A couple of cold days and the warm coming again though. Sure an odd winter.

SurlyDude:
Thanks Andy. Understood. I was anticipating your next update maybe updating Sag conditions that's why I mentioned that. A couple of cold days and the warm coming again though. Sure an odd winter. "

Curious where you ended up going? I'd like to get out this weekend or next (probably next) somewhere to camp for a night or two, and maybe fish a little. Doesn't have to be in the BWCA I guess, but with no snow am I pretty much limited to just dragging a toboggan across bare ice to a campsite? I guess I could lighten the load and leave my skis and snowshoes at home at least..

Mainly I want to test some new gear out. Rustic campgrounds are an option for drive-in camping still.

Ended up going to Brule for 2 nights and came out today. Really good ice 7"-10". Very little snow in the woods or on the ice. Fishing was very slow - only walleyes I caught were right around sunset.

I didn't venture out to what I would call the main lake. Stayed at site 941 and didn't venture North of that island. Ice looked fine from camp but didn't check it.

SurlyDude: "Ended up going to Brule for 2 nights and came out today. Really good ice 7"-10". Very little snow in the woods or on the ice. Fishing was very slow - only walleyes I caught were right around sunset.

I didn't venture out to what I would call the main lake. Stayed at site 941 and didn't venture North of that island. Ice looked fine from camp but didn't check it. "

Was there enough snow to pull a sled or did you end up just backpacking your stuff out there? I'm a complete newb so maybe it's a dumb question, would the bare ice gouge up the toboggan or sled or I am I overthinking that?

AlexanderSupertramp: "

SurlyDude: "Ended up going to Brule for 2 nights and came out today. Really good ice 7"-10". Very little snow in the woods or on the ice. Fishing was very slow - only walleyes I caught were right around sunset.


I didn't venture out to what I would call the main lake. Stayed at site 941 and didn't venture North of that island. Ice looked fine from camp but didn't check it. "

Was there enough snow to pull a sled or did you end up just backpacking your stuff out there? I'm a complete newb so maybe it's a dumb question, would the bare ice gouge up the toboggan or sled or I am I overthinking that?"

I mean technically I don't think you are wrong. Probably a little more wear and tear on a sled/toboggan on bare ice... I don't think it's even close to give it a second thought though - it's really ideal conditions for moving on the lakes. Dragging your them on a portage right now would not be fun and would cause some damage for sure.

SurlyDude: "

AlexanderSupertramp: "

SurlyDude: "Ended up going to Brule for 2 nights and came out today. Really good ice 7"-10". Very little snow in the woods or on the ice. Fishing was very slow - only walleyes I caught were right around sunset.



I didn't venture out to what I would call the main lake. Stayed at site 941 and didn't venture North of that island. Ice looked fine from camp but didn't check it. "

Was there enough snow to pull a sled or did you end up just backpacking your stuff out there? I'm a complete newb so maybe it's a dumb question, would the bare ice gouge up the toboggan or sled or I am I overthinking that?"

I mean technically I don't think you are wrong. Probably a little more wear and tear on a sled/toboggan on bare ice... I don't think it's even close to give it a second thought though - it's really ideal conditions for moving on the lakes. Dragging your them on a portage right now would not be fun and would cause some damage for sure. "

Good to know. I'm not going up until next weekend, maybe we'll get a little snow by then anyway. But seems there probably wont be any setting up on the lake unless we get a nice dump between now and then (fingers crossed!).

Trip ended up going great, went to Brule as mentioned above really good ice on the areas I was on. Biggest hiccup was I forgot my toboggan (still can't believe it), luckily was only about 15 mins past Two Harbors. I doubled back to Seagren's (old Shopko) to grab an ice fishing sled . I knew with the zero snow I didn't need to be picky about sleds and it worked great - super nice people at the store too. Fishing was extremely slow. I probably fished about 10 hours total and caught all 3 walleye at primetime the same day (also missed a decent one during that time). Wasn't marking anything either. I marked one fish during the day that didn't bite. Also picked up 1 small pike.

Was my first time getting my hammock hot tent out of my backyard and it worked awesome. Also forgot a thermometer, but would guess night 1 was in the mid to low single digits. I still have questions whether the tent would work in extreme cold - but this was very encouraging.

Thanks for all the advice on potential spots - definitely going to check out other suggestions down the road.

