Hello all,

My friends and I are taking our second trip to the BWCA this year and are going to a new place - Little Gabbro. Based off some of the research I've done, we're planning on going to base camp at Turtle Lake. I'm just a little concerned about some of the fire damage from past years. Does anyone know if all four campsites are open? Additionally, it seems like Turtle Lake was/hopefully still is an awesome northern pike lake. Has anyone been there lately that can confirm this is still the case? If anyone else knows of decent fishing lakes around Turtle, that would be appreciated too.

Cheers!

When is your trip? My son and I are entering at Snake River on the 28th and will be doing the loop from Bald Eagle to Gabbro via gull, Pietro, Clearwater and Turtle. It is my understanding that these are good lakes for small mouth , walleye and pike.

Sorry forgot to put the date. We will be putting in August 18th and planning on being out 6 days.

Forest service has a map showing closed sites or just call them.

USFS maps

I think map 4 at bottom of page.

Thanks! Looks like on the map at least some of the sites are open

I think all are open on Turtle. Just Pietro in that loop has a closed site. Turtle was realy outside the burn area.

I highly recommend doing the loop. Daytripping, not hard in one long day. Fascinating views.

zlamere,
I have fished all of the lakes in the Gabbro, Bald Eagle area and can give you a little insight to the fishing. First thing to consider is that it is a pretty popular area and the Gabbros and Bald Eagle campsites tend to fill up early. Turtle is not as popular due to the fact that it is a very shallow lake and Northerns are its only game fish. If fishing is your main interest I would recommend either or both Gull and Pietro. They are both good lakes for smallies and/or northerns. On a side note the seven lakes, i.e. Little Gabbro, Gabbro, Bald Eagle, Pietro, Gull, Clearwater, Turtle and back to Bald Eagle is a great little loop that is worth the effort. Hope the info helps. Have a great trip.
canoerone

canoerone: "zlamere,
I have fished all of the lakes in the Gabbro, Bald Eagle area and can give you a little insight to the fishing. First thing to consider is that it is a pretty popular area and the Gabbros and Bald Eagle campsites tend to fill up early. Turtle is not as popular due to the fact that it is a very shallow lake and Northerns are its only game fish. If fishing is your main interest I would recommend either or both Gull and Pietro. They are both good lakes for smallies and/or northerns. On a side note the seven lakes, i.e. Little Gabbro, Gabbro, Bald Eagle, Pietro, Gull, Clearwater, Turtle and back to Bald Eagle is a great little loop that is worth the effort. Hope the info helps. Have a great trip.
canoerone"

Canoerone
Thanks for the tips! On our last trip we were base campers with day trips, but maybe this trip we'll have to try out moving a few times

I’ll be bringing my 10 yo to this area 7/8. Planning to basecamp on Gabbro or Bald Eagle as I am recovering from a fractured ankle. Any fishing/sightseeing/recreation tips would be appreciated.