Well, a lot of my summer plans have been scuttled by family junk and outboard failure on my boat, but I still really want to make it up to the BWCA to try for some Lake Trout. I don't have a canoe, but I have a 14-foot tin boat with a solid trolling motor. It's a car-topper and I can drag it into pretty much any access, don't need a ramp.

Question #1: I'm under the impression that motor permits are required for gas-powered motors only. Can I enter on a standard day-use permit if my motor is electric only?

Question #2: I am looking for suggestions for a smallish lake in the area where I can chase some Lakers without having to travel too far and deplete my battery. We fish walleye and SMB all the time down here in the twin cities, and we can get into Rainbows easily as well. The focus is Lake Trout specifically. Bonus points for lakes less susceptible to heavy chop.

Question #3: The plan will be to camp somewhere near the BWCA, but not in the BWCA. Suggestions for decent campgrounds with electric hookups to charge up the battery at night?

Thanks in advance!

I thought you guys were going to snowbank?...
I've checked into Ojibaway. Says it has lakers although not sure how many or how big.
I plan on fishing Ojibway coming up tomorrow for lakers and big northern in the shallower east bay. Other than Burntside, pickings are pretty slim on the Ely side.

You need a motor permit for any type of motor.
Fall lake campground or kiwishiwai campground is cheaper and less crowded..
I'm thinking ojibway with 2 batteries might fit your bill....

I'm not a great trout fisherman, but I would try West Bearskin. Get a drift sock and jig; saves on juice.

yogi59weedr: "I thought you guys were going to snowbank?...
I've checked into Ojibaway. Says it has lakers although not sure how many or how big.
I plan on fishing Ojibway coming up tomorrow for lakers and big northern in the shallower east bay. Other than Burntside, pickings are pretty slim on the Ely side.

You need a motor permit for any type of motor.
Fall lake campground or kiwishiwai campground is cheaper and less crowded..
I'm thinking ojibway with 2 batteries might fit your bill...."

Believe me, I thought we were going to Snowbank as well. My outboard crapped out on me a couple days ago. It's in the shop and won't be ready for next week. Next week is the only week I could get off work that didn't conflict with family reunions, weddings, bdays, etc. I'm a complete newbie to the BWCA, but from what I've read it doesn't sound like Snowbank with just a 12v trolling motor is a super great idea? I don't think I'd be able to reach the BWCA portion of the lake, let alone have enough juice to get back. I can maneuver and position my boat with the oars, but I can't cover ground like a canoe.

Thank you for clarifying the rules for me, much appreciated. I think if I'm going to make this trip it's going to have to be a non-BWCA lake. Let me know how you do on Ojibway. FWIW, the DNR's survey says the eastern basin doesn't support Lake Trout in the summer. ("The eastern basin is not capable of supporting lake trout in the summer but oxygen levels capable of supporting most other gamefish was adequate to a depth of 23 feet. ")

lundojam: "I'm not a great trout fisherman, but I would try West Bearskin. Get a drift sock and jig; saves on juice."

Thanks for the tip. The 2016 DNR survey does sound promising on this one.

Clearwater Lake EP#62

If the fish aren't biting; at least you'll be able to enjoy the breath taking scenery.

Mayhew (rarely fished), Clearwater,Seagull, West Bearskin make the short list with a boat that big. Too bad you don't have a canoe. I believe Clearwater and Seagull would require a day use permit and possibly a day use motor permit. Loon is also an option.
Good Luck!

TuscaroraBorealis: "Clearwater Lake EP#62


If the fish aren't biting; at least you'll be able to enjoy the breath taking scenery. "

My thought as well

I'd say go with Mayhew. Sounds like you don't want a big lake. Be prepared for a very short carry but a moderate 1/4 mile walk to the car as most folks park up by the Gunflint trail on Mayhew Lake Rd. because of the narrowness of the road on Mayhew Lake itself.

Thanks folks!

The short list right now is Mayhew and West Bearskin. I've been on similar-sized lakes here in the twin cities with just my trolling motor on this boat and done fine. I get overwhelmed looking at thousands of acres when I've never been on the lake, wondering where to start, etc?

I just spent a BUNCH of time looking through the lakefinder site and flagging lakes outside the BWCA with lake trout that are around 500 acres or less. In addition to those discussed I found: Kemo (cook county) Trout (cook), Bluewater (Itasca), Caribou (Itasca), and the Embarrass Mine Pit (St Louis).

yogi59weedr: "I thought you guys were going to snowbank?...
I've checked into Ojibaway. Says it has lakers although not sure how many or how big.
I plan on fishing Ojibway coming up tomorrow for lakers and big northern in the shallower east bay. Other than Burntside, pickings are pretty slim on the Ely side.

