Hello Everyone,

My group has gone on 7-10 day trips each of the last four years (three times to BWCA and one to Woodland Caribou), however this year we were only able to work out a 4 night trip (with the first being a motel hopefully near our entry point). The goal is laker fishing – with a chance a 30+ inch fish. With only three nights in the park, we want to get to a lake quick, set up camp, and fish. Original thoughts are Quetico, Cirrus, or Pickerel, however we are open to suggestions! We have all are own gear, but could use an outfitter if it makes sense for permits, shuttle, etc…

Thanks in advance!

There are a couple of well-know laker "holes" in western Cirrus and western Quetico Lakes, close to Beaverhouse; i.e., you'd be fishing on day 1. Hard to go wrong there. --Goose

Saganaga and North bay of Basswood are a couple more options.

I've fished Quetico Lake/Cirrus, Pickerel Lake, and Cache Bay for Lakers. All three have lakers, but if I am gonna target just lakers specifically, Pickerel Lake gets the nod.

For a 3-4 day laker trip, I recommend basecamping Pickerel Lake and entering via Stanton Bay. You will need to have an outfitter carry you and your gear to Stanton Bay, since only Canadian citizens are allowed to park vehicles at Stanton Bay.

You can leave your vehicle parked at Dawson Trail Campground on French Lake and shuttle from there. You could camp at Dawson Trail the night before or stay at a motel in Atikokan.

Instead of hiring a shuttle, you could also paddle directly from Dawson Trail/French Lake, a short distance down the Pickerel River to reach Pickerel Lake. However, a SW wind can be a problem. For a short 3-4 trip, I would not do this. I highly recommend paying for a shuttle to carry your canoe and gear to Stanton Bay.

The Summer 2012 issue of BWJ had a great article on summer lake trout fishing on Pickerel Lake.

A lot of great tips on laker fishing on this messageboard. Good luck.

Current issue of BWJ has the Laker segment of the Grand Slam. Cirrus and Pickerel are not mentioned and Quetico gets a "1" (out of 3) rating. (Only the 55 Q lakes that the editor has personal or client/friend/family info are mentioned.) Very few of the 3-rated lakes that I see here mention 30"+ lakers, by the way. Having read this new article, I'd ask if you've considered Saganagons, North Bay of Basswood, and Carp? These have 30-inch plus possibilities it seems and are easily accessed on day one. --Goose

Thanks for all of the responses. It is going to be tough to figure out where to go!

Old Salt - I think one of your posts led my group to one of our best days in the BWCA, a smaller lake to the south of Wednesday Bay. In Sag would you be referring to Cache Bay? Also, what would be the best way to get to north bay of Basswood?

You could get a bunk at Latourell's for an overnight, then have them shuttle you to Washington Island, paddle North a couple hours (depending on the wind) to North Bay of Basswood. It's hard to keep the Lake Trout off of your hooks there. If you want portages, you could paddle from Prairie portage through Burke Lake into the North Bay of Basswood.

Thanks again for all of the responses. The trip was awesome. Went to North Bay over Memorial weekend (if i remember correctly) via a tow from Latourell's - they were great.

Primarily caught lakers and smallmouth. For quality of fish, it was the best laker fishing we've had. Also, some pig smallies.

Walleye's were hard for us to find, only catching a few. Pike were the same, caught a few more, but they were all small (and it seemed like almost all of them had gashes in them from what i assume were larger pike).

Any advice for finding the pike and walleyes in this area? Or maybe we just weren't there at the right time? Hoping to go back in 2015.

I don't know from personal experience but have read Louisa (Quetico) is a great laker lake. Long first day but doable.

You were there at the wrong time. Shoulda been there next week.

Walter, I have an expensive option: Tow from Crane Lake to Bottle Portage and paddle into Roland Lake in Quetico off of Crooked Lake. You could be in Roland by about 3 PM to get some fishing done that day and have 2 full more days of fishing. Years ago we had good Laker action in the southern part of Roland. We stayed at the only campsite on Roland, the side just after you pass through the narrows of Roland. Good campsite. Bring a fish locator to find the optimal locations. It was in August and we were getting lakers at about 35 feet. I don't remember the tow costs (via Zup's) but I'd guess about $500. The ride from Crane Lake is a hoot in itself!

Walter, opps! didn't notice your posting date. Oh, well, tuck my info away for ... next year?

if you want walleyes off North bay, slide to the east side of Lost bay between the island and point. Trolled up 20plus eyes in a couple hours this last June