Due to life circumstances we had to cut our planned trip to North Bay. However we are still hoping to get up for a few days this weekend, driving up Friday night leaving Monday morning. After looking at what permits are left we are considering these options. Which of these (or others) would you choose for a 3 day stint? Not picky on species at this point, but bonus points go to walleye, lakers, big northerns, and bluegills. Will be base camping and would like to limit travel time to ~2 hours from EP.

- Moss Lake
- EP 29 North Kawishiwi River
- EP 47 to Caribou, Horseshoe, Vista. or Meeds?
- EP 54 Seagull Lake
- EP 52 to Gillis/Crooked

Thanks in advance

Walleye, big Northerns, big smallies, perch... Mille Lacs.
Walleye, Big Northerns, Occasional big crappie (14"), drum... Upper Red Lake.

The walleye bite last weekend on Leech was outstanding. My friend and his son caught 81 in 36 hours, and they averaged over 21". They had a hard time finding 8 walleyes in the slot.

I would consider Alpine, but you can't get there in 2 hours. Seagull would have 3 of the 4, I'm not sure about blue gills.

The problem with seagull is it's big water, and you could easily get windbound.

Moss is great with good side trips to Daniels, Partridge, or Rose. Pretty much only trout and bass, though. Same with Gillis. Seagull might be your best multi-species option.

Thanks for the replies. Crazy to hear that about leech, my dad was up there for opener and they had a really tough time. Makes sense with the warm-up I suppose.

I am probably leaning Moss at this point. Glad to hear you agree rpike. Just a little worried with the warm weather the fish will be deep and it'll be tough going. Especially since it should be prime time for other species...

I would give serious thought to going at Lake One and travel to the NE end of Lake Four where the river dumps in. I was just there on Sunday and the Walleye and Smallmouth were hitting well. A nearby canoe landed a very nice pike. Lots of nice side-trips available also. Only two short portages.

Of the options listed, meeds gets my vote

Others may have had a different experience, but getting to Gillis will be more than two hours, assuming you are double portaging to go with your base camping. We caught lakers (all less than 20” for us) and had a very large pike trying to steal our lunch from the stringer on Gillis for opening week 2017. Nice lake, but north and west still affected by past fires.

Don’t forget to look at the permit system the day or two before you go in. You never know what opens up. You can always cancel your permit, yeah so what you loose 10 bucks. It’s still cheaper than “camping” at a state park.

SoMpls: "Thanks for the replies. Crazy to hear that about leech, my dad was up there for opener and they had a really tough time. Makes sense with the warm-up I suppose.


"

My friend said, right out from Sugar Point, Anex Reef...

I don't know leech, so that means nothing to me, but perhaps you or your dad would know where that is.

SoMpls: "Thanks for the replies. Crazy to hear that about leech, my dad was up there for opener and they had a really tough time. Makes sense with the warm-up I suppose.


I am probably leaning Moss at this point. Glad to hear you agree rpike. Just a little worried with the warm weather the fish will be deep and it'll be tough going. Especially since it should be prime time for other species..."

Moss, Daniels, and Partridge are all loaded with small trout. Downsize your lures. A 1/8" or 1/4" oz. little cleo will easily out-produce a standard-sized spoon or crankbait. Duncan and Rose have much bigger trout, but those lakes are *much* stingier to give them up. Partridge is a nice, quiet lake because it's a dead end with a 200+ rod portage to get there. As a day trip, it's not bad. When there is a bug hatch, casting little cleos in the middle of the lake can be almost non-stop action.