Currently in a 'friendly discussion' with my paddle partner about a last minute route change. With Fishing being the primary purpose.
OPINIONS NEEDED IN ORDER TO SETTLE DISPUTE !!!!

Tuesday (noon) - Sunday (am paddle out)
5 nights

Boulder Bay
South East LLC

*or*

-LOOP-
Tow to American Point
Ottertrack
South Arm Knife (eddy falls)
Alpine
Out Seagull

IMO with the same number of days for each trip you would get much more fishing in on the LLC trip. The loop is a lot more distance to travel obviously. that being said, I would rather fish SAK and Seagull than LLC sooooo...

I’ve done both of those routes. I prefer the scenery on the gunflint route and had better luck fishing on LLC.

If it were me it would depend on how much time I have. A shorter trip I would push to LLC in one day and get to fishing. If I had more time I would do the gunflint loop with 2-3 campsites.

There is no wrong decision

Do u want LT?

Do the loop through SAK!!

halvorsonchristopher: "Currently in a 'friendly discussion' with my paddle partner about a last minute route change. With Fishing being the primary purpose.
OPINIONS NEEDED IN ORDER TO SETTLE DISPUTE !!!!

Boulder Bay
South East LLC

*or*

-LOOP-
Tow to American Point
Ottertrack
South Arm Knife (eddy falls)
Alpine
Out Seagull


"

Think that you would be doing yourself a disservice to not go to Ottertack. In my opinion you would have more number in LLc areas but a better chance for a trophy in OT.

Do you have an aversion to bears?

SAK seems to have bears every year, in certain campsites. It wouldn't deter me, but I thought i'd ask.

I have never done a long loop canoe trip. But when it comes to backpacking, the longer the loop the further away you get and more potential for possible problems as well as the harder it is to get to safety. Depending on the number of days you have I would suggest thinking about it from the stand point of which ever route you take don't push it just to do the distance. Sacrifice is always necessary in life and sometimes learned out in the back country when you dont want to learn it. Do you have time to find another loop that serves both of your interests while not forcing issues like driving and taking off more work. Be flexible with each other and keep your options open! There are lots of loops out there. Going back to square one in planing is never easy but you should consider it because you are posting here! I know nothing about those lake but I love to fish and would not mind spending several days on two lakes trying to break down its fishing and have fun doing it. Be safe.

RainGearRight: "IMO with the same number of days for each trip you would get much more fishing in on the LLC trip. The loop is a lot more distance to travel obviously. that being said, I would rather fish SAK and Seagull than LLC sooooo..."

Thanks for the input.
Surprisingly, the SAK loop is only 5 more miles (w/ the initial tow)
And if you cut down through Hanson, they are the exact same distance...

analyzer: "Do you have an aversion to bears?


SAK seems to have bears every year, in certain campsites. It wouldn't deter me, but I thought i'd ask."

I love the bears.
Check out the pictures on the maps, I've got a couple bear pics on there from Knife

tarnkt: "I’ve done both of those routes. I prefer the scenery on the gunflint route and had better luck fishing on LLC.
If it were me it would depend on how much time I have. A shorter trip I would push to LLC in one day and get to fishing. If I had more time I would do the gunflint loop with 2-3 campsites.
There is no wrong decision"

I agree. No wrong choice.
OP updated with trip dates.

AmarilloJim: "Do u want LT?"

Sure, but Walleye will be the focus.
both areas hold LT.
The LT hunt can be to difficult after May.... I prefer the ice out trout fishing.

Have you had June LT success on either lake?

carmike: "Do the loop through SAK!! "

Any other fishing recommendations in the area? Ottertrack?

I've had decent success in SAK, been there a couple times.

Frankie_Paull: "

halvorsonchristopher: "Currently in a 'friendly discussion' with my paddle partner about a last minute route change. With Fishing being the primary purpose.
OPINIONS NEEDED IN ORDER TO SETTLE DISPUTE !!

"

Think that you would be doing yourself a disservice to not go to Ottertack. In my opinion you would have more number in LLc areas but a better chance for a trophy in OT. "

Ottertrack, eh?
What species are you specifically referencing?

LightFish: "I have never done a long loop canoe trip. But when it comes to backpacking, the longer the loop the further away you get and more potential for possible problems as well as the harder it is to get to safety. Depending on the number of days you have I would suggest thinking about it from the stand point of which ever route you take don't push it just to do the distance. Sacrifice is always necessary in life and sometimes learned out in the back country when you dont want to learn it. Do you have time to find another loop that serves both of your interests while not forcing issues like driving and taking off more work. Be flexible with each other and keep your options open! There are lots of loops out there. Going back to square one in planing is never easy but you should consider it because you are posting here! I know nothing about those lake but I love to fish and would not mind spending several days on two lakes trying to break down its fishing and have fun doing it. Be safe."

Thanks for the reply.
Both of these are short trip options for us. The deeper the better!
No need to plan more.... Just looking for input from those with comparison experience.
I've been to SAK and Seagull, but never to Sag or OT.

Tough one, but base camping means better fishing, I think, as you get a chance to dial 'em in. To that end, we'll be base camping on OT this summer, so there ya go. We've done OK on walleyes there.

Dispute? You mean where folk have differing opinions? If entrenched I would tread lightly here and not insist on my own way. You will set yourself up for the invariable dissatisfaction of the aggrieved party should things not go as planned. "See, I knew we should of went the other way" etc. etc.

Rather, what I would do if I couldn't come to a consensus is see if the opposing perspective would be satisfied with a "drawing straws" type solution. Then blame can be assigned to no one and "it is what it is". Perhaps the following year the alternate choice could come into play. The proverbial win-win as it were.

