So I'm finishing up nursing school this spring (woohoo it's over!) and I got this bright idea to convince a few others to come up to the gunflint with me in May after graduation for a long weekend of fishing, hiking, seeing the sights. I've always gone to the west side of the BWCA but this year I REALLY want to land a laker, so east side it is! My buddies coming with new to the whole BWCA experience thing, and so I've planned a milder trip for the weekend just out of Flour Lake Campground (heard it's nice) to introduce them to it. I'm hoping we can get some day trip access into the BWCA, we'll be bringing canoes and renting more if needed. One of my main goals is to get everyone onto some really decent fishing, they don't need to be big fish but it'd be nice to get onto some Lake Trout, I've never had success at that and I think this MIGHT be a good time of year to get onto em in that area. What lakes in the area could I count as a sure bet for getting onto some good walleye? we'll be on Flour of course, I bet we'll get onto some eyes there, what about other lakes in the area? I've heard Hungry Jack is worth wetting a line?

Any suggestions for what lakes nearby Flour Lake we can get on for a day that will increase our chances of landing some lakers? I've read on here that Moss Lake has some easy lakers, Clearwater might be a solid bet albeit a little big? Idk how I feel about sitting next to motor boats. I've been looking at Daniels and Duncan lakes nearby as well. We're definitely open to a drive down/up the gunflint to another area for a day if it's a lake/sight worth seeing. With that said, does anyone have any recommendations for any hiking locations we should check out? Any high points?

You mentioned Duncan Lake. I can't provide info on fishing Duncan, but there's a nice little hike and sights to see there. Head up to the north end of Duncan to Stairway Portage (portage to Rose Lake). Go part way down the portage to see a nice little waterfall. Then from the top of the portage, follow the Border Route Trail east for a ways. It has a few areas with great view of Rose Lake.

Falls along the portage:





View of Rose Lake:

Another day trip would be up Daniels fishing, and on the north end is a connection to the Border Route Trail going east and a great overlook:




If you do head up to Clearwater Lodge, stop along the way to take the .5 mile hike up Honeymoon Bluff overlook. Its marked on the left side as you head northeast, like 3 miles in from the Gunflint Trail.

Daniel

and if you DO head to Clearwater, be sure to stop in for some home-made PIE!! Yum!

quote : "and if you DO head to Clearwater, be sure to stop in for some home-made PIE!! Yum!"

Yes, definitely.

One more thing to mention - there is a trail straight to Daniels Lake pretty much at Clearwater Lodge and they can issue BWCA permits. They've generously let me leave my car there on numerous trips. That same trail follows the entire length of Daniels on an old rail bed and links up with the portage to Rose and the Border Route Trail on the north end.

Daniel

Stayed at Flour Lake last june. Rented a cabin there, didnt stay at the campground. Great lake for smallies, spec regs c&r . Didn't catch any eyes though, even trying leeches under a bobber at mid nite we kept catching 18-19 inch smallmouth. No luck with lakers either but i'm no good at them. There is a 80 rod portage to Moon lake which will get into the bwca. It was pretty overgrown but flat.

P.S. a couple evenings we had the whole lake to ourselves. Very nice

Definitely do Honeymoon Bluff. Very short walk, great sunsets. Golden Eagle Lodge on Flour Lake will let you take a shower for a few bucks. I think they also will rent you a canoe even if your staying there. You can daytrip into Moon-Deer-Caribou, there is a self issue permit box at the Moon portage.

Sorry meant not staying there.

Thank you everyone for the comments! Those pictures of Daniels and the portage from Duncan are very pretty, I wasn't expecting the view of Daniels like that, such elevation change! I love it!

Congrats on making it through nursing school! Our daughter worked hard to get through it and it is paying out big time. As to your trip for lakers, you can paddle across west bearskin to a short portage to Daniels . There are lakers in Daniels and very good eaters at that! Good luck and have fun! Marc

I can feel your excitement. Have a great trip.

I would take Daniels over Duncan in a heartbeat if your goal is to catch a lake trout. The lakers are small in Daniels, but they are plentiful. Moss is also good for small trout; usually you will have another canoe or several there. Partridge can be great for small, plentiful lakers. It's one longish (200+ rods) portage off Duncan.