Hey all,

I'll start by saying I've never caught a lake trout. Plenty of other fishing and BWCA experience through otherwise.

I'm planning on either a solo or 2 person trip in late may of 2019. I'm guessing it would only last for 3 days, 2 nights. I know that I want the focus to be on catching Lake Trout, but the problem lies in which lakes give me the highest percentage of CATCHING fish. I'm not worried about the size of the fish, I just want to familiarize myself with catching them and how to prepare them. I'll worry about catching trophies after I've got a little more experience under my belt...

So with that in mind... Can anyone recommend a region/lake that is a high percentage trout lake in the spring? I'm willing to do a strenuous paddle in for good fishing!

Thanks!

I'd suggest the Gunflint Trail for numbers of lakes with good populations of smaller trout. If you really want to work for your trout, but have a virtual guarantee of good numbers, JA Paulson (sometimes called JAP on older maps) off Seagull is tough to beat. The portage is brutal; 520 rods and the distance is not what makes it hard! The reward is a lake loaded with 1-2 pound trout. Our group of 3 caught 30 one night after dinner. We watched two guys in another canoe catch a bunch with flyrods - that looked like a hoot. Next time I go, I will bring a flyrod.

The lake only has 2 campsites, but I've never seen more people than that wanting to camp there. I've seen a number of people walk in from Seagull and fish from shore; they've done well.

Mountain Lake is another good numbers lake. So is Daniels (2 pounds would be the high end here, with many smaller). Gillis is good, as is Tuscarora. Look at the DNR Lake Finder web site for lakes with lots of small lake trout. Any of them should be good in late May. For small trout (anything under three pounds) it's tough to beat a tiny Little Cleo; I like the 1/8 oz. size. Tiny Kastmasters are also good, as are panther martins. For the small, bug-and-shrimp-eating trout, smaller lures work much better. Use snap weights or jet divers to get them down deeper if necessary, but you should try flat-line trolling first. If the fish are shallow, it's a blast to cast for them.

RPike has given you good advice.

I was also going to recommend the Gunflint. Mountain is indeed a good option. Very pretty area, too. Near Daniels is Duncan, Rose and South (could work for a 2 night out-and-back route with great scenery). South would probably be the most productive for lakers on that route.

Great advice guys! Thanks! I've heard about Mountain before, seems like a good option! How busy does it get in May?

Is there any potential for a lake that I've got in mind that's reasonably accessible accessible from the Ely side?

There are quite a few reports of trout on Knife early in the year. If you want a small lake out of Ely, check out Fat next to slim from EP 14. Could get there in a day taking unmarked portage from slim and hopefully have the lake to yourself. High density of small-med lakers

Hadn't heard of Fat before, that's a great idea. Thanks for that! Plus it's small so it can be fished regardless of the wind

Daniels sounds like another good option mentioned above. Easy to get to, lots of trout but no monsters.

Is there any lakes that are easy to get to from the snowbank area?

Thomas is a relatively easy destination.

MY 2 favorite lake trout lakes in the BW are knife & seagull for size and numbers. , if you can be within 2-weeks of ice out it can be a no brainer for lake trout fishing. i always soak a dead sucker/minnow while at camp on a slip sinker set up.

thompsona: "Is there any potential for a lake that I've got in mind that's reasonably accessible accessible from the Ely side? "

I had never caught a Lake Trout until June of this year. My nephew and I chose Knife Lake for our destination. We used Shad Raps and Tail Dancers in either fire tiger, purple or silver and had no problems catching lake trout. We would average one trout about every 45 to 60 minutes of slow trolling in the mornings. Do a search on here for the mcsweem map, it has good areas already marked on it.
Put yourself on the right lake, in the right area with the right lure and you will catch your lake trout. Have fun on your adventure!

Adding an extra day making it a 4 day trip would help. Otherwise you will lose the better part of two days traveling to some lakes. May is usually windy and can make travel and fishing difficult. Last time I was up in May we had to travel at night because it was so windy during the day.

For that short of a trip, I'd suggest an easy-to-access lake like Daniels, Seagull, or (my preferred choice) Knife. Plenty of people on Knife, but the fish are there.