I’m starting to think about my 2019 BWCA trip and I’m considering switching it up to try and include a trip focused around fly fishing for brook trout ideally on a lake with a stream flowing which might allow me to fish both from a canoe and the stream. I’m no slouch and I would prefer to work to get to a location where fewer people visit even if that means bushwhacking a PMA. I’m not asking for anyone to give up special spots as I have a healthy respect for putting the time in to find those places but it’s a big place and I was hoping someone might be able to point me in a good direction to start looking. I would love it if this type of place was in a PMA. Also any pointers on the ideal time of year would be great. I assume earlier spring and fall given my choice of fly rod and trout needed deeper colder water in the summer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You can email me at winonaflyfactory@gmail.com and if you ever want to come fish for trout in sE Minnesota and need advice email me. I’d be glad to help. Thanks

I have no first hand experience, but am hoping to do devote a couple of days of my annual trip this September to fishing for Brookies with my fly rod...as you have already stated, no one is going to give up any of their honeyholes, but the information is out there if you are willing to do the research! I would suggest you start out by obtaining a copy of the winter 2012 Boundary Water Journal or if you don’t want the whole mag, you can go to their website and order the article from that issue, “Boundary Water Brookies”. That will give you some ideas on where to start your research as well as some other websites that will be helpful inyour research.
Good luck!

Mike

I hope you get some good advise. I've been Brook trout fishing north east MN for at least 40 years and have yet to find anyone willing to give up any deceit info on spots. I know there's large Brookies out there. There are a couple guys in GM that win the Brook trout cat. during Fisherman's Picnic almost every year, normally around 3 lbs.

Thanks for the info about the BWJ issue.

There is a publication available for Cook Co. I have a copy but it's not with me, I think it's called, "Lakes and Streams of Cook Co" Someone in GM would know the name. May be to far east for what you are looking for. I know it does list BW areas.

Good luck

JATFOMike: "I have no first hand experience, but am hoping to do devote a couple of days of my annual trip this September to fishing for Brookies with my fly rod...as you have already stated, no one is going to give up any of their honeyholes, but the information is out there if you are willing to do the research! I would suggest you start out by obtaining a copy of the winter 2012 Boundary Water Journal or if you don’t want the whole mag, you can go to their website and order the article from that issue, “Boundary Water Brookies”. That will give you some ideas on where to start your research as well as some other websites that will be helpful inyour research.
Good luck!


Mike"

I just checked out that article. Talk about on point!

Thanks guys. I wasn't expecting nor did I want anyone to just give up brookie spots. More I was looking for some general information. I only fish a fly rod and typically only on streams so this lake thing is a big change for me. I'm hoping to learn enough to figure out when to go so that I might be able to get a few on surface flies or just under the surface not down 30ft or more.

Thanks for the note on the article. I appreciate that. Take care

They are everywhere and nowhere..any stocked lake can be great..if you are there at the right time..all about timing and luck.

They are everywhere and nowhere..any stocked lake can be great..if you are there at the right time..all about timing and luck.

In September of '20 my brother and I caught 30 to 40 15-20 inch brookies in a small, not too far off the beaten path PMA lake in 5-6 hours of fishing. We were the only people on the lake and the path to it showed little traffic. My brother was fly fishing and I was bait fishing. It was our first and only time into the BWCA.

outsidethebox: "In September of '20 my brother and I caught 30 to 40 15-20 inch brookies in a small, not too far off the beaten path PMA lake in 5-6 hours of fishing. We were the only people on the lake and the path to it showed little traffic. My brother was fly fishing and I was bait fishing. It was our first and only time into the BWCA. "

I’ve seen your pics, that was one special trip!

T