SurlyDude: "Trip ended up going great, went to Brule as mentioned above really good ice on the areas I was on. Biggest hiccup was I forgot my toboggan (still can't believe it), luckily was only about 15 mins past Two Harbors. I doubled back to Seagren's (old Shopko) to grab an ice fishing sled . I knew with the zero snow I didn't need to be picky about sleds and it worked great - super nice people at the store too. Fishing was extremely slow. I probably fished about 10 hours total and caught all 3 walleye at primetime the same day (also missed a decent one during that time). Wasn't marking anything either. I marked one fish during the day that didn't bite. Also picked up 1 small pike.


Was my first time getting my hammock hot tent out of my backyard and it worked awesome. Also forgot a thermometer, but would guess night 1 was in the mid to low single digits. I still have questions whether the tent would work in extreme cold - but this was very encouraging.


Thanks for all the advice on potential spots - definitely going to check out other suggestions down the road.

Some fish is better than none fish. At least you were able to get out, I heard lakes lost a lot of ice this past weekend and trout opener is going to be a drag this weekend since none of the interior lakes are accessible with a sled right now.

What Anorak is that that you're wearing? Looks nice

AlexanderSupertramp: "

SurlyDude: "Trip ended up going great, went to Brule as mentioned above really good ice on the areas I was on. Biggest hiccup was I forgot my toboggan (still can't believe it), luckily was only about 15 mins past Two Harbors. I doubled back to Seagren's (old Shopko) to grab an ice fishing sled . I knew with the zero snow I didn't need to be picky about sleds and it worked great - super nice people at the store too. Fishing was extremely slow. I probably fished about 10 hours total and caught all 3 walleye at primetime the same day (also missed a decent one during that time). Wasn't marking anything either. I marked one fish during the day that didn't bite. Also picked up 1 small pike.



Was my first time getting my hammock hot tent out of my backyard and it worked awesome. Also forgot a thermometer, but would guess night 1 was in the mid to low single digits. I still have questions whether the tent would work in extreme cold - but this was very encouraging.



Thanks for all the advice on potential spots - definitely going to check out other suggestions down the road.

Some fish is better than none fish. At least you were able to get out, I heard lakes lost a lot of ice this past weekend and trout opener is going to be a drag this weekend since none of the interior lakes are accessible with a sled right now.


What Anorak is that that you're wearing? Looks nice"

It's a Lester River Bushcraft wool anorak. It's the same layout as the Empire Wool (I think they have some collaborative partnership or something). I wanted an Empire one but they are hard to get and the colors/blankets used are ever rotating. Very happy with it but some of those Empire ones are so cool lookin. I get jealous every time I see Empire post one on Facebook. I suppose it isn't a fashion show out in the wild anyways.

SurlyDude: "

AlexanderSupertramp: "

SurlyDude: "Trip ended up going great, went to Brule as mentioned above really good ice on the areas I was on. Biggest hiccup was I forgot my toboggan (still can't believe it), luckily was only about 15 mins past Two Harbors. I doubled back to Seagren's (old Shopko) to grab an ice fishing sled . I knew with the zero snow I didn't need to be picky about sleds and it worked great - super nice people at the store too. Fishing was extremely slow. I probably fished about 10 hours total and caught all 3 walleye at primetime the same day (also missed a decent one during that time). Wasn't marking anything either. I marked one fish during the day that didn't bite. Also picked up 1 small pike.



Was my first time getting my hammock hot tent out of my backyard and it worked awesome. Also forgot a thermometer, but would guess night 1 was in the mid to low single digits. I still have questions whether the tent would work in extreme cold - but this was very encouraging.



Thanks for all the advice on potential spots - definitely going to check out other suggestions down the road.

Some fish is better than none fish. At least you were able to get out, I heard lakes lost a lot of ice this past weekend and trout opener is going to be a drag this weekend since none of the interior lakes are accessible with a sled right now.



What Anorak is that that you're wearing? Looks nice"

It's a Lester River Bushcraft wool anorak. It's the same layout as the Empire Wool (I think they have some collaborative partnership or something). I wanted an Empire one but they are hard to get and the colors/blankets used are ever rotating. Very happy with it but some of those Empire ones are so cool lookin. I get jealous every time I see Empire post one on Facebook. I suppose it isn't a fashion show out in the wild anyways."

I thought it was but wasn't positive. Been eyeballing one of those for a couple years. Might have to pull the trigger.