I am bringing a group of high school students up to the Ely side for some late season trout fishing/winter camping later this month. In years past we have done this same type of trip but always on the Gunflint side. We will be walking/snowshoeing/skiing in for 3 days.

Long story short, I need some advice. Not sure what lake would work best. I already looked at the list of trout lakes that someone posted earlier this year but would like some ideas from people who have had boots on the ground. I would like us to travel at least two miles to get in.....just far enough to make them work for it. Plowed roads? Lake access w/ parking. Etc.

From a glance, Snowbank looks good but I couldn't find the access or where the BWCA actually starts on the lake.

If I were doing this trip by myself or with friends, I would just go and explore/figure it out. The fact that I am bringing students up makes me want to get the most information I can get before heading up.

Any advice/insight would be great. Thanks in advance.

You should post in the fishing forum. You'll get some advice there.