We are headed to Seagull Lake, with family of four. First time as whole family to BWCA. Seagull Lake looks great, with many islands and campsites. Any advice on scenic areas, wildlife, best campsites or fishing? Or good day trips? Seems from the web site maps that one could venture up to Saganaga without portaging. Is that a good idea for a day trip? Other advice?

SOme of my favorite campsites on Seagull are located on islands just north of Three Mile Island. Teh first site is at the narrows between 3-Mile Island and the first big island to the north. THis is a handy sopt but gets a lot of passing by traffic. Teh next site as you go west is in small bay of the "U" shaped island. This is a good spot for a family - it is protected from large waves and wind and the fishing around teh little islands north of it is really good,. The Seagull Palisades are between this site and Miles Island, located on the tip of the north shore. The third site is on the little islanddue south of the "U" shaped island. This is fantastic sport - great rocks and neat multi-level shelves. Only drawback is that is gets really windy at times. Many of the sites at the far western end of the lake were impacted by the 1999 blowdown, though most ar still open.

I'd shy away from most of the campsites on teh south shore of threemile island - just aren't very interesting sites.

NEar the SW end of the lake are two sites on a small island - both are nice, and tehre is a really interesting site on the point about a half-mile east of that island. I have seen moose in the back bays in that area and the small feeder stream in one of teh bays has offered good fishing.

The day-trip to Saganaga can be done, but you will spend a long time paddling a narrow channel withmotorboats and most of the trees burned out by either the old Roy Lake Fire or the Romance Lake fire.

Rog Lake at the far western end makes for a good side trip - especially if you are intersted in catching brook trout. Aline is a nice day trip and you can see good examples of the blowdown from 1999. The rapids between Alpine and Seagull, if the water is not high, and walkable, though the portgage is probably quicker.

Have a great trip - Seagull is probably my favorite lake off of the Gunflint Trail!