Since '84 most of my trips have been up the Gunflint, but I have been considering something different; Sawbill or the Arrowhead Trail. Over the last few years, my interest in fishing has began to wane. My friend and his son loves to fish for smallmouth. I know where to put them in smallies on the Gunflint. But if I could see some new scenery to satisfy me as well as satisfy my buddy with good smallmouth action, that would be the ideal scenario.

I'd love to have a few ideas for the 3rd week of June time frame. Thanks!

Everything on the Arrowhead can be accessed from the Gunflint. There is a lot of cool stuff over there and if you haven't made it you definitely should, but you should use one of the Gunflint entries to do it. Having the resources that the outfitters and other area businesses and attractions can provide is a big plus.

I suggest: East Bearskin, Alder, Canoe, Pine, McFarland, Little John, John, East Pike, West Pike, Clearwater, Deer, Moon, East Bearskin.

Check out Johnson Falls, and the many overlooks on the BRT.

If you are really into base camping , I suggest a camp on one of the Pikes. Put in on Clearwater and head east till you are spent. You will still be able to do Johnson Falls, and the many overlooks on the BRT.

Happy paddling.

I have gone from Sawbill up to Cherokee a few times and have enjoyed it. Cherokee is a pretty lake.

Looking for smb out of the Sawbill area, I would suggest the Lady Lakes chain. Alton, Beth, Phoebe, and Grace Lakes are known for their smb. I like to get a shuttle from Sawbill Outfitter to Kawishiwi Lake and travel back to Sawbill throug the Lady Lakes.

If you are interested in the Cherokee Loop, the lake in that route with the most notable amount of smb is probably South Temperance. Cherokee is a beautiful lake but does not have smb to my knowledge. It is mostly known for its lake trout and northern pike.

Out of Kawishiwi Lake - Polly and Malberg have smb, but not in great numbers.

quote canoe212: "Everything on the Arrowhead can be accessed from the Gunflint. There is a lot of cool stuff over there and if you haven't made it you definitely should, but you should use one of the Gunflint entries to do it. Having the resources that the outfitters and other area businesses and attractions can provide is a big plus.
I suggest: East Bearskin, Alder, Canoe, Pine, McFarland, Little John, John, East Pike, West Pike, Clearwater, Deer, Moon, East Bearskin.
Check out Johnson Falls, and the many overlooks on the BRT.
If you are really into base camping , I suggest a camp on one of the Pikes. Put in on Clearwater and head east till you are spent. You will still be able to do Johnson Falls, and the many overlooks on the BRT.
Happy paddling."

Thanks so much! Been on most of those, but not John, Little John, Deer, Moon. I thought about Clearwater to West and East and day trips from there or Alder and day trips from there? But really more interested in something I haven't seen like the John Lakes, Fowl Lakes, Royal River, etc. That or the Sawbill area.

quote Michwall2: "Looking for smb out of the Sawbill area, I would suggest the Lady Lakes chain. Alton, Beth, Phoebe, and Grace Lakes are known for their smb. I like to get a shuttle from Sawbill Outfitter to Kawishiwi Lake and travel back to Sawbill throug the Lady Lakes.
If you are interested in the Cherokee Loop, the lake in that route with the most notable amount of smb is probably South Temperance. Cherokee is a beautiful lake but does not have smb to my knowledge. It is mostly known for its lake trout and northern pike.
Out of Kawishiwi Lake - Polly and Malberg have smb, but not in great numbers.
"

One of the attractions to Sawbill is the ability to start in a no paddle lake and the curiosity to see that area. I've at least driven the Arrowhead up to Mcfarland. I have to admit, Sawbill area is the most appealing do to the fact that I've never been there. Thanks!

op, entering at Macfarland/Little john is something we used to do pretty regularly. Although I have done it several times and headed west to John and the Pike lakes, or through Pine and loop back, we most often went to South Fowl lake. there are a couple great campsites there and although it is technically not in the BWCA, you wouldn't know it. The paddle on the Royal River holds a vivid and strong sentimental place in the hearts of the guys that went on these many trips. It is a very nice area and more remote than most - the drive up the arrowhead is definitely more secluded than comparable drives on the more popular routes.

There is a great campsite on the south shore of South Fowl that looks straight across to a quite high rocky cliffside. We used to climb that cliff every year for an incredible view, even though it was in Canada (pleading ignorance). As a plus, South Fowl is a good walleye lake too. Honestly don't know the smallmouth potential although I would bet on the Pike Lakes being good for that.

In fact we were on that cliff one time when we watched a group of underprivileged youths from Chicago vandalize our campsite. Couldn't get down fast enough...but that is another story.

the Pike Lakes are nice, not sure if the Royal River is as beautiful as I remember it or not but it's high on my memory list. I vividly remember chasing a family of otters down the river for what seemed like a couple miles one morning. Good stuff.

I can't help with the fishing and I have no experience out the Arrowhead other than driving out the road, but think you'd enjoy the Sawbill - Kawishiwi area. I've entered at Kawishiwi a few times and it's an interesting trip up to Polly. I have not done the Lady Chain (it's on my list), but one year Steve and I did a longer loop through Little Sag and back to Sawbill.

quote lindylair: "
There is a great campsite on the south shore of South Fowl that looks straight across to a quite high rocky cliffside. We used to climb that cliff every year for an incredible view, even though it was in Canada (pleading ignorance). As a plus, South Fowl is a good walleye lake too. Honestly don't know the smallmouth potential although I would bet on the Pike Lakes being good for that.
In fact we were on that cliff one time when we watched a group of underprivileged youths from Chicago vandalize our campsite. Couldn't get down fast enough...but that is another story.
the Pike Lakes are nice, not sure if the Royal River is as beautiful as I remember it or not but it's high on my memory list. I vividly remember chasing a family of otters down the river for what seemed like a couple miles one morning. Good stuff. "

The pics I've seen of the Royal River looks really nice. If only I knew I could get my friend into smallies there? Also, I'd like to take them across the border to see the falls before or after the trip so Arrowhead trail puts us closer.

That sucks about the campsite getting vandalized! Never, ever had a problem in the BWCAW. Is that a problem on the Arrowhead Trail? I'd like to hear more if you could?