This is a cross-post from the trip planning forum. I have gotten only one reply there, so I'm trying here as well. Apologies if this is frowned upon.

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I'm planning a trip with my dad and brother for early next spring. Our tentative plan is to enter on May 18 and exit on May 23. We're not opposed to doing a few portages and covering some ground, but the main focus of the trip will be fishing, so we're looking at either a basecamp or perhaps a two-campsite trip.

Since we'll have to enter in the early afternoon on the 18th, we'd like to find a suitable camp that offers plenty of good fishing that's not more than three or four hours' travel from an entry point. It seems reasonable to hope that this early in the season, we won't have trouble finding a campsite in the late afternoon on our entry day, and that we'll be able to set up camp and then stay in the same general area, if not at the same site, for the duration of the trip. Since we know fishing can be fickle so early in the season, ideally we'd have the ability to fish for all four major species nearby. We probably won't care that much what we are catching, but having all four species available nearby seems like it would maximize our chances of finding something willing to bite.

We'd also prefer to avoid really big water, since one of us may be in a solo canoe for the first time, and we don't want to be exposed to dangerous wind conditions in that situation. We'd also like to avoid burn areas and motor areas as final destinations, but we will pass through them if needed to get to a good camp.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

dele, two ideas for you.

One, enter at East Bearskin Lake and take the 120 rod portage to Crocodile Lake. Four campsites to choose from, the second is the best, the fourth is pretty good(going west to east). One of the best walleye lakes ever. Does not have all four species but LOTS of eater walleyes and occasional bigger ones. Also pike, a few largemouth bass and JUMBO perch. It is kind of a dead end route so not generally very busy, beautiful lake and walleye fishing(catching), as I mentioned is as easy as it gets. A quirk of the system requires you to get a permit for entry point 66, Crocodile River, even though you are entering at E. Bearskin. must stay all nights on Crocodile. In camp within 2-3 hours from put in. Good wildlife sighting possibilities too.

Another option would be to enter at Little Gabbro. There is a 200 rod or so portage from the car, not too bad, but then that can be it for the trip. There is a paddleable riffle between Little Gabbro and Gabbro that kind of sneaks up on you, just dig a little deeper and you will be fine. Go into Gabbro Lake and choose from many excellent campsites. The two narrows campsites are both very nice or go frther into the lake. Gabbro is one of the best fishing lakes in the BWCA and offers smallmouth, walleyes and pike. Also a good crappie lake, some nice ones. It is a busy area but that time of year you won't see a lot of traffic. Many of the sites offer good shorefishing too. Beautiful lake with classic huge cliffs and rocky shorelines. In camp again, within a couple hours.

Can't go wrong with either of these too, depending on your interests.

Let me know if you have any questions, and enjoy.

Alder lake is an option. Easy to access and not real big water. Alder has trout, walleye, pike, and bass. It's also an easy day trip to canoe or crystal, both good fishing lakes.

Thanks very much, lindylair & walleye hunter.

Can one day-trip to any decent lake trout water from either Crocodile or Gabbro? Those both look like good options. But given what my dad has told me about the lake trout action he's had on previous May trips, I want to make sure we don't miss out on that completely.