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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 06:17PM
Trip Planning

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
RT 03/31/2021 09:13AM
If you want a mix of small and big lakes, and happen to be going out of the Grand Marais side, I recommend the "Red Rocks" loop at the end of the Gunflint Trail. You can start on either Seagull Lake or the Big Sag side of the loop and it is a very chill 2 to 3 night trip (if you are going slow). I have done it multiple times just to explore the lakes in that area.


There are a few portages on the route. Seagull Lake to Alpine lake has a 100 rod portage that is a cake walk. Alpine to Red Rock has a 46 rod that is easy. And there is a 9 rod between Red Rock and Big Sag.


Here is a link. This says you can do the trip in 3-5 days, but I have completed it in one. All depends on how slow you want to go.
Red Rocks Route
lindylair 03/25/2021 08:14PM
Duncan is an area I thought of as well, easy entry and good scenic daytrips in the area. There are trout as well but not known as a great trout fishing lake.


Another thought, Clearwater Lake entry, good trout and smallmouth fishing if the trout aren't cooperating. One of the prettiest lakes in the BWCA, especially on the east end. No portages. Some really nice campsites. Great outfitter on the west end for bunkhouse or any lastminute equipment needs.
cyclones30 03/25/2021 12:04PM
Look into Duncan, Daniels, Rose areas. Easy to get to, not very far in. There is a portage w/ stairs to get to Rose that way
Michwall2 03/25/2021 10:43AM
I would look at Sea Gull Lake or Saganaga Lake off the Gunflint. Both would offer no portage options. Both are bigger water, but, with one relatively short portage, you could stay on Alpine and travel to the bigger lakes as needed. Red Rock Lake has both brook and lake trout listed in MNLakeFinder. Red Rock is easy to access via either Sea Gull or Saganaga Lakes.


I would also consider Brule Lake off the Sawbill Trail (east side again). Again there is no portage here.


Another you could consider, but, with some portaging, is Cherokee Lake. I think your best bet to get there is from Sawbill Lake. One longer portage of 180 rd. has some ups and downs in it. You could try getting there from Brule, but I think the 140 rds from Sitka to Cherokee is far worse than the 180 from Skoop to Cherokee Creek. Cherokee Creek usually has at least one beaver dam pull over to negotiate, too.


Other trout lakes I know have longer portages to reach them:
Tuscarora - 140 and 385 from Missing LInk entry
Wine Lake - 10, 450, 65 from Sawbill
Cloudy Canoe 03/25/2021 07:43AM
I am looking for an easier trip to take my dad on this spring (he’s in his 60s and doesn’t want to do a whole lot of portages). We have both been to the boundary waters several times. Does anyone have any recommendations on a more leisure route with good trout fishing? We will probably just go for 3 days. Thanks!