You need a motor permit for any type of motor.
Fall lake campground or kiwishiwai campground is cheaper and less crowded..
I'm thinking ojibway with 2 batteries might fit your bill...."

Few lakers in there but I think DNR planned quit stocking it as of about now. There is a few left. Snowbank if it doesn't get too windy. Very few choices on the Ely side for a day trip.

I think snowbank is your only option via ELy

Burntside if you choose the right boat ramp.
How many of ya going?..
No permit required.

yogi59weedr: "Burntside if you choose the right boat ramp.
How many of ya going?..
No permit required."

Just my 11 year-old son and I. I see there 9 or 10 access points. The lake is way bigger than I'd like, but if you'd like to recommend a specific access that will put me in a good spot to work a productive portion or bay I'm all ears.

Thanks again! -- and have fun on Ojibway!

I did have one big one on their years ago.

thegildedgopher: "Thanks folks!


The short list right now is Mayhew and West Bearskin. I've been on similar-sized lakes here in the twin cities with just my trolling motor on this boat and done fine. I get overwhelmed looking at thousands of acres when I've never been on the lake, wondering where to start, etc?


I just spent a BUNCH of time looking through the lakefinder site and flagging lakes outside the BWCA with lake trout that are around 500 acres or less. In addition to those discussed I found: Kemo (cook county) Trout (cook), Bluewater (Itasca), Caribou (Itasca), and the Embarrass Mine Pit (St Louis).


"

I think the only public access to kemo is 1/4 mile Portage from pine or twin lake. There are cabins on the lake.

MN DNR Report-lake survey: Ojibway has a long history of stocking dating back to 1915. Several different species were introduced, but since 1992 stocking has been limited to lake trout yearlings every even year. Due to poor growth and survival of stocked fish, stocking was discontinued after 2010. This population assessment consisted of three different net types: shallow water gillnet sets, deep water gillnet sets, and trapnet sets. Lake trout numbers in Ojibway Lake have generally been low, but the 2015 lake trout catch of 0.1/deep gill net is the lowest catch rate since 1977. The only trout caught was 10 inches, weighed 0.3 pounds, was three years old, and was not stocked.

boondock: "I think the only public access to kemo is 1/4 mile Portage from pine or twin lake. There are cabins on the lake."

Thanks boondock. The DNR pages lists an additional USFS carry-in access, and the forest service site mentions it as well, but Google Maps sure doesn't show much. USFS wants you to buy their map to see the campsite and access point.

USFS site.

GG-
try kimball for rainbows.

Wanted to thank everyone again for the tips and advice. Our trip this week got cut even shorter by the death of a family friend, but we're improvising and soldiering on. We decided to pitch a tent at Hungry Jack Lodge and we'll be fishing Hungry Jack and West Bearskin -- possibly Mayhew as well if things are slow and we need a change. HJ is a little bigger and more populated than we'd be hoped, but it'll make a good enough base camp and the multi-species fishing is a big plus with an 11-year-old along.

I know this isn't the BWCA but it's as far north as we've ever been and we're really looking forward to fishing some new waters near the border. Here's to hoping this is the first of many trips up the gunflint!

thegildedgopher: "

boondock: "I think the only public access to kemo is 1/4 mile Portage from pine or twin lake. There are cabins on the lake."

Thanks boondock. The DNR pages lists an additional USFS carry-in access, and the forest service site mentions it as well, but Google Maps sure doesn't show much. USFS wants you to buy their map to see the campsite and access point.


USFS site. "

I have the map, it doesn't show a carry in on Kemo. I think they might mean the carry in at pine lake.

Here is a different map that shows the portage(s) and the carry in on pine.
Twin Lakes Canoe Route Map

boondock: "

thegildedgopher: "

boondock: "I think the only public access to kemo is 1/4 mile Portage from pine or twin lake. There are cabins on the lake."

Thanks boondock. The DNR pages lists an additional USFS carry-in access, and the forest service site mentions it as well, but Google Maps sure doesn't show much. USFS wants you to buy their map to see the campsite and access point.



USFS site. "

I have the map, it doesn't show a carry in on Kemo. I think they might mean the carry in at pine lake.


Here is a different map that shows the portage(s) and the carry in on pine.
Twin Lakes Canoe Route Map "

Many thanks! I will always rely on personal experience over the USFS website :)