So I'm planning a trip, obviously. But for the first time my whole family might actually make this work. I realized I need to just take the reigns and purchase a permit for a specific and just push them to make it work. They'll never be able to come up with a time themselves.

As for me, I'd like to stick to the Ely area. I've done Fall Lake many times, Moose Lake, Wood Lake, Mudro, North Kawishiwi, Lake One. I'm just looking for something new and accommodating for 7 people. I don't want large portages but great June fishing. I'm considering a Snowbank Lake entry and exit and going up through Disappointment and up to Ima for a couple days.

Any thoughts on that or other suggestions?

Happy Paddling!
Jordan

Knife lake would be good

A family first trip experience has been a bonding point for many whether things worked out well or there were mishaps. While June can be some of the best fishing, it is also bug season and rain is likely at least some of the time. July can bring berries and crowds. August is now dry and crowded, great swimming however. You get the idea. Pick a time for the family so they will have a great introduction.
My 2 cents. Have a good one whatever you do.

Little Gabbro-Gabbro-Bald Eagle
Moose River North-Agnes-Lac La Croix

Snowbank to Ima is a great route. I did that in 2017. Disappointment is definitely the route to take. Much easier than Boot.

Do you imagine travelling most days or go in and base?

schweady: "Little Gabbro-Gabbro-Bald Eagle
Moose River North-Agnes-Lac La Croix "

I second this recommendation.

I'm really not sure yet. I would assume there will be maybe a two day push to get somewhere and then base for a couple nights.

schweady: "Little Gabbro-Gabbro-Bald Eagle
Moose River North-Agnes-Lac La Croix "

These are great recommendations! I never thought of Moose River North.

Not sure how far you are going in if you did a Moose R north entry, but Curtain Falls is worth a look if you're willing and able to get to Iron with your group, and Iron is a neat lake in itself as well as great fishing if you fish. Boulder Bay on LLC is nice and there is at least one extra large site that will easily accommodate a large group. If you stay on LLC there is enough to see and do to keep you busy for awhile. Before we switched to the Q, one of our favorite routes was Moose R North to Mudro. And as schweady also mentioned the Little Gabro entry is definitely worth a visit if you haven't been in that way.

HoneyGuy101: "I'm really not sure yet. I would assume there will be maybe a two day push to get somewhere and then base for a couple nights."

Entering Lake One or Farm Lake and going south to Gabbro or Bald Eagle would get you to a good area to base with some nice day trip opportunities - Isabella River and the Gull-Clearwater-Turtle loop. Can stay off big water mostly. Moderate number of easy portages.

mgraber: "Not sure how far you are going in if you did a Moose R north entry, but Curtain Falls is worth a look if you're willing and able to get to Iron with your group, and Iron is a neat lake in itself as well as great fishing if you fish. Boulder Bay on LLC is nice and there is at least one extra large site that will easily accommodate a large group. If you stay on LLC there is enough to see and do to keep you busy for awhile. Before we switched to the Q, one of our favorite routes was Moose R North to Mudro. And as schweady also mentioned the Little Gabro entry is definitely worth a visit if you haven't been in that way."

The way things are shaping up, I will be doing two trips hopefully. If I do the second trip, it would be a lot fewer and more experienced people going. I would to take all of these suggestions into consideration. Especially because getting to LLC has been a goal and relatively easily done. Where is Curtain Falls in respect to the Moose River North Entry Point?

Curtain Falls is aprox 21 miles from the entry point and is where Crooked Lake flows in to Iron Lake. There are a couple of ways to get there but my suggestion is to take the portage on the east end of Boulder Bay of LLC which takes you to the main body of LLC and an active ranger cabin and boat house which is kinda neat. They live and workout of it all season, no electric or running water . They make periodic trips to work on campsites, portages, and to check permits, etc. If they are there you can talk to them. There is a one mile portage that takes you directly to Iron right there, but don't take it, it is pretty rough. Travel up the east shore of LLC to the Bottle Portage. This takes you to the Bottle river and Iron lake. So one HARD day or two average days. Depending on where you stay on LLC it could even be a day trip.

sylvesterii: "Snowbank to Ima is a great route. I did that in 2017. Disappointment is definitely the route to take. Much easier than Boot. "

Well the decision has been made! Snowbank Lake on June 12th! Still looking for a trip in September possibly but we'll see how things pan out with that. Times like this I wish I lived that much closer so doing these trips don't have to be planned so far in advance.