Hi all,

Taking my father in law up for his first trip next week, wondering if anyone has been to the area and had some luck with lakers/ walleye. We primarily fish for bass and pike but would love to get the grand slam. Just looking for any info on fishing these lakes and what has been working.

Cheers,

Cole

We are heading into the same area next Sunday if you see a white Wenonah Spirit II stop by and say hi and we can compare notes

one of my favorite areas, you will enjoy.

I was in that area in 2022. I can speak to the bass and pike as that's what we go for too. The very north end of Hanson Lake was a hot spot for big smallies with topwater. And all the narrows of the border lakes like Ottertrack were where we caught the best pike. Cherry Lake was the best looking lake in that area (thought I was in Lord of the Rings), but the only spot we struggled fishing- so maybe that's where the deep water fish are. We ran into someone who said he caught lakers on Rabbit Lake. Also make sure you hike up the little mountain straight north of campsite 2009 on Ester. You'll be able to see the whole BWCA. Good luck!

AndyEck84: "I was in that area in 2022. I can speak to the bass and pike as that's what we go for too. The very north end of Hanson Lake was a hot spot for big smallies with topwater. And all the narrows of the border lakes like Ottertrack were where we caught the best pike. Cherry Lake was the best looking lake in that area (thought I was in Lord of the Rings), but the only spot we struggled fishing- so maybe that's where the deep water fish are. We ran into someone who said he caught lakers on Rabbit Lake. Also make sure you hike up the little mountain straight north of campsite 2009 on Ester. You'll be able to see the whole BWCA. Good luck!"

Great feedback, thank you!

Smallmouth on Hanson Lake? That's new to me.

Not been to that area, but the MN DNR website notes that Rabbit is over 100 ft deep and lists only Lakers as something you'd be after. Also if you're after a bigger slam, Ashdick supposedly has Largemouth Bass as well.

Nothing like these forums to send you on another planning adventure! Happy Paddling.

Barca: "Not been to that area, but the MN DNR website notes that Rabbit is over 100 ft deep and lists only Lakers as something you'd be after. Also if you're after a bigger slam, Ashdick supposedly has Largemouth Bass as well.


Nothing like these forums to send you on another planning adventure! Happy Paddling. "Rabbit lakers very small but abundant

It has been a few years, but we caught some very nice walleyes on Ottertrack. You had to be there as the sun went down and then into the dark. Narrows.

Barca: "Also if you're after a bigger slam, Ashdick supposedly has Largemouth Bass as well.


"

I can confirm that Ashdick has largemouth. I would NOT take the portage from swamp to get there though. It's awful. Much better going into Ashdick from Ester.

analyzer: "

Barca: "Also if you're after a bigger slam, Ashdick supposedly has Largemouth Bass as well.



"

I can confirm that Ashdick has largemouth. I would NOT take the portage from swamp to get there though. It's awful. Much better going into Ashdick from Ester."

Fish for large mouth around the north campsite. We did very well there a couple of years ago.

If you're looking for pike you might consider going into the PMA lakes just to the East of Hanson. We slayed them in Gift Lake. Just between the portage and the island there are a mess of them. None are real big, but if you're just into catching them you'll do great.

I've heard good things about lakers in Amoeber if you want to make your way that far South. I've also heard there are lakers in Cherry but I've never fished for them there. We did well going after smallies and walleye. FYI - the portage into Cherry from Hanson is a bit of a beast, but worth the effort. The campsite on the narrows is probably my favorite in the BWCA, but it's popular.

If you're feeling real spry, you can take the portage from Cherry into Lunar. I've never climbed it but it looks pretty steep. I've heard good stories about lakers in Lunar as well.

On the cliffs above Cherry is a big patch of blueberry bushes. It's just a little ways from the portage.

Thanks for all the information everyone, we head up tomorrow!

Best of luck!

Got back on Saturday. Had a great trip, even though the paddle conditions on Wednesday across Sag were pretty rough, we made it to the Ottertrack campsite in about 5.5 hours (Made it back to the car in about 4.5 on Saturday). Wednesday afternoon until we exited on Saturday the weather was great, fishing was good and we even hit the grand slam with a 30.5" Lake Trout on Ester. Thanks for the info everyone!

Oh man, that is great to hear! Congrats on nailing a laker that size!