Looking for a good lake to basecamp with some small island sites. Why island sites? Well, we like to bring our dog along and prefer to keep her on leash when possible. Small island sites provide good opportunities for letting the dog go off leash without having to worry about her wandering off. An island on the N end of Insula worked well for this last year. We'll be there in mid-June.

Bonus points for spots with nearby points of interest and/or good fishing.

geo, I will keep thinking but one lake comes to mind...Perent Lake out of the Hog Creek entry. There are at least 5 island campsites on the lake, mostly quite nice. It is a good sized lake and shallow so subject to windy conditions at times but a very pretty lake and excellent walleye fishing. If you don't mind entering via a long and winding narrow river full of twists and turns it is an interesting and easy, but a little frustrating way to go in. Car to camp in half a day or less.

Another option, Meeds Lake off of Poplar. 2 of the 3 sites on the lake are island sites, both nice. Meeds is an excellent smallie lake and a good walleye lake. Entry is via a long and tough portage from Poplar, or an easier but maybe slightly longer jaunt through Lizz, Caribou and the little creek that connects Caribou to Meeds. Quiet lake.

Ensign Lake off the Moose chain has a number of island sites and is known for good fishing. Nice lake but can be a very busy spot. Easy entry, good scenery and fishing means there could be lots of folks around. Not to mention that there is 35 or so campsites on the lake:(

lindylair: "Another option, Meeds Lake off of Poplar. 2 of the 3 sites on the lake are island sites, both nice. Meeds is an excellent smallie lake and a good walleye lake. Entry is via a long and tough portage from Poplar, or an easier but maybe slightly longer jaunt through Lizz, Caribou and the little creek that connects Caribou to Meeds. Quiet lake. "

We've done this area before - thought it was fantastic!

I should also add that we don't mind a long day of paddling (neither does the dog) to get to our site. Understanding that later in the day more sites are claimed of course...

Not sure how much time you have or how far you want to travel...another option would be to enter at Kawishiwi lake and make your way to Polly lake which is a beuatiful lake and has two island campsites...maybe they are open, maybe not. Stop there or continue on to Malberg which is a great lake. The ultimate destination could be Polly, or River lake to the west of Malberg which offers two island sites, both nice. The southern one is a gem. And there is excellent fishing to be had in the area. This would be a little more ambitious than other options, but arguably worth it too. Malberg is a moderately long day from kawishiwi entry but the River Lake sites are only one more portage and a short paddle further.

Cherokee Lake has some nice island sites

Insula has a bunch of island camp sites as well but many of them are in high demand which makes planning on camping on one of them somewhat difficult.

To name a few....Tuscarora, Ogishkemuncie, Banadad, Horse, Burnt, Boulder, Kekekabic, Cummings, Finger, Isabella, Gabbro, Kawisihiwi River, Little Saganaga, Gabimichigami, and of course most of the large border lakes have several.

Long Island Lake has island sites on the west and east end that will work. Tuscarora's island site is very nice. Crooked Lake (south of Gillis) has a nice island site. I will second Little Sag for several island sites. Nearby Gabimichigami has island sites. Mora Lake has a very nice island site. Have stayed on an island site on the west end of Brule. I will also second Cherokee for great island sites. Shell Lake has several island sites. Phoebe Lake has a couple of island sites. Seagull Lake and Alpine Lake each have several island sites.

"whale" island on basswood is a nice spot that also has a shallow Sandy lagoon that's great for kids

Little Sag is one of the only lakes I can think of where it's almost guaranteed to have an island site available simply due to the large number of them. Good fishing in the area too.

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone!

nooneuno: ""whale" island on basswood is a nice spot that also has a shallow Sandy lagoon that's great for kids"

Where’s this “whale” island? If you don’t mind my asking.

Thanks,

Tony

lindylair: "Not sure how much time you have or how far you want to travel...another option would be to enter at Kawishiwi lake and make your way to Polly lake which is a beuatiful lake and has two island campsites...maybe they are open, maybe not. Stop there or continue on to Malberg which is a great lake. The ultimate destination could be Polly, or River lake to the west of Malberg which offers two island sites, both nice. The southern one is a gem. And there is excellent fishing to be had in the area. This would be a little more ambitious than other options, but arguably worth it too. Malberg is a moderately long day from kawishiwi entry but the River Lake sites are only one more portage and a short paddle further. "

How much further north have you gone from this entry. My brother and I are taking our trip out of this entry point this June. Possibly head up to Pan, maybe loop around Vee and back through Boulder.. the options are endless. Walleye fishing and solitude is what we are looking for.

WW, unfortunately Malberg to River Lake is as far north as I have gone. We have transitioned to mostly modified basecamp trips and don't travel as much as we used to. I do know from exhaustive reading on this site that the area north of Malberg is very nice and one of the more remote areas in the BWCA. If you post a message inquiring about the specific areas you are interested in I would bet you will get many great responses about the lakes, portages, fishing and campsites. Wish I could help more but I can tell you that Malberg can be reached in one day and you could go further if you are motivated. It is a great lake with many nice campsites and River lake was also nice and we had the best hour of walleye fishing I have ever had there.

Hope you have a great trip.

anthonyp007: "

nooneuno: ""whale" island on basswood is a nice spot that also has a shallow Sandy lagoon that's great for kids"

Where’s this “whale” island? If you don’t mind my asking.


Thanks,


Tony"

As you paddle North toward Basswood falls through Jackfish, the third island past the no motor line has two campsites it will look like a whale (depending on which map you are looking at) . In the crook between the whales body and it's tail is a lagoon that is 1 to 2 feet deep, sandy, with no weeds. In the entire BWCA this is the place I would want to be if I had young kids with me, the water warms early and fast in this lagoon and the island is fairly flat with clear trails around the entire perimeter. good fishing nearby, for a family base camp it would be tough to beat.

Phoebe. Quiet, good fishing, some nice island sites.