We are planning a our first trip to the bwca for some time next year in early to mid june or possibly sept.
I was looking at staying on Lake Insula but was dissapointed when I read the dnr's lake survey in regard to the wallies, it didn't mention anything on the smallmouth. I would still like to make base camp on Lake Insula but can anyone recommed a better fishing area.Since we are green hornes to this we are eager to any tips on visiting the bwca.
Thanks,
the Hotzels

First, I would take the DNR's lake survey with a grain of salt. I looked at the survey for Lac La Croix and the numbers for that lake didn't jibe well with my own experience. Of course that lake is huge and who knows where they took their sample.

I haven't done any fishing around Insula, so I can't give you any hot tips, but I will go out on a limb and predict that no matter what lake you go choose, the fishing will be good to great. No fishing pressure tends to make it a lot easier to catch fish.

When choosing a date, I would suggest trying to be there either at the full moon, or the new moon. And make sure to bring leeches. I go with purists, and every year there is at least one day where the rapalas and other artificial lures don't do squat, but I have yet to see the walleye or smallie that can resist a big fat leech drifting by on a slip bobber.

Anyhow, have fun while you are there. It is a great trip.

Jimbo

There is good fishing on Lake Insula, mainly walleye and northern, but some smallies.

Another piece of advice on Insula, is to keep your compass and maps close at hand. The quantity of islands on this lake makes it very confusing to paddle.

I would recommend the spring trip versus the fall trip for fishing.

The fishing reports are good for a quick reference. I have camped and fished on Insula a couple of times and have always had plenty of fresh fish for the meals. We have dined on walleys,smallies and norhterns if you enjoy eating them. The key is knowing where and what time of day to fish. Insulla provides an exftreem amount of shorelines to fish. Islands abound everywhere. Like I read in one of the other responses....keep your compass handy or you will spend a lot of time trying to find your way around. This is a beautiful area. I am sure you will enjoy your trip....Have fun.