I will be predominantly fishing LLC at the end of this month. I have seen conflicting posts on this forum on the water color for LLC. Is it a relatively clear water or stained?

I'm trying to get my colors (spinner blades, shad raps, etc) figured out so I can make the best use of limited tackle case space.

Here is a photo of McAree....that flows into LacLacroix McAree near Black Robe Portage Lac Lacroix

Its a big lake, could be clear on one end and stained on the other. Water clarity can change with the wind, rain, and season. Some areas are always more clear/stained than others. Where are you going specifically on LLC?

Entering at 16 and accessing LLC via Agnes (and Mooser River-Nina Moose). We;ll be basing either at Tiger Bay or north of there. Possible trip to see/fish Iron but I think we'll be fishing the general area of Tiger Bay and perhaps Lady Boot or Fish Stake Narrows (or any areas recommended to me on this board or by outfitter -- Piragis)

This picture is of the island site west and north of Tiger Bay. I took it last year. The water was as high as I have seen it in 10 years, I wonder how the level is now. You can usually see that sandy beach right when you make the turn out of the Boulder River, but last year there was so little sand, I had to look at the map a few times to make sure I was in the right place. Just remembered-that my cousin from Texas would not swim in that "gross water". She drank it though, silly Texans.

From what I've seen there, it's stained water.

Thanks Bea and Soledad,

I will be bringing both fluorescents and naturals but from your info I will bring a lion's share of chartreuse spinners and firetiger cranks. But will have both. And will also have leeches.

The boulder and tiger bay area has stained, darker water. I was just there this spring. I always pictured llc as being big and crystal clear, so I was a bit surprised but not taken back. Still a very beautiful lake.

Being at the receiving end of a large watershed, LLC gets all the stained water flowing into it via the Maligne, Moose, and Basswood Rivers (and others). It couldn't be a clear-water lake if it wanted to. LLC is a wonderful expanse of water though!

I always had luck with orange lures there. In-Fisherman always used to recommend orange on brownish stained waters like Agnes and LLC, and green, yellow, or chartreuse on greenish based waters. I have heard the brownish color is from tannin which comes from lowland bogs adjacent the lakes. We have always dipped and drank right from these lakes, and no one in our parties ever got sick. The water tasted fine.

quote Highway61: "Thanks Bea and Soledad,


I will be bringing both fluorescents and naturals but from your info I will bring a lion's share of chartreuse spinners and firetiger cranks. But will have both. And will also have leeches."

You should be good with what you're bringing.

quote emptynest56: "We have always dipped and drank right from these lakes, and no one in our parties ever got sick. The water tasted fine."

Yeah, the stain has nothing to do with water quality or drinkability. You will find that the VAST MAJORITY of lakes and rivers in the north country -- clear up to arctic-- have varying amounts of bog stain. Really clear lakes are actually fairly uncommon.

quote arctic: "

quote emptynest56: "We have always dipped and drank right from these lakes, and no one in our parties ever got sick. The water tasted fine."

Yeah, the stain has nothing to do with water quality or drinkability. You will find that the VAST MAJORITY of lakes and rivers in the north country -- clear up to arctic-- have varying amounts of bog stain. Really clear lakes are actually fairly uncommon."

That is very true, theres quite a few really clear lakes on the gunflint side and ive noticed that the clearest lakes usually seem to have lake trout in them.

I was on LLC last weekend. It is moderately clear but stained. You can probably see 4 feet. Keep in mind, it collects water from the Maligne and Namakan. It is at the receiving end of all the water from Quetico and most of the water from the BWCA. It has all the fish species the area has to offer.

I was on LLC last weekend. It is moderately clear but stained. You can probably see 4 feet. Keep in mind, it collects water from the Maligne and Namakan. It is at the receiving end of all the water from Quetico and most of the water from the BWCA. It has all the fish species the area has to offer.