I have made two trips in early June (Seagull to Ogish areas) and found a lot of smallmouth (on plastic worms) and a couple walleyes with out much trouble and not really knowing what we were doing. Will be me and my 12 year old for 3-4 days in mid July and we are targeting somewhere in the east gunflint area. Need to get him into some action and species does not matter.

Suggestions on lakes in that area and on what to fish with would be appreciated.

East Bearskin EP is a good one on the east side. Alder is a good fishing lake with a lot of species, short portages and nice campsites. Also plenty of day trip options.

Another pretty much surefire method for Smallies in July - which will also keep your son engaged is to paddle the shoreline, just on the edge of dark water, and troll a buzzbait behind the canoe. Slow walking pace is about the right speed.

1. He gets to observe the very different shorelines around our BWCA lakes - including looking into the water for structure and sunken trees and....

2. Smallies just slam into Buzzbaits at dusk and dawn when trolled this way in July and August.

= Exciting times for kids.

Can work on Walleyes too!

Thanks Beemer! I have fished largemouth in the south for years and loved the excitement of the explosion on a buzz bait. Never considered it "up north" Great idea!!