Hey everyone, I'm planning a trip for next week after school's done, just camping in the Superior Natl Forest (I know, not BWCA, but easier for a short trip). I plan on bringing a bunch of tackle and my canoe for its first trip. Any suggestions on quiet lakes for paddling and catching pike? We might keep some little ones to eat, but having a shot at a 30 or 40 incher would be a blast. I've been looking around on my maps, and at fish surveys on the DNR page, but it doesn't seem like too many accessible lakes have the depth and forage needed for big pike. Any tips would be great! Love reading this site...

Big pike in Birch

Bass Lake out of Ely has nice sized pike. Plenty over 30. Maybe not so quiet, though.

There's also a little lake near Isabella called Two Deer Lake. It has decent northers and largemouth bass. There's one place to camp at the end of the portage.

Thank you guys! I'll take a look at Two Deer, and we are planning on camping on Harriet Lake and fishing that area.

Two deer is worth a look..and right next to it is pike lake..used to be some monsters in there..it is land locked so have to paddle the river in. I used to fish there as a kid..the guy who owned the only cabin on the lake used to get pretty crabby with us..even shot a rifle in our direction..hes prob dead now

Check out Crescent Lake National Forest campground. It has many very nice campsites including some lakeside ones and is a beautiful, completely undeveloped lake with lots of islands, bays and points. It is a good walleye lake and also has smallmouth bass. I know it has northern pike but the interesting thing is that it has a fairly large population of muskie as well. I have caught several by accident as well as a couple on purpose. It is BWCA quality wilderness as it is almost literally across the road from a BWCA entry point. One of my favorite spots in MN and well suited to a canoe.

lindylair: "Check out Crescent Lake National Forest campground. It has many very nice campsites including some lakeside ones and is a beautiful, completely undeveloped lake with lots of islands, bays and points. It is a good walleye lake and also has smallmouth bass. I know it has northern pike but the interesting thing is that it has a fairly large population of muskie as well. I have caught several by accident as well as a couple on purpose. It is BWCA quality wilderness as it is almost literally across the road from a BWCA entry point. One of my favorite spots in MN and well suited to a canoe. "

+1, great lake!

Yeah I've driven through Crescent. Very nice, but a large campground relatively speaking and it costs money... Harriet is just a few miles away, and yeah it's untouched since it's in the Natl. Forest, so I think I'll stick with the rustic campgrounds. Thanks though!

Check out the island campsites on Crescent. Also, if in motor boat LOOK OUT for the underwater rock pile that stretches across the lake