BWCA Lucky enough to get 2 BWCA trips in 1 month... Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Fizics
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04/07/2017 06:58PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So I got some friends from western Montana hooked on the idea of a trip this summer. We'll be putting in June 25th and taking out on the 30th. They're all excited for some big pike, but only because they've never caught walleye/smallmouth. Western Montana is a weird place compared to Minnesota (vice versa) lol. We're all 25-30 and in great shape. I'm thinking it'll be Topwater time for the Smallmouth around then? How deep will the walleye be?

I'm posting on here to get an idea as to where to go. I've never been up there in the busy time of the year. I've always gone in may and august-on. I've always wanted to go to SAK, and the potential to sneak onto Kekekabic for a day. They'll forget all about pike if we're landing Lakers but I'm worried they'll be deep and a pain in the ass? I'm also considering Insula/Alice/Thomas/Fraser through EP 30. Crooked would be cool but I waited to long to get a permit thru Muddro, maybe next year. Any other suggestions? You don't have to tell me your favorite fishing spots, just where we might be able to get away from the busyness, and spend 6-8 hours getting there.
 
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04/07/2017 07:53PM  
Sounds like fun. One of the best walleye lakes I have run into up there is Vista Lake. One of the best smallie lakes I have fished is Meeds Lake. Vista also has smallies and pike and Meeds also has walleyes and pike. Both can be accessed a couple different ways.

Start at Poplar and take the long portage to Meeds. Camp for a night or two and enoy the fishing and relative solitude, not a busy lake. Or start at Poplar and go through Lizz and Caribou to Horseshoe, and down to Vista. Horseshoe is one of the coolest lakes in the BWCA, just look at the map. Decent fishing for all three species,, known for moose sightings, but can be busy. Vista is just south of there.

Or if you like portaging:) enter at Morgan lake and take the long portage and make your way to Vista that way. Probably actually actually quicker that way. Once on Vista the southern site is a 5 star site with good shorefishing possibilities. But it is a sought after site. The site on the western shore has a horrible landing but once you get on top is pretty nice and has a nice view. I would stay there for the opportunity to see and fish Vista Lake.

There are a lot of daytrip opportunities in the area to explore some really cool lakes too. If you got stuck on Horseshoe for a couple nights that wouldn't be a bad thing with the opportunity to daytrip to both Meeds and Vista. It is a busy lake but because of its layout you can fell pretty secluded.

Honestly Mudro north would be my first choice but probably taken. Consider Baker Lake as an entry and basecamp on South Temperance for beauty, seclusion and fishing. But the trip I mentioned would be an easier way to access great scenery, good fishing and decent wildlife sighting possibilities.
murphylakejim
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04/09/2017 07:50AM  
I have been lucky enough to get 2 BWCA trips in 1 month too.......


Consider ep 27 for access to SAK thomas and fraser as well.
QueticoMike
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04/09/2017 01:14PM  
Smallmouth topwater fishing should be good that time of the year. If you have good contour maps, find those reefs and humps and you should be able to find some walleye. Maybe consider taking in some leeches?
 
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