I have a permit for June 19, South Kawishiwi River for my first ever trip. I was looking at another site on a free trial and it looks like I would be able to make it all the way to Gabbro in about 3 hours and Bald Eagle slightly after that. Would it be better to choose another EP? We were thinking of 5 nights probably base camp on a site or two so we could fish an area in a little more detail. What do you think? Looks like EP 54 Seagull Lake has lots of options for both campsites as well as access to other areas for day trips. I have kind of ruled out the numbered lakes because in reading about them it looks like they can get crowded at the portages until you get deeper in. Was also looking at EP 24 Wood Lake. Thoughts?

Three to four hours to Bald Eagle sounds about right. Despite the low number of permits for this area, Gabbro seems to get quite busy. I’d push to Bald Eagle and basecamp there. Bald Eagle has good walleye and northern fishing. I’d also day trip to Pietro and Turtle. Also day trip up the Isabella River for some good walleye fishing.

You could shorten it up a bit by entering at Little Gabbro or even Snake River depending on where on Bald Eagle you go. No more than a half day for any of them I don't think. I don't have any experience with any of them, but did look into Snake River once and intel was longer than looks on map due to "snaking" river. Also a possible mismarked portage IIRC.

What precisely is the issue with staying for five days on Bald Eagle? Are you worries about getting a site, or about not having enough to explore for the whole time?

If you're worried about having enough water to cover, you can head back west through Gabbro to the Kawi Triangle, up north through Clearwater and back to Bald Eagle, or east up the river towards Isabella. Plus, Bald Eagle and Gabbro have lots and lots of room to explore. Plenty of area to keep you busy. Just my .02.

I never went back after my first trip ever was the Isabella river through those lakes to the kawishawa river. It was a memorial weekend and people had radios and we're loud and such. But holiday weekends seem to bring out these types. You should be good and enjoy a good few days of fishing and exploring. Gain some experience and take note of what you see vs what you read on your map. Eventually you'll be able to look at a good map and pretty much see what you will be seeing out there. Fisher, Mackenzie, and Voyager maps all have pretty good detail. This route is a good one to get a feel and catch fish. You should have a good time. But it can have a number of people... So that has always kept me from going back.

Thanks for the replies. I am most worried about being able to get a campsite. I was thinking an area that has more connected lakes might help. I am planning on heading into Turtle and Clearwater, that portage might ease my anxiety about not getting a spot. Either way it will be a great trip.