Heading to Disappointment Lake in mid May. I understand that this is a popular lake due to its proximity to the Snowbank EP. Any suggestions for fishing or good campsites? We'll be a group of four with hammocks. I'm also interested in taking day trips to the surrounding lakes and maybe head up to Ima for a shot at some Lakers!

Great Lake so close to an entry point but yes busy. Last time I stayed there we were the only occupied site that we knew of and a day later the lake was full. There’s a handful of nice sites on this lake, 1379 is my favorite. 1386 and 1384 are pretty nice too depending on what you’re after. To give some nonspecific fishing information, we did well with walleye and northern working islands and channels with spinners and Rapalas early spring. Caught quite a few undersized smallmouth (10ish inches). You can make it to Ima for a day trip catching the Jordan Narrows along the way and cut over to Cattyman Falls too.

Disappointment is one of my favorite lakes to fish in the BWCA. I've fished it four different times and had really good fishing most trips and great fishing on one. The island site is nice. I've also stayed at 1385 and 2316 (not accurate on this sites map it is on the point by the island). Plenty of walleyes and average size is good compared to most BWCA lakes. Disappointment walleyes have shoulders and pull hard. Also, good fishing for northerns and smallmouth. The only thing I don't like about Disappointment is messing with Snowbank Lake which can get rough. I've had a few paddles across that lake that will almost change your life. However, this past Summer when we left the Disappointment portage for the boat landing the lake was straight glass the entire paddle. I bet that only happens a handful of times a year. FLAT CALM!!!!

walleyejunky: "Disappointment is one of my favorite lakes to fish in the BWCA. I've fished it four different times and had really good fishing most trips and great fishing on one. The island site is nice. I've also stayed at 1385 and 2316 (not accurate on this sites map it is on the point by the island). Plenty of walleyes and average size is good compared to most BWCA lakes. Disappointment walleyes have shoulders and pull hard. Also, good fishing for northerns and smallmouth. The only thing I don't like about Disappointment is messing with Snowbank Lake which can get rough. I've had a few paddles across that lake that will almost change your life. However, this past Summer when we left the Disappointment portage for the boat landing the lake was straight glass the entire paddle. I bet that only happens a handful of times a year. FLAT CALM!!!!"

Agree, Snowbank lake is one of the most dangerous lakes in the BWCA when windy. Always can cut through Parent lake.

Love Disappointment. I've spent more time there than any other lake in BWCA, largely because it's always delivered. That and my dad is a creature of habit and always planned our trips out of snowbank when I was younger.

Our favorite site is 1382, the far north island site, but it would NOT be good for 4 hammocks. Overall it is not actually the best site, but we like it for our purposes, and islands are always cool. It has a lot of sentimental value for us, and most importantly is closest to all of our favorite fishing spots. Leeches in May have never let us down. As it is a relatively long and winding lake I always troll a rap as we cruise and have had a lot of luck there too.

I have yet to fish Disappointment and not catch at least one walleye 26" or bigger. My first trip to the BWCA was a loop with most of our time on Disappointment and I caught a 30.5" walleye. I'm sure I would have been pretty hooked on tripping even if I had been skunked, but that didn't hurt!

Saberboys: "Heading to Disappointment Lake in mid May. I understand that this is a popular lake due to its proximity to the Snowbank EP. Any suggestions for fishing or good campsites? We'll be a group of four with hammocks. I'm also interested in taking day trips to the surrounding lakes and maybe head up to Ima for a shot at some Lakers!"

I’m going up the 3rd week of May, 2024.
Booked and can’t wait.

I have been to Disappointment 8 times.
It is a very busy lake. I think this is because of the fishing and the closeness to the EP.
And being retired, it’s just one portage to good fishing.

Fishing has been very good over the years.
The only that should interfere with good fishing will be the weather.

I use a slip bobber with a pink or white jig head and a leech.
6 - 10 fow.

As far as campsite. There is one that will not be mentioned, (sorry) at the right time of year, you can fish from shore and catch your limit.
Some the best walleye fishing I’ve ever had!


Remember, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work!
Learn it, love it, live it!!

Pinetree: "

walleyejunky: "Disappointment is one of my favorite lakes to fish in the BWCA. I've fished it four different times and had really good fishing most trips and great fishing on one. The island site is nice. I've also stayed at 1385 and 2316 (not accurate on this sites map it is on the point by the island). Plenty of walleyes and average size is good compared to most BWCA lakes. Disappointment walleyes have shoulders and pull hard. Also, good fishing for northerns and smallmouth. The only thing I don't like about Disappointment is messing with Snowbank Lake which can get rough. I've had a few paddles across that lake that will almost change your life. However, this past Summer when we left the Disappointment portage for the boat landing the lake was straight glass the entire paddle. I bet that only happens a handful of times a year. FLAT CALM!!!!"

Agree, Snowbank lake is one of the most dangerous lakes in the BWCA when windy. Always can cut through Parent lake."

2 of the 3 scariest times in a canoe has been on Snowbank.
And this is with 50 yrs of experience.

Be safe out there!

Thank you for the input everyone! I have a few campsites in mind and am hoping that one will be open! Snowbank sounds like she can be a bitch, we'll plan for an early push off and pray for good weather!

If Snowbank is being fussy it is an easy paddle over to the Parent Lake portage. It is one extra portage and may take a little longer timewise but would be worth it from a safety standpoint.