My friends and I just booked a cabin on the White Iron chain of lakes for first week of june. I'm wondering is it worth getting a fishing guide for a day? Along with that, would it be better to get a fishing guide and fish the White Iron chain of lakes or get a guide and go to Basswood lake, from what I gather there is better trophy potential in Basswood, but will we still be able to do fairly well on the White Iron chain without getting a guide there? I just want to get the most fishing potential for my buck. Are there any recommended guides for the Ely area? Thanks!

If you are not familiar with a certain body of water, a local guide will normally always increase your catch rate. Moose Track Adventures offers fishing guide service on the White Iron Chain and Basswood Lake. While I have never used his service, MooseTrack is a user on this board. Here is the website:

Moose Track Adventures

Wow! I just noticed that I got my 5th tree today! When do I get my bear paw??

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I'd do what you're considering and get a guide for Basswood for a day, then try the White Iron Chain on your own. You sould be able to catch some fish there on your own, and then have a big day on Basswood with a guide. There's a guy that's at Smitty's on Snowbank pretty often who guides on Basswood..."Basswood Bob" or something like that? Might want to try him.

I can help you with some places to fish on the White Iron/Farm/Garden chain if you end up going that alone.

I can't recommend a particular guide in that area. But I will say that the times I have hired a guide, I have learned a lot. Not really where to catch fish, but rather improving my own techniques.

Basswood Bob definitely knows his way around Basswood Lake. He'll put you on some good fish if he likes you. Google him and you should be able to get in touch with him.

Thanks for the info. By the way, you have to pass Basswood Bob's coolness test in order to be put on fish?

When you get out there, just demonstrate that you're willing to work for the fish, fish hard & pay attention and not just sit back & drink beer & wait for the fish to grab your bait like it's some charter.

I have used a guide on Basswood and his name is Rob Nelson. He also guides on White Iron Chain. I highly recommend him. These were caught in Aug with Rob guiding