I'm planning a basecamp fishing trip to north Sawbill Lake at the end of June for 8 days. I've been in the area the past couple of trips. Last year we went to Phoebe starting at sawbill and the year before that camped on Alton. I'm looking at options for day trips to smoke and burnt lakes. I've heard of good fishing there and that's what we are here for. So.... I was looking at maps (surprise) and noticed a creek that goes from north sawbill (south shore) to smoke lake (north shore). It looks like one heck of a short cut, if there's enough water and not too over grown. It looks like it might save an hour paddle and 100 rod portage. We are going to try it with light gear (just fishing gear and lunch). Has anyone else tried this route or has any suggestion? Thank you for your time.

Haven't tried it, but looks doable on google earth. As long as you have high enough water. If you do it let us know how it is.

Smoke Lake Shortcut

This has been kicked around a few times before, I linked one of the threads but if you do a site search there are more.

I know this is an old thread but I camped at Smoke and we went fishing where you are talking about. On the north end. We caught a lot of small walleye and just kept going to see what was around the next corner. Eventually got to a beaver dam and had to decide whether to paddle over it or turn around. We turned around. Ever since then me and my buddy say that we wished we had gone over it. I don't think Sawbill was more than a couple hundred yards from that point