Taking a couple of fishing pals from out of state into the BWCA on 9/15 for four nights. Looking for some suggestions of a place to base camp maybe all nights with loads of day trip opportunities to fish other waters.

We love to fish smallies, big pike, and walleye (to eat). Don't care about trout.

Heading out of Duluth so we can go east or west. Don't really want to boat tow to begin if possible. We all like hard portaging but aren't marathon paddlers.

Any suggested routes or lakes to check out? I have read about Pietro and Pocket being good SMB lakes. I love fishing smallies, esp. on the fly.

Thanks!

Smallies will be catch & release come that time of year, unless you're on border lakes.

Just so you know, incase you didn't already.

Other than catching a small walleye for dinner, all of our fishing is catch and release with barbless flies and lures.

Thanks for the heads up though!

I'm Basically in the same boat there. Planning to leave mid september with my girlfriend. I've been to the BW a handful of times, this would be her first trip. We have five days, and love to fish. Big walleyes and bronzebacks are what gets my heart pumping. I fly fish for trout and bass back here in Iowa. Wondering what fly patterns have worked for you up north.

I figure we could handle a fair number of portages and travel fairly light. Trying to single portage but I've found that to be a tough thing to accomplish on past trips. Wouldn't mind base camping on some great fishing/scenic lakes. Any pictographs or waterfalls would be a plus. Possible some medium difficulty whitewater? We both have a good amount of paddling experience. Any advice on Entry Points/Specific routes for this time of year? Fishing/Wildlife is our main constraint.

I mostly fish for the smallies when on the surface with either balsa poppers in a variety of colors or hair poppers tied by John in Duluth at Great Lakes Fly Fishing > http://greatlakesflycompany.com

Much of the time has to be subsurface where I will will use wooly buggers in black, white, and orange. I also fish strip leeches, crawfish patterns in the rivers (orange or green), and clousers.

Pike are a different story and require a larger rod, Tyger wire or heavy mono for leaders, and big flies. That's a lot of stuff to carry along if you are trying to go light! I might take a couple of red/white and chartreuse/white streamers and maybe a Meat Whistle and give it a go.

As to walleyes, I have only caught a few when fishing for bass with the black leech patterns or wooly buggers. I bring spin gear to jig or troll for my dinner.

Horseshoe Lake off the Gunflint would be an idea. Nice walleye populations, the northern aren't much for size though. I've been there 2 of the last 3 years and fishing was great both times.

Entry 16 Agness has good walleye and big pike. Never fished smallmouth there. I guess I've never really fished them anywhere though... they just show up.

quote digit3: "Taking a couple of fishing pals from out of state into the BWCA on 9/15 for four nights. Looking for some suggestions of a place to base camp maybe all nights with loads of day trip opportunities to fish other waters.

We love to fish smallies, big pike, and walleye (to eat). Don't care about trout.

Heading out of Duluth so we can go east or west. Don't really want to boat tow to begin if possible. We all like hard portaging but aren't marathon paddlers.

Any suggested routes or lakes to check out? I have read about Pietro and Pocket being good SMB lakes. I love fishing smallies, esp. on the fly.

Thanks!"

Ep 23 Will take you through Tin Can Mike very good smallie with some big bluegill, Horse lake very good walleye with smallies and pike, fourtown very good pike and smallie with some walleyes and gun and so on, all of these lakes are an easy paddle and are loaded with fish. You could also go into basswood, big lake with everything in it. If your looking for a trophy Saganaga off the gunflint is a very good bet. Whatever route you decide to take do some research on the minnesota dnr site, it will give you a good idea what fish are in them how clear the water is what kind of preyfish is available and theres also maps of the lakes for free.Heres the link Lakefinder

Thanks BassPro69! That's the kind of feedback I was looking for!

quote digit3: "Thanks BassPro69! That's the kind of feedback I was looking for!"

Youre welcome, good luck on your trip I hope you hammer em.