Looking for route ideas for an 8-day trip in September 2020. Two guys, fishing heavy, not moving camp everyday. Maybe incorporate a PMA for some of the time. Prefer smaller waters and solitude. Prefer to stay out of any of the burn areas.

Any ideas for us? Thanks in advance.

rye, I copied this from another post I made a while back. So many options but I think this one offers a little of everything and would be relatively remote in spots. You got plenty of time to think about it, way to start planning early:)

Here is my suggestion, I actually copied it from another post and they had one less day. If you had any interest in this trip there is an outfitter along highway 61 right before you turn up the Sawbill Trail called Sawtooth Oufitters that can hook you up with any equipment you need and will mount the canoe on your vehicle for you. Nice people too. Could also pickup your permit there. Sawbill Outfitters would be another option which would only be very slightly out of your way. Great place with a store and showers available and an awesome National Forest campground across the road if you happen to get up there late and need a place to sleep for the night. There is also a nice National Forest campground right at the entry point which may or may not have an open site.

"Enter #37 Kawishiwi Lake. Go through a burn area for your first 3-4 hours which is sobering and interesting. Proceed up to Malberg for night one, many great sites.

From there head over to River lake...fish your way down this one, very good walleye fishing. Make your way to Fishdance for the "haunted" pictographs, or over to Alice, or both. You could take the river/creek route from there(depending on water levels) or the three portage route over to Insula, a legendary BWCA lake. Night two.

From Insula head up to Kiana, Thomas and Fraser. Sagus east of Fraser is known to be a pretty good walleye lake, might be a good spot to camp. From there head east through the small lakes to get to a decision point: head south to Boulder, Adams and Beaver or continue on east to Elton and Makwa and make your way back towards Malberg this way. Night 4 on Boulder, Adams or Beaver would likely give you solitude in September. This whole area is known to be some of the most remote areas of the BWCA. Head back to Malberg and retrace your paddle strokes out to Kawishiwi. Malberg is a very nice lake with decent fishing , good for a night too depending on plans. Would leave a 6 or so hour paddle out...or Night 4 could be a layover night anywhere along the route. Making your way to Polly for your last night would allow you to enjoy this beautiful lake with a relatively easy exit on your last day.

This would be a dream trip for me but at my age it would have to be a 9 or 10 night trip with a few layovers. The scenery would be great, plenty of good fishing including lake trout opportunities along the way, and some pretty remote country on the northern part of the trip. Obviously it could be tailored to your liking and allows options for shortening or lengthening the route. "

With an extra day you could probably get over to Vierge or Little Saganaga Lake which is another legendary BWCA lake. The trip offers a lot of options along the way to shorten your route if for any reason you need to. I think it also offers the opportunity to layover a night or two if you find a spot you really like. There is small river canoeing, with the potential for beaver dam pullovers, lots of great campsites including island and sand beach sites, excellent fishing potential for walleye, pike, panfish, smallmouth bass and lake trout and the potential for a measure of seclusion, especially in the northern parts. No big water to contend with(Alice could be the only exception if you happen to hit it on a windy day)

Here is a trip report from a few years ago that covers a portion of the route:

Kawishiwi entry


There aren't many, if any bad routes in the BWCA. This is but one option but I think it would be one you would enjoy. I know that many on this site could chime in on their experiences in this area and whether it could be a great route for a couple of first time visitors to really get into the essence of the BWCA, I think it would be.

Just noticed that you wanted to avoid burn areas...this has burn for parts of the first 3-4 hours but that is it. It's actually kind of interesting...

thanks for the info. we will have to look into this route. sounds like just were after. we have been on 4 trips so far but lots to learn still.

Excellent & thorough post, lindylair. Liking your suggestion for a solo.

Maybe this? Buck lake should provide what your looking for but, there are a number of smaller lakes in this immediate area that have potential.

If you're not moving every day, the full loop from Lindy is probably a bit long. I do love the lakes and area suggested, but covering all that isn't likely if you want to fish a lot.

I'd get a tow from Saganaga to the west. Paddle to Ottertrack and fish. Or ester/Hanson. Then cherry or PMA right there and south arm of Knife are all very close. Make it a loop or head back the way you came. Loop back thru Ogish, alpine, etc to Sag. Grand slam potential all thru there