But I tend to generally flexible and tolerant on matters not including violations of principle and would likely be quite content with either choice.

I agree MT
Should I start a new thread on how to agree and disagree respectfully? Not that our two friends here need this lesson at but just in general. We will tread very close to the political ring of woes fast but...IMO we all need to learn how to disagree respectfully and not lay blame, hold grudges, plan retaliation and keep score. TRY IT and watch what happens. Our forefathers build much of this country with this ability which led to freedom of speech and other really ...good things.
I am not serious about the new thread:) Moderator nightmare!

Both are sure bets. I have been to Boulder Bay area on LLC area twice now, including last spring and crushed the walleyes. Agnes is also a great walleye lake. I like that area a lot.

I have also fished the other said lakes and had great success. Both have good trophy quality potential and opportunities for the grand slam.

I guess it would depend on what species your targeting for me....

I'm actually doing both those routes this summer; starting June 16th, six nights with a college buddy doing the SAK loop to Seagull after being dropped at American Point, then starting July 20th I'm doing four nights on LLC from EP 16 with three high school buddies. I'm anticipating the SAK loop will be less crowded, and fishing will be a toss up.......

mastertangler: "Dispute? You mean where folk have differing opinions? If entrenched I would tread lightly here and not insist on my own way. You will set yourself up for the invariable dissatisfaction of the aggrieved party should things not go as planned. "See, I knew we should of went the other way" etc. etc.


Rather, what I would do if I couldn't come to a consensus is see if the opposing perspective would be satisfied with a "drawing straws" type solution. Then blame can be assigned to no one and "it is what it is". Perhaps the following year the alternate choice could come into play. The proverbial win-win as it were.


But I tend to generally flexible and tolerant on matters not including violations of principle and would likely be quite content with either choice. "

It's nothing of such serious nature.
We are all good friends and don't really care where we end up.

Just a friendly conversation. And massive indecision. Haha

lundojam: "Tough one, but base camping means better fishing, I think, as you get a chance to dial 'em in. To that end, we'll be base camping on OT this summer, so there ya go. We've done OK on walleyes there."

Wanna shoot me a pm/email and help a guy to understand OT?
I'd love to hear a story or 2.

WilyMinnow: " guess it would depend on what species your targeting for me...."

Walleye.

unshavenman: "I'm actually doing both those routes this summer; starting June 16th, six nights with a college buddy doing the SAK loop to Seagull after being dropped at American Point, then starting July 20th I'm doing four nights on LLC from EP 16 with three high school buddies. I'm anticipating the SAK loop will be less crowded, and fishing will be a toss up......."

How interesting!
I how your trips treat you well!
Similar trip for me. Childhood friends. That I only see 1 time per year.

unshavenman: "I'm actually doing both those routes this summer; starting June 16th, six nights with a college buddy doing the SAK loop to Seagull after being dropped at American Point, then starting July 20th I'm doing four nights on LLC from EP 16 with three high school buddies. I'm anticipating the SAK loop will be less crowded, and fishing will be a toss up......."

I might see you on Sag. We're either going on the 16th or 23rd. Haven't got it nailed down yet. If you see an alumacraft canoe with a motor on the back, it's likely me and my son.

Are you staying some place up that way on the 15th?

analyzer: "

unshavenman: "I'm actually doing both those routes this summer; starting June 16th, six nights with a college buddy doing the SAK loop to Seagull after being dropped at American Point, then starting July 20th I'm doing four nights on LLC from EP 16 with three high school buddies. I'm anticipating the SAK loop will be less crowded, and fishing will be a toss up......."

I might see you on Sag. We're either going on the 16th or 23rd. Haven't got it nailed down yet. If you see an alumacraft canoe with a motor on the back, it's likely me and my son.


Are you staying some place up that way on the 15th?"

I see you're from Woodbury. That's funny, we could darn near car pool. I live in Oakdale, and have two brothers that live in Woodbury. If it's just two of you, I could maybe tow you to American point. Although, it's probably safer, and better bet, to get towed by an outfitter. I would just be free.

I think we're coming out Wednesday. But it's still possible, that we are going in on the 23rd instead.

Can you guys agree to fip a coin and live with it? Let your buddy call the options and do the flipping. Then if the fishing trip is poor it will be the flippers' fault! ;0 A quick easy fix.

I would go east myself.

HC, email me and I'll respond. I can't figure it out (old.)

analyzer: "

unshavenman: "I'm actually doing both those routes this summer; starting June 16th, six nights with a college buddy doing the SAK loop to Seagull after being dropped at American Point, then starting July 20th I'm doing four nights on LLC from EP 16 with three high school buddies. I'm anticipating the SAK loop will be less crowded, and fishing will be a toss up......."

I might see you on Sag. We're either going on the 16th or 23rd. Haven't got it nailed down yet. If you see an alumacraft canoe with a motor on the back, it's likely me and my son.


Are you staying some place up that way on the 15th?"

Analyzer, thanks for the tow offer! I just checked the permit and it looks like we're staying in Deb's bunkhouse at Seagull Outfitters on the 16th and getting towed (as per usual) to American Point first thing on the 17th, coming out the 23rd. Good luck fishing Sag!

Pinetree: "I would go east myself."

That is what we have decided! Up the Gunflint and to Ottertrack.

Now I just need to figure out how to make the most of OT in 1.5 days before we continue on the loop!

Heading out in 20 hours....

lundojam: "HC, email me and I'll respond. I can't figure it out (old.)"

Email sent!

How'd it go?